Limp Bizkit - Significant Other (1999)^{Release ID: 17474}

It’s crazy to think, but when Limp Bizkit’s second full-length album, ‘Significant Other’, was released way back in 1999, not only was it a huge hit, but gradually built up to the Florida five-piece becoming one of the biggest bands on the planet. For all the angst, attitude and cheesiness, it’s exactly what people, in particular, the youth of the world, needed back then.

Bizkit’s sound is heavily influenced by a combination of 90’s alternative metal and hip-hop, building upon the style established by bands like Korn, and in particular, Stuck Mojo. Some tracks here are all-out metal, while some sway more towards hip-hop, with more focus being on vocalist Fred Durst rapping. Both work well for the band, with Durst effortlessly being able to blend clean singing, aggressive shouting, and rapid-fire rapping. And his vocals fit perfectly with guitarist Wes Borland’s creative and interesting guitar playing.

And if you’re into this sort of thing, there’s a few appearances from some noteworthy vocalists, including Jonathan Davis from Korn, Aaron Lewis from Staind, Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots, Les Claypool of Primus fame, and the one that probably had the most impact, Wu Tang Clan’s Method Man. His duet with Fred on hit single ‘N 2 Gether Now’ likely helped the band gain more mainstream recognition, as well as appeal more to hip-hop audiences.

‘Significant Other’ features an abundance of great tracks, such as heavy hitters ‘Nookie’, ‘Trust?’ and ‘Just Like This’, huge hit ‘Re-Arranged’, which shows the bands melodic abilities, and rap-inspired tracks such as ‘Show Me What You Got’ and the aforementioned ‘N 2 Gether Now’. Then of course, there’s one of the biggest nu metal anthems ever, ‘Break Stuff’. If you don’t get pumped up at the sound of those opening chords and Fred Durst proclaiming that ‘It’s just one of those days…’ then you really need to stop taking it all too seriously.

Overall, ‘Significant Other’ is a great album that still holds up well today. It came out at just the right time that people needed aggression in their music, but also enough catchy hooks that mainstream audiences were able to get involved too. It’s a huge step up from their debut, and shows a band who are heading on to greater things.

Limp Bizkit is a band that has gained quite some hate over the years. From their name, to their nu/rap metal/rock sound, to the scathing vocal anger of vocalist Fred Durst, to their live performances causing violence in crowds (one show causing the death of a teenage girl)... The band even covered a George Michael single as their entry into fame. Basically they're like an extra-cheese-coated biscuit, and I can bite down on that biscuit more than those who give up after a nibble.

Their debut Three Dollar Bill Y'all first came out as overlooked, but they entered the late 90s nu metal scene after touring with their earlier peers Korn and Deftones. As much as album #2 Significant Other may repel many music listeners, I actually find it pretty good. Almost like a Korn/Eminem collaboration but with more interesting creativity.

In the "Intro", a deep distorted voice says, "You wanted the worst, you got the worst: the one, the only, Limp Bizkit." Then "Just Like This" kicks off with the guitar attack of Wes Borland and the rapping of Fred Durst, alongside melodic groove and harmonic singing. This dynamic range can be listened to in cool excitement. Bouncing in is "Nookie", the album's first single, less mature but still catchy in the mix of beats, guitar, and turntables. Full-on haters can take their hate and stick it up their (yeah!). "It's just one of those days when you don't wanna wake up, everything is f***ed, everything sucks", raps Durst in "Break Stuff", an angry anthem that really shows how rap metal should be done. This song, and the rest of the album, is inspired by Durst ending a longtime relationship with a girlfriend, showing him taking his aggression out on his ex, "I pack a chainsaw, I'll skin your a** raw". A couple more things about that song: 1. It's notorious for being the cause of a violent revolution in Woodstock 1999 when Durst encouraged the crowd to not mellow out, which is "what Alanis Morissette had you motherf***ers do", and even telling them not to let anyone get hurt only caused them to get hurt in the chaos. 2. The song is my brother's new ringtone. Then we switch to the ballad-ish "Rearranged", which almost made me sleepy like a lullaby, but it's still a great highlight.

"I'm Broke" battles against "friends" who borrow money without paying back. "Nobody Like You" is filled with dark nu metal with guest vocals from Korn vocalist Jonathan Davis and Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland (RIP). Weiland sings his pained vocals while Davis creeps in, and the music has a bit of an industrial vibe from Nine Inch Nails. That definitely shows the better side of Limp Bizkit. "Don't Go Off Wandering" seems to wander off a bit despite continuing the darkness and heaviness. "9 Teen 90 Nine" is another killer track, reminding me of the album's release year and my birthyear. Another one of the best here is surprisingly "N2gether Now", a more hip-hop-fueled track. I find the "Shut the f*** up" loop over the harp amusing, and Method Man's rapping is nice and smooth, "It ain't easy being greezy in a world full of cleanliness".

Hypocrisy of "friends" is what "Trust" warns you about. The weird "No Sex", featuring Aaron Lewis of Staind, shows Durst confessing his recreational sex past that he felt ashamed of, "Shoulda left my pants on this time, but instead you had to let me dive right in". After that, "Show Me What You Got" is just a lame attempt at thanking cities, bands, and fans in a rap metal song. "A Lesson Learned" doesn't bring back much metal, but it really strikes me well with its emotion. The "Outro" is just a pointless extension of the intro. The hidden tracks featuring Matt Pinfield and Primus' Les Claypool are a bit interesting, especially the former's ironic rant against chart-toppers.

Significant Other is a bit problematic towards the end, so I can understand the hate. But as obnoxious as this band may seem, some of their rap metal tracks are quite pleasant. Even I hesitated to call this album good, but I have to tell my true opinion. And what can I say? I'm an open-minded person....

Favorites: "Just Like This", "Break Stuff", "Rearranged", "Nobody Like You", "9 Teen 90 Nine", "N2gether Now", "A Lesson Learned"