album of the week: 5.2

Deftones

Diamond Eyes

Reprise (2010)

why you'll love it - powerful music with substance

why you'll hate it - "chugga chugga" metal. Not as experimental as their better albums.

Metalheads don't deserve a band as good as Deftones. It's hard to feel sorry for a band as successful as they are, but their scene and associated bands do not allow people to give them their due credit. They are NOT a Korn, Limp Bizkit, whatever kind of band at all, and you should really give them a fair shot. Not enough people do.

Diamond Eyes has a bit of everything that Deftones do well. It's one of their harder albums, which means a good share of that "chugga chugga" sound. I'm not a big fan of that sort of thing. I much prefer their experimental side (White Pony, Saturday Night Wrist); but beneath that thick metal exterior is an impressive range of influences, some of which you may be surprised to find are gentle.

This big story with this album is the absence of bassist, Chi Cheng (still in a coma from a car accident in 2008), and the originally planned album, Eros. It's still a mystery what this near completed album sounded like, but understandably, it's been benched until the band is emotionally ready for it (though they claim the decision is purely creative). Diamond Eyes was written upon reflection of these events, and makes a point to be optimistic, confident, and beautiful.

It's the contrast that I enjoy so much in this album. The 2004 self titled release attempted this, but fell short. Chino's soft tone shift in the chorus of songs like "Beauty School" and "976-EVIL" are pitch perfect. If you've been following this band for the past ten years, there won't be anything new here, only improved. Their subtle shoegaze and post rock influences shine. This is one of those albums you can get a lot of plays of and notice different things each time. Of all their harder sounding albums, I think this is their best; although Saturday Night Wrist is still the definitive Deftones album.

Make sure to check out the iTunes release of the album for the extra cover songs. An excellent version of "Do You Believe" by The Cardigans. Not so keen on the Japan cover, but "Caress" by Drive Like Jehu is hot stuff. Acknowledging DLJ at all earns you respect points, but recording a boss cover… !

Don't be stupid, listen to the Deftones more. They know their shit.