Review Summary: Mudvayne's self-titled release is a breath of fresh air followed by a sigh of relief.
This album is not only their best release since L.D. 50, but this album saved the band. Turn the clocks back to last year. When I first heard The New Game I was disappointed by its lack of creativity, its blandness. Listening to the CD was like eating Saltine crackers...they're good, but so boring. Mudvayne's self-titled release is a breath of fresh air followed by a sigh of relief.
Beautiful and Strange is the first track on the album. There is about a minute of sampled noise, and then the track is shot into gear with a sick guitar riff and double bass that will please any fan of metal. Ryan Martinie has a great bass line during the chorus, and Chad Gray has strong vocals on this song. If I were to sum this song up into one word, it would be redemption.
1000 Mile Journey has a great intro riff provided by Greg Tribbett. This song shows off Chad’s vocal range well. On The New Game, when songs would break into a softer tone, everything just felt rushed. On this track and throughout the album that is not the case. Great song, one of their best actually.
Scream With Me is the first single released off of the album. This song is solid, catchy, but not their best work. It is an understandable choice to be first single. I like how this song has nice groove during the verses.
Closer is probably my favorite track on this album. This song makes me want to head bang yet it’s still catchy. Chad kills it on the vocals, the verses are just awesome. Ryan has great bass on this track, outshining the guitar. Matt shows off his drumming talent and really makes this song a great listen.
Heard It All Before has a slow guitar intro that doesn’t really work for the song I don’t think. Nevertheless, this song kicks ass. Outstanding bass, solid drumming, a good solo, and Chad delivers great screaming vocals on the chorus. It’s one of those songs that you want to mosh to the chorus instead of the verses.
I Can’t Wait is one of the more creative tracks here. It starts with a scream followed by an excellent bass line from Ryan. This song kept me interested throughout the entire listen, despite its lack of catchiness. Songs like this are what separate a good band from a great band.
Beyond The Pale another solid song. I love the vocals on this song. This song is reminiscent of the Lost and Found days. Song gets me pumped, especially at around 3:00 when that guitar kicks in.
All Talk has a kind of a New Game feel to it but don’t be afraid. This song is actually good. Chad has some good lyrics on this song and the bass is just amazing. The funky bass is reminiscent of Ryan’s signature bass lines on L.D. 50. Another great song.
Out to Pasture This song has a mellow intro. Chad swoons his voice, and then kicks into his raspy vocals. I like the soft intro it works nicely but this song just doesn’t do it for me as a whole. This song comes off as uninspired and I just don’t feel the passion on this song. This is one of the sore spots on this album.
Burn the Bridge is one of my favorites off this record. Mudvayne really rebounds with this song after Out to Pasture. Commendable vocals on this track. Chads screams sound as good as ever. Matt does a great job with his drum kit as his double bass sputters throughout this song.
Dead Inside is the best “slower song” the band has ever written. This song is all acoustic and it really shines. In this song the spotlight is on Chad and he delivers with confidence. This was a truly awesome way to end the album.
I feel like Mudvayne has had trouble trying to top their first album throughout their career, which happens to a lot of bands. Their albums have been progressively getting worse than the previous. This was far more evident though when The New Game was released. Their self-titled release changes that trend. They haven’t sounded this crisp and confident in a long time. The band made a great decision self-titling this album. It draws sounds and styles they have used from each album and works beautifully. The album shows off true talent and proves the naysayers wrong. When people look back and say “What was Mudvayne all about?” someone will pull out this album and say “This is Mudvayne.”
