Rock critics usually reserve a special place for Deftones above or at least away from the rest of the turn-of-the-century nu-metal movement. While they definitely share the influence of a group like Tool with peers like Korn and Linkin Park, Deftones have always seemed more curious, more willing to incorporate traditionally revered sounds like dream pop or D.C. hardcore into their southern California alt-metal. So critics and fans alike will be happy with 2005's Rarities, Covers and Videos, which begins with fantastic covers of Jawbox ("Savory") and Cocteau Twins ("Wax and Wane" from 1982's Garlands) before dropping an electro-acoustic retelling of their own "Change (In the House of Flies)." Even dads will be happy with the set: Deftones turn in a version of Skynyrd's "Simple Man" that manages bluesy grit and soulful, weirdly androgynous Chino Moreno atmospherics at the very same time. -- All Music