Deftones self title review

Deftones Self Title from 2003 being the fourth studio album in their discography.

Hexagrams: 9/10 I love the screaming but the “worship-play” bits take up too much of time. Good lyricism as always, chino. Revisiting this song i have more to say. I cannot just say “I love the screaming” when it is so raw and full of emotion. It sells the song in such a way I did not give it credit. He talks about pride in this song quite a bit. Proud of himself, a parental flavor of pride, being proud of someone else. This all fits into the “worship play” bits I had criticized in the past. Wonderful song and a wonderful entrance to this album. I just wish the rest of the album could have reflected this song. 

Needles and Pins: 6/10 I liked the lyrics but the track itself doesn’t suit me. (I didnt get to write about this one as it was playing, sorry)

Minerva: 7/10 nice opening. The minor note on the send of “She sings when its over” then resolution, good. Track itself fits the theme and delivery. 

Goof Morning Beautiful: 8/10 ooo the “wake up before the wrath comes” part with the delay. I enjoyed that quite a bit. I love these lyrics. Begging her to stay. Is she suicidal? 

Deathblow: 5/10. It had potential. interesting opening, very clear vocals. it just doesn’t take much to impress me. I wish this track was more interesting, musically its boring. Least for deftones. I think he could have done a lot more. I enjoy the ending, a nice wrap up. I enjoy the repeating.. what? Synth sound like revolves around. I dont know what to call that sound. Nice drum feature at the end. Could have been so much more.

When Girls Telephone Boys: 9/10 I love this opening, I love spoken entrances. This makes up my gripes with Deathblow, I love this. Oooo that guitar with his screams and that exhale, it feels good. Sort of raw, good screams across the board. Good lyrics, set a scene Chino. I’m grooving to this song. Nice affects for the bridge, still enjoying this. Usually I would say the exit is too long but the screaming definitely makes up for that. Very strong track.

Battle Axe: 8.5/10 soft opening. Now it really enters. I’m writing these as I listen to the songs for the first time so, time stamps aren’t needed. Good instrumentals. Not much to say about the lyrics other than they really work, what did this girl say chino did?

Lucky You: 5/10 only because it was a good pallet cleanser.  I was not expecting this as an opening, unsure if i like it for not but for this album it works as a diversion of expectation. Sort of techno-y As it goes on I’m starting not to like it. Vocals and delivery could have been put on a “normal” track. He sounds strained and I would have liked that on a.. “normal” track. It’s interesting, certainly and I was looking for that. The sound is deep in its non-complexity. Little sounds making a major theme, definitely not what I expected from Deftones. A personal opinion that these lyrics deserved a better track, I wanna like this song but I’m struggling to.

Bloody Cape: 6/10 starts out like most songs on this album, muted guitar into a deeper sound. Starting to lose its charm. Honestly not much to say about this track. I liked the bridge. Track in general makes my jaw hurt.

Anniversary of an Uninteresting Event: 9/10 was the pallet cleanser that Lucky You should have been. I love this opening. Slow piano. When his delayed vocals enter you get a music box like sound accompanied by synth violin, its really pretty. Good Minor note, hearing very light guitar. Or maybe something midi that replaces said “light guitar”. Who’s he in love with? The constant tambourine is very nice.

Moana: 7/10 Final track! Ooo long opening but a nice entrance later on with his vocals. Again, kind of tired of the light into deep sound. 

Deftones by Deftones all in all felt like a rinse and repeat album. Had potential and I knew it would disappoint after White Pony. The whole time I was looking for something to grasp onto but could not. Despite this, each song is enjoyable on its own. As an album it sort of drones. My favorite track was “When Girls Telephone Boys” It was interesting all the way through and was entertaining. My least Favorite was probably “Lucky You”. It would not have been if “Anniversary of an Uninteresting Event” hadn’t done exactly what Lucky You was trying to. 

After spending some time with this album I can say I enjoy it more than my initial listen.

Overall…

7.5/10

The good parts are amazing and the bad parts are forgettable.