Saturday Night Wrist Reviews

On Saturday Night Wrist, the Deftones finally deliver what fans were waiting for. Three years in the making, the internal friction between members, most specifically front man Chino Moreno’s perfectionist way of working and his side project Team Sleep which he toured with during the writing process of this new record, caused some anger and frustration between the band members. Still, it’s like we’re used to in the ‘Tones camp and in the end it only makes for a more varied and finished record, a record with more bells and whistles than some bands have put into their entire career.

Unlike the dark, and perhaps over-produced fourth record, "Deftones", which was troubled in the shadow of their third, most praised effort "White Pony", Saturday Night Wrist sees the Sacramento boys back with clear sound and more importantly, a line up of songs as diverse and emotionally charged as WP. Whether this is the Deftones'€™ last record or not, it is clear that whatever happens, the gods of 'emocore'€™ have delivered another classic that will be haled by critics and fans alike.

Moreno'€™s voice is crystal clear again, a breath of fresh air after the echoing end result of self titled. The instruments are just as refined and every drum beat, every riff pumps into the listeners ear as if it€™s Deftones€™ final chance to really shine again, to deliver something that can be hold as their high point for many years to come. Deftones, you remain just what we have always loved about you: unique and emotionally charged, with rocking melodies. You don't care what the rest of the world is doing, so your music stays timeless.

A short track by track review:

Hole in the Earth
The first track of the album, functioning as the first single as well, is so Deftones and so different all the same. Very reminiscent of the Cure but with louder guitars, the song deals with Moreno's position in the band when not all was well, singing '€œI hate all of my friends'€. The repeating of the song title works in a good way, settling the listener in the way Chino'€™s lyrics work every so often. Most important for all, the track carries an energy that disregards the negative lyrics and transfers it in a very positive feeling. Chino wasn't lying when he called the record up-beat.

Rapture
Poised to be the fans' favourite of SNW, the track could remind one of the "Around The Fur" record, with Chino fiercely screaming through most of the song. '€˜It'€™s a rapture / but a different style' cements the frontman'€™s reputation once again as the master of writing insanely cool lyrics. Especially the contribution of Frank Delgado on the turntables makes for a haunting experience that would fit on White Pony.

Beware
A live favourite that used to be called '€˜Beware the Water'€™ has such thick riffs that its difficult to not bang your head to it. Cricket noises in the distant give a taste of what'€™s to come further down the record: its all about underlying vibes creating a cohesive experience just like every Deftones record does. The heavy ending at the end should please all long time fans. It clocks in at six minutes as well. Long and meaty, just what the doctor ordered. The record’s 'Change (in the house of flies)'€™, but harder.

Cherry Waves
And so the new age of Deftones sound begin. A soft, emotional song with dolphins in the background, the band takes its listeners through the ocean and back. A love song? Perhaps. With Moreno'€™s cryptic lyrics, one can never be sure, but if any 'Tones song could be about drowning in another human being, this is it. Two couplets and a chorus are followed with some fantastic drumming on Cunningham's part. Can we get a blanket now? We sink deeper into the fantasy world SNW is creating. For some this is the ultimate song on the record, to me it's just very, very good.

Mein
And so, the fear of every Deftones fan arises. System of a Down's frontman Serj Tarkan in a Deftones song? Thankfully, Mein is anything a fan could wish a new song should be. Pounding guitars and drums, and vocals with so much melody that it should be forbidden. Serj pops up later in the song and fits right with the song. The song is very rhythmic and up beat. One of the surprises on SNW.

U, U, D, D, L, R, L, R, A, B, Select, Start
The first instrumental from Deftones ever, it'€™s a nice transition from the first to the second part of the record, but not very special in any way. This instrumental reminds one of Mogwai and it really is a song to set the general vibe of the record.

Xerces
You'd expect an ear-shattering hard song after the interlude that was the last song, but Deftones just aren't as straight forward as that. The instruments provide a melody that show Deftones are the masters of their own sound: it just sounds like them through and through. Moreno's vocals are reminiscent of Team Sleep, but that isn't such a bad thing. Then the chorus kicks in, with riffs that have an undeniable punk vibe. Yes, I get it now, this record is more varied than an orgy.

Rats Rats Rats
Ah, but here is the hard stuff. At least, the couplets are, but the chorus turns in White Pony sound in a mix of agression and melody. Then after two choruses comes the killer part... what a fucking trip! Deftones meets Slayer.

Pink Cellphone
A hip hop beat with Annie Hardy talking about buttfucking and foreskin? The song is addicting, maybe not up beat enough to form a good dance song but a good and funny listen all the same. On the 'clean' version of the record, the finale is missing and that's a shame, because it's funny as hell.

Combat
Nice and hard, with Chino screaming to his listeners "which side are you on?". It ensures there is enough for the metal heads to bang their heads too. Thankfully there's some melody thrown in for good measure and after two choruses the song surprises.

Kim Dracula
It has the same feeling as Combat to it, but without the surprise at the end. If anything this is the weak spot of the record, but that is more telling of the quality of it all instead of the lack of in this song. Just a catchy song, nothing more.

Riviere
One hell of an ending for a record. Beginning in silence, then blasting into a mix between Pink Maggit and This Boys Republic. Chino's voice just screams emotion. Cound me impressed.