Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist

What happened to the grunge?

I am a HUGE fan of Deftones previous works. They all had their standout songs, and there were no really horrible tracks.
But, there is one factor that has killed this album for me. It seems they have gone completely soft, and have lost that powerful, catchy, melodic, grungy sound they had before in their heavier songs. There are still some heavy songs, but they all just seem to blend together. There are no standouts any more. If they could have kept it up with more classics like My Own Summer, Hexagram, Rickets, Lotion, Feiticeira, Elite, Pink Maggit, or even ones like Digital Bath or Change, then I would still be a fan.

If this is what they're evolving into, I think it's time to find a new favorite band. In my opinion, they have lost their edge. Take a little more time on your next album, and maybe you will renew my interest.

Also, has anyone noticed the screaming has COMPLETELY changed in this album. For the worse if you ask me. It sounds like he has an rodent stuck in his throat and is choking on it. September 22, 2008

Still as strong as ever

In an interview once, Deftones/Team Sleep vocalist and sometimes guitarist was asked what he felt about his band being lumped into the genre of "nu metal", a genre filled with detuned guitars, lack of guitar solos (or at least good ones) and lyrics about pain, darkness, hurt and other such topics. He just simply replied that he doesn't care either way and feels what they do is their own sound. While you can instantly recognize certain bands as soon as they come on the radio, the Deftones always had an ability to at least be able to do the genre right and get away from cliches and repetitive songwriting that has all but taken Korn down several notches in popularity. With their 5th release, "Saturday Night Wrist", they continue to prove all you need in any genre is just good songwriting.

Hole in the Earth: As always, they start off the record with a bang and while not as repetitively heavy as "Hexagram", the song's still a great listen and I always love singing along to the chorus. Very cool outro as well. 9/10

Rapture: If there's one word to describe this one, it's basically "relentless". Chino does his yelping/singing over heavy riffs and while it's not a catchy song, it's basically a big hard rocker for those who just want to headbang. 7.5/10

Beware: There's a weird off-kilter quality about this song, almost ominous and mysterious. The chorus is pretty cool and the weird "Dream On"-esque guitar riff that shows up is catchy but the best part is the ending with a massive apocalyptic riff. Definately recommended. 9/10

Cherry Waves: My favorite track off the record. Another mysterious feeling but more floating/dream-like with Chino doing a great pre-chorus ("if the waves...suuuuuck you in...") and the chorus is pretty cool as well. Another recommended one. 9.5/10

Mein: Now you'd think with the singer of System of a Down (Serj though if you heard Mezmerize/Hypnotize, I can imagine why you'd think Daron) that this would be an awesome track along the lines of "Passenger". Unfortunately no as it's kind of bland and just sort of lurches along and Serj doesn't really show off his chops on his parts either. 6/10

The Konami Code: I can't bothered to type the whole code but it's an instrumental with some quick bass playing, subdued guitar lines and volume swells and synths. It'd be almost relaxing if the drums weren't so "busy" but I quite enjoyed this one. 7.5/10

Xerces: A sort-of rock ballad that shows off Chino's vocals a bit and it sort of has a "Knife Party" vibe though without the creepy voice. I don't listen to it much but then I forget how much I like it when it's on. Heh heh. 8/10

Rats! Rats! Rats!: Probably one of the more frantic and intense tracks they have though at least there's some breathing room for Chino's voice so it isn't "Elite" levels. It's heavy sure but it's kind of forgettable, sadly. 5.5/10

Pink Cellphone: One of the more unfortunate tracks on the record and it's one that stands out the most in a bad way when the last track's over because of how it just doesn't fit right. Weirdly experimental, with vocals by Annie Hardy, it's probably more well-known for Hardy's adult-themed subject matter at the end but otherwise, it's just meh. 4/10

Combat: Starts with some strange sound bytes and odd noises, it then transforms into another heavy rocker that's pretty decent in the verses but the chorus and Chino's vocals bring it up a bit. Still not entirely awesome but works well enough. 7.5/10

Kimdracula: Heavy riffs with a strange effect at times on Chino's voice during the chorus. It's decent enough but like some songs on the self-titled, it feels slightly underwritten, like it could've benefited from a stronger chorus. 7/10

Riviere: Of course meaning "river" in French, this more than makes up for the decent songs so far. Reminds me of Pink Maggit from "White Pony" where the band uses the music to create a certain mood rather than just big riffs throughout the song. Doesn't quite reach the heights of those songs but it's worth a listen. 8.5/10

My favorite release will always be White Pony since song-for-song there's rarely any mistteps (except Street Carp, ugh). Here, the band still manages to sound unlike any band in the genre and take the songs to sometimes unfamiliar heights but there's a couple iffy ones. But if you're into the band, I recommend this album definately. August 18, 2008

Why did i wait so long to buy this.

being that its summer i wanted a new cd to listen to while driving around and i remembered Deftones had a release i hadnt picked up yet. up until now ive been very entertained by the Deftones but never 100%, i always enjoyed the dreamy melodic stuff but i felt it was lacking just a little bit. but this CD, man oh man, talk about huge layers of catchy as hell dream scapes!

Good Lord this CD delives in spades!!! track 4 is my fav! April 21, 2008

You a oo a oo

Deftones are one of the best rock and roll bands around in this time period.

I have no real complaints about this recording, other than it could use more songs with the emotional pull of "Cherry Waves" and "Xerxes". March 8, 2008

You know they want to...why won't they?!

Fifth album for Deftones is another in the straddle phase. They so DESPERATELY want to keep pushing forward from "White Pony" but their instincts keep them in check. True, they find a few good heavy assault songs in the mix, but a lot of the better parts of "Saturday Night Wrist" (as well as their last two records) come when they embrace the quieter and moodier aspects of their approach. Honestly, if they can crawl out of the rut they dug for themselves with their 90s material, they might be able to reclaim some of their "Pony" glory. Less screaming, craftier sonic explorations, better lyrics...that sort of thing.

"Cherry Waves," with its psychedelic, Pumpkins-esque wall of guitars, and head-checking "woo-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh" chorus, is one of their most daring (and dangerous) efforts yet, but it survives by the quick of its nail, and emerges as one of the album's best songs. And fun Nintendo reference or not, "U, U, D, D, L, R, L, R, A, B, Select, Start" is a stupid name for a song, but it finds a gentle, wavy ambience that needs to appear more in their songwriting. Here is a band that sees its stock dropping rather quickly where it was once near the top of the modern hard rock market. They're scrambling desperately to stay vital. And no one wants to hear the same thing again. It's a pretty good album, but there's a reason why some have called you the Radiohead of metal (mistakenly, but...). Now go all the way already!

Best cuts: "Beware," "Cherry Waves," "U, U, D, D, L, R, L, R, A, B, Select, Start," "Riviere," "Hole in the Earth," "Xerces," "Pink Cellphone," "Combat" February 13, 2008

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