When I was fourteen I wore clothes that looked like this:
If you were also a teenager in the noughties then you can probably accurately guess what kind of music I listened to based on that picture alone. I no longer own a black, tribal hoodie three sizes too big for me and my music taste has diversified out of only listening to angry, shouty men. I have decided to take a look back at some of the albums I most loved when I was fourteen to see what I think of them now.
#1 - XX (Mushroomhead):
Mushroomhead were basically Slipknot. From what I remember they were doing the whole 'scary' mask thing before Slipknot but never got as famous for it. Listening to it now...yeah, it's pretty awful. They have made some attempts at using different musical styles but after a while it all just blends into one, long growl.
Low point: 'Episode 29' - A song consisting of repetitive drumming accompanied by a woman literally just screaming.
My rating now: 4/10.
#2 - Hooray For Boobies (Bloodhound Gang):
Bloodhound Gang were the musical equivalent of the 'American Pie' films. Basically, an album made entirely of rude jokes and double entendres. I like to think that if the album were released nowadays it would be boycotted by people chanting trendy, liberal slogans and they would be made to apologise for their misogynistic lyrics on a serious chat show. Of course, if you can realise that it's all very tongue in cheek and is making fun of itself then it is still as amusing now as it was when I was fourteen.
Low point: The shame of still knowing most the lyrics to 'The Bad Touch'.
My rating now: 7/10.
#3 - L.D. 50 (Mudvayne):
Again, kind of like Slipknot except this time they wore face paint instead of masks. Nowadays there are very few songs here I find bearable and I'm quite impressed that my fourteen-year-old self managed to listen through this whole album so many times. Good for testing your mental resilience.
Low point: Feeling old when an album is capable of giving you an actual headache.
My rating now: 3/10.
#4 - Beyond the Valley of the Murderdolls (Murderdolls):
This album is ridiculous but in a 'so bad it's good' kind of way. One of the songs is called 'B-Movie Scream Queen' and a lot of the material here is testament to the old, camp, B-movie horror films they have clearly taken inspiration from in many of the songs. The fact it is so over the top and doesn't take itself too seriously means I still find it somewhat listenable.
Low points: Realising that 'Love at First Fright' is literally a love ode to Regan from 'The Exorcist'.
My rating now: 5/10
#5 - All Killer, No Filler (Sum 41):
If you owned the large, black, tribal hoodie I mentioned previously then you SURELY had this album in your collection! The songs on the album are very repetitive but it was still enjoyable to listen to today. Also, that album cover is still amazing. The vocals are a little painful but evoke nostalgia for a sound/style that was so indicative of its day.
Low point: No longer being able to keep up with the lyrics.
My rating now: 7/10.
