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40 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
SOPHOMORE SUCCESS! Excellent must buy!, August 1, 2000
Deftones killed with this one!Deftones improve on this album from their 1995 adrenaline release. If you just recently started listening to the Deftones, especially White Pony, this has some of White Pony's similarities but basically has a much, much harder edge. In fact, the entire CD is pretty much edgy. Here are my opinions on each song on a scale of 1 to 10: 1. My Own Summer (Shove It) - 10. No, this isn't basically Chino yelling "shove it" just for the hell of it, the words are artistic. Chino does possibly his best vocally on this track. As their most known single, it's definitely a great mood setter for the upcoming tracks. 2. Lhabia - 10. Wow! I have no idea why they didn't release this one! (Actually they could have released the entire first 8 songs for singles!) The verse is mumbled with Chino's rage, but the Chorus is extremely pleasurable to the listeners ears, wow! 3. Mascara - 10. Gorgeous. Ballad-esque. Sultry yet edgy. Chino sings the verses beautifully. But the Choruses are what stand out. "There's something about her", OH, VERY MUSICAL! 4. Around the Fur - 10. Heavy. TITLE TRACK ROCKS! Chino sings and yells just great. The riffs are catchy (damn, they always are!). Could've definitely become a major, major hit. 5. Rickets - 10. Excellent. Tool-style beats here (YES!), the chorus is so catchy that it's most memorable of the entire CD. Guitars are heavy, y'all! 6. Be Quiet and Drive Far Away - 10. Another Ballad-esque, but this time with probably the best song structure. The hookiest song on this CD, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. 7. Lotion - 10. Probably the heaviest. The chorus is again catchy! Will these hooks ever end? LOL! 8. Dai the Flu - 7. It's good. Don't get me wrong. It just drags a tiny bit and it might sound too similar to the other songs. The chorus is okay also. 9. Headup - 10. Another Tool-sound, but then Chino raps in (Maynard doesn't rap). 10. MX - 8. I didn't like the cameo of the girl, sorry. It's annoying. Otherwise it's okay. I love the chorus, man! The sophomore jinx isn't even considered, great job Deftones. GET THE ALBUM IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY. ORDER IN THIS ORDER, AROUND THE FUR or WHITE PONY, THEN ADRENALINE!
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You Don't Have To Like Nu-Metal/Alternative To Enjoy This, March 31, 2005
This Album "Around The Fur" by the Deftones, i regard as their absolute best. I doubt they will ever top this truly classic CD. Classic mainly, in the genre it's in. But like the title of this review says, you really don't have to be a straight-forward fan of Nu-Metal or Alternative to get something out of this CD. It's a CD that does lean alot towards Nu-Metal and Alternative, but even so it's still a very enjoyable and pretty unique Album by all means.
The main thing about the Deftones, i feel, is the vocalist Chino Moreno. Many people have tried hard to sound like him, but failed. In that regard he's really very influential i think. And so is this band as a whole. But Chino Moreno totally adds so much to this music. If he left and they decided to bring in a new vocalist, i doubt it'd work. the Deftones would surely be over. Not that i think he's the greatest vocalist in the world, because i don't, i just feel he's the center of this band and i also feel he's one of the main reasons for their popularity.
the Deftones are influenced by bands such as Helmet, The Cure, Killing Joke and Joy Division, just to name a few. You can almost get the Helmet influence, but as for the others it's hard to tell. That's how unique i believe the Deftones really are. I've even heard that guitarist Stephen Carpenter is a big fan of the technical, ultra-heavy death-metal band, Meshuggah..Although the Deftones sound NOTHING like them, obviously because they are in a totally different genre, it's interesting and pretty cool to see how open-minded the Deftones seem to be about music. (More so than most other Nu-Metal/Alternative bands i know of anyway..)
There really isn't any filler songs on this CD either. That's one of the main reasons, obviously, that i give this 5/5. The standout tracks from an Album of standout tracks (If that makes sense..) would be "My Own Summer (Shove It)", "lhabia", "Around The Fur", "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)", "Lotion", "Dai The Flu" and "Head Up (Feat. Max Cavalera)"..I think i left out 3 songs there. Which goes to show how great this Album really is, as "Mascara", "Rickets" and "MX" are still top-quality Deftones songs.
My two personal favourite songs are both "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)" and "Head Up". "Head Up" features Max Cavalera of Soulfly/ex-Sepultura, and inevitably ends up sounding a lot like Soulfly (With the riff and then the long outro..) except for Chino Moreno's vocals. Max Cavalera actually doesn't seem to contribute much except for a few words here and there. All in all, those are the two most catchy songs i think. "My Own Summer (Shove It)" is also a very catchy song, that they also shot a Video for. "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)" to me, is the Deftones most stunning song off this Album though. (They shot a Video for that as well..)
I think every metal fan in general has either heard, or heard about, the Deftones by now. And if you've thought about getting into them, but weren't sure and still not sure of which Album of theirs to start with, i'd start with this definitely. This is very highly recommended to fans of Alternative Metal, and to all fans of metal in general as well.
Without question "Around the Fur" is 5/5
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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moody metal masterpiece, July 27, 2004
The Deftones' debut album, the aptly titled 'Adrenaline', was a heavy onslaught of raw metal. It had a rather lo-fi feel, but that worked to its advantage, as the album relied solely on the band's aggression, not slick studio production. My main complaint with the album is that Chino Moreno's vocals were a bit incomprehensible throughout, especially during the verses, in which he delivered them in more of a rapid fire, spoken word type thing. On 'Around the Fur', he improves greatly, going from soft spoken word singing to his trademark piercing scream. The album is also more diverse, musically, as it contains moody/atmospheric elements from the bands 80's influences (The Cure, The Smiths, etc.)
1. My Own Summer
The first single is a classic Deftones song. It opens with a killer riff from Stef Carpenter, which is echoed by Chi Cheng's omnious bass work. Chino delivers the verses in a soft, near-whisper..then lets out a series of deafening screams in the pre-chorus ('SHOVE IT SHOVE IT SHOVE IT!!!'). The chorus is melodic and catchy.
2. Lhabia
A heavy song in which pounding riffs in the verses lead into a slightly more melodic chorus.
3. Mascara
The most radical thing they had done at this point in their career. Very Cure-influenced, especially in the slow, haunting verses (the chorus is heavier, but still somewhat subdued compared to typical Deftones songs). The bridge is also creepy, in which Chino sings 'It's too bad..you're married...to me..'. Amazing vocal delivery.
4. Around the Fur
The title track kicks off with a hypnotic drum pattern from Abe Cunningham. The verses contain Chino's 'normal' singing, which is a soft, almost eerie delivery..then, heavy screaming in the pre-chorus, and a heavy but melodic chorus.
5. Rickets
Possibly the heaviest song the Deftones ever recorded (although there's a few other contenders). Chino's vocals range from a gutteral whisper to downright screaming, and the guitar riffs never let up.
6. Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)
Widely regarded as the greatest Deftones song ever. Not my overall favorite, but it's right up there. It's heavy, but Chino's soaring vocals are gorgeous and captivating. It has one of the best main guitar riffs ever (which Chevelle blatantly ripped off not too long ago). Proves that music can be heavy but still harmonious and beautiful.
7. Lotion
The clearest link back to 'Adrenaline', as Chino sort of speak/sings the vocals in an indecipherable manner. The chorus is another heavy but catchy one. A great song, another really heavy one that doesn't let up.
8. Dai the Flu
Possibly my favorite Deftones song ever..an underrated gem. The verses are mid-tempo, and feature creepy, with ambient touches from turntablist Frank Delgado. The chorus is heavy, gripping and totally memorable. The bridge is also awesome, featuring some layered vocal effects.
9. Headup
Another 'Adrenaline' type song, which features guest vocals from Max Cavalera (from Sepultura, and later, Soulfly, the latter of which is name dropped in the song). It's really intense throughout..really no touches of melody, but it's an awesome song, another favorite of mine. I still have no clue what Chino is barking in the chorus, but cool nonetheless.
10. Mx
Yet another favorite Deftones song of mine. They really placed the best stuff last. This one is pretty slow for Deftones standards, but still has some pretty heavy riffs and what not. In the verses, Chino trades off vocals with a female (who I believe was Abe or Chi's wife), in a conversation like manner. The chorus is another soaring performance from Chino.
If you fastforward about 30 minutes, you get to a hidden track called 'Damone'. It's a pain to get to..but it's a great song worth listening to. Loud and scorching.
On their next album, 'White Pony', they added even more atmospheric elements, creating a rather subdued effort (but still heavy for music in general). It's another excellent album (regarded by many as their masterpiece), as is the sonic, layered metal assault of their most recent eponymous album. But I still think 'Around the Fur' is their best listen from start to finish, as it finds the perfect medium between the raw power of their 'Adrenaline' era and the theatrical moodiness of their later work.
Best Songs: Dai the Flu, Headup, Mx, Be Quiet and Drive, Mascara.
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