Review
'Results May Vary' serves up a sonic buffet that's as unpredictable as a game of musical chairs. Limp Bizkit's fourth studio offering, released in 2003, sees the nu metal mavericks navigating uncharted waters without their secret weapon, guitarist Wes Borland. The result? A hodgepodge of styles that ping-pongs between rap rock swagger and experimental noodling. Fred Durst and a revolving door of guest musicians fill the Borland-shaped void, but let's be real - it's like trying to patch a leak with bubblegum.
Don't get me wrong, there are some tasty morsels in this musical smorgasbord. 'Eat You Alive' and 'Gimme the Mic' pack enough punch to remind us why we fell for Limp Bizkit in the first place. And their cover of The Who's 'Behind Blue Eyes'? It's a curveball that actually lands, thanks to a clever Speak & Spell cameo that's equal parts nostalgic and oddly fitting. The album's a treasure trove for sample spotters too, with nods to the Beastie Boys, Eric B. & Rakim, and Public Enemy sprinkled throughout like Easter eggs for the eagle-eared.
Despite the critical side-eye, 'Results May Vary' wasn't a commercial flop. It hit number three on the Billboard 200 and went platinum in the US, proving that even without Borland's six-string wizardry, Limp Bizkit could still draw a crowd. But let's not sugarcoat it - this album is the musical equivalent of a mood ring, changing colors with each track and never quite settling on a cohesive vibe. It's a testament to a band in flux, experimenting with their sound like mad scientists in a lab. Whether that experiment was a success or a glorious failure? Well, as the title suggests, results may vary. - Aubrey
