Tool - Aenima
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Free Music Notes for Aenima
Free Music Review: Can't not listen to Tool for an extended period of time...
Hit: 5 Stars
Tool is a very unique band. They avoid the media, hardly ever show up on their music videos, and just let the music do the talking. I've had this album for about 4 years now. It really is a concept album if you think about it. Stinkfist is an individual's yearning for change, then from Eulogy to Pushit, this individual recalls his past experiences (like flashbacks of one's life before one dies), then Aenema purges these memories, and Third Eye is the rediscovering of one self. The first month I listened to this CD I really didn't care too much for it, but that's how Tool albums work. They aren't accessible until you are familiar with what they are doing with the music. Then, one day, the volume on my CD player was accidentally turned up a notch. I was too lazy to adjust it, so I just left it there. I was listening to Aenema (the song), and suddenly I had a tool-gasm. I was lightheaded for a minute, and didn't know where I was or what I was doing, being fully immersed in the music. From that moment, I became a fan. No other band that I've ever listened to can do this; build a song up, and then have a climax that is just incredible. For the un-iniated, I suggest you listen to this CD for quite a while, since it may take a long time to sink in. The apparently stupid buildup of Eulogy will suddenly make sense, and the song Third Eye will grow on you alot. The "fillers" never really do much, but they do add to the mood. (For the love of god, skip them if you don't like them! No one's making you listen to them!) Maynard's vocals are quite soft, so it's a good idea to get the lyrics to the songs. Now to reviews of my favorite tracks.
Eulogy: The BEST track on here, whether you've been listening to the CD for 4 months or 4 years. The intro with the drums is amazing. It's very subtle, so don't expect to hear it if you're listening to it someplace loud.
H.: This song isn't an epic, but the vocals and lyrics are very good, especially the chorus. I was initially turned off by the song because it is kinda homoerotic, but now I think about my friend who moved away every time I hear this song. Definitely get the lyrics for this one.
Jimmy: Wow, the vocals and lyrics. Just wow. I still am not sure what Maynard is singing about, but it's very moving.
Pushit: This song is pretty long. It starts out simple, then really cranks into gear when the band starts jamming. Vocals at the end are great, almost poppy sounding.
Third Eye: This song is basically an extended jam session. It may sound boring at first, but "the pieces fit" once you get used to it. Again, the song really climaxes at the end. Great ending to the CD.
In conclusion, get this CD if you like metal or prog rock. Fans of other genres may like this as well, but it may be too dissonant for people who want a quick fix. If you like this CD, also get Lateralus. The title track is mind-blowingly good.
Free Music Review: More Tool, please.
Hit: 5 Stars
I will admit, I listen to a plethora of musical genres... and metal music is not one of my favorites. However, Tool and A Perfect Circle have a certain charm about them- a classic sound that, despite the claims otherwise, is unique to them. I listened to this album when it first came out when a friend of mine going through a Marilyn Manson / Nine Inch Nails phase reccomended them to me. I was in middle school at the time and found the music a bit shocking and unusual, something I would listen to with friends but would't want to own myself. Time has worked wonders on this album and many of Tool's cds... I now have more of an understanding of the music and respect it as a fabulous creation. After I graduated high school, I re-evaluated my musical tastes, and Tool was one of the bands that made the cut. I appreciate the chaotic sound- it changes but stays so rythmic and entrancing at the same time. This album is a great one to just put on when you need to arouse your emotions, it is great for a plane ride, a long trip, or as background music when hanging out with friends. On the other hand, it is perfect for wailing along to when driving in the car. I appreciate the time and skill put into it, and I hate that many people are not able to understand the reasoning behind the "so-called" monotonous sound. Many artists create a cd to be an ongoing story- not all bands are out to create a vivid array of instant top 10 hits. This album sets a mood- follows a theme- and in doing that, you hear many songs with the same sound and feel, and I think they accomplished what they set out to beautifully. This cd is not for everyone- it is passionate and that doesn't mean I believe some people are unable to "get it", but that this type of music takes a certain amount of understanding and appreciationg that not everyone has for most 90's music, especially not more "edgy" stuff. Tool made an effort to make their lyrics a bit more "smart" and intelligent; to some people it makes them come off as precosious or forced. The more you listen to Tool, the more you like the music. If you don't like it after many listens-through, then obviously this is just not your cup of tea, don't bash it just because you aren't interested in it. To all of you "OMG'ers"- please try to expand your musical tastes, do not just like this band because all of your friends have Tool t-shirts and you are expected to love them. You wouldn't believe how similar the messages and feelings that you absorb from metal bands etc. are portrayed in other genres of music, and just because you have an indie cd or a country cd or even a rap cd doesn't mean that you are any less "cool". Music evolves and the people who listen to it need to appreciate all types, you guys know you would be sad if your dog died or your girl broke up with you so stop bashing songs that tell it like you feel it just because you feel social pressure to! *endrant*Free Music Review: is this real...
Hit: 5 Stars
My it has been a few years since this album has came out, and since then, the world of music has never been the same. This album made kids like me realize what real music was, and back then I was only 11 years old and I loved my grunge rock bands like AIC, Pearl Jam, Blind Melon (may not be grunge, but I loved them regardless). This is what music really truly should be. It is music in its finest form, one that cant be replicated, not even by Tool themselves! Face it, Lateralis was a phenominal album, but it came up short to Aenima, in my opinion. No other album has more thought provoking lyrics then this right here! From Maynards personal hate against the city of angels in Aenema, his views on the next step in human evolution in 46&2, and finally to the best send off track I've heard in my short life span, Third Eye. He not only challenges the listeners to keep up with the ever changing rythms and progression of each song, but he also wants us all to THINK about the true meanings hidden in each and every song. Now if you're just another wannabe rocker who just listens to an album because it sounds heavy and it keeps your blood rushing, then turn off the album now and save us Tool fans the embarrasment. You meatheads could never realize how much knowledge you can gain from just listening to Maynard. Just to sum up the vocals, NO ONE IS BETTER THAN MAYNARD!period.
Yes Maynard is the man, with his powerful vocals and gripping lyrics, but he couldn't do without his other band mates, particularly Danny Carey, the man behind the skin work. This is one of Dannys' masterful works, and you cant find anymore grooving and catchy drumwork by him on any of their other albums. He is the main centerpiece, due to Tools' style of music, which is usually pigeonholed into Progressive Metal. Prog-Metal bands that wish to succeed in this business must ABSOLUTELY have a good drummer. Tool just has the best out of them all, even better than Dream Theaters Mike Portnoy. Adam Jones, though not the greatest, few guitarist can generate the sounds he makes out of a gibson like he can, and Justin is always on top of his bass parts in each song.
With all this talent in one band, they all form together flawlessly to make what we all know as Tool. This is an impressive showcase of their genius and each band members musicianship. I for one bought this album a while back, and I will be D****d if I lose this. This is just my views on this album and the band themselves, and I for one know that words themselves can't describe how much of an importance this album is to Tool and the music industry as well. I am also glad that Tool is not popular with the mainstream side of the industry as well. They can forever stay underground (or it seems) and I myself and many other Tool fans will be happy with just where they are. Agreed?
Free Music Review: The best since Zeppelin and Floyd
Hit: 5 Stars
This album towers above jsut about anything that has come out in recent years. Tool have come to a level musically that few bands ever achieve. The emotional power and flow on this album is absolutely amazing. It is 74 minutes of energy.I cannot call it progressive rock, or hard rock, it is what it is, great music. From Stinkfist until the climax of the 15 minute epic Third eye, this album grabs you and never lets go. It can be listened to in any mood, because it is a masterpiece.
Track listing:
1. Stinkfist - A great way to begin, with an awesome beat and hard energy, this song pulls you directly into the album.
2. Eulogy - This song has complex lyrics, which could mean many things. It is another hard rocking track and at 6-7 minutes, its a great listen. It keeps the energy going.
3. H. - The trakc that means the most to me. It is a real emotion filled song with gut-wrenching lyrics and great instrumentation to illustrate.
4. Useful Idiot - Segue into the next track, works well though, its arecord needle skipping...backwards.
5. 46 & 2 - Musically an insane song, the rhythms Danny Carey doe sin this song are nuts. On first listen, might become the favorite track of many listeners. High energy.
6. Message to Harry Manback - Segue into the next song, a weird, but hilarious phone message, however, it still fits into this record as a whole.
7. Hooker with a Penis - The most like Undertow, raw energy, and harsh lyrics about the music industry. It rocks, although seems to not fit at on first listen.
8. Intermission - Organ segue into the next track, It's actually the melody of Jimm,y the next song.
9. Jimmy - Another emotional song about finding home (in my opinion), Great song, which they hardly ever play live. It has one of the most emotional screams by lead Singer Maynard.
10. Die Eier Von Satan - Funny. You will have to listen, its another Segue.
11. Pushit - 9 minutes of a wonderful love song. Great lyrics and this song grabs you by the throat as well.
12. Cessaro Summability - Very freaky track of a screaming child. another segue.
13. Aenema - This song is amazing. Excellent drumming and apocalyptic lyrics which really grab the listener, and almost chastise him or her.
14. Ions - A segue track into third eye, 4 minutes long.
15. Third Eye - 15 minute long finale to this wonderful album, A song about conciousness. the final Climax when Maynard is repeating "prying open my third eye" is....wow.
I stress that all the songs are great, but this album is best when viewed as one piece. Take it all in, with numerous listens and look at the lyrics. An amazing album which ranks as my favorite CD ever.
Free Music Review: Tool's transition from grunge metal into more progressive territories
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm going to level with the reader here: I hope I don't dissuade you from buying this album, but I feel that "Lateralus" has thus far proven to be Tool's magnum opus despite the commercial, critical, and cultural success of this album. I'm trying to be more conservative with 5 star ratings as of late simply so I don't look like a fanboy whenever I write an album review.
But after considering those three points (being the commercial, critical, and cultural success of this album), I had to give it 5 stars.
Now, album sales really don't indicate anything because today's platinum artist could be tomorrows has-been. Critical success really doesn't mean much either because there's the abundance of favorable reviews directed towards bands who's only qualification of getting a good review is that they fit into the publication's target demographic. But to see how this album influenced fans and peers alike shows that the group did something right with regards to releasing this endeavor.
When the album came out, most of their contemporaries from the grunge era were fading fast and the ones left remaining didn't have nearly any of the intensity that the band demonstrated on this album. This left them from being considered one of grunge's more eccentric groups to being labeled as the new face of mainstream progressive metal. As such, the band proved to be a hot commodity and generated two videos (Stinkfist and Aenema), two radio singles (46 & 2 and H), and another song that still found radio play on hard rock/metal stations (Eulogy). There was a double-edged sword that came about with their rise to fame. On one hand, true music fans and some innovative acts were able to take great influence and delight from the work composed here. On the other hand, you had too many rock-oriented bands who were so desperate for attention and success that they were trying to emulate either Tool's style to the point of ripping it off or their production in hoping to achieve the capture the same elements found in Tool's works (David Bottrill didn't work with any metal acts prior to his involvement with Tool; that has since changed.)
Nevertheless, this is still one of those "landmark" albums that is deserving of everything positive said about it (people can hate it if they want, but the longevity of this album and the band itself isn't coincidental, so don't hate on it just because you don't get it.) I've owned three copies of this album before saving it to digital format. You don't need to do all that, but I still recommend picking it up if you haven't yet already.