Saturday Night Wrist was produced by Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Jane's Addiction) and former Far guitarist Shaun Lopez. Bombastic yet vulnerable, aggressive yet thoughtful--combinations that made the Deftones among the most... more » respected and acclaimed bands in hard rock.« less
Saturday Night Wrist was produced by Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Jane's Addiction) and former Far guitarist Shaun Lopez. Bombastic yet vulnerable, aggressive yet thoughtful--combinations that made the Deftones among the most respected and acclaimed bands in hard rock.
CD Reviews
Wow, I Needed That.
Andrew Estes | Maine | 11/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's been a long time since we last heard from the Deftones. Too long, as a matter of fact. After dropping 2003's less-than-amazing self-titled album, the band pretty much dropped off the face of the Earth. Despite the fact that not even a year after that album came out, it was announced that they were recording a new album, trouble still seemed to be brewing in the Deftones camp. In fact, the way they would tell it in their own words, in interviews and such, they nearly broke up. But, together with production from legendary producer Bob Ezrin (who they ditched half-way through) and Shaun Lopez (guitarist and vocalist for Revolution Smile/ex-Far) the Deftones overcame adversity and have overshadowed just about anything you have heard all year. Yes, "Saturday Night Wrist" is indeed an instant classic.
Sounds Like: The Deftones have returned and are back on the right track.
The Good:
- Stephen Carpenter's hypnotizing riffs, Chino's crazy vocals, it's all there!
- Plenty of diversity. Some of their most experimental and edgy material sits well amongst the darkest and heaviest. Much like "White Pony."
- It sounds nothing like any other Deftones album, but still sounds like the Deftones. Go figure.
The Bad:
- It probably didn't need to be delayed as much as it was.
Hits: "Hole In The Earth," "Rapture," "Cherry Waves" and "Combat" are about the most conventional the album gets. "Mein" is the closest to punk the Deftones have come, with a guest spot by Serj Tankian. "Beware" remains my favorite of the album, with plenty of ambience and slowbuilding tension. Oh, and let us not forget "Rats!Rats!Rats!" -- the most evil Deftones song to date.
Misses: "Pink Cellphone" may throw a few people off. I like it, especially the over-the-top ending, but it might have fit in better at the end of the album.
Future: Face it, the Deftones will never be a household name, just because they are too quirky and don't write hit singles. But I think "Saturday Night Wrist" will become a fan favorite in time.
Personally: I am in love with this album. It evokes the same feelings I got when I first heard "White Pony" over six years ago. This is the Deftones back in action, doing what they do best. I'm sure no one could have imagined where they would be in 2006, but here they are, going stronger than ever before. Hopefully they can continue getting along and keep the excellent music coming. No one does it like the Deftones.
Best Listened To When: Ever. This album is the perfect Deftones album."
Beautiful And Timeless. Saturday Night Wrist Is True Art.
Brian C. Shapiro | San Francisco, CA | 11/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Intro: The Deftones, like Tool, Dredg, and Incubus, have long been known as one of the more innovative and respected bands in the current music scene with there unique style of alternative metal and art rock. Currently, they have had four albums to show for (not including their b-sides album), all of which seem to proceed each other in growth and maturity. So obviously, there is much to be expected of them to live up too, not to mention it has also been three years since the Deftone's released their self titled album. Saturday Night Wrist is the Deftone's fulfillment to the high standards set by there previous albums, a masterpiece record that will stay with you forever.
Album Review: The first track and album single "Hole In The Earth" fires it up with Chino shouting WOO!, (which is awesome) and is one of the more upbeat unfamiliar deftones like songs on the disc (which is a good thing). Did I mention the guitar solo at the end of the song is amazing? Next is "Rapture", reminding you were the Deftones come from with its incredibly brutal sound and Abe's insane drum work, this song is heavy heavy heavy! After Rapture is "Beware", my second fav. song on the album. Incredibly dark and lovely, it is totally reminecent of the White Pony album. The next song "Cherry Waves" is my favorite song on S.N.W. and is worth the price of the album itself. The six minute song is almost centered around Chino's incredible atmospheric vocals and has a warm feeling of bliss to it. One would say it is what the song Minerva was to the S/T album except totally different sound wise. "Mien" is a rocker, featuring guest vocalist Serj Tank from System of a Down who does some nice clean singing with Chino. A very solid song. I guess I am kinda glad that Serj didn't sing with his wakky shouting voice... haha kinda. The next song "U,U,D,D,L,R.../Interlude" is a pleasant post rock instrumental. I think this could have been more experimental, but still it is really good for what it is. "Xerces", is my third favorite song on the album mainly because of it's beautiful soft sung chorus and touching lyrics with a moving lush atmoshere of sound. After Xerces, we have the awesome "Rats!Rats!Rats", a raging explosion of a song much like Bloody Cape from S/T, except this time with Chino Ranting DECIDE! DECIDE!.. and Steph and Chi come in with there chugging guitar riffs and Abe's grooving drum roll and it sounds way awesome and crazy!! Now comes the most controversial songs on the album "Pink Cell Phone" with guest vocalist Annie Hardy. I personally loved the track even though it is electronica and not even rock at all. I think Frank really does an excelent job here djing. The song is about religious hipocracy and at the end minute of the song, has Annie Hardy talking dirty laughing at the same time trying to be funny, but it really just sounds stupid and rehearsed. The song in my opinion would have been allright if not for that minute. Finnally, we have "Combat"!!! The song begins with a minute long intro with inadible static voices speaking in the background, but ends swiftly with Steph's guitar and Abe hammering away on their instruments. This song is full of rage while at the same time brooding with Chino screaming who's side are you on! over and over again breaking into the heavy. I believe the lyrics on this song have to do with turmoil between the band and Chino during the recording process. The next song, Kimdracula/Earth" is one of the shorter songs on the album, but great none the less. Another solid rocker song. After that is "Riviere", the last song on the album about a sad woman, which begin with Chino speaking softly until it gets close to the end and the music is kicked up a notch. The song is like a shorter version of "Pink Maggit" I suppose.
Summary: BUY THE CLEAN VERSION. I usually never recommend this, but when you buy the clean version you don't get the parental advisory stamped on the front cover art, and even better, you don't have to listen to Annie Hardy's perverted commentary every freakin time you listen to the c.d... but for the most part I am very pleased with Saturday Night Wrist. Saturday Night Wrist can be described as an array of satisfying flavors from familiar and beyond to blend both new and old together as creative works of art crafted from one of the most original bands in all of rock, the Deftones. Thank you for reading :)!"
Beautiful album.
Matt | 11/06/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I first heard "Hole in the Earth," I was a little worried, because even though it's a great song, it sounded so different from everything else they've done, which is something that I'm used to...Deftones always change things up, but this song sounded almost like something I'd hear on THE RADIO, surprise! They're never on the radio, which is a shame, because I find average radio material very boring and stale. But then, I heard the album...and there was Rapture, Beware, Cherry Waves...and so on...and I fell in love, immediately. I absolutely adore this album. The sounds this band can make amaze me...I feel so jealous as a songwriter when I hear the way they can coax an easy-going rhythm or melody into something harsh and heavy, then put it together to form a heavy, yet ambient sound. "Beware" has such a slow build, and then there's that heavy riff at the end...awesome! "Rats! Rats! Rats!" is crazy...I love that barely audible effect that Frank adds, the swooshing sound over the heavy guitars that almost sounds like a plane taking it's final plunge, which Chino accents with his deadly screams and Stephen's chaotic guitar. The bass in Cherry Waves? Have you honestly listened to it? Chi works wonders for the Deftones sound with his bass lines that flow so smoothly through and around the guitars, instead of following them root-note for root-note as many bands do so often. Abe's drumming can sound so simple (though brilliant) at times, yet really listen to it and there's such a variety of dynamics, and his timing is right on! Bottom line, I consider this my favorite Deftones album, and I think it's definitely a creative masterpiece that old amd new fans alike will enjoy for years and years to come."
Greatness forever!!!
Schuyler W. Deal | oklahoma city, ok USA | 11/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can't describe my affection's for the Deftones in one little review. Let's just say that they make up a big part of my life.
When they released their Self Titled album in 2003, fans found it a step back in regards to the sonic master piece of White Pony.
I remember jamming that cd everyday for a month during my senior year of high school. It was dark, bleak, and very moody which is exactly how I felt during that time.
Skip forward four years and we thankfully have Saturday Night Wrist.
For those who became fans during White Pony, they will once again find connection to this album. The band took their ideas and embraced them further, offering more food on our plates and leaving us very satisfied. The music as a whole, flourishes in many genre's such as: shoegaze, post-rock, math rock, metal, and techno/electric/trance forms.
Chino, Abe, Stef, Frank, and Chi have stepped up in their craft and really show the progression from their Adrenaline days of scruffy playing, to musical protagonists of future sounds not really heard of before.
I have noticed many bands delving into the atmospheric landscapes of sound. Bands like Keane, Silversun Pickups, Autolux, and the new Thursday, AFI, and even Underoath.
It's all a tribute to the noise bands of the early 90's like Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, and Slowdive. And in regards to that, the Deftones have been doing it since their debut.
What can i say? Deftones are too complex for many, and yet the only thing for some. It's hard being a fan, but the pay off is grand.
Here is a song-by-song review:
Hole In The Earth 10/10 - The opening track and a good one at that. This isn't a throwaway like Back To School, but instead a complex verse in commentary on the band itself. Chino's lyrics have gotten better, and the nakedness comes out in this track that details the almost breakup of the band.
Rapture 10/10 - Crunchy and hard is the best description. Those worried about softness look elseware. First we get a distant drum beat then immediately hear the screech of Chino's voice that jumps all over the place. A huge mess that's fun to get involved with.
Beware 10/10 - This was the first song I heard from this album. It was a live bootleg from the 2006 Tase Of Chaos Tour. It made me melt into my computer chair. The song itself plays gigantically. The voice overdubs are timed in good places, and the last riffs remind me of Meshugga to a point. Good work Stef!
Cherry Waves 10/10 - I love the title, and the song is amazing. Probably my favorite overall! We first get this droning keyboard sound that engulphs Chino's voice to where they almost become one entity. The Morrisey influence is present in some words that get repeated one-by-one, and to great effect. This is the Digital Bath of SNW.
Mein 9/10 - Fast paced and catchy. Good chorus from guest star Serg Tanakian of SOAD fame. He actually adds to the song greatly and is a welcome addition. No, he doesn't sing crazy in scat vocals like his bands albums. His voice instead adds a low tone that is much needed. Good stuff.
U,U,D,D,L,R,L,R,A,B,Select, Start 8/10 - The title of this song is no joke. It's the classic Konami code that everybody who plays videogames knows. Now, some other reviews out there suggest that this instrumental track is filler. They are quite wrong. This post-rock interlude is a showcase of the Deftones progression in terms of their musical identity. In the veins of such bands as Pelican, Isis, Absu, Neurosis, Cult Of Luna, Explosions In The Sky, and Godspeed! You Black Emporer, the Deftones wrap their flavors in this wall of sound that's great to chill out to. You are welcome Stoners!
Xerces 8/10 - Drive alone on a saturday night and jam this song. Watch the lights blur past and keep the cold air on low. Feel the flow and get the vibes. Awesome...
Rats!Rats!Rats! 9/10 - The hardest and heaviest song on the album. Chino screams the lyrics with a ferocious pace, and then slows down to swoon the chorus. This song reminded me of Lhabia off the 2nd LP Around The Fur. It's still amazing how the Deftones go from heavy to soft in one song and get away with it. The final screams are some of Chino's hardest to date. Think Hexagram off Self Titled, but 10x more.
Pink Cellphone 4/10 - This is the least favorite track. Very different, and yet interesting. The rambling's lead into some confusing and vulgar stuff towards the end that make you scratch your head. Still though, check it out anyway. Think of Fiter Happier off of Ok Computer and you get the point.
Combat 8/10 - Slow intro then great flow throughout. The vocals are the main force behind the song, which is great for this particular piece.
Kimdracula 9/10 - Vocal distortions aplenty for this one. We have distant then close up stylings from Chino that show much dynamic to the production of this album.
Riviere 10/10 - Excellent, haunting, and best closing song by the band EVER. Almost like Fist from the Adrenaline album, Chino gives us a sneekup in terms of sleeper hit. I claim this the second best and one that will be pleasing on the ears of those who are coming down from the trip.
Overall: A-
***(note: this is the clean version. buy the original version.)***"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1