Tool - 10,000 Days
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Free Music Notes for 10,000 Days
Free Music Review: I just recieved it today from Amazon.
Hit: 5 Stars
Did Amazon ship early? The CD was released today and I recieved it today from a pre-order that I placed like 5 days ago. It was in transit and I could have got it yesterday according to shipping details. It was within range. Amazon made a mistake but it came on May second.....anyway the cd.
I am in the middle of the experience. I have never liked a Tool CD from the onset, not even Undertow, but I have grown to really like all of them.
I am also an impatient person to a degree and each time I listen to new Tool and dislike it I temporarily convince myself that this is the one. This is the one that will not grow on me.....yet already after some forced listening I am starting to get in a mental and listening groove with this.
When I first opened the package and popped it in I was thinking..... What is this noise? What happened to Maynard's voice? Why is he so subdued? Even some of the lyrics sounded generic and familiar. Something about it reminded me of Peter Gabriel. The opening vocals in The Pot sounded like that Levine guy from Maroon 5. I did a little panic and discarded the knowledge of the learning curve I used with the other CD's.
I thought "this sucks?" but deep down I knew better. I knew I was jumping the gun. Believe me nothing tangible was telling me I was overeacting. I had to rely on my trust for Tool. Trust in the knowledge that despite initial misgivings the preceeding albums had grown on me.
Still, I put it down without even listening all the way through only liking Vicarious and maybe Rosetta Stoned. Then sure enough after several minutes I had an internal urge to listen again and using Vicarious and Rosetta Stoned as faith stepping stones I ventured out a little and listened a little deeper to a few other songs and walked away liking Jambi, Right in Two and Intension as well...just as I had done with Undertow, Aenima and Lateralus. Building and building, accepting more and more songs until I enjoyed everything. This takes a while though. Several hours if not days of intense listening.
I am still not yet embracing some of the other songs on 10,000 Days but I know I will. I can tell that I will. I can feel it. On Lateralus I went from only liking Schizm and Parabol to loving every single song but Ticks and Leeches which I just like for the drumming.
It got me thinking that if I gave other bands as much of a listening chance that I give Tool.....Would I like them as well? Then again I have never felt an urge to go back to something I disliked at first from another band.
I am not one of those Tool fans that thinks that Tool has reinvigorated my life or inspired me to do something or whatever. I just see Tool as a little soulful and provocative escapism.
People keep saying listen all the way through and that is the way to hear it. I am not able to do that yet without losing sustained interest. I cannot do that yet but I am sure one can enjoy this by listening through a little and then skipping around and then listening in succession a little again and etc, etc.
I recommend first hearing it as background and let it imprint upon you. Like type out something on a message board and let it play in the background first mentally bouncing back and forth between the music and what your typing. Then take it by itself and listen. That always helps me get into it.
By the way the CD for me is not a 5 at this second. I give it a 5 because I know after I listen to this and really pour over the material, it will be a certain 5 and able to stand next to the other albums if not surpass them.
I say surpass out of trust now. Nothing I feel right now leads me to believe that I will like this better then Undertow or Lateralus, but I felt the same way about past albums compared to other past albums. I just have faith that I will or may someday like this better then the others.
I swear it grows on you if you give it a chance.
Free Music Review: 10,000 Days
Hit: 5 Stars
Waiting for Tool to release an album can be an odd experience, especially if you happen to be a relative newcomer to the band's legion of fans. On one hand you are curious about the musical direction the band has embarked on whilst making the album; if anything, listening to Tool's album in chronological order bears testament to this. On the other, there is the odd mixture of information, disinformation, rumours, hearsay and whatnot, much of it, to the delight of the fans themselves, originating from the band itself (Maynard even issued a statement on the Internet saying that the people who downloaded the album ahead of the release date would be very surprised come May 2nd, leading many to assume that this was a decoy). So it was against this background that Tool's latest offering, 10,000 Days came into the horizon.
The title, and the subsequent release of the track-listing, generated even more rumours. 10,000 Days? That title was almost normal by Tool standards. Consider the previous albums, EPs, etc - Undertow, Opiate, ?nima, Salival and Lateralus - and you begin to see how the title 10,000 Days seems almost out of place in their discography.
No matter. The album leaked on the Internet and, like bees are drawn to honey, was downloaded by those who have waited years for something new from Tool. I was amongst those who downloaded.
Vicarious, the opening track, is an odd song that will grow on most listeners. Upon hearing it for the first time, I was disappointed. Maynard's vocals sounded muffled and the song sounded like something that was deemed inappropriate for Lateralus. Subsequent listens have resulted in this becoming probably my favourite offering of the album.
From this odd beginning, the album begins to take shape and the path Tool travelled becomes increasingly clear. Up until ?nima, it was clear that this was a band that was pissed off, certainly Maynard was. Lateralus saw them channelling the anger into a musical plain that can be described as ambient. The angry riffs and vocals were still there, but there was space for the listener to soak him or herself in before letting the anger take hold - sort of like Physical Graffiti Led Zeppelin meets Dark Side era Pink Floyd.
With 10,000 Days, it is different. The ambience is, thankfully, still there, but the attitude is missing. In comes an odd grasp of melody that was previously missing. When the listener first realizes this, it is disorienting, but - at the risk of repeating myself - subsequent listens are required to come to terms with it. And when that happens, it is a glorious feeling.
Central to this new sound - if I could call it that - is Maynard's vocals. He was always angry - with society, with its materialism - but here he is vulnerable, and with the vulnerability comes a new dimension to his vocals. No where is this more evident than in the song titled The Pot. Drug references aside, it contains a vocal performance that is wonderful. If drummer, Danny Carrey's drumming made Lateralus, then Maynard deserves the credit for making 10,000 Days a beautiful experience.
As for Danny himself, he is to Tool what John Bonham was to Led Zeppelin and what Keith Moon was to The Who. His odd rhythm patterns recall Lateralus, but it is evident that he continues to grow as an artist. Adam Jones and Justin Chancellor do their thing, but remain in the background. Adam, in particular, is very restrained with his lead work, conscious that there were greater things at play.
10,000 Days demands multiple listens, more so than Lateralus did. But that is the great thing about Tool; they take us where their vision - their pretentiousness - leads and we follow. With Days, like with Lateralus, we don't complain.
I probably won't with 10,000 Days as my MP3 player continues to play it on repeat.
It's been worth the wait, ladies and gents.
Theena Kumaragurunathan, May 2006.
Free Music Review: Tool is evolution, not revolution
Hit: 5 Stars
Tool has become one of the longer-lived and most well-established metal bands, but because of their evolving style the most consistent element of their CDs is that they piss off a sizeable portion of their fans. Undertow was too heavy, Aenima was too fast, Lateralus was too progressive and 10,000 Days is too mellow.
Tool fans are known as some of the most rabid, die-hard fans in the music industry, not just just because of their loyalty but because of their enthusiasm: spending an hour in a Tool mosh pit is like spending six hours in a Slayer or Pantera pit (I know this from personal experience, and I was a Slayer fan before I even heard of Tool). It is then natural to expect some outcry at each CD release because some fans will always expect more of the same. Tool just isn't that band.
Most fans eventually seem to take a liking to each new CD after a few months of listening (or at least stop bitching about it) because Tool works on each CD until it is perfected. The style or sound of Tool may not be what some people like, but the CD is still a masterpiece. This is not to say that Tool CDs are a "Learn to Love" sound; they are not. It is just impossible to predict what the next Tool album is going to be like, and the new sound always shocks some people. Despite this it is almost unheard of for someone to renounce their fanship.
10,000 Days represents the 5th sound from Tool, and is in many ways the most demanding of its listeners. Tool is, if nothing else, heavy, therefore the most shocking aspect of 10,000 Days is that it has, at least at first glance, a lighter sound. Realistically the CD has plenty of drop D power cords, massive distortion and beats all characteristic of heavy bands (with, of course, the intricacy and complex composition/timing obligatory to all Tool music), but the album also has another form of heaviness, which is the juxtoposition of lighter rhythms with the heavier rhythms. This is more demanding to the listener because someone who is expecting an album containing the same songs as previous albums may ignore the lighter side of the CD. In effect many listeners only heard half the CD on the first try.
This juxtoposition of lighter and heavier styles is most reminiscent of A Perfect Circle's first album (obviously not a coincidence), however Tool has certainly perfected it and created an album that truly redefines what heaviness is about.
The lyrics of Tool have always been enigmatic, if not stygian, and controversial, but 10,000 Days was more shocking to Tool's fans than the rest of society. The title cut almost seems an acceptance of judeo-christian religions, which would be shocking, if not outright betrayal, to the fanbase. Knowledge of the story behind the song quickly alleviates that idea.
Tools music is certainly worthy of 5 stars (or more) by itself, but this is a CD that truly deserves more than 5 stars. Like other Tool albums buying the CD gets you more than music, it is also art. Tool's latest installment contains a serious of 3D images of the typical Tool style. To be clear, these are not the cheesy red and blue captain EO 3D; they are very high quality and immersive works. Going back to the music, the album is around 77 minutes long, even taking out the few filler type tracks the album contains as much music as other bands release on 2 CDs. The CD also sold for 12.99 USD on debut, far cheaper than many bands that spend less than half as much time on their music.
To recap: You get more music, that's higher quality as well as amazing artwork for much less than most other CDs. Even non-Tool fans should be able to respect a band that really goes above and beyond the standard.
There is much speculation that 10,000 Days may be the penultimate (or perhaps last) Tool album, but if Tools record is any indication one thing is certain: as long as Tool keeps playing, we'll keep listening.
Free Music Review: 10,000 Days is an album with deep layers.
Hit: 5 Stars
The album opens with the first single, Vicarious, which has already won a special place in my heart as a perfect opening track. It's classic Tool, as anyone who has heard it on the radio can attest to. Pounding rhythms and a fantastic lyrical attack on the current media-centric world we live in. Following that we have Jambi, a fast paced rocker that reminds me of Ticks & Leeches or Eulogy. It is, in my opinion, the weakest song on the album (if such a thing can be said of a good song), though its last two minutes are magic. It will make the headbangers happy. Wings For Marie (Pt. 1) is next, a Parabol-like segue into the albums title track 10,000 Days (Wings Pt. 2). For fans who have complained that Tool is pushing no new ground on this record, I have to ask if they've just skipped right over this track. Easily the most epic and haunting song the band has ever produced, the sound of a thunderstorm intersects with Danny Carey's tribal drumming and Justin Chancellor's steady bass line. Maynard's voice whispers and weaves its way around the lyrics as Adam produces some seriously melodic volume swells with his guitar. The vocals are doubled, sometimes tripled, shot into low baritone even, for some passages, and the whole song sounds like an ancient prayer ritual, and as Maynard sings "Fetch me the spirit, the son and the father. Tell them the pillar of faith has ascended. It's time now, my time now, give me my wings." you realize it just may be. 10,000 Days may be the highlight of the album, and it's easily the highlight of the first half. Following on the heels of the epic title track, The Pot is an angry song that hearkens back to the musical style of Undertow and Opiate, with a popping bass groove and lyrics that remind me of Hooker with a [...]. The first half comes to a close with Lipan Conjuring, a short passage of vocals that is reminiscent of Mantra from the Lateralus album.
The second half of the album opens with another instrumental, Lost Keys (Blame Hoffmann), a segue into Rosetta Stoned, a rocking rollick though an LSD trip. With lyrics both funny and philosophical, it's the albums Third Eye, and is the only track, other than the title track, to clock in at over ten minutes. Intension follows in a style that reminds me of the Lateralus track Disposition and A Perfect Circle's The Package. A few minutes into the song and out comes the tabla (no doubt played by the great Aloke Dutta). The shifting guitar lines and rhythm section provide a backdrop for Maynard's mostly whispered lyrics, the song closely resembles the live version of Push-It heard on the Salival box set. It is a high point on the album, as is the next track. Right In Two may be my personal favorite song (besides 10,000 Days itself). A nine minute track that has the feel of Forty-Six & Two mixing with the new sound Tool has created on this album, with lyrics that may be the greatest ever written on the subject of human and spiritual evolution, it needs to be heard to have any justice done to it. I'm sure it will be killer live. The final track on the album is yet one more instrumental. Viginti Tres is a very strange song that sounds like the bastard child of Faaip de Oaid and (-)ions. To be honest, listening to it on my headphones tonight at work, I almost walked into a wall when the only voice in the song comes out of the murk. I thought it was the voice of Satan himself. Quite frankly, it may be.
I hope that does the album some justice. Anyone who has heard 10,000 Days and complains that Tool is pushing no new ground are, I am convinced, the same people who would have criticized the band for not sounding like itself had they made a record in the completely opposite direction. Some people can never be happy. For the rest of us, the five year wait since Lateralus was well worth it.
Free Music Review: Tool now stands in my Top 5 Bands
Hit: 5 Stars
When I received this album for my birthday, I had heard of Tool and had no idea what to expect. I had never listened to them or shown interest in them before. But now I know the wonders of Tool. They are a great band, fueled by pure rock and eerie-ness. Some of the songs are rocking, some of them are just strange little titles.
1. Vicarious- Easily my favourite song on the album. I't heavy hitting, has strong lyrics, and is a fulfilling song. 9.5/10
2. Jambi- This song is quite good. Rocking, but doesn't seem to reach it's high point. Still entertaining to listen to. 8/10
3. Wings For Marie- This song is slow, and seems to be a cross between the two genres Tool take on this album; rock and strangeness. It starts of slow with just a simple bass pluck every now and again and then becomes soft but quite fast rock, coming to an eventual 20 second rock section. Good opener to what's about to happen. 8.5/10
4. 10,000 Days- This song continues on from the last, but it is a lot better and more fulfilling. Starts of slow, but seemlying conjuring, and after a while finally becomes a little more rocking. And it ends the same way as Wings For Marie did. This song clocks over 11 minutes, but I can listen right through it every time. Great song. 9/10
5. The Pot- I don't listen to this song very much, but it sounds much like the band Live. It's a pretty rocking song and is placed well in the album. 7/10
6. Lipan Conjuring- The first of the eerie songs. This is probably my favourite filler on the album, as it is nice to listen to, but quick only going for over 1 minute. Short and sweat. 8/10
7. Lost Keys (Blame Hoffman)- Another filler song that probably goes for too long. It starts of with a long guitar sound that changes only so often and that goes for around 2 minutes. Then there is interlude talking over the music that gathers up the next song very well. 7/10
8. Rosetta Stonmed- This song is very weird, though it's a rock song. The lead singer talks very fast during the verses and his voice is distorted, so you can't hear much of what he's saying. And when you look up the lyrics on the net, you'll see maybe you were better of without them. Only joking, but the lyrics are incredibly weird. This song also clocks 11 minutes, but rock junkies shoudl be able to listen right through this with ease. 8/10
9. Intension- I hardly ever listen to this song, but for some reason it seems quite beautiful. It's another filler song, but it has lyrics and singing. I think it may be a bit too long though, but I'm guessing it'll grow on me, and you. 7/10
10. Right in Two- The start of this song kind of reminds me of the late Nirvana. It starts with carefully plucked guitar and singing, and comes nicely to the rock part. Then there is drumming that lasts an even while and then it goes back to the rock. A great listen for fans of rock and probably sounds good live. 8/10
11. Viginti Tres- Easily the worst song on the album. It just sounds like someone breathing into microphone for about 5 minutes. Stop the album on Right in Two, unless you need some time to breathe (which is probably why they put this song in here, but it could've been better). 4/10
Before I conclude this review, I'd like to say that 10,000 Days also has the nicest album artwork I've ever seen, and is nicely interactive. Tool now knocks System of a Down and possibly Korn out of the second place of my favourite bands, behind the everlasting Rammstein.
10,000 Days shall please and impress all fans of rock as each song on the album is unique, lyrically and musically. this is somethingI've never seen (or heard) on an album before.