ONE HIT WONDERLAND: "Smooth Criminal" by Alien Ant Farm

[@meteorrejector]

“michael jackson had a better decade than alien ant farm. and he DIED.” one of todd’s greatest lines ever

[@e32b61]

Freddy Thornton to be fair, dying is one of the best things a popular artist can do for their career.

[@play-s-_______-osu]

@@e32b61 not really because they can't make money (or do anything) when they're dead

[@bcubed72]

@@play-s-_______-osu Actually most artists (estate) makes money when the artist dies.

[@mcmagiccracker]

Well to be fair, he died at the end of a decade. Funny because it's true

[@mcmagiccracker]

Nobody sings Billie Jean like Michael Jackson. Also, nobody sings Billie Jean like Chris Cornell. Beyond the obvious, they're incomparable.

[@massacresoldier3082]

My dad loves Alien Ant Farm for some reason. He told me he went to one of their concerts and he was the only black man there.

[@trevor7520]

this is so specific that i believe you entirely. that's lovely, bless your dad

[@mr.wonkastyle2558]

Lmao 😂 awesome also awesome that I’m so old your dad is probably my age... bummer lol

[@xenos_n.]

God this post makes me feel old

[@jessehenderson2967]

Ayy, I'm not alone!

[@SongForSaturday88]

I believe it.

[@GreaterSeraph]

Alien Ant Farm looked like if Ed, Edd, N Eddy started a band.

[@jmckenzie962]

This deserves to be top comment

[@hdelmas1]

Man, I wish a video mod of Ed Edd N Eddy of that track premiered right about now

[@RocketRoketto]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@THERobertL2000]

😂😂😂🤣🤣

[@johndavidtibbetts7320]

Why you gotta put that in my head man?

[@Jettison42]

It’s been eight years since the release of this video and I finally feel brave enough to say this. I really liked “Movies”

[@robcohen7678]

yeah me too and "not fun?" what?

[@laurenmp7486]

Ditto! Also what's funny is they made two versions of it, the first version and then the second album version

[@staidenofanarchy]

This video is needlessly brutal on a pretty average band in a genre he doesn't like

[@JimmyNotes]

I also liked "Movies"

[@tegantalks9612]

It’s actually been 11, this was originally released in 2013.

[@BEEEELEEEE]

"Can we please keep talking about Fred Durst?" -Fred Durst

[@bananajoe404]

RIP Fred Durst

[@spicegrill]

Jantran

[@workingclassrunner]

More like "[punches random bystander] TALK ABOUT ME, YOU BITCH." - Fred Durst

[@orrebiff]

he made some comments and millennials flip their shit. jontron is awesome

[@bewilderbeastie8899]

JonTron's a freaking Nazi sympathiser

[@theonlyfirewings]

Thank you Todd for pointing out the fact that, even a few weeks before his death, MJ was a laughing stock but now everyone admires him and respects him.

[@bennitori4]

+Nicolas Legros What's even more tragic, is according to a memoir written by 2 of his body guards, most of the people who showed up at his funeral had never even talked to him. And the few people who did know and respect him had to buy tickets to go to the funeral. Who the hell sells tickets to a funeral?

[@Aster_Risk]

Michael died right within a week of my high school graduation, so I remember it pretty well. It was so weird to me, because no one I knew really gave two shits about him. Then as you and all the other commenters said, complete 180.

[@RenaldyCalixte]

Nicolas Legros I think its the fact that people took MJ for granted and now that he is gone; they know they can never hear him perform live again.

[@EuropeanQoheleth]

Same darn thing with Jade Goody. While she was alive she got called a racist but then when she died of cancer then everyone liked her. Y'know it seems to happen with anyone unpopular who dies apart form Hitler, Stalin etc.

[@ididgt4259]

Listen to the song Michael Jackson is Dead by Jon Lajoie

[@grymckr]

People who weren't there really don't understand how embarrassing it was to like Michael Jackson in the late 90's early 00's. He was so far outside the cultural zeitgeist, the butt of constant late night jokes, etc. If anything I think this video undersells the extent to which it was an act of creative bravery for a band that aspired to seem "edgy" to ignore the haters with a banger of a MJ cover, and also the extent to which this track's success got people to reevaluate how they rate MJ himself. That's definitely how I remember it as a teenager at the time for whom being cool and having good taste felt important.

[@becauseimafan]

_This!!_ ☝️ I completely agree, this is how I remember this too! But much better said than I could 😁

[@Fearmylogic]

I must have been an odd one out. I remember having a Girlfriend at the time, and she was flipping through some of my CD's in my car, and saw MJ's Bad CD. She made a comment how she couldn't stand MJ. I didn't back down, I told her that I love MJ, and that his music is great. This was 2001 - 2002, right when I would have been 17 - 18 years old. But I was never a popular kid in school, and as I got closer to 18, I started to care less and less about appearances, and to defend the stuff I liked, Be it Pokemon, Michael Jackson, and Video Games. All super, crazy popular stuff TODAY. But back then, you got picked on for wearing a Charizard shirt to school. Kids ( and girls ) made fun of you for playing Video Games. In the subsequent 20 years, societal norms have literally flipped and done a 180.

[@56jklove]

​@@Fearmylogic video games and Pokémon were popular back then.

[@cubedmelons876]

​@@56jklove There was a period from around 2002 to 2005 where Pokemon was seen as "kiddy" and you'd get made fun of for liking it.

[@jazztheglass6139]

His best decade was the 70's. The Jackson 5, The Jacksons Destiny and Triumph albums, His off the wall album. Quincy Jones did some great work with him. I saw the Jackson 5 concert play Liverpool in 1975, they had the early Sister Sledge supporting them

[@frenchskuxx]

Their style of music was more upbeat compared to their contemporaries and i appreciate that about them

[@jonothanthrace1530]

This video made me finally realize that "like a shindo" is actually "a crescendo," so I guess I don't have to wonder what a shindo is anymore.

[@DrZuluGaming]

"Annie came into the window it was the sound of like a shindo" doesn't have the same ring.

[@matthewweflen]

Shamoh, man. That one was easy just from context clues. You’re just a buffet -- you’re a vegetable. They eat off of you.

[@dessilk]

From what I've heard, the phrase "Annie are OK? Are you OK Annie" was something MJ overheard at a CPR class, where the doll people used to practice on was called Resuscitation Annie. Part of the technique was asking the doll, are you OK?. And he just liked the cadence of it.

[@wmdkitty]

Inspiration comes from the strangest places.

[@tafua_a]

Given the fact that nowadays so many people quote MJ every time a person with a two-syllable name is asked if they're ok, I'm gonna say he wasn't wrong.

[@GhostBear3067]

I got a laugh from the instructor at a CPR class by during the "check for consciousness" step tapping the mannequin and saying "Annie are you ok? Are you ok Annie? Were you struck by a smooth criminal?"

[@thac0twenty377]

​@GhostBear3067 yeah, we get bored lol

[@WesleyWilkins-qf2ky]

Michael Jackson? Out in the public at a cpr class? This story needs more context

[@mtdnml]

"Do we just not have angry white boys anymore?" is one of the most underratedly bad Toddstradamus moments

[@RatelHBadger]

No one knows what it's like... Being male middle class and white...

[@mikeywise3411]

…so they listen to hank williams jr and kid rock?

[@kittykittybangbang9367]

They all became sadboys

[@sonofaspyder3000]

The Kid Laroi would like to know your location

[@maxlap7855]

@@kittykittybangbang9367 Or just fascists

[@Kelsbell]

I'm the drummer's mother and yes I am partial, but it's so evident by everyone's reaction, I ask myself , how is it possible for them to be so underrated and unnoticed for so long? These boys are musicians. their live shows are amazing, why they have a big following especially in Europe. They're so creative and talented, I promise you I don't care what genre of music or artist you listen to, whether it be Michael Jackson all the way down to Sade I promise you, there is going to be 1 or more songs you like. They are not mainstream, They're so creative and humble & the definition of perseverance especially after the bus crash in Spain. They had just played Jay Leno after 9/11 they were promoting anthology. They're all lucky to be alive. Took them many years to recover Dryden was inches from being like Christopher Reeve and in fear of never being able to sing again. With that coupled with less or no promoting & airplay you basically don't exist hence why you never heard of. They never wanted to release Smooth Criminal as their first single. They wanted to be known for their music and the musicians that they are, not oh yeah they're the ones that did the Michael Jackson cover. It started as a fun song at the show the kids even made t-shirt that said I moshed to Michael Jackson. The industry of course wants it mainstream guaranteed familiar hit. If you want to know what bands go through pull up the song Whispers and it'll explain what these musicians go through. There are so many talented bands that have slipped through the cracks as a result of the industry only giving airplay to the mainstream therefore deciding for us what to listen to. I don't care how bad a song is, played enough, 2 things will happen , either it's irritating or you love it & their banking on the latter. So much more, if you get a chance, pull up the video "These days" Fromthe BET Awards what's funny is my son used to play with Snoop Dogg we lived next door to one another ,their paths have yet to cross. Thank you so much for all the good words and the rest of you for all the good comments. By the way I stumbled on this, I'm a huge Blondie fan and loved watching y'alls reaction. Check out 311 great musicians.

[@kandikidzora]

If you really are Mike Cosgrove’s mom then please tell him that he’s one of the reasons I started drumming in 2001-2002. He’s an amazing drummer and he and the rest of the band never got the credit and recognition they deserve. Past and present. I remember when that crash happened, and being genuinely concerned for them. I’ve seen them live a few times back in the day and they always put in a hell of a show!

[@Harv72b]

Todd is often hilarious, sometimes poignant, and well worth a sub & an insta-watch whenever he uploads new content. That said, his wheelhouse is _clearly_ pop music, and he struggles mightily with anything beyond that genre. As evidenced by his insistence on lumping AAF in with the nu metal bands of the era...okay, maybe there's a little influence in there, but these guys were rooted in punk rock (or pop punk, if you prefer) and it shows in everything from their irreverent lyrics & music videos to their equally irreverent answers when asked about their musical influences. Todd generally picks up on irony & sarcasm in music, but his radar was apparently off for this episode. Personally, I love this cover, I liked Movies as well, and while I've never dived deeper into their catalog than that I'd probably enjoy a great deal of it in a nostalgic sense if no other. AAF seemed like a great group of guys and also talented musicians who didn't take themselves overly seriously. FYI, he is *not* a fan of 311. 🤣

[@Matt_Turner]

I agree Ms. Cosgrove. The cover was a great way to get people to listen. As a boy wrought with Girl problems and a musician that has always saw the work they put into it. They weren’t trying to be the next Linkin Park or anything. They were just happy being themselves. And nothing is more inspirational to me than that. Also the perseverance is outstanding. Through broken necks, death, and cancer. These guys still follow their hearts. I love this band so much.

[@Ruinwyn]

US public tends to go for genre purity so having eclectic tastes about music doesn't benefit artists. In Europe, we expect artist to have wide interest and work with anyone interesting. That's why acts like Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Elton John and Andrea Botticelli can keep having pop hits as long as they want to perform them. Talent doesn't really care about genre. We have our share of bad music, but that's partly because we don't mind trying odd. As long as artists keep doing interesting music, there is an audience for that.

[@Romax-pg2is]

Todd actually stated in the Crazy Town episode that he hates 311.

[@Flowtail]

I remember being utterly shocked by Michael Jackson's death because I hadn't realized he was alive

[@plushman3685]

I was shocked because I was convinced he was a robot

[@daneray9594]

I had the same reaction when I learned Little Richard died.

[@Wise_Person]

little richard DIED?

[@tdp2612]

yeah im in the same boat as ^ above, I dont remember that being in the news but yeah google says it happened

[@prettyshinyspaghetti8332]

@@tdp2612 dude it was definitely in the news

[@joelsommer5765]

-Has ONE hit: a cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" song. -Gets asked who they are influenced by. -Mentions everyone EXCEPT Michael Jackson. 😑

[@zozzy4630]

And he's worried about them looking bad for crashing the BET awards? Yeeeah I think they have more to apologize for than that.

[@lordoshower3478]

Just because you cover a song doesn’t mean you’re inspired by them.

[@robwalsh9843]

There really isn't much of MJ's influence on Alien Ant Farm's sound. They were a typical California funky nu metal band who were obviously influenced by Primus, Faith No More, Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc.

[@hyperbomb02]

I can't believe I still remember this, but; The time frame of when their influences were taken was from before Smooth Criminal, regardless the band never claimed to be influenced by MJ, just that they love his music and why they covered the song. Their listed influences actually do shine through in their music, they just put a shitty nu-metal sheen over all of it. You can tell from their music they fancied themselves songwriters to an extent. Todd is absolutely correct in that they were never angry enough, they never made angry music, it was just weakly introspective. It didn't vindicate young teenagers for being angry they had to take the trash out, but it wasn't also intelligent enough to get the same demographic to grow up.

[@natyoung7755]

I mean Smooth Criminal was just something they'd mess around with in warm-ups and the audiences liked it enough they they thought "What the hell," and recorded a cover.

[@vilet918]

I always love coming back to this episode because I adore Nu metal, alt rock, emo, goth rock, and pop punk to this day! All those song he played talking about how boring or dumb or how much he just doesn't get it I was jamming. It's the one time Todd's confusion isn't shared by me and it's kinda fun to be on the other side.

[@ideitbawxproductions1880]

agreed. Limp Bizkit still sucks, but I still rock out to a lot of heavy music. Been listening to Sevendust's new album a lot since it came out in October, can't get enough of that band!

[@Jame5man]

I had a period of my life that was pretty shit. So the angst is very relevant to me. I also grew listening to rock radio in this era. I found the confusion of Todd quite amusing but I totally get why. It’s not a universal genre. But it’s one I’m fond of Still can’t stand the hack that is Limp Bizkit. Drives me up the wall and across the ceiling. It’s not even music it’s just awful

[@HolyGoddessMotherAnne]

@@Jame5man Is it bad I like Limp Bizkit in a ironic way? Like I find them so bad they're hilarious,I'm sorry friendo and such and everything.

[@rabidhog4912]

@@Jame5man limp bizkit is a disease

[@Meme_Lor]

@@HolyGoddessMotherAnne you're trans so you're based and fine

[@Velsero]

My two cents: they released in the wrong year. 2001 had afterglow from several albums: Godsmack's "Awake", A Perfect Circle's "Mer De Noms", Deftones' "White Pony", Disturbed's "Sickness", Linkin Park's "Hybrid Theory", and Mudvayne's "LD 50". Then, the year they released their first major studio album, they had to try to get over Drowning Pool's "Sinner", FLAW's "Through the Eyes", P.OD.'s "Satallite", a Tool album, System of Down's "Toxicity", Nicleback hitting the scene, Sevendust's "Animosity", Rammstein's "Mutter", a Megadeth album, and SOiL's "Scars". A few other mid hit wonders also released that year. 2002? Breaking Benjamin's "Saturate", Lecuna Coil's U.S. debut "Comalies", Trapt's self titled album, Stone Sours' self titled album, Chevelle's "Wonder What's Next", and System of a Down's "Steal this Album". Not a crowded field, as only a few from 2001 kept afterglow the whole way through the year. Alien Ant Farm had the misfortune of being the freshman in a year of the seniors and kids who skipped a grade. One year later, and they're still a thing. But 2001? Not a chance. As a nu-metal, industrial metal, and post grunge guy, 2001 was great year to be near a radio. 2002? Had some high notes, but it wasn't that great. They just released at awful times to get noticed. 2003 was arguably a better year than 2001. Guess what year they released their next album?

[@fc43]

Plus, Slipknot dropped “Iowa” in 2001, which is hailed as one of the best nu-metal albums ever made.

[@Velsero]

@@fc43 ok... and another one on the list! Although, I didn't include it in 2001 as it didn't become a cash cow/radio darling until the 2002 tour season. Which puts it pretty firmly in the list of shit I should have included in 2002.

[@cinematicsterling6897]

Tool: Lateralus

[@doodooswaggy3825]

@@cinematicsterling6897 I was wondering how that was the only one that didn’t get named

[@severeerror52]

The 2000s had two genres in my mind: Music that would be on the Burnout 3 soundtrack, and music that wouldn't be on the Burnout 3 soundtrack. All this music fits in the former. I think you pretty much nailed it. They clearly had some talent, but also no real direction. There's a universe where they found that direction and became massive stars, but that's not this one. On the plus side, alien ant farm is a dope name, and the logo is pretty cool.

[@thaddeuscheeleyjr.369]

😂😂 So true. I thought the same thing when I played Burnout Paradise and heard My Curse bu Killswitch.

[@Oscar97o]

Most of the Burnout 3 soundtrack is awful, but I can't help singing along to it when I'm playing the game. It's pretty crazy how fitting it is.

[@josef733]

@@Oscar97o people love to froth about how great it is. Its just nostalgia, a lot of those song are just bad.

[@JBaum55]

Pretty much agree on that; They seemed like a band that might have broken out, but they unfortunately squandered that potential by not seeing their true calling beyond nu metal. Reminds me of what Todd said about Crazy Town & how they might have been better off going on the path that "Butterfly" tried to lead them on, rather than wallowing where they were before.

[@slevingarganera8375]

Agreed. Alien Ant Farm would be better off as a Pop Punk band, touring with big names like Blink-182, Green Day, Sum 41 etc. or being a part of the Vans Warped Tour.

[@flynniejunior838]

Oh Todd. Of course we still have angry white boys. That's why my school has to do lockdown drills.

[@ThierryRocksTV]

Angry white boys listen to EDM club music now

[@WillSmith-fg8be]

angry white boys listen to edgy rap music like $uicideboy$, bones and XXXTENTACION

[@poisondamage2182]

>mentions good taste in movies > gives metalcore as an example how old are you?

[@Kataxu]

You're just as dumb as he is Ryan, just on the opposite end of the socio-political spectrum. Consider Todd your equal.

[@nigelalicetufnelbowie3899]

Flynnie Junior That must be the reason why my school goes through the process so often, like once every four weeks, and no I refuse to believe that these are fire drills, I used to curl up under my desk with the hallways and classrooms are pitch black. You have to see your feet in front of you while you sprint to a random spot outside the school that you didn't know existed.

[@quickhhh]

ANThology by AAF was the first CD I've ever got as a kid. They hold a special place in my heart. I still listen to them from time to time.

[@levibazen608]

"do we just not have any angry white boys anymore?" * *Drywall starts sweating* *

[@thepassingstatic6268]

I'm from the future. Underrated comment

[@karda009]

Guy who sits in the shadows covering his face in a hoodie complaining about stuff doesnt like Nu Metal. This... feels wrong.

[@Bluman2]

All this guy does is complain

[@Tizen]

Lots of self-hate too, always making references to "white rage" instead of just... rage. I guess other races aren't allowed to rage to nu metal? Quite exclusionary of him.

[@Adamdidit]

​@@Tizen so you just assumed he was white is what you're saying

[@EffinChat]

@Linda Niemkiewicz you know 8 years ago SJW was almost a credible insult, nowadays it just acts as a marker for plebs who think giving people basic decency is laughable

[@thegreatazal5021]

Anchupom aka Freddie spoken like someone who doesn’t get why it’s an insult.

[@trainspotter360]

I love listening to your piano intros. Can you please do a video where you just kick ass on the piano?

[@Manny444a]

Me too they're awesome!!!

[@IABITVpresents]

he should write a song completely on piano. maybe he'll finally include HIMSELF on the One Hit Wonderland as the artist? :D

[@RectPropagation]

He did do that in a hidden track video once; I think it was on That Guy with the Glass' web site.

[@cypher515]

Ah, the most annoying band in existence to me. Because now I can't Google myself OR my dad or grandfather. :P (I do love Sex and Candy as a song though.)

[@mglory67]

Something I have wondered repeatedly over the years.

[@briancraig81]

I'm loving these 90's one hit wonder videos, brings back good memories. Back to this song, I will never forget being stuck in traffic on the way home around 3:30pm listening to 96Rock (Raleigh, North Carolina) and them cutting to the live verdict of his last molestation trial. Soon as the not guilty verdict was announced they cut back to the studio and the DJ said something along the lines of "Well, there you have it folks" and then went straight into this song. I started laughing my ass off and I will never forget that day.

[@Deviantygr]

96 Rock was the last decent radio station in this area! And I STILL play Bob the Blade's Friday afternoon sign off when the weekend starts kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2PcdoCQbZp2h8k

[@goldenovaries]

😂😂😂

[@earsonlyaudio887]

I play drums in a band who opened up for these guys a few months ago. They were actually super cool and friendly to us.

[@leemacwilliams2237]

To be fair their rhythm section was tight as hell. The singer and guitarist didn't seen like anything special, but a really good rhythm section is more than I can say for most mainstream rock bands of that time, especially since this came out years before Paramore or the Pretty Reckless existed.

[@cilibekd]

Smooth Criminal (by Alien Ant Farm) is a masterpiece. Michael thought it was better too. And Todd is right, when it p[lays on the radio, it feels super fun, not just angry or tense.

[@rlink80]

We opened for these guys back in 2011! Some of their newer stuff wasn’t bad. People were into it.

[@link4585]

"I dont know what Promethius is about" Im pretty sure the guy who wrote it doesnt know.

[@SteRDLK]

Why would Stephen King know?

[@WobblesandBean]

I actually liked these guys back in high school. This cover was damn amazing, and the other 2 songs they released on their demo were good! I like them BECAUSE they weren't whiny and self-pitying like all the other bands at the time.

[@turtlebeach960]

=O *A Wild Amelia Bee has appeared*

[@coconutcrew99]

I know this is old, but by demos do you mean the pre 1999 mixtapes?

[@EpicWes007]

As of writing this, Papa Roach are currently No. 1 on the Mainstream rock charts. 17 years and counting folks.

[@beemail6983]

Because they suck a corporate dick

[@ThierryRocksTV]

They're trend hoppers tbh which is why I couldn't care for them after their album Lovehatetragedy.

[@nikeok3298]

Only because rock is dead in commercial point (their last album not evan in top 50)

[@Ptaku93]

I genuinely wtf

[@polymphus]

Glow was huge down here in NZ. I remember it being on regular rotation on C4 (NZ MTV) for like 18 months.

[@SongForSaturday88]

Kia Kaha bro

[@nordaj_]

yeah i even heard movies on the hits at work the other day

[@MinnieandMickeyandSnips]

Thank you! I thought I was the only one who remembered it on MoreFM all the time! Kia ora!

[@mrkd2k10]

Having been a fan of the Tony Hawk era games (and the other activision spin offs), both Wish and Courage off their first album were on these games and definitely provide me with some childhood nostalgia, so therefore I like them

[@sethw997]

Same. I feel like "nu metal" is the wrong category for these guys. "Wish" is one of the only songs that borderline metal. It mostly sounds like pop rock outside of that. But I know what you mean. Alien Ant Farm in 2001 or 2 or 3 to an elementary school kid playing Tony Hawk definitely stood out. When I think about the band and others like them, it takes me back to a certain place

[@JerzeyJimmy]

...am I the only person who likes "Movies" more?

[@Mopbrain]

+Jersey Jimmy it's really not bad, I could see that being succesful

[@dormiebasne3578]

+Jersey Jimmy I actually like it a lot. The one time I had a major disagreement with Todd while watching one of his videos.

[@oldladytrexarms]

Nope. Movies was my favorite more than this song.

[@txcforever]

Sorry but the song kind of sucks. It's bland, it has no energy and the lyrics are generic at best. I mean just go listen to the songs of Blink 182 or Sum 41 of that era (those are closer to the AAF style than actual Nu Metal to be honest) and listen to "Movies" again and tell me if it even compares.

[@hurricanebtvs]

Movies is actually one of my favourite songs in general.

[@elcocho1568]

Angry White boys listen to XXXTENTACION and Lil Pump these days.

[@dawsonadams9612]

Angry white boys are also most of XXXTentacion's fanbase. It can explain why they get super pissed over anyone else's opinion that isn't loving his music.

[@dreaminginnoother]

hey, i take offense to that... I am an angry white guy who makes metal music, including metal covers of 90's songs and you can check out my XXXTentacion cover on my channel..... wait... I'm not even joking about any of that. fml.

[@absurddive]

So they're sad bois now...

[@Seth-hc2bj]

Also deathgrips

[@musicman6555]

@@dreaminginnoother was that a self promotion?

[@ChuckvdL]

“Iiiiie actually can’t tell the the difference between nearly any songs in this genre” Slayed me

[@natyoung7755]

Joke's on you Todd, your review introduced me to "Movies" and now I love it!

[@jinx184]

I always find it funny when a music critic (or someone else inside the industry) writes off a whole genre. That's not me talking shit, I'm very guilty of it myself; I play rhythm guitar and bass, I TELL people I listen to everything, from jazz to blues to punk to rap, blah blah blah, but I can not stand modern country or the vast majority of pop radio tunes. I just like that musicians, even the ones who are more open to other influences and genres, will still from time to time be like... "All music is art, all music is important. Except this music, fuck those guys, right?"

[@napalmblaziken]

+Jinx I think it shows how hypocritical we can be as a species. I'm the same way honestly.

[@chuckbatman5]

I feel like everybody's got that one genre of music that just doesn't work for them. Personally for me it's probably like Dubstep and EDM stuff. Also modern country, although tbh I don't think anyone actually listens to that stuff, like everyone I've met thinks it's bad and dumb

[@PrincessNinja007]

People only listen to modern country in small towns where it's all top 40 pop and modern country

[@jinx184]

***** I listen to Jason Isbell, Lucero, stuff like that, so I feel you. Just meant the pop-country, yeah

[@samoria7530]

holy is an ok new country song

[@thevoidlookspretty7079]

I get chills every time I hear this song. I hear that riff, and suddenly it’s 5:55 am in February and a guy is screaming at me to do a push-up every tums I hear the word, “Annie.”

[@tomorrow4eva]

I have a song that takes me back to the gym too!

[@GBsavant]

You missed it. I don’t think they were going for that nu metal. I think incubus is a more fair comparison. That California type ilk

[@DumbIdeaPresentedStupidly]

They look way more pop punk, like you could put bowling for soup over their music videos

[@ECL28E]

@@DumbIdeaPresentedStupidly I seriously thought they were like Sum 41, the Offspring or something.

[@RocketRoketto]

Incubus. Nah. Never. AaF I'd definately not in their range. They could never

[@PlayaSinNombre]

I still listen to the ANThology album . Movies is my jam.

[@Mr.Nyongo]

ANThology is damn good. This guy doesn't know what he's talking about.

[@TarbyRocks]

wasn't Van Halen's first single a cover of "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks?

[@KayleeCee]

You are correct, that was their first single. I guess VH was a lucky exception to the first single being a cover curse.

[@brifox]

In fairness, Van Halen also opened "You Really Got Me" with what is now arguably the most famous guitar solo of all time. Also, apparently David Lee Roth is just an amazing cover artist generally. Like a third of his Van Halen hits and most of his solo hits were all covers. Ice Cream Man, Pretty Woman, You're No Good, California Girls, Just a Gigolo, Dancing in the Street, and probably half a dozen others I'm forgetting.

[@gadguard]

@@brifox ice cream man was a cover? Never knew that.

[@YouCantDeleteDenzelL]

Shinedown's first hit was a cover of Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Granted, they never were as big as their contemporaries, and Second Chance was their only real big hit, so don't take my word for it.

[@nextgencowboy]

@@YouCantDeleteDenzelL 45 was released as a single first, and charted higher.

[@emileetelles3122]

Today I learned that 8th grade me was actually an angry white boy. Who knew.

[@thac0twenty377]

your FBI agent, but he was swom to secrecy

[@mike_base]

I refuse to consider Alien Ant Farm a one-hit wonder because "Movies" is an absolute banger.

[@himynameisaaron86]

Their first album and to a slightly lesser extent their second are fantastic

[@yourkingreturns]

Watching Todd rip apart my favorite genre never gets old lmao

[@kaydwessie296]

OK Annie is the name of the dolls they use to teach CPR. I was told that's who Annie is. I always took it to mean some dude broke into a house and full on killed/KO-ed a bitch, and MJ meant "Annie" just to mean "Hey random KO'd bitch, you good?" A lot of that's a personal theory lol

[@PrincessNinja007]

I thought he was singing "Addie"

[@GalanDun]

I thought Annie was the name of his character's daughter in the movie?

[@GamesFromSpace]

These guys are still in my playlist, years later.

[@ultimateninjaboi]

I was in late highschool when MJ died. And i was a white guy who listened to punk, ska, rock, and then a sprinkling of many other unrelated genres. But i listened to the radio when i drove to and from school. And it was MIND BOGGLING the complete 180 everyone took when he died. Like, yeah. Respect the dead and all that. But there were radio personalities whod been mocking him the month before, suddenly talking about him like they'd been one of the ones holding onto their outward respect and admiration since the 70s. Like... BLATANT bullshit, but it was so common.

[@holidayonion]

I actually really love this band. "Courage," "Movies," "These Days," etc. are all great songs.

[@Dobis86]

agreed

[@ryanahr2267]

Finally somebody understands

[@GoldenLionCarpark]

ANThology is a great album.

[@leahturner3893]

Glow is one of my favorite songs of all time. It has cute wordplay, a solid little jam...It's fun!

[@michaelkeller5927]

These Days is a goddam banger

[@ZC-Infinity]

"Alien Ant Farm are by a pretty large margin the least interesting band I've ever cover... ed, I guess."

[@TheDirectMessenger88]

You noticed the obvious cut too, huh?

[@MarkArandjus]

At the risk of sounding like a genre snob, AAF were not NU metal, they were alt rock, post-grunge maybe, certainly not NU metal. Some of their singles like Glow or Attitude don't even have distortion. The album Anthology this song's off is a pretty good album too and they as a band deserved better, if nothing else because they never took themselves too seriously in a time when most bands were doing the whole EDDGYYYY thing.

[@dvt1393]

Thank you! I love Todd, and I respect him as a critic, but I pretty much completely disagree with him here. Anthology is a great album, and they deserved a lot more success. But, it's all good, everybody has their own opinions. 🙂

[@TheXenoxen]

@@dvt1393 I wouldn't respect Todd as a critic. He flounders hard when he has to go to a music genre he has no familiarity with. I view his stuff as entertaining but with very little I would take in.

[@lostsanityreturned]

@@TheXenoxen Kinda how I watch Yahtzee from Zero Punctuation for entertainment, but as a critic ehhhhhhhhh.

[@robwalsh9843]

Yep, you sort of have to recognize the difference between the routines of funny KZbin critics and their actual sense of critiquing works. Also, even though I'm not much of a fan of nu metal, I find it odd that Todd dislikes it so much for sounding the same when he admits to being a one-time fan of pop punk which, in my opinion, was way more same-sounding than nu metal.

[@koelael2660]

TheXenoxen it’s called a opinion

[@ameliegreen13]

I'll be honest, I had no idea Alien Ant Farm was a one hit wonder. I've been listening to Glow and These Days on the regular since I was like... 8. NO ONE ELSE WAS??

[@Mr.Nyongo]

Me too. These guys are not 1 hit wonders. The fuck.

[@ChandlerKeithFlow]

@@Mr.Nyongo Alien Ant Farm are DEFINITELY one hit wonders

[@Mr.Nyongo]

@@ChandlerKeithFlow These Days?? Movies?? Smooth Criminal?? That's THREE hits.

[@brandonm949]

@@Mr.Nyongo These Days and Movies hit #29 and #18 respectively on the Modern Rock chart. I don't think those qualify as hits, especially after Smooth Criminal hit #23 on the overall Billboard chart, #3 in the UK, and #1 in Australia. A lot of one-hit wonders have other songs that make the charts but don't get that high; I'd say AAF falls into that category.

[@corneliusbobsled858]

@@brandonm949 The whole concept of a band needing to have hits to be considered worthwhile is outdated and disingenuous in my opinion. There is a lot of good music out there that doesn't get traction. Main reason being studios buying air time for their latest hit maker, which has always been a thing. Duo Lipa is prime example of this, that levitating song, twice an hour, every hour like clockwork on every radio station in my area for literal months. Everyone I know is sick of hearing constantly, but it's a hit...

[@icebergmm]

"Weird Al" may forever be known as "the eat it guy", but he owes his first record deal to the Knack.

[@1funeral2many9]

i think its a generation thing, we know him as the "white and nerdy" or "trapped in the drive in" guy

[@icebergmm]

@@1funeral2many9 Thanks for making me feel old lol.

[@adrianharper9462]

I remember growing up in the nu metal era, and I liked some artists in that genre. But I wouldn't consider myself an "angry white boy." Ironically, I was rather the one happy-go-lucky kid who likes nu metal.

[@derekonodera8891]

Yeah, I get that a lot. I remember being that Asian middle schooler who listens to Linkin Park and System of a Down CDs during lunchtime, and I was the least edgy person you'd ever come across. Yeah, while not everyone shared my tastes in music, I was still pretty happy-go-lucky and made friends with about as much people as possible.

[@tafua_a]

@@derekonodera8891 System of a Down is barely nu-metal. They were almost a subgenre of metal of their own

[@DampeS8N]

Gonna necro this to say that as a fan of metal overall, nu metal only really works well when it is combined with other genres of metal. Combine it with folk metal and you get System of a Down and modern acts like Cellar Darling. Combine it with techno and you get Orgy or the much better Darkwater, Patient Zero or Follow the Cipher. Combine it with symphonic metal and you get one of the dozen eras of Tiamat's sound. Combine it with christian rock and you get Evanescence and Creed, lol. Combine it with black/doom metal and you get things like Krux. Combine it with trance you get Static-X. Combine it with prog rock and you get Tool, Stolen Babies, another one of Tiamat's eras of sound. And virtually all metal bands since around 2005 have either directly included nu metal elements or pointedly avoided doing so. The core nu metal genesis, like punk, didn't really afford much in the way of... well.. musical quality. It simply wasn't about that. However, again like punk, the influences of the new sound the genre created have touched the entire parent genre of metal. You'll find nu metal here and there from Metallica to Iron Maiden and from Opeth to Telekinetic Yeti.

[@jeeology8574]

Shout out to soad and deftones, best nu/alt bands IMHO

[@dtxspeaks268]

SOAD, Orgy and Static X aren't even Nu metal. Hell, Orgy is more Industrial than Metal tbh

[@louisduarte8763]

@@dtxspeaks268 And I always thought ORGY sucked. Did they get a One-Hit Wonderland episode to themselves?

[@devilmikey00]

Tool is not nu-metal. Their first couple of albums predate nu-metal and have much more in common with grunge than something like Limp Bizkit, Korn or linkin park. The only Album they have that came out in the heyday of Nu-Metal is Laterlus and you'd have to have a very broad definition of nu-metal to include that.

[@FangsFirst]

@@devilmikey00 It wasn't "the heyday", but Ænima came out the same year as _Life Is Peachy_ and a year after _Adrenaline_ so it's not *too* out there. _Opiate_ and _Undertow_ predate pretty much all of it, but Ænima was pretty well in it all-I wouldn't call it terribly "grungy" either. Though I wouldn't call it overly nu-metal either, but I also find "nu-metal" one of the more arbitrary categories-and too short-lived to divide it into "waves" like emo, ska, etc. But most people (this is only anecdotal, but to indicate that it's not a *totally* foreign concept, with no awareness of how widespread it was) I knew in the late 90s/early 00s considered Deftones, System, and Static-X comfortably nu-metal-which I hear a lot of people (like above) say are not nu-metal bands these days. I think those of us who were Tool fans were entirely too pretentious to consider Tool anything other than Unclassifiably Awesome and Superior™-a sensibility that doesn't seem to have declined much as the years have gone on in their fans, even if I've drifted away from that identifier for them myself. But they were still in the "modern and readily available heavy music" category, and popular with the same folks who liked nu metal.

[@MountainDewComacho494]

Van Halen's first single was a cover. It got them the attention they needed. The biggest difference is that Van Halen has a lot of other awesome songs. It seemed that in the 70's, the strategy was to have the band release a cover as their first single.

[@thevoidalone]

I'm not sure if this was the case back when it first dropped, but every time i've heard their kinks cover, it was always preceded by "Eruption" and I think helped blunt the cover curse.

[@jhutt8002]

Uh. That same album had Running with the Devil and Ain't talking 'bout love. Both released as a single. With those two songs coming out on a same record, in 1978... mind you... There's really no way they weren't going to be at least 1 album legends ever since.

[@jarekharmening8993]

This is the second video where Todd has claimed no one remembers or has heard a song because it was such a minor hit. I don't know where he was growing up, but "Movies" was played ALL THE TIME on my alt. rock stations for YEARS. Kind of like when "Crawling in the Dark" was proclaimed by Hoobastank to be kind of an unknown song (in an interview).....again, my local alt. rock station was playing that song non-stop. There was no one who didn't know that song in my region of the US who even remotely paid attention to the radio hits.

[@samdragonborn5864]

That awkward moment when I realize I like numetal but just really hate limp bizkit

[@ibowonar141]

Sam Dragonborn same, i consider my taste alternative metal like korn and deftones but nu metal did have some really good acts

[@jlprizm]

Sam Dragonborn same here. they really are shit.

[@napalmblaziken]

Their instrumentals are great, but Fred Durst was by far the weakest link. They needed a different frontman.

[@archivedaccount5990]

I'm a big nu-metal fan, but I honestly couldn't get into Limp Bizkit. Wes Borland and John Otto are decent musicians, but I just couldn't take Fred Durst seriously.

[@mizukihozakai7417]

Personally, I'm a big fan of nu-metal but even I couldn't stand Limp Bizkit.

[@fetustickler2136]

One of Marilyn Mansons first hits was Sweet Dreams.

[@RomeoCo]

That was from Smells Like Children, his second album, so he already had a whole other album to prove he was more then just a covers jokey.

[@FromElsewhear]

Manson is actually a no-hit wonder. Look it up.

[@RomeoCo]

Both Mechanical Animals and The Golden Age of Grotesque got to 1 on the Billboard 100, so I don't know what you are talking about.

[@FromElsewhear]

Sure his albums sold well, but he hasn't had a top 40 hit.

[@RomeoCo]

Sure fair, but every one of his albums has charted. I don't think you get to have that sort of musical clout and still have it said you have no hits. It's just a mater of what metric you use. It's why Todd won't to Modest Mouse, who tectonically only has one hit, but has this huge musical and cultural influence otherwise.

[@drlarrymitchell]

"Movies" by Alien Ant Farm is the best piece of pop music released over the past 30 years, and I will die on that hill.

[@eoinreen8808]

That alien ant hill

[@ministryod]

In 30 YEARS?! Lol nah

[@sycastells1212]

Todd in 2015: "Do we even have angry white boys anymore?" Me in 2020: Oh sweetie

[@flametitan100]

2021: "Can they go away already?"

[@pegasusactua2985]

2022: Okay this stopped be funny like two years ago, can we please stop this now.

[@lilturk726]

Personally I think "Movies" was a better song.

[@beemail6983]

I agree, it's a three price song with progressive melody but it's fairly smooth the whole way through

[@Savannah_Simpson]

Bee Mail Meh, it’s catchy but god the lyrics kill it.

[@KTK44]

@@Savannah_Simpson The lyrics are awesome.

[@Savannah_Simpson]

KTK Maybe in an ironic way,

[@tyde4610]

I was genuinely surprised movies wasn’t a hit, sounds really catchy and is better than most of the nu metal hits of the time. even the stuff they released after movies is pretty good.

[@archer1949]

Yeah, I know, but I still like Linkin Park.

[@Tenebyss]

So does Todd actually

[@Tenebyss]

***** He mentioned it on twitter. He says he likes their 2nd and 3rd album more then their 1st. He also mentioned he thought the band was "underrated" following their fourth album.

[@zelenilum290]

Thats just wrong, its just an interpretation of someone who didn't like their music style until the 4. album and wants to be edgy about it himself. Linkin Park had a drastic change in style after the third album, because they had put everything out there, what they realy wanted to say with their music. Still, they liked playign music together, so they continued for the fun of it. Thats a much better reason then most bands have for their change of style. I personaly like all Linkin Park albums, but the best for me will allways be number 1-3. I grew up with them, but now that I'm older, I don't need to be egdy by stating "oh Linkin Park, yeah thats music for angry, lonely and whiny teenagers, so I don't hear it of course!". Its imaginative, verry well written music, if you like it or not.

[@freddyfriend8498]

At least now we can all find common ground in that the new singles totally suck :(

[@plum3343]

all their singles fucking suck. The only reason you hate the new ones is because they came out when you were old enough to stop listening to shit music, but not quite old enough to take off your rose coloured glasses.

[@huskizzle]

Ouch...these guys are one of my favorite bands from the early 2000s. Seeing you diss “Attitude” was hurtful to my soul. Just proves that music is extremely subjective!

[@dvt1393]

I feel the exact same way. I love Todd and and all of his videos, and I really respect him as a critic, but this episode definitely hurt my heart. 😏

[@shawnbrinsey9030]

I O or he doesn’t really know music....AAF isn’t nu metal

[@1funeral2many9]

@@shawnbrinsey9030 i think the issue is that todd isnt into any sort of heavy music, nonetheless nu. thats why he called three days grace nu metal and tried using that to dismiss aaf lmao.

[@andrewchilton7186]

Yeah I thought it was just me. Attitude is a very dynamic song that has a different vibe than their other songs. And Movies is no fun? It’s a good pop rock song and lots of fun. Then again he disses Linkin Park so Todd just doesn’t seem to like this genre and takes it out on them. I like his videos and he does even throw some shade at even songs he likes but he seems too unfair on AAF to the point that this video is no fun.

[@darrenhendrix2198]

This popped up in my feed, so here are my two cents on the idea of AAF as a one hit wonder. Yeah, their biggest hit was a cover, but they still had radio play for songs like Movies. Wish mades it was into Tony Hawk. I think one hit wonder sells them short. They probably have more songs you know if you're my age (35) than you think. This was my experience seeing them live when they got back together in the early 2010's and my old band got to open for them. They put on a good show, and I was surprised how many of their songs I actually knew. Sure, they aren't exactly a big band or a major legacy act, but I think they squeak by as more than a one hit wonder. Respect your stuff. Keep doing it!

[@sopranophantomista]

Okay, so considering what's happened today with the death of Chester Beddington, and with Chris Cornell also making an appearance, this feels ironic stumbling on this OHW today.

[@kohlerwilcox9011]

ShantyLady Chester Beddingtion?

[@musicdude7502]

Yeah because every person who talked shit about their music MUST feel bad about themselves and do re reviews of their albums with good scores.

[@roguishpaladin]

*coincidental

[@spookyrosev6467]

ShantyLady More depressing since ...well turns out it’s not just “whining about mom”

[@unrepentantoffender188]

It's "Bennington", asshole

[@ThierryRocksTV]

Wish was in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3.

[@abandonedsunflowerfield6469]

We got wish instead, still a good song, but I get what ya mean.

[@Mateus_Carvalho]

S. S. Recognize was on NHL 2004 as well. And you could also make the members of Alien Ant Farm in the game, so if you wanted to cripple them in hockey (for whatever reason), there's your chance.

[@PolythenePam0451]

I read this as "I wish I was in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3"

[@rodneya6371]

These Days was in atv off-road fury 2. Great song, great game

[@ThierryRocksTV]

@@rodneya6371 Courage actually

[@TheLokiBiz]

I still really wish you would actually do an episode on "Blue Monday" by Orgy (Id become a patreon if I wasn't poor as shit - like literally was homeless until a couple months ago poor) - They never got much respect, but they honestly have a few really great songs - Especially on their follow up album, Vapor Transmission. I find that their blend of 80's synth pop and glam with heavy power chords and synth guitars helped their stuff age a LOT better than many of the other nu-metal bands did. They at least sounded way different than most of their peers.

[@jojonoa3590]

Thing is, these guys were anything but one hit wonders if you played a lot of PS2 games back in the day. ATV Offroad Fury 2 anyone?

[@JesseWrangell]

Hey, Alien Ant Farm were pretty good, and Attitude was pretty sweet. Also, they aren't meant to be angsty Nu Metal, they are just a fun rock band.

[@ricardoandresgarciayodice8808]

True they brought humor to nu metal

[@GoldenLionCarpark]

Attitude is such a great song.

[@quiettimegaming3642]

Idk, I know this was their first pop hit... But they had the Song "Movies" that did alright on the rock charts before Smooth Criminal. "Though it peaked only at number 18 on the US Modern Rock chart,[3] it remained on the chart for 32 weeks, five weeks longer than "Smooth Criminal" which hit number one.[" So they were relevant before Smooth Criminal. They reshot the video after the success of smooth criminal.

[@gottfriedneuner3721]

"do we just not have angry white boys anymore?"' oh, jeeeeeez. that aged like milk :D

[@LocalGodC8]

orgy was a fantastic band and had several other singles that were popular, at least among the gothic/industrial crowd

[@sunnysurfer101MA]

Technically, Talking Head's first hit was a cover. "Take me to the river" was originally by Al Green

[@campfortson4387]

I dont know, they really made that song so different it's hard to say

[@lost_limey]

Didn't Psycho Killer chart first?

[@javi__...]

angry white boys listen to alex jones now, todd

[@jungkinoid8706]

javi m The only people who listen to Alex Jones unironically are middle aged South Americans. Non-whites included.

[@chimblemasterofchimney4771]

@@jungkinoid8706 I didn't know they listened to Alex Jones in places like Peru and Brazil.

[@Ptaku93]

@@chimblemasterofchimney4771 oh yes the guy achieved worldwide fame

[@ECL28E]

and Tekashi 6ix9ine

[@JohnSmith-ox3gy]

@@chimblemasterofchimney4771 You'd be suprised how large following he had. Of he stayed on these mainstream platforms he might have swept over the whole world, his style of conspiracyscast is very profitable.

[@redyellowpink01]

I thought of them more as pop punk than nu metal. I guess in my head they seemed more fun and upbeat but when you play them all together they really do sound the same

[@MRTN13]

It's that riff that still makes me like this song a lot. Totally agree with Todd on this one

[@keithhatlak4325]

The guitarist looks like Will Sasso's impression of Fred Durst.

[@luffyiscool]

I still love pretty much all of the rock-ish bands he flicked through lol

[@Misty0622]

Luffyiscool thank you I was singing to every song and thought I was the only one

[@nigelalicetufnelbowie3899]

You have no life. Anyway, I would listen to anything deemed edgy enough for my mindless personality and cramped mind to wrap around. Emo was very popular back then and I was a big fan of the label Fueled By Ramen. Now, I sit back and laugh at all the horrendous "crunk-core" groups that I somehow missed or cared so little about: $uicideboy$, Brokencyde, Lil Peep, Blood on the Dance Floor...etc. These people are perfect example of what happens when you try to hard.

[@luffyiscool]

I do have a life actually, but thanks for playing. Having a life is subjective in the first place, and relative to what makes an individual feel fulfilled or happy. Someone can only fail to have a "life" if they're unhappy with where they are. Whereas I'm completely secure and happy with where I am and what I'm doing, which means I'm winning at life. The thing everyone wants to do in life is be happy, and through becoming happy we achieve life. Pretty simple stuff.

[@DeeFig66]

If you're talking emo, you're about 5 years too late. I was 18 (2000s) when Nu-metal was really booming and tapped out completely when Emo was a thing. My sister is 8 years younger than I was so my teens were were Grunge, Nu Metal, Alternative Music (angry/pensive music) while her teens were Emo, Nu Metal Revival, Indie Pop (sad/denialism music) it's a very different vibe. Emo kids cried and wanted to kill themselves and Nu-metal peeps wanted to kill everyone WHILE they were crying. LMAO. MY bands as a late teen/young adult were: Papa Roach, Linkin Park, POD, Staind, Korn & Limp Bizkit

[@McBenjiii]

One question though: Why?

[@omnis0]

That same way you feel about mainstream rock, “it sounds all the same”. A lot of people feel that way about hip hop

[@sean1024]

"A Warped Tour hit from a Family Values tour band" is the most succinct statement possible about this song. Well done.

[@rosalinecapulet]

The jokes about Three Days Grace kind of bother me because he's judging them based solely on "I Hate Everything About You" and "Just Like You," which I consider to be two of their weaker (and harder to take seriously) songs. In fact, I think I remember reading that even the band (or at least Adam Gontier) is embarrassed by their old stuff. I feel like if people looked more at something like the One X or Life Starts Now albums (ex. their biggest hit, "Never Too Late") they'd get a better impression.

[@GameofMoans]

One X is one of my favorite albums, that opening from "It's All Over" still sends chills down my spine to this day. Underrated album.

[@ninjabluefyre3815]

I love Animal I have Become

[@TheBAGman17]

@@ninjabluefyre3815 I too watched about a 1000 naruto amvs.

[@shinobisauren]

@@TheBAGman17 Fuck, that made me laugh lol

[@campbellsoup93]

But that would ruin the joke

[@zachreacts5508]

I remember loving These Days, because I heard it on Madden all the time. Ahhhhhh memories.

[@sirekumasutra7022]

I think you nailed it on the edgy. This was my music in high school. AAF didn't seem emo or whiny to me. They were a good band to listen to at a party like Nickelback or Andrew WK

[@Brandnewriot001]

A way better music video premise to Movies would be if a couple on the verge of breaking up enters an empty movie theater and it plays all the memorable moments of their life together and it has an open ending for the viewer to decide if they split apart or not.

[@mattwhitaker7174]

I actually find "Glow" very endearing. And I saw them in concert a couple years ago and they still sounded great. But like you said, definitely not for everyone.

[@henrydrummond5902]

Angry white boys listen to XXXTENTACION and watch Paul Joseph Watson videos.

[@babypurplebat2610]

@Darrel Smith Hmmmm. Don't really agree with you there.

[@_yellow]

@Sadjib Oljavek Quaranzumas III Ewww

[@bluchicken_995]

Sadjib Oljavek Quaranzumas III Have you seen theneedledrop’s response to him? Even if you disagree with the melon that video is better than anything PJW has made imo

[@ryange.8600]

Just imagining that made me burst out laughing.

[@josephancion2190]

Oof. That hurt. I hate PJW so much...

[@Thatguy55595]

Movies is a really good song. I listened to it a lot a few years back. I’m 26. Movies is silly during the verses but has an emotional chorus that hits you in the feels

[@morganqorishchi8181]

God, I miss when guitar went this hard and was this prominent in music. This song is fantastic.

[@robwalsh9843]

Seeing Pat Morita in that video for Movies was just depressing.

[@Thatguy55595]

How it’s a good song

[@jimmymelendez1836]

@@Thatguy55595 Not that good of a song.

[@Thatguy55595]

@@jimmymelendez1836 yeah it is lol nobody cares what this dude thinks 😂

[@ringinn7880]

I love this type of music actually. more for the awesome guitar rather than the angsty lyrics.

[@tuxysmagicaljukebox5431]

Also, thumbs up on this episode for what you said about Bad being than Thriller. And you were right on the mark about what the people praising MJ were saying about him in 2001.

[@zmusic1992]

Movies was a huge hit over here in England. Fantastic video though 👍

[@nastylittlecritter]

Nu Metal wasn't that bad of a genre. Korn, System of a Down, Linkin Park, and Slipknot were some of the better bands of the genre while it was in its hay day

[@nicoyazawa6837]

+Yiorgios Vazouras I like a little bit of nu metal, as a guilty pleasure.

[@nastylittlecritter]

Nico Yazawa honesty I would take Limp Bizkit over Attila any day

[@nicoyazawa6837]

+Yiorgios Vazouras Well, of course. Though I'm more into Linkin Park and Papa Roach, to be honest.

[@patricklauer4452]

Yiorgios Vazouras yeah I love all those bands

[@JonnyfromElma]

Never heard anybody say SOAD is numetal. Pretty sure they're just considered metal.

[@emoservedwithfries]

If you listen to their music without listening to the words - they are really good. I think the people who like their music like their energy not necessarily their writing. They are really good background hype music. I think their down fall was they didn't know what they wanted to do. They mixed high energy songs like this one equally with low key music like stained songs. They didn't have a real identity

[@Sky-pg8jm]

That's the thing I've found with most nu-metal it's good high energy stuff but the lyrics are almost always just "angsty white boy" and I'm just so so so tired of that.

[@PatstarDeluxe]

My mate's band opened for them when they toured NZ. He said they were the nicest guys ever, so take that as you will PS: Glow is a great song!

[@slaugmromni6743]

People seem to apply the term ‘nu metal’ to basically any rock band from the late 90s to the early 00s that had loud guitars and any degree of angst. But I’d argue that bands like Alien Ant Farm, Puddle Of Mudd, Trapt, Three Days Grace, Incubus, Linkin Park, and most of Staind’s material isn’t nu metal. Nu metal to me, for the most part, is loud, aggressive, heavy, and dark. The guitars are usually thick and downtuned, and the vocals are often screamed, shrieked, or yelled. Prototypical nu metal, in my eyes, includes stuff like Slipknot, System of a Down, early Korn, and the first Deftones album. This stuff has more in common with groove metal, metalcore, and metallic hardcore than the non-nu metal bands I mentioned above, which have more alt rock, hard rock, pop, and post-grunge influences. A band like Puddle of Mudd would sound at home opening for Creed or Stone Temple Pilots, whereas Slipknot would fit on a bill with Mastodon, Lamb of God, or Hatebreed.

[@nicoyazawa6837]

Apart from covering "Smooth Criminal," I honestly don't remember anything else from Alien Ant Farm.

[@JackA066]

Attitude was a good song shame it's underrated I like it even more than the cover of smooth criminal

[@dvt1393]

I will always defend their first album "Anthology." They really are a Nu-Metal band. They were heavy Alt-Rock. Definitely a band that deserves way more appreciation than they got. It kind of bums me out that they get shit on so much.

[@lbarudi]

@@dvt1393 YES, Anthology is a criminally underrated album. It might not be the best of its genre, but it's still a great record full of very solid riffs and hooks - it's a shame that relatively few people actually took the time to listen to it and discover it past the MJ cover

[@xFuzzyxPicklesx]

WISH from tony hawk

[@plawson8577]

The only other song I remember from them is “Glow”. That’s it.

[@bubbleheadft]

Glad someone said it about people who loved MJ after he died.

[@Jeevesie1988]

As someone who adored Nu metal when I was a teen... yeah, Todd's assessment of that genre is pretty spot on. Though I'll defend Linkin Park to the end, that band evolved like crazy and their last album is one of my all time faves (and was even before Chester Bennington's tragic passing).

[@scattau41]

Craaawwwllllinng innnn my skiiiiinnn theeeessseee wouuuunds they willl not heeeaall 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Jeevesie1988]

@@scattau41 Yeah, a "very memeable song" about a man's struggles with mental health that eventually claimed his life.

[@scattau41]

@@Jeevesie1988 precisely

[@tafua_a]

I adored Linkin Park as a kid, and I didn't have the time to laugh at their music when I got older because Chester Bennington died when I was still in my late teens, so even now I can't bring myself to do it knowing what we know now.

[@dtxspeaks268]

​@@Jeevesie1988 are you dissing the legend Chester?

[@TreyDice]

Movies and wish are two of my favorite song from my childhood