Deftones

I wanted to spend some time this weekend writing a history of one of my most favourite bands. Deftones. When i say history, i mean music history and how their music has evolved over the past 15 years. I also want to point out my highs and lows of their music evolution.

Deftones were a band that i came across in my youth, they were a band that has stayed with me through most of my adult life. I’ve listened to their music on and off for the past 10 years and have always appreciated its simple yet deep melodic sound. They are a unique band and one that has profoundly affected my life.

Deftones released their first studio album in 1995;

Adrenaline - 1995

Being their first album, this one is a little hit and miss and probably my least favourite album. It is still very much worth listening too so don’t discount it if you’re looking to get into the band. Deftones were still finding their niche when this album debuted, however you can very much pick out their unique sound, mainly provided by Chino’s voice. It’s quite heavy and overly aggressive which may be off-putting to some you but it is a good place to start if you want to understand the roots of the band.

I have several favourite songs on this album, these being;

One Weak

Lifter

Engine No 9

All great tunes, but there are a few on the album which are a little odd and possibly only for the open minded. Worth a try though!

Around the Fur - 1997

This is without a doubt my favourite Deftones album. It is one of those seminal albums which contains only great songs and is i think, along with Tool’s Lateralus & 10,000 days, one of the best metal albums ever to grace this planet.

Deftones had found their sound, and it was something very unique. It dragged me in and has held me tight ever since. This album contains my favourite song of all time which i revealed several weeks ago, “Be Quiet and Drive”. The song is so simple, it has so few lyrics. However if you look beyond that, listen to the way the music is conveyed to you, you’ll find it’s so much deeper than you initially think. The song makes you think, makes you wonder. Why is he singing these lyrics? What do they mean? The fact that they could mean x y or z makes the track so interesting. The guitar play is also incredible.

I can listen to this album all day and still enjoy it, it’s wonderful. There aren’t many albums out there that can do that.

Listen and buy the whole album, but i will pick out some favourites;

Be Quiet and Drive (Of course!)

Lahbia

Around the Fur

Dai the Flu

MX

A magical album, really, honestly... You must experience it.

White Pony - 2000

This is widely regarded (now that is) as a truly great and landmark piece of music. When it was released, White Pony received mixed reviews. It was a departure from the previous two albums and took the band in a new direction. I admit it’s not my favourite album, and when you first listen to it you might think it’s a little odd. Its undoubtedly Deftones, but it’s very melodic and the album spends most of its time trying to tell you something. It’s hard to say if you will like it or not, it’s just something you’ll have to listen too. If you bear with it, you will understand and probably end up agreeing that it is a masterpiece of the metal world.

Songs to look out for are;

Change (In the House of Flies)

Passenger

Elite

Korea

Again though, you can argue every song on the album is worth your time. They are all excellent tracks that all try and tell you a story, which as you have probably gathered, is one thing i love about Deftones.

Deftones – 2003 (Self titled)

After White Pony and the criticism it received at the time, Deftones attempted to return to their roots with their self titled fourth album. This was very much a return to something in between Adrenaline and Around the Fur. It was a heavy mix of Metal and aggression that was a strange departure from the direction White Pony had taken the band.

I always felt strange about this album. I always thought that maybe the band felt insecure about themselves after White Pony and wanted to keep their fans happy by releasing something more mainstream. Don’t read that as a negative. The album is as fantastic as anything else they have produced and has some great songs that will have you head banging away, if you’re into that sort of thing...

If you love metal and are a little unsure about Deftones this may be a good place to start as it’s a little more acceptable to the wider music community. It may be a good way to ease into Deftones, moving onto Adrenaline or Around the Fur afterwards.

Some highlights include;

Minerva

Bloody Cape

Hexagram

Saturday Night Wrist – 2006

This album is without a doubt my second favourite Deftones album. I have actually only recently purchased it, and i must admit the title of it really put me off... I had images of me listening to full on emo music. I was wrong, it is absolutely epic in every way. You must purchase this album, alongside Around the Fur to get a full understanding of what Deftones are about.

This album also includes one of my most favourite songs of all time - Kimdracula, another epic, roller coaster of a song that has so many great moments you will want to listen again and again to fully understand it. Cherry Waves is also very special, a masterpiece in fact.

In short, buy this album. So many favourite here...

Kimdracula

Cherry Waves

Beware

Mein

Hole in the Earth

Diamond Eyes – 2010

So, this is Deftones latest offering and has strong influences from the terrible accident experienced by one of the members of the band. I believe the album change significantly after he slipped into a coma as a result of a car accident.

I do have a confession to make. I haven’t actually purchased this album yet... It has only recently been released and i wanted to wait until it was a bit cheaper before buying it. Ahem... My apologies. I shall leave this one open and post a review up when i have bought it and listened.

I have no doubt that it will be excellent, like all their previous efforts.

So yes, that is my brief history of one of, if not my favourite, bands. Honestly, please give them a shot you won’t be disappointed. Their music is so moving and just makes you feel so alive. I can’t think of a better compliment than that. When you wake up and all you want to do is hear some of their music, you know it’s something special.

Have a good weekend.

Alex

Holiday Blog :-)

Im a little late posting this, since i’ve been a little busy since i got home. But here is what i wrote while i was away. Nothing major, just felt like writing something every day! I’ll be back this week with some rants. Mainly because im back at work, and that’s just shit in all ways.

Thursday 30^th September

So i arrived at around 3:30pm to my Gran’s place. Not only was the drive here really nice, i could feel the resentment and tiresome life of living in a busy town drift slowly away as the miles passed. What a nice feeling, one which has not been felt for a long time.  I know it sounds strange, but honestly driving through the countryside with the sun just poking occasionally through the clouds is a beautiful thing. I actually prefer this time of year to summer, it’s a bit cooler and the world somehow seems more clean and fresh.

My Gran has given me this really cool little room to stay in. I really love her house, it’s so old world and country-like and i really love it here. No noise at all, so quiet and so just the opposite of everything that im used to being a part of. Im sitting at a kind of old stufy desk as i type this, looks like it was made in about 1910. Sitting in what i suppose could be deemed to be an office chair, although it’s made of wood and has no wheels on it! No plastic in sight!

Im glad i came. This morning i was a bit dubious, mainly because i thought the reason why i wanted to get away, namely being depressed out of my skin, was gone. I soon realised when i got here that it wasn’t gone and being here is actually making me think more about it than ever before. But thats ok i guess, maybe it’s a sign of dealing with issues? Who knows. Im feeling a little tired and will type more tomorrow, hopefully we’re going to head off somewhere historic tomorrow so im looking forward to it. 

Friday 1^st October

Well today didn’t go quite according to plan! The weather has been awful, i mean really quite awful to the point where we literally couldn’t do anything all day. The rain was pounding against the window from early this morning until late in the evening. What a wash out!

I did venture out to the supermarket with the dog, but got totally drenched and ended up having to spend the afternoon wearing shorts as id only brought one pair of jeans with me! Oh well, at least i bought some rice and a paper... Totally worth it! 

Still the day wasn’t a total loss, since i spent most of it in a nice warm chair drinking tea and reading about the history of the Falkland Island and subsequent conflict. So as im sure you’d agree, a pretty awesome day! Jesus im so old, you wouldn’t think i was 25 would you.

I’ve been asking my Gran about her house whilst writing this, she tells me it was built in 1790!? Wow, amazing huh? She was saying that it used to be designated a hovel, haha... I can assure you its not a hovel anymore. Although she did mentioned when they bought it they applied for a special designation or something. However the body came back to them and said the building had no features, either interior or exterior which were desirable. How nice of them!!!

Anyway, think im going to venture into town tomorrow to investigate a bit. We’ll see, hopefully it won’t be chucking it down with rain!!

Saturday 2^nd October

Had an awesome sleep in the bed i was given. Felt like i was lying on a slightly collapsing fainting couch. Oooh manly! Anyway, managed to wake up eventually and finally went for a nice walk. Also found some beech nuts on the ground and munched on them. Who knew you could even do that? Something to remember audience! I do love my Gran’s dog, she’s so awesome. Although since she’s actually on a diet now she keeps licking my fingers whenever ive eaten something. Oh well, i left about 2pm and had a nice leisurely drive home. Some bastard policemen were waiting at the bottom of a hill on the way home trying to catch people speeding. Luckily i was warned by oncoming traffic to slowdown. Damn nice of them, since i was speeding quite heavily... AHEM what i mean to say was i was well within the speed limits!

That’s it really i had a nice relaxing few days and although it might have come across as boring, sometimes that’s what you need. Was nice to get away from things for a while, just chill out and read and cook stuff. Although the main reason i went was to try and figure out some stuff. All i managed to figure out was that i still miss her and it sucks. Bit stupid really since i’ve known that for like the last 6 months. Great job Alex, great job. 

Just finally, i have no clue whats going on with the formatting on Blogger, its all screwed up for me. I have no idea why. Might try a different font...

Take care!

Public sucktor? I think not!

Just thought i would make a quick post before i leave in a few hours. I have decided to take my laptop with me and write something each day im up there, you know, best to keep the mind ticking over and such.

To be honest i probably didn’t leave at the best time, some stuff has been going down at work the last few days and i think Jams is a little... Downbeat, although i think the word i should have used should be much stronger! Teetering on the edge? Maybe that’s better... I wish him all the best whilst im away, as im usually one of the people that keeps him from falling off the edge into a pit of fury and rage. Although that may or may not have happened last night anyway! Ahem. Turning to alcohol may have solved the problems, but that’s always a temporary fix!!

One thing that has bugged me the last week or so is the generalisation of public sector workers. We had a contractor come in the other day and basically tell us all we’re a bunch of lazy bastards. Im sorry pal, but i don’t know anyone in the private sector who has to work to as tight deadlines as we do.  You prick, go back to your world of expensive hotels, wine and cheese evenings and Audi’s. You ass.

However, i must also comment that a lot of people in the public sector are so BLIND it’s unreal. Someone at work was trying to get me and Jams to sign a petition from the Union about stopping public sector cuts. Sorry but are you stupid? Firstly, im not in the union, i believe them to be a relic of the 1980’s that should die. Incorporation of EU directives on working should quell the requirement for unions, thank you. Also, whoever thinks that the public sector doesn’t need to be cut is being so short sighted. Even if there hadn’t been a credit crunch recession, the public sector is far too large and unwieldy and needs to be economised. I could run off a list of ridiculous inefficiencies just in our organisation, let alone the entire public sector.  Im not saying what the coalition is doing is correct, i think maybe they are going a little far. But it’s the right thing to do.

WHOA a rant? Hello there, welcome back to Tedium. Anyway, im very much looking forward to getting away for a few days, so i shall write up my findings and undertakings upon my return.

Take it easy.

Alex.

Microsoft. You bastards.

I have been writing here less recently, that much is obvious. I think it’s because I’ve generally been less angry the past month or so. This reduces my requirement to rant on a daily basis. I will therefore make posts when i feel like it! So there, i told you so didn’t i!

So i have actually had a pretty nice weekend really. I spent Friday evening with 2 of my closest friends and it was really nice to spend some time with them. Especially since one recently moved jobs and i hadn’t seen her for over a week (I know, a crushing amount of time right?). It was also nice that, for once, i was able to help someone who was going through some tough times. Doing something like that does make you feel a worthy part of society and makes you think that at least you can use all your past crap relationship stuff to learn, then help someone else. Funny old world isn’t it? So anyway, we just went to the pub then went back to my friends house and chatted for what was at least a couple of hours. Simple but really nice, i felt warm inside.

I have also spent the best part of the weekend having an internal debate with myself about Xbox Live. Im so tempted to upgrade my account for a year while its cheap, mainly to play Halo online. I resent having to pay to play online deeply, and hate Microsoft for it. But PSN is really quite pants and i really want to take my Halo fun online. Im still playing it! Im on my 3^rd run through on the campaign and im still not bored! It really is a top notch game.

In fact i “may” have purchased Halo Wars and Halo 3 ODST... THEY WERE ONLY £10 EACH! Common, that’s a bargain! I should receive them sometime this coming week... Ahem. Although im going away on Thursday! To be honest, i wanted to go away because i felt shit and really depressed, but it’s not quite as bad right now as it was a couple of weeks ago. Although im still looking forward to spending some time in the country walking the dog and eating pie. Yes, this is my vision of “country” living...

Also, i have really got back into listening to one of my favourite bands. Deftones! They have been with me for so long, i must have listened since i was about 14 and i love them just as much now as i did back then. I must admit im really loving the metal at the moment, although there are a couple of RnB songs out that aren’t too bad. I really do love all types of music!

Ok, i think im ready. I am about to reveal my FAVOURITE song of all time. Here it is ladies and gentlemen... It’s been my favourite ever since the moment i heard it, and i never grow tired of hearing it. 

What an amazing piece of music, just wonderful. So emotive and thought provoking, yet so simple.

I will write more things before i go away this week. I do need to try and discuss more interesting things, i do seem to be turning this blog into more a diary of my life. Which is shit really, because my life is fucking boring. You’d be better off reading the diary of a small Italian goat who lives on a slightly misty hill in Sicily. Actually, i would too... A goat that writes? AWESOME!

Bye for now.

This may offend, you have been warned!

So i decided i wanted to make a post regarding something rather controversial. It sparked me into thinking about it more when i was watching the news about the Pope visiting the UK.

It’s my personal feeling that many, most religions infact are the relic of a bygone era, something that should have been disregarded when science and technology took over as the dominant driving force behind our everyday lives. The Pope symbolises the head of that relic of an organisation, and i think the more people that are duped into following such a ludicrous set of beliefs, the worse society becomes.  

Also why is he chosen by a democratic vote? If God did truly exist, wouldn’t he make the choice himself? Food for thought!

I find it laughable that the Pope denounces science’s explanation of creation and the universe as preposterous, when he thinks a man who lives in the sky created everything. I mean, common people. Think about this logically. I do believe that possibly there are things beyond our understanding and explanation and if you want to think that then i can accept it. But Catholicism, with its views on homosexuality, women and HIV... How can you support that? How can you support the spread of HIV in the developing world because the Pope denounces contraceptives? He must have killed thousands upon thousands spreading those thoughts. Is that a good thing?

I find it all hard to swallow, i can’t understand why you would accept it. If you just think about it logically, you would know that some things they say are not right, not right at all. There are things the human race does not understand, but really i think religion like that is something that kept people in check by installing fear into them, for many many centuries. I think it’s time we outgrow those methods of control, we don’t need them anymore. We are an educated society, isn’t love, family, friends and making a good life out of the limited time you have on this earth enough?

Maybe im being ignorant, and maybe some people do need help and they find it from a higher power. I think they would find more help from a counsellor though...

So that was my rant on religion, a touchy subject i know... I hope i didn’t offend, we are all entitled to our beliefs. I think if you want to believe in something, worship the Sun, for it truly does give and take away life. I can’t think of anything more worth respecting than that!

In other news i finished Halo Reach on Normal! Weee! The last dude was pretty damn hard, some super Elite commander guy. Armed with a ridiculous shield, a plasma launcher and a laser sword. I had to stick two grenades to him before he died, the bastard!

Was so much more epic though. I feel the need to try Heroic... I may get my ass handed to me though i feel... We shall see tomorrow possibly!

I admit it, im an idiot.

Ok, now im a relatively honest person, i will tell you if you annoy me, i will admit when im wrong and so forth. This is one of those moments...

I may have been a little hasty in my criticism of Halo Reach. Ahem... Let me explain a little. I finished the game on... Thursday? I think. Now earlier this week my thoughts had been a little pre-occupied with some other things and i wasn’t really paying attention to... Well anything i was doing. I also played through the game on Easy. I KNOW I KNOW STOP MOANING. I couldn’t be arsed to be challenged i just wanted to see the game. So i finished it with the same feelings with which i posted up about earlier this week.

However, on Friday i decided to play through again on Normal difficulty. This was for a number of reasons. Firstly, i was bored. Secondly, i realised that you couldn’t rank up or unlock achievements when playing on easy which vexed me greatly. So bearing this in mind i sat down on Friday about 7pm to have a bash on normal. Come 11:30, i was still playing and totally loving it. I didn’t want to stop but i could hardly stay awake.

The difference is astounding. Not only did i know much more about what was going on, and followed the story a lot better, but playing the game through with it being a little challenging made it SO much more fun! Im a convert. The game really is very very good, it flows so well and the level design is brilliant, throwing challenges at you which cause you to think about how to solve them. The simple fact of throwing a brute at the top of a building with 2 turrets either side may sound boring, but working out how to bring him down without getting a plasma launcher to the face wasn’t frustrating one bit, it was excellent fun and so intense!

My Noble 6 now looks more awesome with armour upgrades and he ranked up to a Corporal!  Corporal 1^st Class soon! The only thing is now that i should try and get into the multiplayer... Its rather intimidating though, i may have to play through the campaign on Heroic before going online methinks. As im sure ill get blow apart by people who are veterans of Halo 1, 2, 3 and ODST.

This brings me onto another thing. I think i might be turning into a fanboy? I even started playing Halo 3 again! I’ve been looking online to see how much Halo Wars and Halo 3 : ODST are... I KNOW ITS BAD ISN’T IT... Oh lord.

In other news, having reached what i would term “The bottom of the fish tank” in terms of how shit my life actually is (Hint, read above and note the words “Friday” and “Stayed in all night playing Halo Reach”). I realised that maybe it’s time i spent some time away from the Internet, TV, Gaming and so forth... So im going to stay with my Gran up in Wiltshire for a few days in a couple of weeks time. Im really looking forward to it. Says a lot about me as a person i guess; the fact that im looking forward to a few quiet days in the country. The thought of waking up early, taking the dog for a walk, catching up on a few good books and just being relaxed is awesome. So i won’t be posting for a while when im up there. Although i will have my iphone with me... Need some kind of connectivity!

That’s about all for today. Damn i really need to start doing some ranting... I just haven’t had any energy to be angry recently? Or well, i do get angry but by the time i get home it seems to have dissipated...

Have a good week.

Alex