Korn were always a popular band, but following the release of "Follow the Leader" in 1998, they really hit it big and crossed over into the mainstream. So maybe they wanted to strike while the iron was hot, but for some reason, Korn felt like they needed to follow up that album quickly with "Issues," and release it the very next year.

Unfortunately for them, 1999's "Issues" was Korn's first underrated album. "Issues" still went platinum, so it wasn't exactly "a miss," but for whatever reason, some Korn fans didn't buy it. As of 1999, nu-metal was still very popular, so the collapse of that genre is not to blame. If anything, "Issues" didn't have enough nu-metal songs. It eliminated the hip-hop stylings which were present on "Follow the Leader," and, since frontman Jonathan Davis plays bagpipes on this album, his Duran Duran influences are more apparent here than on other albums.

But "Issues" is also different for a variety of other reasons. First of all, its cover art was done by Korn fans, and there are four available covers for this one C.D.. Next, every other Korn album has a hidden track at the end, but "Issues" does not. The album closer, "Dirty," just ends with the sound of static/white noise. (It's rumored that they pulled the hidden track at the last minute, before the album was released). Finally, and most importantly, this album has five short, "interlude" type of tracks. "Dead," "4 U" (a song which has chimes and is almost a short ballad), "It's Gonna Go Away," "Am I Going Crazy," and "Wish You Could Be Me" are all very brief; they are 90 seconds or less. Now, this C.D. is 16 tracks long, so there are 11 full-length songs. Thus, I seriously doubt Korn had writer's block and just threw in those five tracks for filler.

It is possible that Korn released this album only a year after its predecessor because Jonathan Davis had a lot he wanted to talk about. Lyrically, much of this album was inspired by Davis' battle with substance abuse-particularly alcohol. Other recurring themes throughout these songs are death (as in "Falling Away From Me"), "I'm dead inside" feelings (which are especially apparent in the song "Dead"), and Korn's patented "am I crazy?" thoughts (i.e. in tracks five and seven). Track eight, "Wake Up," however, is about apparent feuding amongst the band members, and JD wasn't happy about it. Elsewhere, "Make Me Bad" deals with Jonathan's obsession with sex (his feelings of constantly looking for a woman to have intercourse with), and "Beg For Me" is about performing live, on stage, in front of a crowd.

"Dead" begins the album with an ascending bagpipe solo. Then Davis whispers "All I want in life is to be happy," and a choir sings in the background. With a creepy beat/guitar noise and lyrics which are criminal and mentally disturbed, "Trash" is a common fan favorite, but "Falling Away from Me" is my personal favorite. It's incredibly catchy, and has big, speaker shredding guitars, and a mosh-pit-ready bridge. The other two singles, "Somebody Someone" and "Make Me Bad," are both very catchy as well. "Beg For Me" has an irresistible chorus, and "Hey Daddy" has good vocal hooks. Next, the aforementioned "Wake Up" has very heavy choruses, with explosive riffs and blood pumping yells. And finally, "Let's Get This Party Started" is ironic because it has more dark lyrics and creepy vocals, but the song's chorus is very bouncy and energetic.

Nu-metal may not be popular anymore, but this is still a great album. It is, in my opinion, not their best album, but some Korn fans would argue it is, and it also has some of Korn's catchiest songs. "Issues" is definitely worth owning, so you should definitely buy it, but (as is the case, now-a-days, with all nu-metal albums) don't tell any of your friends.

Any of you old school gothics that are into that gloomy melodic with an occasional thrash here and there...this is for you. Reminds me somewhat of some OLD NIN or some sisters of mercy...really great stuff. If you didn't know it was Korn, you wouldn't know it was Korn. All those out there expecting this to be an in your face album are going to be really disappointed...but if you want that slow down...emotional experience...this is for you.

I would just like to say that "Issues" is yet another almost-masterpiece pumped out by the instruments of KORN and the vocals of Jonathan Davis. I have seen all four covers ( I think the artwork is cool, but sick) and I have heard the CD over my friend's house. I think they could have been a bit more heavy-metal about it, but then again, rock'n'roll isn't all about how hard the music is. The Lyrics are depressing, repressive, and yes, inventive. I think that they are much more creative than the last album (no offense to "Follow The Leader"). KORN should keep up the good work and pump out another album a.s.a.p!

I almost want to say that Korn has outdone themselves with "Issues" but it would be absurd to rank anything higher than their first album. However, this one is just as good and shows that Korn is still at the top of their game. I was a big fan of "Follow the Leader" and how the rap influence gave the group a more dynamic sound but after hearing "Issues," I'm glad Korn has refocused to a more of a straight rock sound and have gotten back to business. They seem to have gone for a more deeper sound with an emphasis on the bass guitar. In fact, it is sometimes hard to distinguish the bass from the drums. The best songs on the album are, in order: 1)Trash (one of Korn's best ever), 2)Dirty, 3)Make Me Bad, 4)Falling Away From Me, 5)Beg for Me, 6)Wake Up, 7)Somebody, Someone. Most listeners may find that they need to let "Issues" sink in for about a week or two before you can appreciate it. However, most classic albums, which stand the test of time, often do. This CD easily receives 5 stars and a high recommendation. BUY IT!

In music, your either moving forward or going backwards. For all the fans that wanted another self titled, Korn shows that they are true artists and always evolving their sound. Theres not one song on here that sounds like anything else previously done.

I like Jonathan's vocals because he shows he can sing without a major use of effects like Untouchables. I think the interludes are great unlike most people that bought this album. "Dead" starts the album off in true fashion with the great trademark of bagpipes. However the other well known trademark that is absent is Jonathan's rants (EX:Twist). I think they were overused in Follow The Leader so I was glad to see that Jonathan moved on past that. Lyrically this is one of Jonathan's most diverse records. Song meanings ranging everywhere from suicide, sex, unity in the band, the sellout tag they got from Follow The Leader, betraying one another, and dedication to his fans.

Musically this goes above and beyond Follow The Leader. The interludes are either loved or hated among fans. Personally I think it lets the album mesh a little better than previous efforts. They experimented with new effects and pianos (Make Me Bad) with Issues.

This is by far my favorite Korn album especially considering i've bought this album six times. I think this totally strayed away from Follow The Leader's success. Highlights are the whole album because frankly I can't find one track that stands out from the rest this is Korn's perfection.