Deftones
White Pony

THE REVIEW

Spectacular! In one word, this is the right comment for the third work of the band led by Chino Moreno. Indeed, yes, White Pony is certainly one of my favorite CDs and undoubtedly the masterpiece of the Sacramento quintet, not that the other CDs are bad, it's just that this one is extraordinary. But let's go in order: as we certainly know, until White Pony, Deftones were undoubtedly considered a good band, capable of producing great songs but unable to provide a certain consistency to their works. Meaning, for example, that in their second album "Around The Fur," beautiful songs like Be Quiet And Drive, Head Up or My Own Summer alternate with less engaging songs, at least in my regard, like Rickets.

Well, after listening to White Pony, you can comfortably forget all of that! It must be said that in the tracklist of WP, fierce and angry songs alternate with more melodic ones where Chino's distinctive voice and Frankie Delgado's background effects reign supreme. The CD begins with the splendid Feiticeira, a "vintage-style" song, still very beautiful, with an engaging chorus. The second song, Digital Bath, is beautiful, where Chino shows he truly has a voice capable of reaching very high notes. It is followed by the ferocious Elite, a shouted and nervous song, on par with Head Up. RX Queen is also wonderful, a very atmospheric love song, to listen to with your girlfriend, but at its most beautiful, the very fast Street Carp starts, another "heavy" song of the album. Teenager is perhaps the piece that involved me the least, except for the beautiful "made in Delgado" intro.

Track 8 is the true masterpiece of the CD: the dark and melancholy Knife Party, where a vocalist with a high and sensual voice alternates with Chino's beautiful voice, all of which made me think a lot of Pink Floyd, but that's another story. It is followed by Korea, a track with a really beautiful and captivating guitar riff. The tenth is another melodic song: Passenger, sung with the guest appearance of Maynard James, leader of Tool and A Perfect Circle. Then there is the spectacular Change, a truly romantic and easy-listening song. Pink Maggit is instead a middle ground between the melodic style and the angrier one. The last song is the beautiful The Boys Republic, which is a bit like Be Quiet And Drive of White Pony.

Described song by song, this White Pony might seem like a masterpiece to you, but don't trust it: buy it, listen to it until your stereo melts, and then you'll agree it's really so! The Deftones were already an impressive band, but with Delgado's addition and the consequent shift to more catchy and less heavy melodies (this doesn't mean it's a pop CD, quite the opposite...), they achieved the status of "one of my favorite bands"...and that's saying a lot! Considering their company consists of Pantera and Rage Against The Machine, undoubtedly two bands that would have something to say. With this, it's all, God Bless You All (Copyright Minerva - Deftones, 2003)