Web posted August 9, 2007

Korn's latest album opens can of worms

The Philadelphia Inquirer

Korn, (Untitled) ★★ ½

For its eighth album - no, it's not eponymous; no, it's not called "Untitled" - Jonathan Davis, James Shaffer and Reggie Arvizu return with session rhythmatist Terry Bozzio. After Davis expresses his disgust over the departure of original guitarist Brian "Head" Welch on "Love and Luxury" and the grand "Ever Be," Korn opens up a whole new can of worms. Sometimes the new Korn noise is wormy, as when "Starting Over" finds Davis detailing his recent bout with a deathly blood disease to the sound of gospelish keyboards. Sometimes, Korn's just slimy as they go "green" on the Earth-hugging "Evolution."

No; bad Korn. Stick to making ugly dance music. Do what you do best.

Art Brut, "It's A Bit Complicated" ★★★

Eddie Argos may seem silly, but really, he's smart. The leader of British punkish rockers Art Brut is expert at writing pop songs that are about consuming and being consumed by pop songs. "I know I shouldn't, and it's possibly wrong, to break from your kiss to turn up a pop song," he talk-sings on the opening "Pump Up the Volume," feeling sort of bad about thinking about music more than anything else. Art Brut's sophomore effort is a bit complicated in a way that's less perfectly marvelous than their debut, "Bang Bang Rock 'n' Roll." The songs are a little more sophisticated musically and a little less immediately grabby, and Argos' arch delivery isn't quite so fresh the second time out of the box. Still, the guy gets off more than his share of good lines, like the one he reassures an ex with: "People in love lie around and get fat/I didn't want us to end up like that."

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