People often express surprise when I dedicate time to writing about Limp Bizkit, especially if they perceive it as criticism. But there’s a compelling curiosity in understanding cultural phenomena, even those we might find perplexing. It’s akin to examining something unexpected, like stumbling upon a guitar solo where you least expect it.
Recently, I decided to listen to Limp Bizkit’s track, “Walking Away.” Initially, it seemed like another generic alt-rock power ballad, the kind that feels like a relic from a bygone era. Frankly, it was so unremarkable that I almost dismissed it entirely, planning to reserve my energy for dissecting Gold Cobra later.
However, at the 3:18 mark, something genuinely unexpected happened: a guitar solo. In a Limp Bizkit song. I had to do a double-take. Was this some kind of auditory hallucination? Had the world shifted on its axis? No, upon further review, and perhaps a slight pinch to ensure I wasn’t dreaming, it was undeniably there. Wes Borland, Limp Bizkit’s innovative guitarist, was playing a guitar solo.
Now, let’s be clear, this isn’t some shred-fest that’s going to redefine guitar playing. It’s a fairly straightforward solo, something many guitarists could probably learn with a bit of practice. But the sheer fact that it exists in a Limp Bizkit song is noteworthy. It feels like a significant departure, especially when you consider the historical context of bands sometimes shying away from guitar solos. It begs the question: is this a sign of evolution for Limp Bizkit? Could blast beats be next?
