Review:

on 2010-05-11 jakekingston Said:

Do you remember the Nu Metal wave of the late 90s? A lot of people were afraid that Nu Metal was where the still radio friendly grunge phenomenon was heading, but they were wrong. Besides a couple of knock off and thoroughly annoying Nu Metal bands (insert Limp Bizkit, Korn, etc.), the genre all but disappeared by the beginning of the 2000s. Deftones was probably the only band of the Nu Metal craze (although don't tell them they're part of that genre, because they don't like to be associated with it, even though they totally are) that has managed to maintain a career without comprimising (too much) their sound to suit the latest music trends. Their first two albums Adrenaline and Around the Fur, are by far some of their best, but it wasn't until 2000s White Pony that Deftones enjoyed a major radio hit with Change (In the House of Flies). And although that album was probably their most successful, it has that over-produced shine to it that doesn't suit Deftones' raw edge.

2006s Saturday Night Wrist was the bands most eclectic and innovative album to date, orchestrated with great brilliance. The album stands with their first two as one of their best, and gave me hope that this band, who seem to fall easily into familiar territory way too much, are expanding their sound without alienating their fanbase. Unfortunately, for us, comes 2010s Diamond Eyes. The album, besides it's wonderful cover, is beige. Each song sounds like songs they've recorded before, with the 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 rhythmic pattern. The harder songs sound like something off of their self-titled album and their slower tunes feel like Saturday Night Wrist's b-sides.

The album is enjoyable enough to satiate the need for a new Deftones album, but unfortunately it plays more like a compilation of lesser known tunes from albums past than a new experimental and progressive outing. Coming off of 2006s wonderful release, this one sounds like the band is trying desperately to appease critics and fans who criticize new experimental avenues from bands. One thing is painfullly obvious in the close to 20 years the band has been together--they are completely loyal and make music as if they are all brothers. So there is no fear that Deftones will be going away any time soon, there is bigger danger of them remaining musically stagnant.
Rating: 6/10