Big Dumb Face has created a big, dumb record--intentionally so. Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland's side project is so self-indulgent it's almost endearing. Almost. From the GWAR-meets-Cannibal Corpse death-metal attack... more » of "Burgalveist" to the "Bonanza"-theme feel of "Duke Lion" to the Martian-style vocals of "Kali is the Sweet Hog," Borland, who apparently plays all the CD's instruments, is goofy rather than clever. While vaguely reminiscent of a side project from Primus bassist/musical genius Les Claypool or something from Mr. Bungle, Big Dumb Face lacks stellar musicianship or redeeming moments of brilliance or true humor. Yet it's also quite clear Borland intends this to be merely an amusing, wacked-out aural freak-out--the disc ends with a nearly 20-minute oddball opus featuring lengthy moments of nothing but doors opening or footsteps, and, at minute 11, a really bad drum solo. While Bizkit fans may eat this up, to quote Spinal Tap, "There's a fine line between clever and stupid," and Big Dumb Face falls squarely on the stupid side. --Katherine Turman« less
Big Dumb Face has created a big, dumb record--intentionally so. Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland's side project is so self-indulgent it's almost endearing. Almost. From the GWAR-meets-Cannibal Corpse death-metal attack of "Burgalveist" to the "Bonanza"-theme feel of "Duke Lion" to the Martian-style vocals of "Kali is the Sweet Hog," Borland, who apparently plays all the CD's instruments, is goofy rather than clever. While vaguely reminiscent of a side project from Primus bassist/musical genius Les Claypool or something from Mr. Bungle, Big Dumb Face lacks stellar musicianship or redeeming moments of brilliance or true humor. Yet it's also quite clear Borland intends this to be merely an amusing, wacked-out aural freak-out--the disc ends with a nearly 20-minute oddball opus featuring lengthy moments of nothing but doors opening or footsteps, and, at minute 11, a really bad drum solo. While Bizkit fans may eat this up, to quote Spinal Tap, "There's a fine line between clever and stupid," and Big Dumb Face falls squarely on the stupid side. --Katherine Turman
"It's nice to see Wes come out with perhaps one of my favorite albums of all time. Wes may not be the best guitarist around, but he is one of the few guitarists with 'natural talent' per se. A real artist -- Not technical, just amazingly creative, and that's what makes him so awesome and respectable. Limp Bizkit may have been a bad band, but Borland stood out and made them worthwhile.
This album seems to have been inspired by Ween, and I'm sure Wes wouldn't deny that. It's different, though -- It's unique, and not an imitation. It's really a nice hurrah for the 'fun' genre of music.
Varying from novelty deathmetal tracks that are sexual innuendo's, and munchkin-voiced experimental tracks with witty, and sometimes silly lyrics, there's really nothing about this album to dislike.
Of course, the main reason I adore this album is because it's weird -- Weird in a lovable, giggly, creative way. As 'dumb' as this album may be, it's really artsy when you come down to it!
Of course, for all the reasons I love this CD, there's someone whom hates the CD for all those same reasons. Some people don't like things to be too unfamiliar, and while that's understandable, they're also the same people whom rate down this album.
I digress, though -- To each their own, right? If you like to have fun in a childish, lighthearted way, this album will probably have a special spot in your CD collection."
Strangely Wonderful
J. Galbraith | Florida | 02/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can never seem to recommend this ablum to people without sounding really, really stupid. Which is truly sad, because this album deserves to be listened to. To me, it is without a doubt, one of the most enjoyable album's I've ever heard. I never really enjoyed limp bizkit, other than their early stage performances, I just can't seem to get into the whole, rap-metal thing. I think it's sad that many people who wanted to hear this album, desired to do so because of their admiration for limp bizkit, with is almost a guarantee they would hate it. This is more for people who enjoy music that requires a basic knowledge of how music is created, and can appreciate not only the music as a whole, but also each individual part that is required to create it. It is definitely strange, and if you try to take it too seriously you will, without a doubt, be completely lost to it's purpose. Some will say what purpose could this cd possibly have? To that I could have only one answer - to entertain - and it should be the answer to that question when asked about any cd, but sadly that can no longer be said about much of todays music, that is clearly only created to make a profit. I don't necessairly have a problem with music created for profit, some of it still has the side effect of being entertaining, I just think it's sad that a cd like Duke Lion Fights The Terror! will go so largely unappreciated and it's pure entertainment value will be unrecognized to the majority of the world."
For captain Beefheart fans (lame guitar)
S. Walden | 07/25/2002
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I know I say it over and over, but Wes Borland is the one of the most overrated guitarists I've heard. You might like this goofy CD, but to call Wes "genius" (at least as far as guitar) for it means you probably haven't listened to much anything else. I hear Wes' supporters going on about his guitar, the riffs and whatnot, well I'd like to just recount what he said in Guitar World Magazine, since Wes is always given so much credit for being some sort of guitar pioneer w/ the 7 string:"I realized I'm not good enough to be playing a seven-string." He continues later...
"I was just banging around, not really picking the strings or fingering notes." Hey, he might be being modest, but don't tell me this guy is a technical wizard or some guitar god, if he's not even playing real notes. All right, as far as the album, its a poor attempt at a Ween or Residents type thing. What he was trying to do w/ this? Mostly just get his Art School tendencies out of him, we'll see if Borland does anything w/ his career since he recently made the smart move of leaving his lame old band, at least he got one thing right."
Damn, kick ass Borland
Joe | Gresham, OR United States | 01/27/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This another one of Borland's works. He has stepped off the Bizkit Train and started this side project. Limp Bizkit is great and I like them. A lot of peolpe think that should ditch Durst and go from there but once you see them live you'll think different. He has stage presence and that counts. Well, back to Wes. He kicks ass and I think any band that his is in will be succesful."
Kudos, Mr. Borland
S. Walden | Woodstock, GA United States | 03/28/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I suppose it's pretty much common knowledge at this point that BDF consists of former Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland. I would further construct that the bulk of the album's sales was the direct result of that fact. For those of you who have yet to experience BDF here's the important part: This sounds absolutely NOTHING like Limp Bizkit! That's right kids, NO obnoxious backwards-baseball-cap-pseudo-rap-nu-metal, and more importantly, NO Fred Durst! What you get here is eleven tracks of admittingly varying quality that are as experimental as they are irreverent. Is this album genius? No, but it does give a much needed finger to commercial radio. Think Ween crossed with the Melvins with an occasional dose of old school death metal and you'll be in the ballpark. "Kali", "Blood Red Head", "Fightin Stance" and "Rebel" are my personal faves, and any band that's got the gumption to use "Mighty P**** Laser" as a song title you've gotta respect, or at least giggle at. Bottom line: This CD doesn't work at all levels, but it's good fun and definitely a welcome change from the cookie cutter sludge that graces the FM dial these days."