Artist: Deftones Album: White Pony

Year: 2000
Duration: 52:50

White Pony by Deftones: A Critical Review of their Best Album

Deftones, an American alternative metal band formed in Sacramento, California, has been making music since the late 90s. Their unique blend of metal, rock, and experimental sounds has made them a fan favorite in the genre. One of their most critically acclaimed works is the album, White Pony. Released in 2000, the album marked a turning point in the band’s career and is considered their most innovative work to date. In this blog post, we will delve into the history of Deftones, the music genre of White Pony, the best songs of the album, its most innovative parts, and provide a critical review of White Pony.

In the early 90s, Deftones began playing shows in their hometown of Sacramento. The band quickly caught the attention of Madonna’s Maverick Records and signed a deal, releasing their debut album, Adrenaline, in 1995. The album showcased the band’s heavy and aggressive sound, but it was their second album, Around the Fur, that brought them mainstream success. Their third album, White Pony, released in 2000, was a game-changer for the band.

White Pony marked a shift in the band's sound - experimenting with a mix of heavy, aggressive sounds, and softer, more ethereal ones. The album falls under the alternative metal and nu-metal genres, but it’s hard to categorize due to its experimental sound. The album’s production was led by Terry Date, who had previously produced albums for bands like Soundgarden and Pantera.

The album’s best songs are My Own Summer (Shove It), Digital Bath, Change (In the House of Flies), Knife Party, and Passenger. My Own Summer (Shove It) is a perfect opener with its memorable guitar riffs and Chino Moreno's iconic scream. Digital Bath is an emotionally charged song that showcases the band’s softer side, while Change (In the House of Flies) is one of the band’s most recognized songs with its hypnotic melody and haunting lyrics. Knife Party and Passenger, featuring Maynard James Keenan of Tool, are both heavy and experimental.

The most innovative parts of White Pony are the band's experimentation with trip-hop, electronic rock, and shoegaze. The album's intro track, Feiticeira, features a trip-hop beat, while Pink Maggit, the album’s closer, is a slow-burning shoegaze-influenced song. The album's use of space between sounds and production techniques, such as adding atmospheric effects and reverb, also adds to its experimental nature.

However, White Pony is not without criticism. Some fans felt that the album's experimentation and production techniques overshadowed the band’s heavy and aggressive sound. The album's soft moments also caused some to label it as 'soft metal' and 'not heavy enough.'

Deftones’ White Pony album is a masterpiece that showcases the band's unique style and innovation. The band's experimentation with different sounds and genres makes it one of their most influential works. The album’s best tracks are a combination of heavy, aggressive sounds and softer, more ethereal ones that balance the album perfectly. While some may criticize the album for not being heavy enough, its experimental nature should be celebrated. White Pony is a landmark album in the alternative metal genre and a testament to Deftones' originality and creativity.