Alright it’s been a couple days since I last posted a music review but life happens. So anyway on the chopping block is Deftones and this is another one who is past due. I think I remember hearing that one song they did called Teething for The Crow City Of Angels soundtrack. So let’s take a look…….
Adrenaline- so this album as well as the next album are considered Nü Metal. Listening to it you can see why it would be. Of all those bands that came out during that era, I’d say that this one and Around the Fur are the most melodic. Overall, it’s a really good album and I give it 9/10
Standouts: Nosebleed, Root, Engine No.9
Around The Fur- oh man I remember buying this album I think at a Blockbuster Music back in the day. Like I said earlier, the song Teething was my favorite so I asked the guy there which album to get and this is what he recommended and I couldn’t stop listening to it. I also remember the video for the song My Own Summer having a shark in it and it’s a cool video. Again, this is considered a Nü Metal album and it’s a great way to start listening to this band. I give it 10/10
Standouts- Lhabia, Rickets, Lotion
White Pony- this one that at first I heard people say that it wasn’t a very good album and then I heard people say that they love this album. For me personally, I’m somewhere in the middle. Now it does have a little bit of the sound that was on the last two albums but ultimately it’s a change in direction/sound but in a good way but after hearing the last two, I just think this album is fine. Like it’s just ok kind of fine. There are some really great songs, there are some songs that are just meh and then there are a couple songs that are overplayed (I hate the songs Change and Digital Bath). Overall, if you are a hardcore fan of this band, you will love this album I just prefer the last two over it. I give it 9/10
Standouts: Feiticeira, Elite, Back To School (Mini Maggit)
Deftones- the best way to describe this album is that it’s uneven. It’s got some good songs on it but it’s got a lot of filler on it and this one was a tough one to get through. I kept waiting for the album to pick up but overall, it’s just a mediocre album at best. I mean if you want to listen to these albums give this one a shot but I’m sure it’ll grow on me if I keep revisiting it but I don’t see myself doing that anytime soon. I give it 4/10
Standouts: Hexagram, When Girls Telephone Boys
B-Sides And Rarities- so as the name suggests, this is basically just a bunch of rare tracks left over from the years. It’s just a fun record to listen to and if you are generally curious about the band. I think it was a filler album in between the self titled and Saturday Night Wrist. I give it 9/10
Standouts: Simple Man, Savory, Black Moon
Saturday Night Wrist- again like the last album, this one also feels uneven to me. I had also heard people say that this wasn’t a very good record either and while that is not true, this one certainly is not their best. After reading that this was written during Chino’s crumbling marriage and his struggle with drug addiction. I guess the writing process was strained and was a terrible experience for the band and it shows. Anyway, most of the songs are just too slowed down and this album doesn’t grab my attention either. It’s kind of a boring record and I couldn’t wait for it to end. I give it 3/10
Standouts: Rapture, Rays!Rats!Rats!
Diamond Eyes- ah yes 2010. What a year that was for music. This is definitely one of those albums that I can say made that year great. We’ve finally moved out of mediocrity and they’ve put out a great album here. This is the album that should’ve followed up White Pony. For me, I would’ve liked some more songs that are faster but I also know that they are evolving and are not the same band they were during Adrenaline. I give it 9/10
Standouts: 976-Evil, Royal, Diamond Eyes
Covers- it’s a covers album. Some songs can be found on the B-Sides record but I thought I’d give this one a listen anyway. Not much to say about this one except that they are pretty good covers. Again, check this one out if you are curious but it’s nothing special. I give this one 7/10
Standouts: Caress, Drive, Do You Believe
Koi No Yokan- this one seems to continue kind of where Diamond Eyes left off only it seems a bit moodier than that album. I actually thought going into this one that I wouldn’t like it very much compared to the last album but I actually prefer it to that album. It seems to be a little heavier than the last one and you can tell that the band had a great time writing this one too. Overall, a very well rounded record and it gets a 8/10
Standouts: Poltergeist, Leathers, Gauze
Gore- not sure what it is but I really wish they’d write something faster. I’m kind of getting tired of the band going in this softer more melodic direction. If I’m being completely honest, this sounds like Chino Moreno was influenced by someone like Morrissey and guitarist Stephen Carpenter is influenced by Meshuggah and the two are somehow making it work. I mean just watch any video interview with Stephen and he’ll say that he loves Meshuggah but it doesn’t show especially on this album. I don’t know I just could not get into this album. Reading up on it and there were in fact creative differences between the two. One thing that is cool about this album is that Jerry Cantrell does guest guitar on the song Phantom Bride. I’m struggling to give this album a 2/10 but I’m being generous here.
Standouts: Doomed User, Phantom Bride
Well that was my look into Deftones and I must say that they really need to write another album like Around The Fur. Not to say that the other albums are terrible or anything but that is such a great record. Anyway, this is a very interesting band to explore but most of their records are great records. I do remember seeing them on the Ozzfest 99 DVD and the crowd booing them. I asked my buddy why they were doing that and he said because they went in after Slayer. Anyway, good albums and seriously, re-release Adrenaline with the song Teething on it!!!
Final Grade: B-
Album Rankings:
- Around The Fur
- Adrenaline
- Diamond Eyes
- White Pony
- Koi No Yokan
- B-Sides and Rarities
- Covers
- Deftones
- Saturday Night Wrist
- Gore
Sinister Reviews 