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Spin

The sound is now clearer than on either predecessor; the rapping likewise. And here come Jane's Addiction and the Smashing Pumpkins--this is a slicker, grander record than Significant Other. [Jan 2001, p.112]

Rolling Stone

It was only natural to suspect that Limp Bizkit would fall on their faces this time by getting serious. But Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water is looser and livelier and just plain better than anything they've ever tried before.

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Sonicnet

Fred Durst may grab the headlines, but Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water really shows that all the power Limp Bizkit are known for comes from their bandmembers who, you know, actually play instruments. Durst's lyrics are wack when he raps and bad high school poetry when he sings.... Of course, there aren't many people looking for deep thoughts from Durst and Co. -- just lots of big, dumb, angry fun. And on that count, Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water delivers.

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Q Magazine

You'd expect better from a band so on top of their game.

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Wall of Sound

Well, if nothing else, the search for the year's dumbest album title is over. And in some respects, the search for the year's dumbest album, too. True, Limp Bizkit's third release is filled with thrashworthy hooks, hardcore beats, and plenty of blind rage, but frontman Fred Durst is so inarticulate about exactly what is pissing him off that it's tough to take him seriously.

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Entertainment Weekly

As tiresome as Durst can be, Limp Bizkit are very good at what they do; the band is exceptionally tight, evidenced by its ability to switch time signatures and moods within songs (kudos to guitarist Wes Borland). Still, their stance and sound already reek of formula, and the album's attempts at mold breaking may be the band's way of acknowledging this fact.

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All Music Guide

If the band supported his sheets of noise, terrifying guitars, monstrous rhythms, or even a hook every now and then, Durst's narcissism may have been palatable, but the group pretty much churns out the same colorless heavy plod for each song.

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New York Magazine

Durst offers his piggish take-it-or-leave-it stance on relationships ("It's my way or the highway," he gleefully whines on "My Way"), his fantasies of the hip-hop high life ("Livin' It Up"), and his delight with obscenity ("If I say fuck two more times that's 46 fucks in this fucked-up rhyme"). Limp Bizkit's music is just as predictable, complete with scratches, guitar squalls, and mosh-pit crescendos.

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Checkout.com

They have a saying around recording studios: you can't polish a turd. Well, thanks to producer Terry Date, Starfish just might be one of the shiniest pieces of pooh in the world of waste.

CDNow

There's little in the way of cohesion or artistic forethought here, and some of the tracks are just bad, though nothing is as surpassingly awful as lead single "Rollin'," its shout-outs overly reminiscent of "Bawitdaba."

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Village Voice

On the whole, Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water feels like an interminable groan, a harried hustle toward obsolescence. Rather than creating a cathartic requiem for, say, the impending dotcom depression, this turgid non-effort doesn't even live up to the mookish reputation refuted with such salacious fervor on "Take a Look Around."

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HOB.com

The very concept of Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water might be brilliant if it was a work of absurdist art. But this album is just absurd.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 5.6 (out of 10) based on 53 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

dale s. gave it a9:
I think this is a great album. Mostly because it brings back good memories when it came out 9 years ago. Im surprised the album never got the good reviews it deserved. There are some great songs on here.

Bernie G gave it a10:
Their best work! High points: My Generation, My Way, Full Nelson, Rollin'(Rock and Rap versions), The One, MI2 Theme, It'll Be OK, Hold On. Low points: "Hot Dog" because Fred Durst went overboard on the cursing. 3 minutes of Ben Stiller laughing at the end was annoying too.

Steven R. gave it a6:
Yes, its stupid rock. Yes, it is not a masterpiece. Yes, if we want to be truly critical, a 6/10 is too much. But for all its worth, this is just plainly the soundtrack to a frat party. The lyrics revolve mostly around typical "Nobody gets me, I dont like when you talk crap about me" (its Durst, what d'you expect?). Its narcissist, and VERY annoying. Still, if you can get past that, it can be pretty fun- At times. See, most songs work, but others are just plain annoying (thanks again to Durst's terrible lyrics). And the album cusses too much. Regularly that would not be a problem, but seriously, the opening track says the "f-word" 46 times! At the end, the cuss words sound not like the words of an angry young man, but just like another "the" in a sentence. At times, it feels just like a way for Durst to vent out all his anger...unfortunately...that is not very fun. What does work especially well is "My Generation" which turns the table, and Durst acknowledges his rowdy fans. If it were like this, this would be the Soundtrack of a rebellious generation. But Durst has 0 lyrical focus. All in all, the band (excepting Durst) is competent, if not revolutionary [Wes Bourland is very good]. But Durst just hinders them. If only the guy would stop whining, this could have been a better (much better) album. Oh, and Durst sounds squeeky when he sings and idiotic when he raps, so its a lose-lose scenario. From all this, you probably gather that this albums sucks thanks to Durst, so why the 6/10? The reason is that they AT LEAST try to expand their sonic pallet, and even if they do fail, they at least try. They are trying to progress and add flourishes to their sound. So that is always worth an extra point or two. Truly critical score: 4/10

Jack P gave it a10:
It's really sad that the reviews do not focus on the quality of the music, but other issues. Frankly this is one of the best if not the best nu metal album I have ever heard. It's hard to describe, but I think it's a very refreshing and dynamic record which does not lack innovation. Simply the best from Limp Bizkit.

Matt M gave it an8:
It's the heretic, because people judge it by two or three songs. It will only be wanted when it's gone.

Simon B gave it a6:
Frankly... It's alright. The album was much like a desperation cry from Limp Bizkit. It worked, if I recall correctly. L B got some appreciation back with this one, while losing some fanbase. Taking a turn toward pop while maintaining their rapcore edge, they dabbed into Nu Metal. Teenage angst imaged here a few times, along with the loss of a girlfriend. Some of the songs were very well played out. I like the drummer's groove, but Fred Durst's voice often becomes annoying in all its squealing mannerisms. It's not as bad as people tell you, believe me. I'm often hard on music but Limp Bizkit made something decent here. Some songs are definitely forgettable, the others are worth listens. You'll still wanna avoid letting people know you have this album.

Alvaro S gave it an8:
Limp Bizkit is not just Fred Durst; on the whole, the album is quite average, but songs like "My Way", "The One", "It'll be ok" or "Boiler" just make it up for the rest of the album. It's just not fair to give it less than a 6...in my opinion. Oh, and the guitar is just GREAT.

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