Around the Fur cover

Released 29 years ago this October

Around the Fur

Deftones · 1997

74 min · 10 tracks · alternative metal

A blend of crushing guitars and ethereal melodies creates a dynamic soundscape that oscillates between aggression and introspection.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    My Own Summer (Shove It) Start here — This track encapsulates the band's signature sound, combining heavy riffs with haunting vocals, and serves as an anthem of alienation.
  • →
    Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away) — Known for its atmospheric build-up and emotional depth, this song perfectly showcases the band's ability to blend heaviness with melodic elements.
  • →
    Lotion — With its aggressive verses juxtaposed against melodic choruses, this track highlights the band's dynamic range and lyrical complexity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

70 /100
Alpine
Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

The album's blend of aggression and melody creates a distinctive sound that has influenced the genre.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a heavy, distorted guitar riff in 'My Own Summer (Shove It)', immediately establishing its aggressive tone.
  • Several tracks, such as 'Lhabia' and 'Rickets', incorporate atmospheric elements that create a sense of space and introspection amidst the heaviness.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • gradual builds and payoffs
  • dynamic emotional journeys
  • immersive listening sessions
  • explosive energy contrasts

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Established Deftones' reputation and showcased their evolving sound.
Themes
California isolation· nu-metal angst
Career context
Around the Fur is Deftones' second studio album, following their self-titled debut. Released in 1997, it marked a significant evolution in their sound, showcasing increased experimentation with atmospheric elements while solidifying their place in the nu metal scene alongside contemporaries like Korn.
Stylistic neighbors
Glassjaw· System of a Down· A Perfect Circle

Tracklist

  • 1 My Own Summer (Shove It) Start here 3:35
  • 2 Lhabia 4:11
  • 3 Mascara 3:45
  • 4 Around the Fur 3:31
  • 5 Rickets 2:42
  • 6 Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away) 5:08
  • 7 Lotion 3:57
  • 8 Dai the Flu 4:36
  • 9 Headup 5:12
  • 10 MX / Bong Hit / Damone 37:18

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata