What makes a band really nice? Typically, it’s concerning the mysterious methods through which key members complement each other. The place would Public Enemy be with out Flava Flav’s goofy wisecracks to offset Chuck D’s political posturing? Or The White Stripes with out Meg’s studied simplicity to undercut Jack’s showboating?
It’s an analogous story with masked metallic legends Slipknot. Within the pink nook, we’ve got the nonet’s evil genius Shawn Crahan (aka Clown), who maintains a low profile however steers the nice ship ‘Knot in direction of every nightmarish incarnation. And within the black nook, we’ve got barbed wire-voiced Corey Taylor, who’s spent the final quarter-century turning into a dependable rent-a-quote, a bestselling writer and a buddy (and foe) to the celebs. He’s the yin to the extra reclusive Clown’s yang, as was evidenced by his debut solo album, 2020’s gaudy ‘CMFT’ (or – ahem – ‘Corey Motherfucking Taylor’).
Drawn from ‘80s hair metallic and seemingly tailored for beer advert montages, this Vegas-produced rock report discovered him partying in a universe parallel to Slipknot’s bludgeoning artwork experiments. Taylor’s gone for an additional spin of the wheel with the nonsensically titled ‘CMF2’, which sees him bask in a bit industrial, glossed-up nation on ‘Recent Breath of Smoke’, arena-sized chants on ‘We Are The Relaxation’ and a hairspray-stiff guitar solo on ‘Publish Traumatic Blues’. It’s tempting to think about Clown along with his shiny silver head in his palms on the indignity of all of it.
However that’s sort of the purpose. Final month, Taylor advised NME his solo output, for which he assembled a full band, provides the prospect to scratch a inventive itch he couldn’t attain throughout the confines of Slipknot or his different group, Stone Bitter. So ‘All I Need Is Hate’ sees this Beatles fan air a grievance in opposition to the one Fab 4 tune he can’t stand, ‘All You Want Is Love’, by subverting its message with serrated riffage and a dying growl designed to interrupt the hippie dream. No surprise ‘CMF2’’s cowl depicts a metallic reimagining of the ‘Sgt. Pepper’s…’ paintings. The acoustic ‘Sorry Me’ initially echoes Slipknot’s basic ‘Vermilion, Pt. 2’ earlier than plumbing far more private depths, whereas ‘Punchline’ soars with a basic rock refrain.
Much less palatable is the relentlessly saccharine ‘Sometime I’ll Change Your Thoughts’, although there’s sufficient good things on right here to justify the album’s existence. And if nothing else, it’s a captivating perception into the dichotomy that drives one of many best bands of the twenty first Century.
Particulars
- Launch date: September 15, 2023
- Report label: BMG
