Deftones: "Diamond Eyes" Sparkles and Cuts

The Deftones are one of the few bands where I can say that most of their songs sound similar to one another, and yet I tend to enjoy them all. The singer puts a lot of dramatic passion into his vocals and they tweak just enough to make each track new candy for my ears. "Diamond Eyes" was the only CD I had with me when I made a long road trip from California to Missouri one summer and so I know the ins and outs of each melody by heart. However, here is what I think of those songs.

"Diamond Eyes": As the first single and title track of the album it doesn't immediately set itself apart, but you keep listening because of the sick, shark is in the water guitar riff, and it grows on your easily. You get your heaviness with your smoother glitter and all is good.

"Royal": A by the numbers Deftones track and yet it is more emotion than background noise. the singer goes from nonchalant to ear piercing scream with ease. Maybe it does not go on repeat, but it doesn't get skipped either.

"CMND/CTRL": It's not rap, but this is where the hard rock is complemented by rap style swagger as the lyrics are delivered amongst the riffs with scream potential bubbling under the surface of each line, this guy might go wild, but rhythmically so.

"You've Seen The Butcher": "I want to take you home and watch the world explode from underneath your clothes." I love the lyrics, it seems dirty, yet with passion, making one sexy rock song.

"Beauty School": The softer side of the Deftones, the lyrics are sound, the sounds are sound, you get that lovely spacey quality that lends this track strength if it were for a pop rock radio station's play list. It's not bad, but it's not the meat I want to sink my teeth into.

"Prince": I love this song. It sets a demented tone that makes me think about plots involving serial killers and then there is this slide growl of a guitar that goes off like a buzz saw as the song picks up into the singer's yells, makes the work sick; sick in the good way.

"Rocket Skates": Another metal song that dials into sexy, while leaving room for cutting loose in flashes of violent imagery. It's a little too long with the same stuff being repeated, but still good stuff.

"Sextape": If "Beauty School" was the soft pop rock song Deftones style, then "Sextape" is the even softer adult contemporary, soft rock, sweet ballad, whatever you want to call it. A seemingly dirty title and what you get is something that sounds like a hardcore romantic is spilling his desires out for all to see and share in.

"Risk": A nervous, anxious and waiting man stands outside waiting for the one he wants to give him the chance and this is what I get from the delivery of the vocals with spot on guitar riffs that give away to the sweeping chorus style the Deftones are often known for. They embrace the type of passion that makes for good moments in movies, going against the odds of tragedy with a heart on your sleeve, this is that type of music. Win or fail in your conquests, you've got good Deftones tunes to listen to if you have the album.

"976-EVIL": This one falls under my radar, filed away for maybe one day I'll find it relevant to listen to, but right now it is lost album filler. Another gentle rock track.

"This Place Is Death": A song that serves as the album ending track if you do not have the deluxe edition, this song is better than "976-EVIL," but if you're listening in order it becomes weakened by the bombardment of similar sounds. The vocals when not in chorus are different-ish, but it's a wall of sound and I am craving a punch through the wall at this point.

"Do You Believe": The Cardigans were the artists to previously record this song and though a weird choice for a cover song, it IS a good cover.

"Ghosts": This is an awesome, moody cover of the Japan song. Love it, it is worth buying the deluxe version for.