Coming back to the series on debut albums, today's post deals with KoЯn's self-titled 1994 debut.
Now,to completely understand the contents & musical style of this album, one needs to take the era into consideration.The early 90s were difficult for Metal,Nu-Metal and other variants of this genre.Not much talent was forthcoming and the masses were turning to Rock N Roll.
This debut effort from KoЯn is popularly credited to restart a fresh wave of Nu-Metal, especially their 3rd single from the album "Shoots and Ladders".I, too, believe that the track was revolutionary.
This KoЯn, often called the Old KoЯn, has Brian "Head" Welch on guitar, in addition to James "Munky" Schaffer and David Silveria on Drums.Two stalwarts in their fields and generally, irreplacable.You can feel the aggro nature of this album through the mind-numbing guitar riffs that this duo produces and the eeriely unstable,discontinuous drum-beats of David Silveria.
KoЯn would move on and mature to a more level,melodic and structured style of song-writing, but this album is a raw expression of the various strong emotions that will be reflected on their next album, but never again.
Getting down to the songs--
KoЯn [1994] ------------ *******ooo [7/10]
One thing to remember before starting to listen to this album is that you have to keep an open mind, and not judge the songs too fast.It takes getting used to.
The lyrical content is mainly based on lead vocalist Jon Davis's nightmarish school-life, with all the hate,hurt,denial and drug and child abuse.
The opening track is Blind, one of my all-time favourites.The best part of this song is it's intro.The guitar and bass in their singularity sound totally great and create the effect which KoЯn must've wanted for sure.David hitting the mic next to his drum-set is also an innovative technique.
This song has been heavily accoladed and a crowd favourite at concerts.
#88 in 100 Songs That Changed The World
#93 in 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks Ever
#2 in 666 Songs You Must Own[Contemporary Metal]
#10 in 100 Greatest singles Of All Time
Next up is Ball Tongue, with an awesome Bass intro by Fieldy and accompanying guitars.I always liken this song to the experience of rubbing sand-paper on a baby's face.Jon Davis says he didn't "sing" any part on this track, and that is just how it came out.
I especially like the usage of a metallic sheet [probably],somewhere along the lines of a lid for a garbage can as a chime.It creates a resounding clang,which suits the mood of the song.
Need To,their 2nd single is next.This song talks about pushing someone away, to whom you're close, just because you are afraid of the reaction you'll unearth once you get too close.The bass+drum track goes along very well.By now, you'll get which way this album is going.
Halfway into the song,there is amazing part where Jon sings the words "Need To" with an insanely quick tempo of Bass and Drums.
Clown is next.Once again, the intro grabs my attention.When you have a top-class bassist in Fieldy, why not flaunt it !! The guitar part throughout this song consists of weirdly muted notes played repeatedly.The lyrics and how they're sung fail to impress me.
This track mainly talks about all the taunts one has to bear.
Divine doesn't find much acclaim from me.
The only part that fits is it's bridge which goes something like this-"F*** you! Fed up with you...."
Faget brings some credibility with it.This one is about bullying and abuse a person has to bear when he does not fit in somewhere.Jon's refrains of "Faggot! Faggot!" are quite painful.
The guitars in all tracks are top-notch and faultless.This is how heavy metal is played, though KoЯn prefer to be called a Nu-Metal band with a "Heavy Groove".
The star, Shoots and Ladders, is next.My favourite on the record.The first to feature Jon Davis on bagpipes,as the intro blows your mind away.This track is a taunt to all those who repeat things without understanding the content.Kind of our University Toppers,right? Jokes apart, this song is about the hidden meanings inside the famous nursery rhymes, which children just lap up and recite, without understanding their origin and the moral they convey.
For example, few people know that "Ring Around The Rosies" is about the Great Plague in London during the Middle Ages.Try decoding it !
Predictable is next, but it pales in front of it's predecessor.I like the part where a beep punctuates the guitar line, which is soon followed by the chorus,this time with some extra guitar!
Fake is a good one.The sound is similar to all the other tracks in this album.I love how the songs goes into high gear from verse to chorus and then back to low for the next verse.It practically explodes at the beginning of the chorus!
This song is about the fake persona a person displays for being accepted and various other reasons.That way he hides his real self.
Lies doesn't make that much of a mark.
Helmet in the Bush starts off strongly.Once the singing starts,instruments pretty much blend into the background.The singing style is haunting in a way that cannot be explained, but not something worthy of sitting up and taking notice.
Daddy is the last track on this album.This is a description of the abuse Jon had to face as a child.The bass line is very good.The chorus forms the backbone of the track and the emotions are so strong that Jon reportedly cried during the recording of this track, which is what is heard after 5:45 of the track is elapsed,while drums and a cathartic guitar riff continues to play.Unarguably the most powerful track on this album.
Now, the most important fact in judging an album is the separation of it's "Listenability" factor and it's "Credibility" factor.This album gets high marks from me for it's content,style adopted, skill and effort put into it.KoЯn have put their heart and soul into their debut, that's for sure.
But for most, the Listenability factor is more important, which is very, very low, and I agree with that.This one is not meant to be played in a car, at home or for that matter anywhere.It's just a Person->Song relation.
Taking all factors into consideration, a 7/10 rating is fair.
One must surely try out the New KoЯn to get a grip on what they really can do with their music!
Next Week: Pop-Punk on a high as I review Hey Monday's Hold On Tight
Now,to completely understand the contents & musical style of this album, one needs to take the era into consideration.The early 90s were difficult for Metal,Nu-Metal and other variants of this genre.Not much talent was forthcoming and the masses were turning to Rock N Roll.
This debut effort from KoЯn is popularly credited to restart a fresh wave of Nu-Metal, especially their 3rd single from the album "Shoots and Ladders".I, too, believe that the track was revolutionary.
This KoЯn, often called the Old KoЯn, has Brian "Head" Welch on guitar, in addition to James "Munky" Schaffer and David Silveria on Drums.Two stalwarts in their fields and generally, irreplacable.You can feel the aggro nature of this album through the mind-numbing guitar riffs that this duo produces and the eeriely unstable,discontinuous drum-beats of David Silveria.
 |
| From Left:Head[Guitar],David Silveria[Drums],Jon Davis[Vocals],Munky[Guitar],Fieldy[Bass] |
KoЯn would move on and mature to a more level,melodic and structured style of song-writing, but this album is a raw expression of the various strong emotions that will be reflected on their next album, but never again.
Getting down to the songs--
KoЯn [1994] ------------ *******ooo [7/10]
One thing to remember before starting to listen to this album is that you have to keep an open mind, and not judge the songs too fast.It takes getting used to.
The lyrical content is mainly based on lead vocalist Jon Davis's nightmarish school-life, with all the hate,hurt,denial and drug and child abuse.
The opening track is Blind, one of my all-time favourites.The best part of this song is it's intro.The guitar and bass in their singularity sound totally great and create the effect which KoЯn must've wanted for sure.David hitting the mic next to his drum-set is also an innovative technique.
This song has been heavily accoladed and a crowd favourite at concerts.
#88 in 100 Songs That Changed The World
#93 in 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks Ever
#2 in 666 Songs You Must Own[Contemporary Metal]
#10 in 100 Greatest singles Of All Time
Next up is Ball Tongue, with an awesome Bass intro by Fieldy and accompanying guitars.I always liken this song to the experience of rubbing sand-paper on a baby's face.Jon Davis says he didn't "sing" any part on this track, and that is just how it came out.
I especially like the usage of a metallic sheet [probably],somewhere along the lines of a lid for a garbage can as a chime.It creates a resounding clang,which suits the mood of the song.
Need To,their 2nd single is next.This song talks about pushing someone away, to whom you're close, just because you are afraid of the reaction you'll unearth once you get too close.The bass+drum track goes along very well.By now, you'll get which way this album is going.
Halfway into the song,there is amazing part where Jon sings the words "Need To" with an insanely quick tempo of Bass and Drums.
Clown is next.Once again, the intro grabs my attention.When you have a top-class bassist in Fieldy, why not flaunt it !! The guitar part throughout this song consists of weirdly muted notes played repeatedly.The lyrics and how they're sung fail to impress me.
This track mainly talks about all the taunts one has to bear.
Divine doesn't find much acclaim from me.
The only part that fits is it's bridge which goes something like this-"F*** you! Fed up with you...."
Faget brings some credibility with it.This one is about bullying and abuse a person has to bear when he does not fit in somewhere.Jon's refrains of "Faggot! Faggot!" are quite painful.
The guitars in all tracks are top-notch and faultless.This is how heavy metal is played, though KoЯn prefer to be called a Nu-Metal band with a "Heavy Groove".
The star, Shoots and Ladders, is next.My favourite on the record.The first to feature Jon Davis on bagpipes,as the intro blows your mind away.This track is a taunt to all those who repeat things without understanding the content.Kind of our University Toppers,right? Jokes apart, this song is about the hidden meanings inside the famous nursery rhymes, which children just lap up and recite, without understanding their origin and the moral they convey.
For example, few people know that "Ring Around The Rosies" is about the Great Plague in London during the Middle Ages.Try decoding it !
Predictable is next, but it pales in front of it's predecessor.I like the part where a beep punctuates the guitar line, which is soon followed by the chorus,this time with some extra guitar!
Fake is a good one.The sound is similar to all the other tracks in this album.I love how the songs goes into high gear from verse to chorus and then back to low for the next verse.It practically explodes at the beginning of the chorus!
This song is about the fake persona a person displays for being accepted and various other reasons.That way he hides his real self.
Lies doesn't make that much of a mark.
Helmet in the Bush starts off strongly.Once the singing starts,instruments pretty much blend into the background.The singing style is haunting in a way that cannot be explained, but not something worthy of sitting up and taking notice.
Daddy is the last track on this album.This is a description of the abuse Jon had to face as a child.The bass line is very good.The chorus forms the backbone of the track and the emotions are so strong that Jon reportedly cried during the recording of this track, which is what is heard after 5:45 of the track is elapsed,while drums and a cathartic guitar riff continues to play.Unarguably the most powerful track on this album.
Now, the most important fact in judging an album is the separation of it's "Listenability" factor and it's "Credibility" factor.This album gets high marks from me for it's content,style adopted, skill and effort put into it.KoЯn have put their heart and soul into their debut, that's for sure.
But for most, the Listenability factor is more important, which is very, very low, and I agree with that.This one is not meant to be played in a car, at home or for that matter anywhere.It's just a Person->Song relation.
Taking all factors into consideration, a 7/10 rating is fair.
One must surely try out the New KoЯn to get a grip on what they really can do with their music!
 |
| New KoЯn--Not to be confused with the current KoЯn!! |
Next Week: Pop-Punk on a high as I review Hey Monday's Hold On Tight
