Tool

[frag]

I liked "Rosetta Stoned," because it seemed to be the only song that had any inkling of progression in it. The intro to "Vicarious" sounds like "Schism" and "Wings for Marie" sounds like "The Patient." There was a bit of rehashing, but I guess I really don't have a problem with that per se. It's just that emptiness, and yeah, I'm agreeing with it more after Jac's addition. That longing for something more. I think the main problem is...Tool has already done everything there is to do, and expand upon, in drop D. That's why it sounds so revisited. Adam Jones, to his credit, is a good guitarist. He's accomplished what many many metal and hard-rock guitarists never could. And he was exciting with his instrument at the same time. But there's an inherent limit in drop-D, and I think 10,000 Days proves it. That there's only so much you can do before it sounds trite. Do they still have it in them to create another Aenima? Not duplicating the album, but reaching that attack? Something about that album still strikes me. Lateralus hit me pretty heavily, but it was brief. Aenima still has the same verocity it did 10 years ago (I picked up that album when I was 15!) but everything they've done since then seems like they're scratching the surface. Lateralus had the benefit of being just as punchy, though it was lacking in...something. 10,000 Days is just the progression of the cycle they've fallen into. I really really really want to like this album. And I've tried very hard. I'm just not feeling it. I've decided it's not cynicism that's killing me here, because many others agree. There's just something missing. I'm glad Thorny enjoys it so much, but really, he's the only person who could convince me to give it another try.

that's a cue, thorn

[Thorngrub]

frag said:

I tried. There are a couple of good tracks. It just didn't sucker-punch the way Aenima did. Or even Lateralus. I think it tried too hard to be Lateralus, and that's the problem. It just seems so empty.

I'm so tired of the sucker punches. Me gutty wutts are all bruised up.

I much prefer the "being tickled w/ a feather duster" approach of the new TOOL.

thank the lord almight it IS a "new" tool . . . (don't know how much more my stomach could take;)

[Thorngrub]

*haha*, just now gettin to yer "that's a cue thorn" statement. . . .*catchin up*

[Thorngrub]

#1 : "10,000 Days" sounds nothing like "The Patient", to me.

[Thorngrub]

*grabs frag w/gun pointed at his head* YOU'LL LISTEN TO THE NEW TOOL & LIKE IT !

That enuff convincing for ya?


The Rest Of Ya: *Admit the new TOOL is as masterful as the old TOOL or the kid gets it!*

[Thorngrub]

You know how some bands, you like just cuz ya like em?
You know how a certain singer might appeal, cuz he sings nice?
That's how I feel about Tool.

I think this band, as much (if not more so) as any other, deserves to be gently brought back down to earth from that Lofty Height which we pandering masses have inexorably lifted them.

See what I mean - ? The problem (as I see it) is not so much in the new music itself, as it is in the diffraction presented by the Inordinate Loftiness previously instilled into this musical entity.

I.E, c'mon, folks: They're not gods and they never were.

What we have here ain't so hard to figure out. NO band could ever match the expectations that have been collectively thrust upon this band.

*They're just a band, people* Like any other.

OTHER bands are allowed to knock off one "decent" album after another, and nobody complains.

Hence: Maybe if we just eased down on our celestial expectations of what this band is capable of, perhaps we'd enjoy the more earthy simplicity, the tender beauty, inherent to their latest recording (which I continue to find enjoyment in, *not despite*, but because of, the inherent "mellowness" and grooved-out vibe of these new songs.)

It's simply a matter of getting it all into perspective:

10,000 Days is a solid effort, just like the other albums. Whether it ends up at the Top or the Bottom of any one individual fan's list, is entirely besides the point. We all have our "favorites", after all.

I say its time for everyone to wake up to the easy fact that TOOL is just another band, and always has been. They put out their own unique brand of music, for sure: but doesn't everyone, after a fashion?

I enjoy their latest album for much the same reasons I might enjoy putting on an Eno album, or something by King Crimson. It is the 21st -Century's version of "the thinking man's band" (much like Pink Floyd were the 20th-Century's version of the same).

[Thorngrub]

I Still Maintain:

If the music on 10,000 Days were presented by some other band (similarities to old TOOL notwithstanding),
it would be getting rave reviews across the board.

But because it's "TOOL" (*cringe*). . . people feel the need to magnify it's teensy faults waaaay out of perspective.

the Thorn has spoken.

*cranks that badass shit UP*

[Thorngrub]

Well, I found out that TOOL will play the E-center (in West Valley City, UT) on Tuesday, August 29


Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning, Saturday at 10 am


*there will be NO floor/GA tix*

It's all seating, and the closest tier -seats go for $55

(cheaper seats available, the further back you sit)

I will be getting mine tomorrow, standing in line @ the E-center


Although I wanted floor/GA tix (just to get up close and all),
I think that the music on 10,000 Days is introspective enough to make All Seating quite desirable, actually.

My friend & I will show up around 7 am - 3 hrs prior - - and get in line. No idea if we'll be 2nd or 3rd in line (as we were for when RUSH tix went on sale), or 20th or 30th, or 100th in line, by showing up 3 hrs early.

Will have to wait & see.

[Thorngrub]

oh yeah, forgot to post:

thoRny scored his TOOL tix for the Aug 29 Salt Lake show, we got really good seats in section 101, which is not the first (narrow section directly to the side of the stage), but rather the next one, which is better, and we're on row 10, seats 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8. It's going to be a killer view of the stage.

[Thorngrub]

and from what I understand, GALACSHIN will be there, in section AA (floor seats), doing his best to restrain himself from eating the stage & everyone on it. Until after the show's over, at least.

[skvorisdeadsorta]

I love the new album. It's official. I think it's sonic gold.

[Thorngrub]

^ the rabble begins coming to their senses ^

[Thorngrub]

Man I can't friggin wait for this!

Skvor (or anyone): What's w/this "rumors" of tool breakin up? I just read it on one of the amazon.com reader reviews, but I personally never heard this rumor. Anything to it - ?

[skvorisdeadsorta]

The only thing I've heard is that after the tour, this is it. They're hanging it up as for #1 Maynard doesn't really seem all that interested anymore and #2, I've heard they just don't really like each other that much anymore. Look, one thing that leads me to believe this is that there hasn't even been a video for the new record yet, unless I just missed the boat on that one as well.

[Thorngrub]

hmmm; well, @ least we can consider ourselves lucky we got one more album after LATERALUS. For awhile after that record came out, I was convinced they could do no more. That is perhaps the only album I can think of which I consider impeccable.

But 10,000 Days is a very nice eulogy.