Metal heavyweight Corey Taylor has officially made his solo debut with the release of a full record. This new space has granted him the freedom to create songs you’d never find on a Slipknot record, for better or for worse. If you follow Taylor’s career exclusively because of Slipknot, CMFT (Roadrunner) might not be worth your time. But, for fans of Stone Sour, the collection of different hard rock styles and adjacent alternative influences are sure to please. 

The range of genres here acts as both a saving grace and a handicap. Songs flavored with a touch outlaw country such as “HWY 666” and “Silverfish” are true standouts on this record as Taylor’s voice lends itself well to the drifter archetype. Then there are songs like “Culture Head” that offered so much potential… Until that second verse hit. One would think anybody in this scene would stray away from insulting the younger generation. Instead of placing hope in the youth as many of his peers have, Taylor chose to sound like an old man bitching about CNN. 

“CMFT Must Be Stopped” has already become one of the most noteworthy songs on the album, thanks to its release as a single and an accompanying music video. It’s difficult for anyone in rock and metal to tap into hip-hop without falling into the Limp Bizkit pit. While this song really teetered on that edge, the inclusion of Tech N9ne and Kid Bookie helped to pull it back. Frankly, it may be damn near impossible to make a truly terrible song if you let Tech N9ne on the track. His appearance proves that this album may have benefited tremendously from additional features on other songs to help solidify each genre represented. 

Speaking of the genre whirlwind that is this album, the closer “European Tour Bus Bathroom Song” will absolutely blindside you stylistically. However, it’s faithful to the fashion of old school punk—Fast, rough, and campy. Overall, every song on CMFT is well done from a technical standpoint. They hit the marks of whatever genre they’re trying to imitate, but unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be anything innovative. Everyone who contributed to this album showed up to work—They did their jobs and no one can say otherwise. Sadly, it’s hard to believe these songs are coming from the same musician responsible for the horrific poetry, aggressive social commentaries and generation-defining sound we’ve come to know from Slipknot.

Purchase the album here: https://coreytaylor.lnk.to/cmft

6 / 10 

LJ DEWITT