DEFTONES- ALBUM RANK UPDATED:

10) GORE: The one in the catalog that just doesn’t have it. Gore as a whole just sounds off. The mix is a garbled mess of too much compression and brickwalled levels. Without a solid producer, the songs wander and drift into who knows where half the time. There are a few saving moments like “Hearts/Wires” and “Phantom Bride” the latter of which features Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains as well as a couple more. This is one of those records that will find its own following amongst Deftones fans but, it’s one you can listen to once and put away. Final Score: 6/10

09) OHMS: The album that tried to recapture a feeling and vibe. Did it work? It sort of did. Working with producer Terry Date (who did the first 4 Deftones albums) definitely has some of the older tonality to this album but, it doesn’t quite get the essence right. Perhaps the internal aspects of the band effected this record in a way. Ohms always feels like a record that has songs that just weren’t fully realized. It’s not “rushed” but, the way the songs play out and the sequence throws this one off. Again, there are good songs but, it’s not one of the best albums. Final Score: 6/10

08) ADRENALINE: I’m going to get some slack on this album being ranked here. Adrenaline, for all the fun it is and its origins, really just lacks. Sure “Minus Blindfold,” “Root,” “Engine No.9” and a few others a stellar but, really “Bored” and “7 Words?” Aren’t we just for lack of a better word, bored, with those? There is a fun nostalgia about the debut but, when you put it against everything else, it really does belong here. Final Score: 6.5/10

07) PRIVATE MUSIC: To me this is the follow up to Koi No Yokan. It’s the album most of us have been waiting for from Deftones. The last few years on the internet have been great for Deftones. They have reached a whole new level and audience. Private Music feels like a thank you to the older fans and a welcome to the fold to the new. This album has all the shoegazey moments, the fun electronic soundscapes, the classic riffs, those pulsating rhythms and the signature vocals. Plus working with Nick Raskulinecz again, who did Diamond Eyes and Koi No Yokan, helped! Final Score 8/10

06) DEFTONES (SELF-TITLED): Now six and five could be flipped depending on day and mood. For now though, the self titled album is here at six. This record is one of those that took a while to love. It’s not an easy listen at first. This album is a bit more abrasive, raw, and a tad all over the place. This being the follow up to White Pony was not easy either. Over time though and seeing certain songs performed again through the years, it definitely helped to give this album another life. Just as Saturday Night Wrist took time, the self titled is now looked at as a pivotal album in their catalog. Final Score 8/10

05) SATURDAY NIGHT WRIST: I might have been in the minority when this album came out because I’ve always enjoyed this album. The stories about the band and the disconnect plays a huge hand in this album. Sometimes though, dysfunction really does make for a great album. Saturday Night Wrist is a blender album. It’s full of everything each member likes. Some of it really works like “Hole The Earth,” “Cherry Waves,” “Beware,” “Riviere,” and “Kim Dracula.” And then there is “Pink Cellphone.” This one on it’s own just throws the album off. Even the sequencing of the record feels off. Again like the self titled, over time this album grew on fans and has really become a favorite. Final Score 8/10

04) KOI NO YOKAN: There’s still a spark of inspiration and creativity that is alive and well throughout this album. Riding quite the high off of Diamond Eyes, Koi No Yokan delves a bit further into the atmospheric aspects of Deftones. There’s more synths and soundscapes here and lush shoegaze and alternative influnence. Koi No Yokan is quite the enjoyable listen. It’s one of the albums in their catalog you could say listen to this if someone asked for an album you’d recommend. I’ve always had a theory about this album too, what if this album was actually 2 EP’s put together. The odd songs flow into one another magically as do the even ones! Also “Poltergeist” was supposed to open the album not “Swerve City.” Interesting!!! Final Score 9/10

03) WHITE PONY: The third album in the catalog and the one that catapulted it all. I’m still a purist about this album and don’t include “Back To School” as part of it! HA! No matter what though this album is quite special. At a time when being more juvenile and macho was a thing, Deftones flipped it and went the other way, showing you could take a chance in the musical climate we were in and make something really interesting that would make people think. I don’t mean this is a philosophical and deeply intellectual album but compared to their peers at the time on the biggest stages, yeah it is. There’s still so much to dig into this album. I still find new subtle ear candy found throughout when I listen. Final Score: 9/10

02) DIAMOND EYES: Just when you thought after hearing the news about longtime bassist Chi Cheng, that the band would call it a day or they’d just go through the motions, NOPE! Diamond Eyes is one of the best return to form albums of all time. Losing such a person like Chi was very monumental to the band as people first and as artists second. Yet both those aspects are channeled beautifully on this album. Seriously there isn’t a skip moment on this album. It’s sonically so pleasing and hits at the right moments each time. I’m pretty sure my CD copy is pretty worn out from listening to it so much. Plus seeing them on this run was something else! Final Score: 10/10

01) AROUND THE FUR: This album is an absolute Game Changer! There is a punk, metal and hardcore energy mixed with this subtle new wave/new romantic element that seriously changed it all. Not one moment on this album feels off or out of place. Yes it was a moment in time but, this album stands the test of it! Classic’s don’t go out of style and Around The Fur never does. Song wise who can doubt the hits but, it’s the deeper cuts that really hit on this one. Just see what happens when they pull one out live! I’ve probably listened to this album the most of all theirs and it never gets tired! If I had to recommend a Deftones album THIS IS THE ONE!!! Final Score: 10/10