The album cover to look out for if you're considering to buy the album "The New Game" by Mudvayne, which I really do reccomend you do if you're wanting to get the 4th studio album by the said band, and probably one of the best chapters in Nu-Metal/Hard Rock history... Well that's what we're expecting.
A quick glance at the album cover doesn't leave much of an impression, however, if you open thoise innocent eyes of yours, then you'll notice the Imperialist Eagle perched on a Pentogram, perhaps suggestive of the corruption in modern govenments.
The version I had to buy to bring you this review bears the dreaded "Parental Advisory" label which makes quoting the obscenities that may be contained a little more difficult.
The Offending Sticker!
Before diving straight into this review and just tearing apart the album from the inside out, I decided to make myself a very tall cup of tea with which to restrain myself from damaging anything more than myself. The tea was very satisfying, warm, strong with a fruity aftertaste, just the way I like it, but I'm not here to review cups of tea, that's up to my secratary.
I started by having a flick through the insert, like I always do when buying a new cd, just to get a feel of the lyrics and maybe get a clue of what this album has planned for me. The hole thing reads like a murder case report; underneath the cd reveals a scenario of a "normal" town called Danslow. One suspects the story written here is a little make believe, but with an imagination as vivid as mine, I can see similarities of the life written about here and reality.
Inside the insert, the lyrics roll on, typed frantically with a type writer style font, with blood splatters, paperclips, a gun and empty shells [the murder weapon?]. The lyrics have a prevailing theme of self dissapointment, nightmare scenarios and a difficult life. Maybe the sort of thing you can relate too with your tedious, reality tv centred lives.
After the lyrics and charming set of "Thank you's" is the suspect list for the make-believe murder story, just giving something for the fans of the album to think about, or maybe ponder themselves, see if they can solve the murder mystery. I won't give any clues to it but I bet you'll be surprised by the answer when it comes.
Now, enough of my chatting about the aesthetics of this album, let's get on with the part I'm sure you're all more interested in.
 Do What You Do The first single off this album, and one can tell they meant it to be this way, and judging by the quality of this song compared to the others you can't help but think this album was just centred around the one single, which usually disappoints. Infectious choruses and a bridge that gives the song a more dynamic feel keeps it all in order. And for the first time we here a guitar solo! Mudvayne seem to be trying new things with their music then? Maybe not as the fun is over too fast and I feel like more should have happened. Have It Your Way This is a typical Mudvayne song, showing off Chad's vocals and lyricism being able to rhyme long words and end up having little meaning but in some ways being slightly patronising. "Was the boy your father? Did you get a little pat on the head? That's the way to go boy, clean up this mess!"   | Fish Out Of Water The opening track of the album starts with probably the most unexpected introduction riff used in a metal song. But don't be put off straight away, as soon as Chad Gray opens proceedings with his patented "angry frog squeal" as I like to call it *smug face* things become much more exciting. Something about his voice on the opening verses make me feel like something wrong has happened in his life recently. Never to worry, as this opening is a good thrill ride.
 A New Game A fast intro suggests that the third track of the album is a mood setter, a fast aggressive song which gives your ears no remorse as the tightly weaved bass, drums and guitars create a tidal wave of noise. The vocals over the top of it all are what I would call "impatient" until it gets to a breakdown before a guitar solo where everything seems to make more sense. The intensity of this song levels out after a multi layered vocal section, with Chad's mad screams coming from all sides. But something about this song raises suspision about whether this song would work when it is performed in a live concert. A trip to a gig or just typing it in in youtube may prove my theory but I have little time to do it myself.... What? Did you think I had all the answers? 
A Cinderella Story An interesting title for a metal song, is what I thought to begin with, but this song slowly became my favourite on the album. Just something about it gets me. Especially the ending chorus where the song title actually makes sense. |
The rest of the album I'll leave for you to discover, but after all I have analysed, I would give this album:
6.5/10
A few songs really stand out above the others, but I can't help but think this long awaited album leaves more to be wanted for. I was wanting a proper reform in Mudvayne's sound and style but this album could be qualified as just another Mudvayne album, although they have come far.
Listen to "NeverEnough" and then you may as well put the album back 'cos that song's lyrics define what the whole outcome of the work was. But it is a good song.
Now excuse me, I have a cup of tea calling my name, all this Nu-Metal is tiring.
