Album Review: Deftones - Koi No Yokan

Deftones
Koi No Yokan
Rating: Woof Daddy

Seven albums in, one wouldn't expect a band to be still toying with and expanding their sound, but Deftones still are working subtle changes into their music, making one of their strongest, if not best, albums ever. Coming off the devastating car crash that leaves their original bassist Chi Cheng still recuperating, it was not known how it would effect the band. After shelving the Eros album, Deftones released Diamond Eyes which was amazingly assured and their most direct work yet. Focusing more on sound dynamics and less of their aggressive side, it was an album that many were confused about because it almost hinted at a dormant "pop" side to the band. Honestly, while I love their harder edged material, I do have more of a soft spot for when the band goes off grid into a more alternative/indie/shoegaze direction. Koi No Yokan is probably the best of both worlds for people who like all the sides of the band. There is a nice mix of rougher material and more esoteric numbers, with vocalist Chino Moreno toning down his more annoying screamo qualities. And most striking about the album is how amazing it all sounds; the production work makes each track soar with dramatic touches.

Opening with the punishing riffs of "Swerve City," the album begins on a high note and keeps going forward,



rushing ahead with the caged tension of "Romantic Dreams," then pulling a bait and switch with the ambient opening of "Leathers" before erupting into a harsh car crash of punishing riffs and screamed vocals.



While I am usually not a huge fan of their harsher tracks, here there is a better focus on the dynamics of the track, rather than just pure aggression; from the grinding "Gauze" with its subtle electronic flourishes,



and "Goon Squad" with its pummeling fury of guitars that lock in hard with a tight rhythm section.



But of course, for me, the tracks I go back to constantly are the more shoegaze/alternative leaning tracks. "Entombed" is probably the most gorgeous track they have ever done, the guitars floating over liquidy drumn programming, Moreno's voice full of emotion.



"Tempest" features some amazing soft/harsh dynamics that create a dynamic flow.



While the moody and atmospheric "Rosemary" builds into a furious swell of guitars before fading out on a ambient note.



Deftones have basically left their nu-metal peers in the dust with each release, not chasing trends, but making music that is distinctly theirs while referencing their influences through nuance and not a cudgel. With Koi No Yokan, they are in a universe all their own. It is indeed one of their best releases, and will feature pretty high in my best of 2012 list.

Rating Scale:

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and piques one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.