Classic Album: Deftones - White Pony

Album: White Pony
Artist: Deftones
Label: Maverick
Released: 06/20/2000
Genre: Nu-Metal
Sounds like: A digitally modernized version of The Cure at their peak

Being a pessimistic 26 year old, it's hard to take a look at the up and coming youth of today with disgust without realizing that the young adults back in my prepubescent days would have viewed me with the same disregard.

From my understanding it seems that the minority quickly become the majority in the hopes to find their place in the world. Smirking packs of individuals in tight black jeans, blinding fringes and sleeve tattoos that mostly hold no meaning other than to just look good...it's like watching a Michael Bay film consisting of all the wrong stereotypes, but then again, what is the right stereotype? But back when I was discovering the full advantages of masturbation when I really should have been endeavoring on the opposite sex in its ripest form, I was also opening my ears to the Nu-Metal scene, but then again, who the fuck wasn't? Korn, Limp Bizkit, (hed) PE, System of a Down and so on, but most importantly (in my opinion)...Deftones.


Digital Promo for White Pony (Warning: Contains burn victims having sex...which is awesome!)

Hard to believe that it has been a decade since its release but White Pony presented the world with a different sound during the hype of Nu-Metal, which ended as quickly as it came. So much so, that many refused to label Pony under the late 90's sub genre for the listening of juvenile delinquents wearing baggy jeans and backwards hats, but being the band that they are, Deftones didn't want to be anything but. Somewhere within these short sited skaters and rockers was an element of depth and the band produced an art form that spoke to it.



Addictive guitar threats open what builds through smashing snare cracks into an opening track that is second to none in terms of demanding attention; Feiticeira. Catchy yet some-what progressive it is a testament to what is to come throughout further listening in other highlight tracks, such as the mass of decibels and distortion that is Elite and the euphorically erotic Digital Bath. The album then takes a different form in the heart rising RX Queen, the somehow nostalgic Change (in the house of flies) and especially the eerie electrics of Knife Prty which are...quite simply put; songs that make a couple of strangers want to fuck. To top it off the production work is perfectly balanced somewhere between polished and raw and is cut together / mastered by none other than Terry Date, who has worked with so many A List bands he has become a house hold name. Throw in a masterpiece; Passenger (Featuring Tool / A Perfect Circle vocalist Maynard James Keenan), and in my opinion you have one very worthy serving on music that is indeed worth respecting if not enthralling.


Studio Rehearsal of 'Elite'

Look, I know I sound bias and some of you may think this album is a piece of shit. But having sold millions of copies world wide, assisting in many orgasms (mine included) and hitting mainstream charts while still remaining respected within the independent music community...I think you'd be wrong.

Track Listing:

1. "Feiticeira" – 3:09
2. "Digital Bath" – 4:15
3. "Elite" – 4:01
4. "RX Queen" – 4:27
5. "Street Carp" – 2:41
6. "Teenager" – 3:20
7. "Knife Party" – 4:49
8. "Korea" – 3:23
9. "Passenger" – 6:07
10. "Change (In the House of Flies)" – 5:00
11. "Pink Maggit" – 7:32

P.S - You will get laid if you listen to this album with ANYBODY! Hell, you might even fall in love! You have been warned.



Lean more about Deftones here.