FDF Volume 1: Issue 49: Deftones - Around the Fur

Album - Around the Fur
Artist - Deftones
Key Players - Chino Moreno -vocals, Abe Cunningham - drums, Chi Cheng - bass, Frank Delgado - turntable, keyboards, samplers. became member after this album, Stephen Carpenter - guitar
Produced By - Terry Date and Deftones

Release Date - October 28, 1997

What caused me to blow off the dust? - Recently while having a shuffle session on the iPod an older Deftones track popped up. At that point I realized it was time to go back and give something some attention.

Overview - This is the second release (major label) from Sacramento California band Deftones. Even with the internal struggles the last few years that have almost had the band break up the band still releases quality records for those willing to drop the dough and give them a listen. Many consider them a "metal" band but upon further listening you'll agree its "heavy" but not necessarily "metal".

FDF Comments (aka the songs) - The album opens up with "My Own Summer (Shove It)", which was also a single released to radio. The guitars are heavy under the "whispering" opening vocals from Chino. By the chorus the band explodes around him. A shriek for the ages announces "Shhhhhhhove it". The verses are repeated in the same quiet version until each chorus. Shove it hardly fades when "Lhabia" comes with heavily distorted guitars. The drums, although somewhat 'basic' in the terms of complexity hold this machine in line. The chorus soars over the buzz saw guitar work. As "Mascara" begins its easy to see how its hard to label this band as being "metal". Sure the music is heavy but the vocals are often very clear, something not common to heavier metal. "Around the Fur" continues that same mentality. "Rickets" opens with heavily distorted guitars and a chugging bass line. The vocals during the verse at totally buried but it being one of the shorter tracks the band wastes no time. This track contains all the "signature" moves of Deftones at this time. Grinding guitar, pounding drums and heavily processed screeching vocals. "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)" was also released as a radio single for this album. Its a heavy track for sure but also a little "tighter" and if you will "more radio friendly" than what you'd hear elsewhere on the record. Still one of the best 'tones songs outright. "Lotion" adds a perfect 1-2 punch. These two tracks flow perfectly together and your neck will hurt from bobbing along. Listening to the record in full you get the barrage of music as the tracks continue to flow. "Dai The Flu" follows suit. Sweet lord..find the pause button and get a drink. "Headup" - the story behind this track is Max Cavalera of Soulfly. The song was written by Max and Chino as a way of venting some of their pain over the loss of Max's step son. The album closes with "MX" clocking in at over 37 minutes its got a lot of "silence' and hidden stuff. You ever see the movie Creepshow? In one of the stories
Ted Danson is murdered by drowning. He exacts his revenge on none other than Leslie Nielsen. Well when Danson talks to his killer Chino used the same vocal effect..a gurgling semi decipherable line of words. The "song" clocks in at about 5 minutes then if you so desire hold down the "search" button on your player to about 19 minutes in. If you care there is a "bong hit" answering machine recording..hardly worth the time. 32:36 in a true "hidden track" surfaces. "Damone" is the title and it actually is a decent track. Almost worth the hassle of fast forwarding (or waiting if you so desire).


Where are they now? - The band is still active both as a studio group and touring band. The most recent release "Saturday Night Wrist" came out in October of 2006 and the band continues to tour in support. Some European dates are listed on the bands official site.

I think this band is going to behuge

FDF Personal Comments (aka the Live experience) - I have only caught the band live one time. It was actually on tour for the first album "Adrenalin". It was at the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge. The band was supported by
downset and Orange 9mm. It was a hell of a show..i mean one hell of a show. After the show I was having some small talk with the sound man and he said "I think this band is gonna be pretty huge". Some could argue now either way.

FDF Overall Take - Per the norm this is very much a niche record. If you don't like grinding guitars and screaming vocals you'll hate it from the outset. At the time this was released it was "different" and could challenge a listener on some levels. The follow up to this record "White Pony" is considered to be the watershed release from the band, really establishing them as a premiere act within the genre. Recent albums have shown growth in the band but album sales are down for them.


Curious? Check out some MUSIC!

All mp3's have been removed March 22, 2007 12:50 PM ET

Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)
Lotion
Rickets


Please note that most/all these tracks contain explicit lyrics.

These three tracks taken from "Around the Fur" which you can buy here if you so desire.

**Bonus Stuff **
Deftones live in Amsterdam 13, October 1997 which you can also buy here

Root
Nosebleed
Lifer
Lotion
Fireal/Swords
Bored


Please note that most/all these tracks contain explicit lyrics.

Disclaimer - For the most part songs listed you can find on iTunes or your local cd shop. The idea is to give you a little taste of the music. Please support the artist buy purchasing some of their work. Songs are posted for about 1 week but can and will be removed at the request of the artist, band, band management etc. If you are one of those persons contact me via the email link in the profile and they will be removed as soon as we are made aware of the request.