by Jazmine Ponce
Managing Editor
Limp Bizkit, the band that had almost every male from the age of 12-30 in backward red Starter caps, is back. In their highly anticipated third album Limp Bizkit does justice to fans by rarely straying from the metal/rap genre that gained them recognition with their last album, “Significant Other.”
The lyrics mostly written by lead singer Fred Durst are angst filled and seem to focus on the press and criticism Durst and Limp Bizkit have received over the past year.
In “My Generation” and “Full Nelson” Durst shouts, “Why is everybody always picking on me? Does anybody really know a thing about me?” As well several songs such as “My Way” and “Boiler” focus on angst towards a break up in a relationship.
In “Boiler” Durst pleads “why did I have to go and meet somebody like you? Why did you have to hurt somebody like me? How could you do somebody like that?” which seems to show a softer yet still angst filled Durst. “Hold On” is one song that strays from the metal/rap genre and does not suffer. “Hold On” contains a softer rock melody in the vein of Stone Temple Pilots “Sour Girl” since STP’s front man Scott Weiland co-wrote and sings along with Durst. Weiland who has also collaborated with Durst on “Significant Other” for the track “Nobody Like You” also performs additional production on “Chocolate Starfish.”
The first single “Rollin'”(Air Raid Vehicle)” with its contagious chorus will most likely reach the heights of “Significant Other’s” “Nookie,” well other stand out tracks are “My Generation” and “Livin’ it up,” which samples a bit from the Eagles’ hit Life in the Fast Lane.” “Chocolate Starfish” sounds similar to Bizkit’s last album but is clearly better.
Durst’s role as a lyricist has grown he is able to be more open with his feeling and have it all pour out. Bringing in a variety of talent and producers to help hone Limp Bizkit’s eclectic signature sound was also the right idea.
Though a majority of the album is mostly rock driven there are several songs that produce more of rap vibe. With the help of rapper Xzibit on “Getcha Groove On” and Method Man returns along with DMX to add to the remix of “Rollin” (Urban Assault Vehicle)” which adds a slower more hip hop melody to the song.
The album is filled with infectious beats and thrashing guitar cords that will easily have one bobbing their head and jumping to the songs. Limp Bizkit pulls out all the stops by delivering one of those albums that fans can pump up the volume and play over and over again.
Yet clearly Limp Bizkit is not for everybody. You won’t see any Celine Dion fans rushing to buy “Chocolate Starfish,” nor will you see your grandma singing “rollin’.” The album is laced with explicit lyrics, (how taboo). In the first song, “Hot Dog” the f- word is probably said about 50 times which causes a problem for some who make take offense to that sort of language.
But aside from the language “Chocolate Starfish” is an entertaining album that has catchy choruses, slamming beats and great guitar cords.
Journalism operations manager at the University of La Verne. Production manager and business manager of the Campus Times.