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Around the Fur

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Around the Fur
A photograph of a woman at the foot of a pool at an above angle, with a man's toes appearing towards the bottom right.
Studio album by
Deftones
ReleasedOctober 28, 1997 (1997-10-28)
RecordedApril–June 1997
StudioStudio Litho (Seattle)
Genre
Length73:38 (CD and digital releases) 41:29 (Vinyl releases)
LabelMaverick
Producer
Deftones chronology
Adrenaline
(1995) 		Around the Fur
(1997) 		White Pony
(2000)
Singles from Around the Fur
  1. "My Own Summer (Shove It)"
    Released: December 22, 1997
  2. "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)"
    Released: March 9, 1998

Around the Fur is the second studio album by the American alternative metal band Deftones, released on October 28, 1997, by Maverick Records. The songs "My Own Summer (Shove It)" and "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)" were released as singles with accompanying music videos. The album was certified gold by the RIAA in 1999, and was later certified platinum in 2011.

Background

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Around the Fur has been described as alternative metal,[1][2][3] nu metal,[4][5] and post-hardcore.[6] Guitarist Stephen Carpenter has since reflected, "We didn't really pay much attention to that. I remember when these subgenre names didn't exist. It was just metal. So I don't think we made a decision to step away [from nu metal] – we've never paid attention to what anyone else was doing. We just did what we thought was right, and tried to make a killer album."[7] The producer Terry Date stated that the band wanted to become "more sophisticated" with Around the Fur.[7] Lyrically, much of the album addresses topics such as juvenile perception, existential angst, sex, romance, violence, the death of loved ones, and break-ups.[8]

Recording took place between April 1997 and June 1997 at Studio Litho in Seattle, which was owned by Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam. At that time, Pearl Jam were working on their fifth studio album Yield, and had to use a different studio.[9] The band had gathered inspiration off of their own internal issues and personal incidents, as the four of them rented an apartment in Southern Seattle whilst they were writing and recording the album.[10] The singer Chino Moreno and Carpenter recall the band often drank and partied frequently, even recalling random moments of writing where the bassist Chi Cheng and Carpenter would smoke marijuana frequently together and write riffs together; the two later included their voicemail of them smoking out of a bong as a hidden track between "MX" and "Damone".[11]

It was the second album to feature Frank Delgado under additional personnel; he eventually joined the band officially in 1999. The song "Headup" featured additional vocals by Max Cavalera of Soulfly.

The album cover was shot by the photographer Rick Kosick during a late-night party in Seattle where the band was recording. Upon seeing the candid photo of a woman, the band decided that they wanted to use it as the album cover. Kosick was unsure who the woman was, so the band had to find and track her down to obtain permission to use the photo, which she eventually granted.[12] The woman appearing on the cover is Lisa M. Hughes, a friend of Stephen Carpenter.[13] Hughes spoke publicly about the cover for the first time during the album's 20th anniversary in 2017.[14][15] Moreno has since expressed his dislike of the cover, calling it "horrible".[16]

Composition and lyrics

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"Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)" (1997)
Sample of "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)", the second single from Around the Fur (1997). This shows the album's cleaner production and a tendency toward more melody in the music.[17]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

In a 1998 interview with Chart magazine, Moreno commented, "When we went in to make this record, we really didn't have a set idea of what we wanted to come out with." However, he felt that the album "fell into place" once the band had settled into the studio.[17] The band expanded its sound, spending more time with the producer Terry Date, and giving more thought to the album's production. Abe Cunningham varied his drum sound and experimented by using different types of snare drums on almost every track.[18] The album was praised for its loud-soft dynamics, the flow of the tracks, Moreno's unusual vocals, and the strong rhythm section grooves created by Cunningham and Cheng.[17][19][20]

Release

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The album was highly anticipated, and propelled the band to fame in the alternative metal scene on the strength of radio and MTV airplay for the singles "My Own Summer (Shove It)" and "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)".[21] The album's title track was also released as a promotional single. Around the Fur sold 43,000 copies in its first week of release, and entered the Billboard 200 at No. 29 (its peak position), remaining on the chart for 17 weeks.[20][22] Around the Fur went on to reach RIAA gold status on June 24, 1999, and platinum status on June 7, 2011.[23]

When the album was released on Spotify, it contained an alternate version of "Headup" running a full minute longer than the original release.[24]

Touring

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In May 1997, while Around the Fur was in the process of being recorded, the band performed two concerts at Bojangles in Sacramento. These were their first shows since December 1996, with the band debuting several Around the Fur songs that were still in the demo stages. Their next performance was on September 11, 1997, at The Press Club in San Francisco. This concert saw the debut of live staples "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)" and "My Own Summer (Shove It)".[25][26] Following the album's release in October 1997, Deftones toured North America/Europe with the Sacramento bands Far and Will Haven.[27] The tour continued into early 1998.[27] Later in 1998, they made appearances at the Warped Tour (in the United States, New Zealand and Australia), Pinkpop Festival, Roskilde Festival and Ozzfest,[27] as well as releasing a live EP on April 10, 1998. In September 1998, Deftones toured with Red Hot Chili Peppers, who were playing their first shows in over six years with the guitarist John Frusciante.[28]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[29]
Kerrang![30]
MusicHound Rock[31]
Pitchfork7.8/10[32]
Punknews.org[33]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[34]
Wall of Sound72/100[35]

The album generally received positive reviews from music critics. Greg Corrao of CMJ New Music Monthly remarked in November 1997, "This hard-hitting noise-fest finds the band once again furthering the cause of riff-heavy, bludgeoning rock also championed by the likes of Soundgarden, Helmet and Kyuss",[36] further adding that, "Those heavy sensibilities are paired with vocalist Chino Moreno's yearning whine, allowing the band to create [their] own kind of sub-metal."[36] He concluded his review by asserting that, "With Around the Fur, Deftones have carved out their own place in heavy music's hard beaten path toward the year 2000."[36] In a retrospective review, AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote: "Deftones tap into the same alternative metal vibe as Korn and L7, and while they don't have catchy riffs or a fully developed sound, Around the Fur suggests they're about to come into their own".[1] James P. Wisdom of Pitchfork described the songs from the album as "intense, harsh tunes",[32] while Punknews.org thought that the album "showcased a band aware of their flaws, structure and lyrical approach, and thus achieved an overall great improvement in said areas".[33] Robert Christgau was less receptive, dismissing it as a "dud".[37]

In 2015, the critic Saby Reyes-Kulkarni of Diffuser stated that "[o]n their landmark second album, Deftones infused elements of new wave and shoegaze to define their future direction. Alt-metal would never be the same."[38] Reyes-Kulkarni observed that the album "captures the first full blossoming of the duality that has come to define the Sacramento quintet's musical identity" and "set a new standard for '90s alt-metal and opened doors to what's possible when bands find the motivation to get heavy away from the brutish impulses that typically drive aggressive music."[39] He further noted that, while the album "sounds undeniably thicker and heavier" than the band's debut album Adrenaline, Chino Moreno's new wave and post-punk influences became increasingly evident: "On Around the Fur, Moreno's love of new wave groups like Depeche Mode and the Cure began to rear its head in earnest."[39]

At the 1998 Kerrang! Awards, Around the Fur won the award for "Best Album".[40] Metal Hammer included it as one of the ten best albums released in 1997.[41] They also listed it as being one of the best metal albums released between 1996 and 1997.[42] In 2017, Loudwire named it as the third best hard rock album of 1997.[43] When Kerrang! ranked the eight albums Deftones had released as of May 2020, Around the Fur was placed at number four.[44]

In 2021, Moreno said that Around The Fur is his favorite Deftones album.[45]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Deftones, except "Headup", written by Deftones and Max Cavalera

No.TitleLength
1."My Own Summer (Shove It)"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" (featuring Max Cavalera)5:12
10."MX" (includes hidden tracks[note 1])37:19
Total length:73:56
Vinyl pressing
No.TitleLength
10."MX" (excludes hidden tracks)4:52
Total length:41:29
Notes
  1. ^ "MX" itself ends at 4:52. On CD and digital editions of the album, it is followed by two hidden tracks, separated between 27 minutes and 21 seconds of silence; "Bong Hit" and "Damone". "Bong Hit" (19:32–19:55) begins, following 14 minutes and 40 seconds of silence. After an additional 12 minutes and 41 seconds of silence, "Damone" (32:36–37:19) ends the album. On vinyl editions of the album, neither of the hidden tracks on are featured, and the album ends after "MX".

Personnel

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Adapted credits from the liner notes of Around the Fur.[46]

Deftones

Additional personnel

  • Frank Delgado – turntables on "My Own Summer (Shove It)", "Around the Fur", "Dai the Flu", "Headup" and "MX"
  • Max Cavalera – additional vocals and guitar on "Headup"
  • Annalynn Cunningham – additional vocals on "MX"

Production

  • Terry Date – production, mixing, recording
  • Ulrich Wild – mixing, recording, digital editing
  • Matt Bayles – assistant to Terry Date
  • Steve Durkee – assistant to Ulrich Wild
  • Ted Jensen – mastering
  • Rick Kosick – photography
  • Kevin Reagan – art direction, design

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[55] Gold 35,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[56] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[57] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Other media and cultural references

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Around the Fur – Deftones". AllMusic.
  2. ^ Velez, Austin (February 12, 2015). "Deftones Will Perform Around The Fur In Its Entirety For Amnesia Rockfest". mxdwn.com. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  3. ^ Reyes-Kulkani, Saby (October 28, 2015). "8 Years Ago: Deftones Leave Nu Metal in the Dust with 'Around the Fur'". Diffuser.
  4. ^ Distefano, Alex (September 10, 2016). "The 10 Greatest Nu-Metal Albums". LA Weekly. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  5. ^ "The 50 best nu metal albums of all time". Metal Hammer. April 2, 2022.
  6. ^ Neilstein, Vince (June 22, 2009). "21 BEST METAL ALBUMS OF THE 21ST CENTURY… SO FAR". MetalSucks. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Deftones: How we made Around The Fur". Metal Hammer. June 26, 2019. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  8. ^ Bienstock, Richard (October 23, 2017). "8 things you didn't know about Deftones' Around the Fur". Revolver. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  9. ^ Kerrang! (656). July 12, 1997.
  10. ^ Johnston, Emma (September 17, 2016). "Drugs, Death And Dark Days: Chino Moreno's History Of Deftones". Metal Hammer. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  11. ^ "Deftones on Wild Times, Youthful Confidence Behind Classic 'Around the Fur'". Revolver. October 25, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  12. ^ Bennet, J. Revolver. September 2007. Pg. 122
  13. ^ "What The Girl From The Cover Of Around The Fur Looks Like Now". Kerrang!. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  14. ^ Kennelty, Greg (November 14, 2017). "Woman On DEFTONES' Around The Fur Cover Interviewed 20 Years Later". Metal Injection. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  15. ^ Gajardo, Luc (October 30, 2017). "What ever happened to the chick on the cover of Around The Fur? We found her and interviewed her". POUSTA. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  16. ^ "Deftones Speak Of Past Struggles With Drugs, Clashes With Stef, Album Art & More | Theprp.com – Metal And Hardcore News Plus Reviews And More". Theprp.com. March 23, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  17. ^ a b c Bromley, Adrian. Keeping It Simple, Chart, July 1998.
  18. ^ Peiken, Matt. Interview with Abe Cunningham, Modern Drummer, 1997.
  19. ^ Smith, Matt. Deftones New Album Stays Heavy, The Gaston Gazette, 1997.
  20. ^ a b Glover, Adrian Gregory. Deftones: Running on Pure Passion, Circus, May 1998.
  21. ^ Prato, Greg. "Deftones". AllMusic. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  22. ^ "The Billboard 200 – Around the Fur". Billboard. June 13, 1998. Archived from the original on January 10, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
  23. ^ "American album certifications – Deftones – Around The Fur". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  24. ^ "Headup - Deftones". Spotify. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  25. ^ "Deftones' first-ever live performance of "My Own Summer (Shove It)" surfaces online: Watch". Consequence. April 22, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  26. ^ "Deftones' first-ever live performance of "Be Quiet and Drive" unearthed: Watch". Consequence. April 5, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  27. ^ a b c "Old Tour Dates (Archive)". DeftonesWorld. October 6, 2011. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  28. ^ Kaufman, Gil. "Chili Peppers To Play Three Dates Before Recording Next LP". MTV. Retrieved July 31, 2020.[dead link]
  29. ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2007). "Deftones". Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. pp. 415–416. ISBN 978-0857125958.
  30. ^ Brannigan, Paul (October 25, 1997). "Matter of Life & Def | Albums". Kerrang!. No. 671. UK: EMAP. pp. 44–45.
  31. ^ Prickett, Barry M. (1999). "deftones". MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. p. 325. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
  32. ^ a b "Deftones: Around The Fur". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 18, 2003.
  33. ^ a b "Deftones - Around the Fur". Punknews.org. October 5, 2010. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  34. ^ Gross, Joe (2004). "The Deftones". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 223–224. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  35. ^ Gulla, Bob. "Wall of Sound Review: Around the Fur". Wall of Sound. Archived from the original on April 15, 2001. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  36. ^ a b c "CMJ : New Music Report" (PDF). World Radio History. November 3, 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  37. ^ Christgau, Robert (December 15, 1998). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
  38. ^ "Saby Reyes-Kulkarn". Diffuser. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  39. ^ a b Reyes-Kulkarni, Saby (October 28, 2015). "18 Years Ago: Deftones Leave Nu Metal in the Dust with 'Around the Fur'". Diffuser. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  40. ^ Elliott, Paul (September 5, 1998). "Kings For a Day". Kerrang!. No. 715. EMAP. p. 18.
  41. ^ "The Top 10 best albums of 1997". Metal Hammer. July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  42. ^ "The 100 best metal albums of the 90s". Metal Hammer. March 26, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  43. ^ "10 Best Hard Rock Albums of 1997". Loudwire. January 11, 2017. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  44. ^ Garner, George (May 4, 2020). "Deftones: Every Album Ranked From Worst To Best". Kerrang!. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  45. ^ Krol, Charlotte (November 2, 2021). "Deftones celebrate 'Saturday Night Wrist' 15th anniversary by sharing alternative artwork". NME. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  46. ^ Around the Fur (media notes). Deftones. Maverick Records. 1997. CDW 46810.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  47. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Deftones – Around the Fur" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  48. ^ "Deftones: Around the Fur" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  49. ^ "Lescharts.com – Deftones – Around the Fur". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  50. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  51. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  52. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  53. ^ "Deftones Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  54. ^ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: Asher D – Dyverse". Zobbel.
  55. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  56. ^ "British album certifications – Deftones – Around The Fur". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  57. ^ "American album certifications – Deftones – Around The Fur". Recording Industry Association of America.
  58. ^ "Muse Questionnaire". microcuts.net. July 22, 1999. Archived from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
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