Review Summary: Paint the streets in white !
After the widely succesful White Pony comes 2003's Deftones, the band's self titled record.
Hexagram - 5
Opening the album is an absolute stand-out song, not only from this record, but to rock music in general. The passion and sentiment in Chino's screaming is so unique and genuine, you can almost feel every word pass through you; from the alert "worship-play" chorus to the throat-wrenching screams that come after.
Needles and Pins - 4.5
The beautiful thing about this dark-eerie album is that the lyrics in almost every song are completely up to the listener to interpret. Needles and Pins is a perfect example of that. Even though it was, I believe, about the members having arguments while writing for the album, there are many other ways in which the lyrics can be seen. That is just pure Deftones.
Minerva - 4
I remember reading once that "Deftones do not announce feelings, but rather they suggest them". This is the case with Minerva, a cruise through every emotion there is; an ultimate homage to the fans, and a great thank you present at that. The chorus is sure to pass shivers down some spines.
Good Morning Beautiful - 3.5
Just a tad weaker than the three tracks above is Good Morning Beautiful. The problem with this track is that there is no actual progression of any kind. It ends exactly how it starts. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but it just doesn't seem to work in this case.
Deathblow - 1.5
In my opinion, this and Moana are the shortcomings of the album. The bassline starts out great, but then the track just becomes bland and boring. Nothing interesting whatsoever to keep you going until the end. The vocals are average, the guitars are not bad but nothing special either. This track just "is".
When Girls Telephones Boys -4.5
One of the band's most heavies efforts, and I absolutely love it. I love everything that's going on in this track, every single detail. From the short phone call intro, to the screams that can easily compete with other masterpiece Deftones tracks like Hexagram or Elite.
Battle-Axe - 4
A great example of alternative metal. I can understand why people are throwing stones, saying that every track on this album sounds the same as the next. After a few listens, though, I can guarantee no one can say that anymore. Battle-Axe is not something that can be called inovative, but it just fits perfectly with the rest of the album, as well as standing out enough on its own.
Lucky You - 4.5
I am not going to lie, when I first heard this track I was far from impressed with it. But it grew on me, and I got to understand that there's far more to it than just soft vocals on an electro beat. I would go so far as to call it the successor of White Pony's Teenager. Definitely gives a nice fresh touch to the whole dark gloomy thing that's going on in this record.
Bloody Cape - 4
With such a suggestive title, you would expect a bad-a#% track. And that's just what you get with Bloody Cape. The classic Deftones mesmerizing vocals, combined brilliantly with a respectful scream at the end give this track a worthy place in the live setlists.
Anniversary Of An Uninteresting Event - 3
The ringing bells in the background of this song give it a remorseful feeling all throughout. You can just picture fancy dressed people standing around someplace they hate, talking to people they despise. As strong as the emotions are in this song though, it still seems there's something missing. Maybe a catch of some sorts, something to make it more interesting, to take away the monotony of the vocals.
Moana - 1.5
I am sad to say, that I absolutely dislike this song. It just seems to have a lot of things going on, but none of them rather polished. It comes off as a weird Minerva-Deathblow-Good Morning Beautiful hybrid. Maybe they wanted to experiment? I don't know... But I can say that I would have much rather preferred the album ended with the splendid B-side that is Lovers.
