Deftones Album: “White Pony [Limited Edition Red]”

Hmm. This seems a bit exploitative. Why has Deftones released White Pony in its original version, then with Back To School (Mini Maggit), and then in red and black versions that include The Boy's Republic? In order to get all of the White Pony songs, you have to buy at least two CD's. If you bought the original (silver) White Pony when it came out, you will have to buy two more almost-duplicate albums. Sure, you can go to all the trouble to use the included software and download Back To School, but that still leaves you without a CD that has all of the songs on it. Kind of annoying. If the limited editions had Back To School on them, it might be a little more excusable. But they don't, so it's not.

The album itself is overall less aggressive than its predecessors, Adrenaline and Around the Fur. It still has its really hard-edge points (Elite) but also includes some very mellow tracks (such as the excellent Digital Bath). Fans of previous Deftones albums may not like all the songs on this CD, but I did.

I would suggest just buying the white version of White Pony (the one with Back To School on it), which is much cheaper than the limited additions, and then going and downloading Boy's Republic somewhere else. It's a great song, but not worth twenty bucks. Hardcore Deftones fans might want to grab both of these collectors items, but I'm not sure that anyone else with consider them worth their money.

The Deftones have never been an easy band to categorize. Even alongside bands like Korn and Limp Bizkit, they were always the odd man out, constantly blurring the line between alternative and metal while crafting a sound that they could truly call their own. Their third album, "White Pony," released at the height of the nu-metal boom, finds the band breaking away from their peers more-so than before, introducing some ambient and electronic influences into their special brew to concoct something, well, magical. Cuts like "Digital Bath" and the hit single, "Change (in the House of Flies)" show the band's growth over the three year period between this and their previous album, "Around the Fur." Here, singer Chino Moreno's gift for delivering bone-chilling melodies comes to the forefront with newly inducted DJ/keyboardist Frank Delgado providing some subtle yet crucial undertones. Likewise, the Smashing Pumpkins-esque "Teenager" and "RX Queen" push that sound yet another step further, showing that the band aren't merely content to hide behind a wall of riffs, with the former making ample use of Delgado and the latter being held together by bassist Chi Cheng. Guitarist Stephen Carpenter still gets an opportunitiy to shine on "Korea," a crushing call-back to the band's first two albums, as well as on the album's opening track, "Feiticeira," which reveals the axe-man's gift for forging catchy riffs. Elsewhere, Maynard James Keenan of Tool/A Perfect Circle fame stops by to lend his talents to "Passenger," a creepy yet irresistible tune that finds two very different frontmen blending oh so well together. The album caps off with "Pink Maggit," a slow-building rocker that was re-worked into the single "Back to School," as well as a bonus track, "The Boy's Republic" that perhaps serves as the best example of all the album has to offer. "White Pony" is, without a doubt, the Deftones' finest hour. The band are at their creative peak here, with plenty of energy and technical prowess to spare. There's a reason why this remains their best selling album to date, as it is their most expansive and dynamic effort. Is this the best album since the turn of the century? In my humble opinion, it just may very well be.

With the latino/dance/rave/pop trend extending its fifteen minutes fo fame into what have proven to be several long years, it's nice to see that there is, in fact, a very alive underculture. Bands like Nine Inch Nails, A Perfect Circle, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers (we'll, miss you Smashing Pumpkins) have re-assured my faith in the future of rock and music in general, and there's another band to add to that list - the Deftones.

With their new album, "White Pony", Chino Moreno (et al) have shown that they have what it takes to stand the test of time. It is very possible to see the similarities between their new work and older hits (such as "Be Quiet And Drive"), yet, as evidenced by tracks such as the beautiful "Teenager", the band has obviously felt no need to stick to the tried and true. This is a very good thing - the willingness to evolve sets truly grat bands apart from the one-hit wonders.

Another track worth mentioning (outside of the current singles) is "Passenger", which features Maynard Keenan, of "Tool" and "A Perfect Circle" fame. But then again, they're all fairly solid tunes. Take the White Pony out for a bit of a ride... you'll be glad you did.

I think alot of people here are missing the point the red and black edition are for the hardcore deftones fan! that is why there is a limited pressing (only 50,000 to be exact!) White Pony in itself is already a great album! but if you're a hardcore deftones fan then this is it you will know the pride you take when you show off your red or black edition! But when it comes down to it you have a choice of either the Boys Republic (red and black edition) or Back to School (re-released edition!) I personally favor The Boys Republic because to me Back To School seemed to commerical and and it doesn't fit the album. It sounds like it belongs on there first album. White The boys Republic adds to the ambient feel of the album. It makes it feel 110% complete! If you get this version i recommend it because for one an extra 4 bucks you can get the limited edtion version which is numbered! if you like back to school get the re-release! which i personally think is the worst song on that album! the deftones made a great album but the rapping element of back to school sort of threw off the whole thing! so to each there own but if you can The Boys Republic is worth the money and not only that you get a limited edition version of the album!

Until the release of this album, the Deftones have been one of hard rock's best kept secrets, due to their limited mainstream exposure. Nevertheless, they continue to amaze. Subjectively hailed as their best album, White Pony contains some of their best material as expressed by various timbres. Heavy and aggressive moods are offered in "Elite" and "Korea", while melancholy, yet triumphant tones are conveyed in "Digital Bath", "Knife Prty", "Change (in the House of Flies)", and "Pink Maggit". This (as well as the Black cover) version is the second variation of White Pony and is differentiated by the additional 12th track, "Boys of the Republic", which is perhaps one of their best tracks, with simple verses, dominated by a beautifully harsh melody comparable to Around the Fur's "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)". After all is said and done, the Deftones deliver a variation of their third album which would comfortably be in heavy rotation in anyone's collection.