See, in that review, I said that was the best album they'd ever accomplish. And I still maintain that, in many ways, it is. However, their fourth release, 1999's Issues is better than it in multiple ways. Musically, it's more diverse. The production is improved exponentially. The melodies are more defined.

The album kicks off with the bagpipe-filled "Dead," one of a few short songs that make it onto the album. It hinges around Davis whispering "All I want in live is to be happy… happy" while the bagpipes and military parade-ish drums create an eerie atmosphere. Best intro the band has done since "Blind," definitely (though I'm sure the haters would have no problem with the 47 seconds of silence at the beginning of Follow the Leader). And it's followed by the lead single, "Falling Away from Me." It rocks like only Korn can, 'nuff said.

"Trash," the next song, it also a highlight. One of the many songs on this album that deals with sex and lust (another notable one being "Make Me Bad"). Creepy, sometimes disturbing ("little girls," Jonathan? Ooooooo…kay) and perfect for Korn. Really, there are only a few ways to describe this band. "Make Me Bad" gets the same description, except remove "disturbing" from the description. And add "more experimental."

"4 U" is another of the minute-long songs on this album, and by now something not seen by Korn, like, ever makes itself totally visible: This album has a flow to it. Not quite like a concept album, and not quite as flawless as the Black Crowes' swansong LIONS, still, this album just has an ebb and flow to it that hasn't been seen from this band before. Anyway, "Beg for Me" falls into the trap of being a direct cry to an audience that can't respond until they get to the concert. Not a bad song, but the worst so far, and "It's Gonna Go Away" doesn't pick things up much.

"Wake Up" is a blistering rocker about squabbles within the band (note: "squabble"… man, who uses that word these days? Yeah, the Jere! That's who! WERD!) and Korn's hotsreak is begun anew. "Am I Going Crazy" is another minute-long thing, and "Hey Daddy," for a LONG time was my favorite song from this album. It's probably as catchy as Korn would ever get, and it's not at all like "Daddy." It creates more of a reaction of "creepy" than "oh God that's horrible." "Somebody Someone" is a cry for help… or something. Standard Korn, but definitely not a loser. "No Way" takes things down a notch, but things pick up AGAIN thanks to "Let's Get This Party Started."

The last two songs ("Wish You Could Be Me" is another minute-long segue way), "Counting" and "Dirty" each come close to gaining the "best song" nomination. "Counting" if just for being interesting, and "Dirty" because of the neato-sweet vocal effects, AND the best lyrics on the entire album. Not to mention that it kicks the ever-loving piss out of a song by another artist. You know. Same title. Spelt "Dirrty."

All in all, Korn proved with Issues that one can never count them out. Their fourth album, in my opinion, equals their first thanks to each album's separate strengths and weaknesses. Where the self-titled was an aggressive, same-sounding burst of adrenaline from a place some had never been before, Issues is a subtle, eerie piece of work that was tinkered with for some time before its eventual release. Therefore, it deserves the same rating as the self-titled.