Disco de Korn: “Live & Rare [PA]”

You knew it was coming, sooner or later. With Korn's recent success with the "See You On The Other Side" album, it was pretty obvious that Korn's previous label, Immortal/Epic, was going to find a way to cash-in somehow. Enter "Live And Rare." A pretty pathetic "collection" of live cuts and rare tracks that spans Korn's pre-"Other Side" career. Maybe the novelty of having another CD where Brian "Head" Welch is still a member of the band will be enough for you. Maybe if you are really out of touch when it comes to Korn, you will be pleased with the tracklisting. However, if you are simply a loyal Korn fan, you'll feel ripped off from the get-go.

First off, we have seven songs from Korn's 2003 performance at the now defunct CBGB's in New York, to promote "Take A Look In The Mirror." If you bought the "Greatest Hits, Vol. 1" 2-disc set, than you will notice this is just the audio from the DVD. Big whoop.

Next up, we have a couple of covers. First, a live performance of Pink Floyd's classic anthem "Another Brick In The Wall," as recorded on the Projekt Revolution Tour '04. A great live performance of course, but if you have the "Word Up" single, you already have it. However, if you can't be bothered with imports, than this is a good entry to this collection. I find this performance to be much better than the album version. Coming up next, we have the cover of Metallica's "One," as performed on MTV. We've heard this song before. In fact, it's been beaten into the ground. Not only was it a secret track on "Take A Look In The Mirror," but it also appeared on the single for "Did My Time." I really don't need to hear it again. A studio version would have been nice, but no such luck.

And to round out the live section, we have two songs from the infamous Woodstock 1999, "My Gift To You" and "A.D.I.D.A.S." Now, these are absolute killer performances. Why they didn't include more from this show (or just release the whole show instead of this collection) is beyond me. I have the whole show bootlegged, and it is stunning. "My Gift To You" is enough to send shivers up your spine. Top notch performance.

Finally, the rare tracks. All two of 'em. First, there is "Earache My Eye." Rare? I think not. Just fast-forward at the end of "Follow The Leader," and just like "One," there it is. The inclusion of this song was just a bonehead move. It's a fun cover, with the bandmembers switching instruments (Fieldy on vocals) but it's been done. "Proud," which is my personal favorite b-side of Korn's, however, is a nice inclusion. Although it already popped up on the "I Know What You Did Last Summer" soundtrack, it's still great to hear (especially with the extra little intro). I love this song, and why it didn't make it's way onto "Life Is Peachy" (the album it was recorded for) is beyond me.

So, really, most of this collection is kinda useless. It's so cheap and uninspired, with it's weak tracklisting and lamest of lame artwork (or lack thereof). It's pretty obvious that Korn had nothing to do with this (although they get their own "thank you" section in the liner notes). This collection is merely for those who want a complete Korn collection. If you don't have money to burn, I suggest avoiding it. You can get all these songs on just about any Korn fansite, and surely, there are tons of excellent live bootlegs to grab out there as well. Personally, I feel like my intelligence is being insulted with this collection. Immortal/Epic are simply taking advantage of Korn's fanbase, and not even trying to disguise it. When record labels moan and complain about slumping sales and illegal downloading, I hope they look at releases like this.

So this is what happens when your former record label wants to cash in on your popularity, even after you've left ...

Have to say that this disc, while not bad, still leaves a lot to be desired. It's a very underwhelming first listening and while it does grow on you, it's not a disc that you're dying to listen to again.

For me, the three-part "Another Brick in the Wall" is great, but doesn't hold up to repeated plays.

That being said, the band's performance of "One" is a nice addition ... just wish they did a more complete version of the song.

My biggest complaint about the disc is the mix overall. The performance at CBGBs in NYC is a poor live recording, folks. The vocals are way down in the mix and the bass is all over the place, virtually on top of everything else. No excuse with the recording technology available these days.

Nice try Epic, but this one just ultimately falls flat.

This is a pretty good collection of live korn songs. But there isn't really any rare tracks. Proud is probably the only one on here that is rare. Earache My Eye isn't really a rare track to me. If it's a bonus song on Follow The Leader than you can't really call it rare. I do wish the had Camel Song. It comes on the End Of days soundtrack. Should of been more rare tracks but what you gonna do The live tracks are good. Right Now and One are my favorite tracks. Good live songs but only get it if your a die hard Korn fan. It's not really for everyone. And if yoy really want to save some money most of the songs on here you can find to download. It seems Epic just tried to make some money off Korn.

I'll start with a cliche: I'm a huge Korn fan. I'm definitely not the biggest and am a more recent convert, having finally fell into their music trap with 'Did My Time' and then going back to learn all of their music. Korn is great live, of that there is no disagreements.

For those who haven't heard them live yet, this is a terrific cd to get a good taste. With the exception of the first song, 'Did My Time' which felt rushed, each song is terrifically performed at the various venues (New York, Maryland, Universal Studios, Woodstock 99, etc). However, the whole cd feels like a marketing ploy. Titled "Live and Rare," it definitely lives up to the first moniker. But rare? Well, 'Earache My Eye' is a hidden track as is their cover of 'One.' 'Proud' is from the soundtrack of "I Know What You Did Last Summer," which I guess qualifies this as rare. But for some reason I know this song (and I don't have nor have I listened to the I Know... soundtrack)...I *think* it was also a hidden track, but I can't be certain.

Troubling also in that there is at least one song that has been edited. 'Right Now' is the more radio friendly version that includes "Shut up or I'll bust you up" as opposed to its original version. On a Parental Advisory album, its a bit confusing.

Its a good album to think about purchasing if you're a fan of Korn. None of the songs are what I would consider rare, exactly. When I think of rare I think of songs that might not have made it on an album but are performed live possibly so not everyone has had a chance to hear them. I also prefer live albums that are from one venue as opposed to multiple so that you get that full experience as opposed to a slapshot of not only multiple venues but also of times. Obviously a cash-in from Epic, Korn's last production company (which also makes sense that this wasn't a lauded release from their website), it's above average but I expected more.

This album shouldn't have been made. Not because of the music, but because it was put out by Korn's former label, Epic, obviously trying to get paid as Korn promotes 'See You on the Other Side.' This is a suit's album, plain and simple. As of the release date (May 9, 2006), Korn hasn't even mentioned it on their website!

On to the album itself... there is nothing rare here. It's basically their greatest hits - live. Many Korn fans might even have tracks that are on this album. The live version of Metallica's 'One' is here - the same 'hidden' track on 'Take a Look in the Mirror.'

However, that doesn't make it bad... It's fun to listen to, and it's always a bonus when you can hear the crowd singing along, especially the chorus. But still, this shouldn't have been made at all. Had Jonathan Davis been involved, I'm sure it would've been better.