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White Pony Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 195 Ratings

Top Track

Passenger
Here I lay Still and breathless Just like always Still I want some more Mirror's sideways Who cares what's behind Just like always Still your... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Checkout.com
    90
    A complex, heavily textured album that aims for the stars.
  2. That such a progressive, risk-taking LP wasn't celebrated across the board for its gutsy reinventing of a band thought pigeonholed wasn't that surprising, though – this is a difficult album.
  3. White Pony works on many different levels, with its treatises on alienation, art-rock explorations and soundtracks for people who don't take drugs but want to transcend the mundane. [Record of the Week pick]
  4. 80
    It's surprising how well the songs on White Pony absorb the band's disparate influences (Slayer, the Cure, Bad Brains) without compromising any of its destructive effect.
  5. The Deftones went soft, but in an impressive way, to twist around its signature punk thrash sound.
  6. A dense and textured rock affair that builds a bridge between grunge, goth, and industrial stylings.
  7. Select
    20
    Maybe when they abandon their arrested development and stop convincing themselves the world is aligned specifically for their personal displeasure, they'll arrive at something listenable. [July 2000, p.112]

See all 15 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
  1. Megan
    Jun 26, 2004
    10
    By far this is The Deftones' greatest cd. With both Chino's voice, and the chilling guitar riffs, this album cannot be topped by By far this is The Deftones' greatest cd. With both Chino's voice, and the chilling guitar riffs, this album cannot be topped by any other. If you dont have it, go out and buy it! Expand
  2. JanisK.
    Jan 13, 2008
    10
    Pure genius.
  3. JustinR.
    Apr 6, 2005
    10
    This album is incredible. Some people blow the Deftones off and label them as another screaming, manufactured nu-metal band. But the true This album is incredible. Some people blow the Deftones off and label them as another screaming, manufactured nu-metal band. But the true fans know that this is a completely false notion (The Deftones were around way before Korn, Limp Bizkit, and definitely that crappy pop band Linkin Park , and they actually listen to good bands like the Smiths and the Cure and the Bad Brains) This album should prove everyone of those labeling losers wrong, but some people still take one listen to this album disregard it. It is not "mooky." It has nothing about self-mutilation, and the song "Elite" does not literally have to do with "bleeding out of control." Get a good taste in music and then come back and complain. Expand
  4. Nov 13, 2012
    10
    It took me 12 years to realize that this is probably one of the best metal albums out there. Full spectrum of emotions within this album.It took me 12 years to realize that this is probably one of the best metal albums out there. Full spectrum of emotions within this album. Every song is enjoyable and they somehow get stuck in the head so deep that you can remember every detail and note even after prolonged period of not listening to any of the songs. In other words - there isn't a single song that I do not like in this fantastic album. Expand
  5. May 9, 2021
    10
    Banger after banger after banger. "Digital Bath" is quite possibly the greatest song i've ever heard, the emotions it conjurs is truly breath taking.
  6. Aug 8, 2017
    9
    This album is truly something special. It creates a blend of brutal heaviness with the sonic complexion of something you'd hear on SmashingThis album is truly something special. It creates a blend of brutal heaviness with the sonic complexion of something you'd hear on Smashing Pumpkins' "Siamese Dream". In a world of mediocre (and sometimes cringe worthy) nu-metal acts, Deftones' "White Pony" is a breath of fresh air, even if it did come out in 2000. They take from a variety of influences ranging from Alternative rock, to shoegaze while still maintaining their heavy roots; Chino's ethereal and spacey vocals solidify their shoegaze influence while their heavy rhythm and guitar sections keep things consistently aggressive. Every once in a while things calm down in this album (ie; Digital Bath, Teenager, Pink Maggit), but for the most part the album remains heavy throughout. The only things keeping this album from a perfect score are the brief moments of mediocrity in some songs that almost sound like their nu-metal peers, while the rest of the album sounds wholly unique. All in all, White Pony remains an impressive work in a sonic and musical regard.

    Highlights:
    -Digital Bath
    -Elite
    -Knife Prty
    -Korea
    -Passenger
    -Change
    -Pink Maggit

    Lowlights:
    -Rx Queen
    -Teenager
    Expand
  7. Sep 24, 2015
    7
    While White Pony registers the complex and sonic tendencies Deftones discovered that let them kick it into sixth gear on their later albums,While White Pony registers the complex and sonic tendencies Deftones discovered that let them kick it into sixth gear on their later albums, some of its songs seem forced to the point of mediocrity. Sure, it's an unpopular opinion, but let me tell you about "Knife Party"... absolute bliss. And the album's closer, "Pink Maggit" is a haunting and stunning epilogue to what I can't even disagree is Deftone's real breakthrough. Expand

See all 44 User Reviews