Deftones Album: “B-Sides & Rarities”

"Well it's about damn time"

That was the the first thought that popped into my head when I found out the Deftones would be releasing a CD/DVD set of unreleased material and music videos. There are so many great, hard to find Deftones classics out there, it's high time some of them were presented in proper form to the public! "B-Sides & Rarities" comes at a good time, as we are still waiting for the fifth Deftones album (which keeps getting pushed back into oblivion). Along with Team Sleep's debut earlier this year, this set provides a nice placeholder for the new album. Something to keep us occupied until new music presents itself.

Right off the bat, any Deftones fan who has spent time on the 'net downloading bootlegs and b-sides (or even buying those pricey imports) will tell you how much excellent material is missing. For starters, none of the group's original demos (of which, there are many) are included. One of the best demos, "Like Linus" would have fit in perfectly. Likewise, Charlie Clouser's rare remix of "My Own Summer (Shove It)" would have been great as well. But complaints aside, let's talk about what is actually on here. The CD is comprised of 14 tracks, mostly cover songs or acoustic versions of Deftones' classics. There are quite a few choice covers that show the obvious influences (i.e. The Cure, Helmet, Duran Duran) and a few totally bizarre, left-field choices as well. The one song that sticks out like a sore-thumb would be their cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man." Musically, they nail the song, and make it their own. But unfortunately, Chino's vocal performance is rather uninspired, as he shows little to no emotion while singing a very sentimental song (reportedly, Chino didn't dig the song until after they recorded it). "No Oridnary Love" stands as one of the best covers they have done to date (a Sade cover) and also appeared on the "Change (In The House Of Flies)" single. This marks the first of four, count 'em, four collaborations on this disc with Jonah Matranga (of Far/Gratitude fame). The acoustic versions are all superb. I've had the acoustics of "Change" and "Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away)" for quite some time, but the inclusion of "Digital Bath" (one of my favorite songs) was especially appreciated, and well performed. I was a little disappointed in "Black Moon" and "Teenager (Idiot Pilot Version)." The former features B-Real of Cypress Hill, which could be a good thing, as they are one of the best hip-hop acts still around. But the song, unfortunately, carries absolutely no stamp of the Deftones. It's basically a Cypress Hill song, produced by Chino. The latter is Chino collaborating with a group by the name of Idiot Pilot for a reworking of "Teenager." This version sounds flat when compared to the "White Pony" version, and makes you wonder why they even bothered.

The DVD contains every music video the Deftones have done to date (even though that rare "Around The Fur" video still eludes us). All the classics like "My Own Summer (Shove It)" and "Change (In The House Of Flies)" are here, along with some lesser-known videos. For example, I didn't know "Bloody Cape" even had a video! And quite an entertaining one, at that. The videos for "Engine No. 9" and "Root" are, as expected, low budget montages of live footage. In between videos, various interview and live-clips pop-up, but unfortunately, don't amount to much. The highlights being Chino's reworking of Eminem's "Kill You" performed live, and Shavo from System Of A Down sharing an amusing anecdote about confusing the Deftones for Korn (all about the dreadlocks).

Obviously, much more could have been done with this compilation, which is why it only gets 4-stars. They have such an enormous library of unreleased music, it seems criminal that the CD portion is only 14 tracks long. Also, the fact that the DVD is mainly just music videos is kinda boring as well. What about some (complete) live performances or behind the scenes footage? Making of albums? I guess you just gotta take what you got. As it is, "B-Sides & Rarities" is a welcome addition to the collection of any Deftones fan. The packaging is great, with in-depth liner notes talking about each song and their origins. I only recommend this disc to those who have immersed themselves completely in the Deftones' four albums. Otherwise, the material on here may be hard to swallow.

In all fairness, yes it is missing some of the B Sides. If you are a die hard Deftones fan, which is who this set is geared for, you probably have them already anyway.

Their versions of The Cure's "If Only Tonight We Could Sleep" and Sade's "No Ordinary Love" are haunting and incredible. As far as the track list goes, I personally would have preferred a few cover songs other than alternate versions of White Pony tracks, but that's just me.

The packaging itself is superb, with tons of photos and liner notes, everything a collection such as this should be.

This is a compliation of SOME of the covers and Songs that never made it to whole albums. Nothing Wrong with that, except it is missing most of the songs I wanted.

No Teeting.

No Can't Hardley Breath.

No To Have and Hold.

and NO Weezer Covers.

The last was truley Shocking, since every time I've seen Deftones Live, they have done a Weezer Cover (mostly Say It ain't so).

The songs are all pretty okay. The Skynard Cover Blows that crappy Shinedown Cover out of the water and The Sade cover is stangely Awesome. The other covers are pretty cool too.

The DVD is Solid. Worth The Price without any of the Music.

If they had Sold this as a DVD of all the videos with a "BONUS CD of B-Sides and Covers!" I think the Reviews would have been better.

At least they Didn't sell them seperatly.

Now we just wait for the next Album to get our socks rocked off again.

In the meantime, I'm gonna listen to Team Sleep.

I notice that many reviewers have expressed disappointment with this collection, commenting that it was less than they expected. For me, it's the opposite: this CD was much, much MORE than I expected. This disc is quite an achievement, as the 'Tones draw from various genres and influences--many of them unexpected--creating a collection that literally offers something for almost everyone. The DVD is perfect, as others have noted already. For me the highlight is "Minerva" with its middle-of-nowhere desert setting.

Let's get to the CD review:

Best Songs

-"Simple Man" (Skynyrd Cover) One of my all-time favorites, and I'd have never expected to hear the Deftones cover it. They stay true to the original and the solo is scorching.

-"If Only Tonight We Could Sleep" (Cure Cover) The liner notes describe how the 'Tones were hesitant to play this live with the Cure in attendance. They had nothing to worry about.

-"Savory" (Jawbox Cover) Interesting to hear someone besides Chino sing lead on a Deftones song. This is a jam session with members of Far (another Sacto band). A great opener for the album.

-"Please Please Please (Let Me Get What I Want)" (Smiths Cover): I have to admit I've never heard the original, but this is great stuff...reminds me of "Boys Republic" from White Pony.

-"The Chauffeur" (Duran Duran Cover): Way better than the original.

-Acoustic Versions of "Change, Be Quiet and Drive", and "Digital Bath". I bought the "Music In High Places-Deftones in Hawaii" video just to hear acoustic versions of Deftones songs. All 3 of these are gems.

-"Black Moon": I don't like Rap. I love "Black Moon", though.

All of the other tracks are worthwhile. The covers of Cocteau Twins and Sade, "Wax and Wane" and "No Ordinary Love", are extremely well done, just not what I buy a Deftones CD to hear.

Really, the only two tracks I don't LOVE are "Crenshaw Punch" and "Sinatra"...these are the hardest tracks on the disc, but they both seem to lack focus/direction. I've never really liked Helmet, anyway, so that probably explains it.

I love this disc. The Deftones blew me away with their versatility on this collection. This will help fill the void until Tool's new album comes out this spring. And shortly after that, hopefully there will be a new Deftones CD in the offing.

Softer feel, nice alternative and vibe. And if you like this CD you will likely buy "Team Sleep"...what Chino transitioned to from this CD, I believe.