Mudvayne

There's a distinctive poppiness that permeates fourth Mudvayne effort The New Game. While that might incite interest from the vast majority, it does little to spark attraction from those metallions who enjoy girth and aggression in their music. Saccharine and over-produced, the album reeks of an attempt to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Sadly, it also achieves said goal by uniting the atmospheric groove of Amon Amarth with the modest chunk of nu metal, as run through a very fine radio rock filter. The New Game is easily digestible to those who believe themselves to be edgier than they truly are. Sure, it's perfectly recorded and overflowing with catchy hooks and inherent heaviness but it lacks true spunk and fortitude.