Pekka
Featured both in the book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" and Q Magazine's listing of "50 Worst Albums of All Time", this is obviously a very controversial album. Of course I haven't read the entry in the 1001 book, so it could be included for the supposed comedic value, but I doubt it, since honestly speaking this album does have its share of enjoyable moments.
Being really long as hell, there's a magnificent amount of forgettable padding on the album, but credit should be given where it's due. Hot Dog's profanity-laden verses may be juvenile, but the rhythm underneath it and Wes Borland's guitar stylings are really tasty stuff of foot-tapping head-nodding goodness, and My Generation's heavy pounding rhythm manages to carry the song to the finish line. Rollin' must have been a devastating concert hit among the faithful at the time and Livin' It Up, probably the only rock song ever explicitly dedicated to Ben Stiller, has some more groovy instrumental work during the verses but a disappointingly boring chorus. The One keeps bringing the instrumentalists out in a fine manner, but otherwise is very forgettable as a song. Take a Look Around, the Mission Impossible 2 Theme, was the reason I bought this album when it came out and it's still hands down the best complete song of the bunch, quoting the MI theme melodies to great effect.
Apart from the surprisingly soulful Hold On, the rest of the album varies from forgettable to almost repulsive, but all in all I'd say I value this one higher than the general view seems to be. But a great song, a couple of pretty good ones and a nice bit of instrumental work here and there isn't really enough for a 75 minute album. Recommendable for hardcore Nu Metal enthusiasts only, other interested parties can seek the Take A Look Around single.