Disco de Korn: “Word Up”

"Word Up," the first of two new singles from Korn's "Greatest Hits, Volume 1" release, gets quite the nice treatment in this import single. "Word Up" is presented in two forms here: The album/radio version that everyone is familiar with, and a remix done by Dante Ross (whose remix of "Freak On A Leash" appears on the aformentioned album). Now, the original track, a cover of the Cameo dance song from the 80's, definitely takes Korn in a different direction. I'll admit, the first time I heard it, I was put off, but after a while, it grew on me, and it felt so refreshing to hear Korn exploring new directions. And if you've ever heard the original, you know this one massacres it -- no offense Cameo fans (?). As far as the remix goes, it pretty much keeps the original idea intact, but adds new beats and re-recorded guitars that transform the track into a full-fledged dance jam. Pretty interesting to hear -- a few times. However, they saved the best for last. "Another Brick In The Wall, Parts I, II & III," as performed during Korn's stint on the Projekt Revolution Tour '04 (with Linkin Park and Snoop Dogg). Korn were meant to cover this song (Pink Floyd did the original, if for some reason you didn't know) and this version completely nails it, even better than the studio version they did afterwards. The song is captured beatifully live, as the band even dips into "Goodbye Cruel World." Quite a treat indeed. I'd have to say this is the best cover of the song I've heard, even though Tom Morello and the late Layne Staley's Class Of 1999 version comes pretty damn close. All in all, if you're a Korn fan, and dig their two recent covers, you'd be highly advised to check this import out. Like I said before, the live version of "Another Brick In The Wall" is worth the price of admission alone.