Tool

[Breaking Bohan]

Does anyone else feel that Tool really went downhill after they released Aenima - I mean I've seen them twice live - both of which were very cool - but when 10,000 Days came out - I purchased it b/c I assumed it would be fantastic but it somehow sucked ... I can't even explain why, it's like it was missing something essential (anger possibly?) ... anyways, do any longtime fans feel the same?

[kevin2006rhs]

This band isn't as dedicated as it use to be. Hell, James Maynard has been focusing a sh*tload of time on Puscifier these last few years and then you have the long standing relationship with him and A Perfect Circle. With James being pulled 3 different way the hits and memorable songs arn't going to be thrown at us in such large doses from a single band. But seeing as I bought the 10,000 Days album back over a year ago now, I must add that it is a very good album. Sure, it may not have a song that could compete with Lateralis, 46 and 2, Schism, Sober, ect. but they did have Jambi, Vicarious, and The Pot. Seriously, those are all great songs and the 10,000 Days album may not be their best but it is by no means a bad album.

 

 

Also, I still think that Lateralis is, hands down, the single greatest song made by Tool.

[Mainland Marauder]

Lateralus was awesome. 10,000 Days wasn't as good, but it's still Tool. I'd expect a return to old form if Maynard ever re-devotes himself solely to the band.

 

Now Playing: Tool > Undertow (1993) > Swamp Song

[indiekid]

I too thought 10,000 Days was a little off-par. But I figured I'd give it a little bit of time. Usually it takes awhile to get into a new release from them. I saw them in September of 2006, shortly after 10,000 Days came out, and I felt as if it were the same band. Who knows.

[Guglielminpietro]

10,000 days wasn't great but Rosetta Stoned and Right In Two were right up there with some of their best songs I reckon. Lateralus is definitely their best for me - in fact one of the all-time best albums by anyone.

 

[ISd3d]

10,000 days wasn't great but Rosetta Stoned and Right In Two were right up there with some of their best songs I reckon. Lateralus is definitely their best for me - in fact one of the all-time best albums by anyone.

 

Hey man your band kicks ass.

[Guglielminpietro]

10,000 days wasn't great but Rosetta Stoned and Right In Two were right up there with some of their best songs I reckon. Lateralus is definitely their best for me - in fact one of the all-time best albums by anyone.

 

Hey man your band kicks ass.

Oh.. thanks dude.

 

[Canofceleri]

At first I didn't care for 10,000 days but in recent times I've grown to appreciate it more. It is always hard when it's a band that you've really loved and grown up with, when they release material we almost blame them for going in a new direction because it fails to live up to preconceived notions.

 

I favor the first three albums when it comes to Tool. The first three albums were different from each other in the way that all their albums are, but I love those. Opiate is just so raw and full of energy, it's great. Undertow saw Tool more fully realized, it pretty much established their style and qualities. Undertow is my ultimate favorite if I had too choose, it's more mature than Opiate but not quite as pretentious and self-indulgent as Aenima. Undertow is Tool at their most ferocious, it is at once primal and contemplative, the whole album really has a force behind it driving it to where it is going.

 

Aenima is Tool further evolved, and while it makes sense between Undertow and Lateralus it is very much in its own world. Most of it is dark and beautiful, very cerebral. I see it being their artistic apex. I said it was pretentious, but they saved face by keeping some humor intact (it wouldn't be until Lateralus that they completely went off the deep end with their philosophies and symbolism and started taking it all way too seriously). Listening to Aenima it is undeniable that it's something special despite any flaws. It is their last truly great album.

 

Then Lateralus. Lateralus has its good points, it is very fluid and has a real unique quality to it. As musicians Tool really came into themselves, especially Danny Carey the drummer. But the lyrics saw a real downturn on this album. Really, it's carried away. You could see it coming on Aenima, but everything on Lateralus lyrically is trash. Not that lyrics were ever the strong point for Tool, but at least before the content didn't extend beyond the writer's reach. I doubt they could even give a coherent explanation as to what most of it means. Still, the music is good. Not great though.

 

10,000 days has limited appeal with me. Tool is now a brand and the album seems uninspired. The best track on it by far is Rosetta Stoned, great great song. The rest... unlike their other stuff this album seems more guitar heavy whearas before the riffs seemed to just compliment or add ambience. I enjoy the guitar, I do... but it's just not that interesting. It's too predictable now. And Maynard just keeps getting worse as do the lyrics. I'll kick the asses of those angels on the sideline.