TOOL

[Birds in Hell]

Going to see these guys in April, first time since 1997.

I've often referred to them as something of a "guilty pleasure", but you know what? I just like 'em.

Sure, they're kind of dorky, but I really enjoy the music they create, that guy can really play the fucking drums and Lateralus is a great record.

Looking forward to the show.

[Fuzzcharger]

I hear you on the guilty pleasure thing. They have some real solid jams at times. I just can't admit I enjoy them around certain people cause I like winding up the real hardcore Tool nutcases too much.

[Birds in Hell]

Tool's douchebag fans really don't do the band any favours.

[WtOB?]

I think I was the only one that liked 10000 Days.

[VinylGuy]

i really need to listen to these guys more, although im a fan of a perfect circle.

[Birds in Hell]

I only heard 10,000 Days for the first time recently. Some of the songs on there are really solid, but it's not as consistently incredible as Lateralus (or Ænima for that matter.) The production really hurts the album, the clipping during the first song is terrible and the whole album is crying out for more dynamic range.

[WtOB?]

I think its The Pot that ruins it for people.

[Birds in Hell]

That song rules.

Do people not like it?

I haven't really investigated the Tool online community, so I have no idea what the general fan consensus is on these things (or if one exists.)

[Norah]

I was a fairly big Tool fan when 10,000 days came out and I loved it. But then I kind of fell off Tool in general in the years following.

[Simple Torture]

I was a fairly big Tool fan when 10,000 days came out and I loved it. But then I kind of fell off Tool in general in the years following.

Me too.

I wish they'd repress Ænema on vinyl and then finally press 10K-Days; I betcha it'd sound much more crisp on that format, Spenno.

[Simple Torture]

Of course I mean Ænima. I always fucking do that.

[Brainof23]

I got lucky and my best buddy had an older brother who turned me on to a bunch of cool bands when I had no business being into them in the eighth grade. I got to see Green Day in front of about 375 people right before Dookie pushed them over. I also go to see Helmet two or three times during the Betty tour. The best of the best was the one and only club show that Tool played in the Buffalo area. Opiate and Undertow were both out and MJK was still very strange and withdrawn on stage. I am pretty sure we saw more of his ball sack then his face.

I would rank it like this.

1. Aenima
2. Undertow
3. Opiate
4. Lateralus
5. 10,000 Days (Coming out as the same day as Pearl Jam always hurt this album for me. I just didn't get into it for a few weeks and was in PJ mode and never totally connected with it.)

[Birds in Hell]

Lateralus
Ænima
10,000 Days
Undertow
Opiate

[Simple Torture]

Lateralus
Ænima
10,000 Days
Undertow

I wouldn't even put Opiate in the rankings. There are bright spots, but it's not crafted like the other records in any way, shape, or form.

[Brainof23]

Opiate was different than anything I had ever heard when I heard it. Also, at the time they only had the one studio record. I won't be surprised if I am higher on it than everyone else. I love every song though. The only thing I would change is a studio version of Jerk-Off instead of the live or both. Opiate is definitely the song on it that I would be surprised to hear a tool fan not like.

[Birds in Hell]

Opiate is definitely the song on it that I would be surprised to hear a tool fan not like.

I can't remember how it goes. It's been years since I've heard Opiate, but I'm not terribly into Undertow either.

[Brainof23]

This is a sweet version of Opiate with LS picking up an assist.

[Bob Loblaw]

I think these guys just retreated after they realized 10k days wasn't anywhere near the grand artistic statement they wanted it to be.

[Oh, Jimmy]

Don't really see how they'd ever be considered a guilty pleasure. They're fucking awesome.

Love all their stuff except for 10k Days. It's solid but not as cohesive as the rest and there's really only a few great moments...Jambi, Right In Two, Rosetta Stoned. The title centerpiece is pretty epic, but I think it could've been better if lopped the first part off. Vicarious and The Pot are alright, but they remind of stuff from later in a bands career where they say "we have a few on there that are a real return to our roots". Another big gripe with the album, there are quite a few rehashed riffs and patterns. I realize they've never been the most diverse band but I'm talking pretty much straight lifts. Funny that Wings is lower on my list since it's probably the most unique thing in their catalog.

The 4 shows I've seen, 2 for Lateralus and 2 for 10k Days were all amazing, especially the first one in 01 with the naked acrobats.

Love to see them put out 10k Days on vinyl. Really seems like they paced it for that anyway. Wonder what the hold up is? Why they're at it they should ditch the Lateralus picture disc garbage and put out a legit pressing. It's hissy as a motherfucker.



Aenima-love the mix of the raw early aggression and the later musical trickery. Sure I'll get ragged on, but I think the in between stuff helps make this album the best. Kinda in the same way On the Run and Great Gig make DSOTM, but much darker twisted form
Lateralus-Masterpiece
Undertow-always liked this, but got a new appreciation awhile back and never realized how proggy they were at this point
Opiate-yeah not a true album, but every song on there is certified badassedness
10k Days-see above

[Birds in Hell]

I hope they do some 24 bit digital reissues at some point. They seem like the kind of band who'd consider something like that.

I'm really looking forward to the show, especially since it's been so long since I last saw them. Wish I'd seen the Lateralus tour show here with the Melvins.