Artist: Deftones Album: Around the Fur

Year: 1997
Duration: 1:22:35

Deftones' Around the Fur Review: A Nu-Metal Classic in the Making

In the mid-90s, a new wave of heavy rock music emerged from the underground scene in California. Mixing elements of grunge, punk, and metal, this genre was dubbed nu-metal and quickly took over the airwaves. One of the bands that led this movement was Deftones, the Sacramento-based quintet who have now become one of the most influential acts of their time. In this blog post, we will take a critical look at their sophomore record Around the Fur and go through the best songs, the most innovative parts, and offer some personal thoughts on the album.

Released in 1997, Around the Fur saw the band expand upon the sound they had developed on their debut album Adrenaline. The record is heavy, brooding, and unrelenting, but also showcases a newfound sense of melody and experimentation. The opening track My Own Summer (Shove It) is a prime example of this, with its intricate guitar work and catchy chorus that you can't help but sing along to.

Another standout track is Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away), which showcases the band's more atmospheric side. Chino Moreno's vocals are haunting and emotive, while the guitar work of Stephen Carpenter and Chi Cheng is both intricate and heavy. The song also features a killer guitar solo towards the end, which is a rare occurrence in the nu-metal genre.

The title track Around the Fur is also worth mentioning, with its stop-start riffing and dynamic shifts in tempo. The song's chorus is simple yet effective, with Moreno's screams delivering the angst and frustration of the lyrics to a tee. The band's rhythm section, consisting of drummer Abe Cunningham and bassist Cheng, is top-notch throughout the album and really shines on this particular track.

One of the most innovative parts of the album is its use of samples and electronic elements. These can be heard on tracks like Lhabia, which features a loop of a classical piano piece, and Mascara, which includes a haunting synth line that adds to the song's eeriness. Deftones were one of the first bands in the nu-metal genre to incorporate electronic elements in their music, foreshadowing the eventual crossover between rock and electronic music that would become popular in the 2000s.

As for criticisms, Around the Fur can sometimes feel a bit too samey in terms of its sound. Many of the songs follow a similar formula of heavy riffing and atmospheric bridges, which can make the album feel a bit one-dimensional at times. Additionally, some of the lyrics can come across as juvenile or nonsensical, such as in Headup where Moreno screams you're dead to me repeatedly with little context.

Overall, Around the Fur is a classic album that still holds up today. It showcases Deftones' unique blend of heavy riffing and atmospheric melodies, as well as their willingness to experiment with different sounds and influences. While the album can feel a bit repetitive at times, its highlights more than make up for any shortcomings. If you're a fan of heavy music and haven't given this album a listen, then you're missing out on one of the best nu-metal records of all time.

Overall, Around the Fur is a classic album that still holds up today. It showcases Deftones' unique blend of heavy riffing and atmospheric melodies, as well as their willingness to experiment with different sounds and influences. While the album can feel a bit repetitive at times, its highlights more than make up for any shortcomings. If you're a fan of heavy music and haven't given this album a listen, then you're missing out on one of the best nu-metal records of all time.