“Xerces,” is another of the slow and menacing tracks. What it doesn’t accomplish with sheer sonic bombast, it achieves by setting this dark and dangerous mood. Thank goodness these guys have been allowed to play and grow and become the band that they are on this album, y’know? Maturity isn’t a bad thing, especially when songs like this are a result.
“Rats! Rats! Rats!” takes all of that built-up mood, though, and strips it away (along with any paint you may have on your wall) with the sheer violence of this track’s vocals and rhythm. It is so nice to have a band capable of such dynamics.
“Pink Cellphone,” features a lovely bit of guest vocals from Annie Hardy. The song rides on one of the more eclectic grooves on the record, but is basically the only track that leaves me a bit cold on the entire CD. It could be that I just need to give it time to infiltrate my brain and take over, but I can’t help thinking this sounds like the band is riding on automatic here.
“Combat,” offers up just that, as it combines this wonderful soft opening with a frenzied whallop of noise and speed once the vocals kick in. It’s as if the track is offering a battle between the hard and soft sides of the band, and we all win. Great song.
“Kimdracula,” swirls on some very nice guitar work, which is served amply by Chino’s vocals. Okay, I admit it; he’s won me over. Then again, he did that on their Around The Fur album.
“Riviere,” is a wonderful ending to this album. Managing to be both soothing and oddly disquieting, this slight song is usually the point where I gripe to myself and hit the repeat button on the entire album. It irks me to hear it, you see, as I know that there are no more tracks to follow.
That’s the sign of a good record — when you are upset that it is over because you want to hear more! Basically, I find myself with absolutely no hesitations about telling you that this is one of the better albums I’ve heard both this year and over the past few years.
And I unabashedly am waiting for their next album, already!
Article comments
1 - Katie McNeill
I love the Deftones but this just isn't as good as White Pony or Adrenaline. Engine No. 9, One Weak, and Rx Queen. It doesn't get any better than that. Still love this CD because it is the Deftones (and I will listen to it until my ears bleed) but I'm already waiting for the next one.
2 - Michael Jones
I can't argue too much. White Pony is amazing, really.
I also like Around the Fur, but that's not as complete an "album" as WP or even SNW.
3 - Luke Niffy
Nice pitch for the album...you should send it to them, they might be able to put in Revolver magazine as an advertisement. Even better, you should marry them. Just thoughts.
4 - Niffy, again
"I may need an intervention"? This isn't an album review, it sounds like you were threatened into writing it. The album is a very good piece of work, up there with White Pony, but man you could present an argument, or at least make me feel like I need to bother listening to the album at all. Put a "warning spoiler ahead" thing in there before you explain each song next time, jeeze.