Tool - Aenima
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Free Music Notes for Aenima
Free Music Review: A Morbid Masterpiece
Hit: 5 Stars
Tool's "Ænima" is the album which gained them the recognition and respect as the top innovators of Art Rock today. One cannot fathom the significance of this amazing disc when juxtaposed against the present world of boring commercial acts. This was my first acquaintance to the phenomenon that is Tool, and I recommend to the newbies this particular album as an introduction as well.The lineup of Tool consists of easily one of the most talented groups of musicians today. Ænima would be the first album featuring bassist Justin Chancellor, and after just a few listens, it's palpable to detect the natural chemistry among the members. Adam Jones is a very skilled guitarist, ranked at #75 in Rolling Stone's "Top 100 Guitarists". However, the epitome of talent in this band lies in the drummer Danny Carey and the front man Maynard James Keenan. Carey has one of the most innovative drumming time signatures in present rock, which is actually shown more in depth on their later release "Lateralus". And of course, Maynard possesses the best voice in the music business today. His vocals can be ethereal yet harsh, and range greatly from a whisper to a roar. The amount of skill in this band is simply undeniable.
However, there is only one small flaw in this album, the amount of filler. "Useful Idiot" consists purely of static and following track 5, one will notice that the actual songs are always one track away with some filler in between. Although "Message To Harry Manback" had a beautiful piano melody, other tracks such as "Cesaro Summability" and "Ions" could have been better off removed. "Intermission" is a unique little track featuring "Jimmy" played on an organ. But the most interesting interlude is "Die Eier Von Satan". Upon first listen, one may conclude that this is a Nazi rally when actually, the narrator is simply describing a deviled eggs recipe. This shows that the guys in Tool also have a sense of humor.
The first single "Stinkfist", was the song which gained them the most commercial success back in 1996. Although the lyrical content is incredibly explicit, the guitar hooks are just too mesmerizing to ignore. However, the album's highest points are in "H", "46&2" and "Push It". These three songs exhibit Tool's skills in greater depth than others. "H" is a chilling, beautiful almost ballad-like song that captures the feelings of a dysfunctional relationship. Even though lyrically "46&2" is perhaps the most complex, musically, it's more alluring and straight forward than the rest. The album hits its climax in "Pushit", an immense epic journey that will easily take one's breath away. Furthermore, an even extended version of "Pushit" is in the last song, "Third Eye". This is the hardest song to digest in this album, but when one finally endures it, the rewards will make it all worthwhile.
Although the production can initially be labeled as "muddy", one will eventually come to understand that it plays a big role in the overall atmosphere. The best suggestion for new fans is to be patient. Music like this with a plethora of different layers takes time. Tool's "Ænima" is undisputedly one of the most essential albums to own and proved it could withstand the endurance of time.
Free Music Review: Do your really understand.. tool
Hit: 5 Stars
Its really ironic.
That Tool's crowning acheivement to the masses on Amazon is Nick's review. There on the front page of Aenima, Nick has over 1000 helpful votes, where he implores the reader to 'vote yes' to his review if they love tool and disagree with the 4.5 stars. A review that appeals to the most superficial of impulsions.
Aenima is a phillisophical masterpiece. Stripping the body of flesh, it swarms into the psyche, and swims its way through the spiritual realm.
And what Tool see is dark and engrossing as it is beautiful and liberating.
The album's chaotic tug of war is spellbinding. And from what I have read of negative reviews is the source of most criticism.
Here is where the confusion lies. Tool is not a heavy metal band. They defy the verse chorus verse onslaught of this genre. This isnt armagedon whereby the listener is treated to wave after wave of explosions. Tool is more like a rattle snake, spitting, shaking, tensing and then finally biting your f~c(ing head off in the final exchange. This will bore listeners with a short attention span whilst completely enthralling the patient listeners. Most of Tool's crushing blows come in the final moments of their songs, which is obviously missed by people who tend to skip tracks halfway on their easily accessible ipods. I know, I too was guilty of this the first time round. But it was my brothers persistance that eluded me to the fact that I need to listen start to finish.
Here is a way for the short attention listeners to get started.
Start with
1.Stinkfist
2.Aenima
3.Hooker with a Penis
4.Forty Six and two
5.H.
6.Eulogy
(slowly develop an attention for the music this way)
Just listen to each one individually until cooked before proceeding to the next track.
For each track
After 2-3 listens a melody starts to reveal itself... a few more listens then turns into a few more swarming but striking melodies... then the lyrics bite... and finally once you start to abosrb the dynamics, it culminates into something much more mesmerising than anything you have heard before. Have you ever stared at one of those images which turn 3D if you concentrate hard enough. Or have you ever stared into the clear night sky and notice that the longer you stare the more stars that start to appear that you couldnt see before.
ITs there... it just takes time to train the senses. The reward is yours and yours alone.
After step 6 only then are you ready to embark on the album in its entirety as one cohesive ensemble. I am convinced you wont regret it. I cant believe I was stubborn enough all these years not to give this masterpiece my full attention. It took one weekend and now its been weeks I cant stop carrying it around.
And Nick...
well Nick makes this some sort of race. Dehumanizes, packages and serves this as a yes-no vote. Dare I say, even corrupts and profits.
What is the point. Just be thankful you had the mind to hear it.
Free Music Review: A Non-Biased Review
Hit: 5 Stars
Well it's obvious to see there are a lot of die hard Tool fans here and also teeny boppers who wanted to know what all the fuss about this album is about, but have bagged it instead. Well after some 25 years of listening music, I thought I would like to share my views on this album. First of all you need to take a look back to 1996 where I am sure half of the reviewers here were more interested listening to pop(face it, there are not alot of pre-teens who are into metal before they can tell the time on a watch).
In 1996, there still were some strong forces in the Metal Scene: Metallica, White Zombie, Pantera etc, however when Aenima was released, fans of metal and alternative music were astonished with the release of this album. Why? Because Tool have never been a metal band or an alternative band, they are like Pink Floyd, an experimental band, who Maynard has said in interviews that they are big influences. Tool are also an experimental band, who don't fit any genre. How can they when tracks range from less than a minute to over 15 minutes?
There is no use comparing them to other metal bands who do not make music like Tool. There is no use comparing them to alternative bands either. Tool are unique and Aenima is a very unique album. Yes not everyone is going to like it.... If you want lots of melody then this album is not really for you as Tool are not interested in releasing songs to make the general public happy. I won't even bother telling you which songs on this album are the best as everyone has their own opinions.
What I will talk about is the production of this album instead. It is simply flawless, this is why Aenima is such a listenable album. Danny's drumming is absolutely brilliant and makes every song have such depth. Not bad for an album now nearly 9 years old. When Tool toured back in 1997, they played songs that are on this album just as perfect as the studio release. This indicates the brilliance of the band's ability to play just as good live, which is why this album is one of the strongest albums to be released back in 1996. Many metal bands polish the studio releases then sound absolutely terrible live, but not Tool. (Hmm reminds me of Pink Floyd, who were also just as good live as in the studio.) Anyone see a pattern here?
If you want to blow your mind, take Aenima to a Home Theatre Shop that allows you to play your favourite song on an AV system which only audiophiles own. Try Hooker with a Penis or Aenema on speakers from B&W or Linn and then you will be convinced why Aenima is such an excellent album.
Have I gotten angry that some people don't like this album? No. Do I go on that this is the best album ever? No. I will say however that it was the best album to be released back in 1996 and is still one of the best produced and best sounding albums ever made. Well done Tool and David Botrill. Even the vinyl copy I own sounds brilliant.
I think I have justified why the album deserves 5 stars.
Free Music Review: Trying hard not to be a tool fan/explanation for 1 star revi
Hit: 5 Stars
first off i would like to say that i am a lover of all great music. although i hate most country music there is still the odd country song that i like. What i am trying to say is that i dont want to be one of those guys that says "go buy this album right now it is a masterpiece". but i have to because this album is unbelievable. like many others have said it is very layered and the transition in the songs is remarkable. How tool can go from soft distant drowning music to slap you in the face knock you on your ass rock all within the same song and make it work is unreal. i also dont understand what people are talking about when they say u have to listen to the album ten times before they start to like it. I liked it almost immediately with songs like stinkfist, 46 and 2, enema, and eulogy. Danys drumming is insane. the beats are never the same and always mind-blowing. I saw them in concert and all though they are not the biggest crowd pleasers their live show blew my mind away. I would not recommend this album to everyone because you really have to appreciate whats going on to like it. I have many friends who hate tool and thats cool. its just not their type of music. I also know lots of people who love this album just as much as me. Anyways, great album. P.s. this is the only review i have ever written so plz excuse it if it is drab or repeititve.
Part 2 of review
For all u real musics lovers who cannot beleive that someone would give this album less then 5 stars just think about this. Consider the source. Look at the other reviews of all the people who gave this album 1 star. They love bands like aerosmith(crappy 80's band) good charolette(possibly one of the worst bands to come of the generic music machine) and slipknot. people who like crappy music dont even get my ear when they try to rate real music. Their opinion doesnt even count. go back to your simple plan. As for the fillers on the album, i can sympathize with people who dont like them. I used to hate them too. What the f is with 30 seconds of static? But guess what, after time(about 8 years) i started to realize something within these fillers. Even the static track has flow to it. There are background noises that lead somewhere and even the static builds up to a climax. Sounds weird but then again i could just be another brainwashed tool fan. The point is, those fillers are something DIFFERENT AND ORIGINAL. Something not found in most music today. take them for what they are. Hey that sounds kinda cool. Your not supposed to listen to those tracks over and over. another point i have is to say something about those 1 star reviewers who say " dont listen to everyone else they are just hardcore tool fans." this is another ignorant statement. do your homework. read the other reviews. Alot of them are from people who are not tool fans but can appreiciate good music and even some of them use to HATE tool but they gave it a real chance. So dont worry, you 1 star reviewers will come around. Of course thats just my opinion i could be wrong.
Free Music Review: Prying open my third eye
Hit: 5 Stars
This CD is probably one of the best I've ever heard. I've heard CDs (Like Nirvana's In Utero) with more varied and accessible songs, perhaps, but not where the entire Album acts as one.Well, that's not entirely true...Aenema, the title yet not-title track (look at the title of the song and the title of the CD...they do indeed differ) takes a step outsde the rest of the Cd for a powerful, straightforward, and outright critique (backed by thrashing instrumentals one would expect from Undertow)of not just Los Angelos or California, but the entire American culture, as Maynard sings "I sure could use a vacation from this bullsh** three-ring circus sideshow of freaks." No one is safe in this entourage of fingerpointing...frivolous lawsuits and those who file them, false leaders and those who follow them, self-absorbed celebrities, dishonest politicians...in the end, Maynard tells all of us, one way or another, to learn to swim.
But Aenema is far from being representative from the rest of the album. It is, in fact, quite the opposite. Though Eulogy and Hooker With a Penis approach the psychological intensity in Aenema. In fact, everything on this album, including the so-called "filler tracks" like Useful Idiot have a deeper meaning. Aenima is more about opening one's mind, of thinking for one's self, of taking a new perspective on life....to use Maynard's own words, of "prying open my third eye."
And this is where you separate the fans from those who like it because it's metal. Tool doesn't pretend to be the be all and end all. If you take a minute to listen to the climactic message in Aenema, "try and read between the lines," you realize that Tool is simply trying to be a catalyst...something Maynard himself said on their most recent tour. If you read, for instance, the long passage in the liner notes, you find the final sentences, "Beliefs are dangerous. Beliefs allow the mind to stop functioning. A non-functioning mind is clinically dead. Believe nothing..." Or perhaps you notice the genetic and Jungian allusions in Forty-Six & 2. Or the Bill Hicks tribute in Third Eye and Aenema (or in the liner notes for that matter). Or the odd German lyrics to De Eir von Satan. Tool doesn't ask you to take what they say at face value. They ask you to question it...to find out what they're really saying...to expand your own knowledge and your won perspective.
And then they ask yo to take that experience you have created for yourself that has only been catalyzed by their music (not created, as you always had that inside yourself) and use it to make the world a better place. THAT is what Tool is about, not unleashed anger, not swearing, not scary videos.
Musically, they excel as well. True, some of the parts aren't as unleashed as one could expect from some other bands, but one must realize that Tool isn't about cool guitar riffs. It's about art.