Teaching Nu-Metallers What Nu-Metal Should Really Sound Like (White Pony - Deftones)

Member Name: M_W_A

Product:	White Pony - Deftones
Date:	07/09/02 (712 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good blend of heavy and mellow songs., A song for every mood, album creates a blend of atmospheres and turns them into one hell of an album., It's a Deftones album...enough said.

Disadvantages: Some tracks may be a bit too mellow for some nu-metallers out there.

There are some albums that you can listen to whenever, just to make your day. There are some albums you can listen to just to tranquillise and relax and there are some albums that have one classic you just want to listen to over and over again. Deftones ‘White Pony’ is an album that is to hard to be put under any one of these category’s, but one things for sure, a number of classics make ‘White Pony’ a classic.

So, what is the White Pony?

Only the greatest album made by one of the greatest rock/metal bands to date, the Deftones. The third in a series of truly great music, being the sequel to ‘Around The Fur’, released back in 1997. The sheer greatness of the album starts with the head of the giant with ‘Fleiticeira’ and ends at the tail with the saddening ‘Pink Maggit. The album holding some slow and un expected music and at other times music so fast and energetic, leaving the pony galloping at high speed with its hooves.

Now, where’s to start on an album that has to many good points to point out?

Well, lets start with the bare basics, the look of ‘White Pony’ itself. All that can be said for the albums cover is that it has to be the most stylish I have seen in a long time. A metallic grey fills the front with a small White Pony in the bottom right hand corner, the albums name bearing on its rim. This design is very simple but effective, I was in love with the album even before I listened to it. The back of the album is also very simple and effective, using a white background and black text showing the track line up. The CD, which holds what you are about to hear, is also a simple black with white text, again, effective. Song words are included along with photos of the band, which is held within the front cover. All in all, the album itself looks simply stunning to look at, but what you are about to hear and see is something that will change you opinon
once again, for the good.

‘White Pony’ is not only music, no, it is video and extras as well, much like on a DVD. This is done by the CD being enhanced to work on any CD ROM drive. So, you can slot in the CD and a whole new experience will open before you, just before you delve into the tracks. The extras include an option where you can indulge yourself into the band and view pictures. There is also a video of the band playing ‘Elite’ (Winner of a Grammy for best Metal performance) live and even a small ‘Pac – Man’ style game featuring the band members and music whilst you play. There are many other extras held on the disc, which can be explored, and it really does add an extra experience to the whole brilliance of the album.

So, you may ask “What about the main part of ‘White Pony’, the songs?”

Each song featured on ‘White Pony’ is to hard to sum up all in one paragraph and so, I shall explain each song, as each one is so different. That what makes the sound of the Deftones good, a mixture of music which can be played in any situation. May it be you are listening at home to the cooking or laying in bed trying to sleep, ‘White Pony’ offers everything for any area.

So, on with the songs and what they provide to the ears:


1. FEITICEIRA (track lasting 3.09 mins)

The album kicks off with a solid start from the band. The song is a good start to the ‘White Pony’ album as it shows you what to expect from the Deftones. The drums, guitars and Chino on the lyrics make a good combination in this song and it has all the unexpected ways of music the band uses. This is only just the start…

Overall 7/10


2. DIGITAL BATH (track lasting 4.15 mins)

‘Digital Bath’ is the latest single to be released by the band and has been voted in many charts as one of the best music videos fo
r the rock/metal genre. ‘Digital Bath’ really hits you, it’s the power it gives itself the way the Deftones blend a slow song in with hard metal. The lyrics are simply superb and the way the song has a solid beat all the way through. The singing has to be seen as some of the best on the album or even for the whole genre. One things for sure, ‘Digital Bath’ will make you change the way you think about Metal, it proves that it is not all hard and offbeat, but slow and tranquillising. Deftones are a Metal band with a difference, if anything they make a whole new genre of music and ‘Digital Bath’ may prove this.

Overall 10/10


3. ELITE (track lasting 4.01 mins)

From the slow, tranquillising tunes of ‘Digital Bath’, out of nowhere screams at you the voice of Chino (Lead singer for the Deftones) with the lyrics of ‘Elite’. After hearing ‘Digital Bath’ this song will surprise any new listener, showing that the Deftones can be more then just one type of tempo. Elite was recently an award winner at the Grammy’s for ‘Best Metal Performance’. The song really proves that the Deftones are something else, the song is loud and hard but is not out of tune, it is sequenced to perfection. ‘Elite’ deserves the award it won and you shall see once you hear it. A truly amazing experience for any listener.

Overall 8/10


4. RX QUEEN (track lasting 4.27 mins)

Again the change of tempo happens and ‘RX Queen’ gets you settled down from the experience which is ‘Elite’ and leaves you ready for more. The beat of the drums makes a solid appearance in this song and as ever so does the singing. The tempo of the song ranges from upbeat to a slow pace but overall the song makes a good performance. Especially in parts of the song where the unexpected happens, it sounds just right.

Overall 7/10

>5. STREET CARP (track lasting 2.41 mins)

From the beginning of this track you know you are on to a true winner. The guitar comes in with a small solo that will be familiar to your mind throughout the song and the scream of Chino starts the song off. ‘Street Carp’ goes at just the right speed and has all the elements you could want in a rock/metal performance. The song may be short but it sure does make it worthwhile.

Overall 7/10


6. TEENAGER (track lasting 3.20 mins)

Once again the change in tempo happens and Teenager is a relatively slow song and is very relaxing. The main factor in this song is the lyrics, which are really quite touching, as is the whole song. There is not really anything that makes ‘Teenager’ special, as the same beat is held strong throughout the whole song and there are no sudden surprises that you are use to hearing from the Deftones. Really, ‘Teenager’ is a slow song, which is nice for a depressing time, or when you are trying to relax but it really has nothing that makes it a high scorer.

Overall 4/10


7. KNIFE PRTY (track lasting 4.49 mins)

Possibly one of the best introductions I have ever heard in a song, ‘Knife Prty’ comes into play and makes a promising start to your ears. Again the Deftones do it with the mix of tempos from slow to fast and make a truly excellent song for the hard rockers or the calm. The singing, once again, is out of this world, Chino proves he has the voice and makes ‘Knife Prty’ (along with the guitarists and other members of the band) a must hear on the album. Great stuff.

Overall 8/10


8. KOREA (track lasting 2.23 mins)

The beginning of this song has a build, which starts with effects and comes in with the instruments. It feels as though you could be hit with the power of the guitars at any second, just like ‘Elite’ done
. But, instead you are treated to a strong beat upheld by Chinos voice backing it up. His voice changes from slow and calm to unexpected screams now and again. Pure excellence.

Overall 6/10


9. PASSENGER (track lasting 6.07 mins)

‘Passenger’ seems like nothing at the start but soon the guitars come in and a beat is formed along with the drums. A then slow song with a meaninful beat and lyrics find their way to your ears. Once again the song is calm and quite but gets a bit rocker nearer the chorus, the chorus being one of the best on the album. Overall this song is a song that is excellent for its change in atmosphere, just like all other songs on the ‘White Pony’ this is an essential to listen to.

Overall 7/10


10. CHANGE (IN THE HOUSE OF FLIES) (track lasting 4.59 mins)

A calm and dark experience by the guitar is formed at the start of ‘Change’. The song has a story to it and sounds very dark compared to many other songs, that’s no way to make it sound bad though. The sound of slowness suddenly ‘changes’ for the chorus and has a much rocker beat to it. The bass guitar makes an excellent performance in this track, as do Chino and the rest of the band. This really is a tune you will be humming all day, as ever the Deftones create another great song, which changes to make the music sound like it should.

Overall 8/10


11. PINK MAGGIT (track lasting 7.32)

The last track on the ‘White Pony’ album really is something special. A guitar with Chinos voice makes a slow melody for most of the beginning of the song its much like a love song. Its only about two minutes in that the beat really picks up and a memorable tune plays. The tune is that of another Deftones hit ‘Back To School’, which at the time had not been released on an album or single and was much faster then that of ‘Pink Maggit’. 
216;Pink Maggit’ is a whole new song though, and the song is much more of an experience then just a song. The way it changes halfway through is amazing, the way the music has been structured is amazing, the song, amazing. It may not be for all you hard rockers out there but ‘Pink Maggit’ sounds as if it has a meaning, much as though it is a goodbye.

Overall 9/10


OVERALL

So, maybe it was a goodbye, but a special one. A goodbye from one of the greatest albums ever made, filled with quality tracks that actually mean something, whatever mood you are in. ‘White Pony’ is an all-round class album that can not be mistaken and the Deftones are a unique band, they would have to be to make the sound of ‘White Pony’.

And that was it, the end of ‘White Pony’. Each song having a very special quality. It was not all a goodbye though, the Deftones are set to be recording once another album in their range in the Autumn and you may ask, “What’s it going to be like?” well, if ‘White Pony’ is anything to go by then it shall be a album that I and you shall never forget.

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