Where should a Tool newbie start?

I'd probably start with Aenima...If you like the more aggressive sounding Tool, check out Opiate and Undertow afterwards. If you find yourself favoring the more pensive (though still heavy) songs, check out Lateralus (and Undertow, as well, has some less-aggressive tracks). 10,000 Days, with the exception of Vicarious, may throw off someone trying to learn more about Tool. 10,000 Days is a demonstration of the changes they have undergone in perspective, and it is worth knowing how their view has changed before getting a dose of this one, IMO.

I don't think you got this one right. However, the understatement will leave people pleasently surprised when they do hear the album.

This is perhaps the worst album review, i have ever read. "it doesn't suck"...come on. Any long time tool fan will enjoy this album. Like first hearing Lateralus after growing accustomed to Aenima, the material on this album will give true and new fans alike, an experience unique and unfamiliar. Tool are not the type of band that release the same album twice - so don't expect another Aenima or Lateralus. Like all Tool albums, this one will grow on you and will NOT dissapoint.

having waited five+ years since the last tool, one cant help but be excited about a new album...a perfect circle doesnt compare...so dont use it as one. why they have a prima doona pop chick reviewing tool is beyond me. the band is on a level few can comprehend..so enjoy this album, for it may be their last. and you MUST see them live to complete the experience of their music...dont be dumbed down by all of the crap on the radio, tool is far above and beyond this s@#&

Miss Kay seems to have forgotten to discuss what are probably the main themes of the album: transcendence, consequence, intent, and the imprints we leave upon each other.

The centerpiece, 10,000 days (wings for marie part 2) and the song leading up to it -wings for marie part 1- are, without a doubt, the most masterful 17 minutes of emotional musical splendor that I have ever heard.

I get chills just thinking about it; I nearly cried, and I'm not the "die hard, freaky-deek" who things Tool are gods. I certainly don't think that.

I do think that from ænima on that they broke the conventional mold of commercialized music. I think this CD is well worth the $10.50 asking price. I think that just about anyone could learn something from thier music.

I say this from experience as I have learned many things from listening to Tool.

Peace,

Neomage

I'm sorry about your comments as the review was not yet completed and somehow uploaded. I'm not a "prima doona pop chick", I think I got a valid point at least. Maybe you should all refer to my previous about Tool fans here . Please enjoy my finished review as I enjoyed writing it.

This review is great. It has definitely convinced me to purchase the album when it is released!

Well, whatever the review was when it wasn't finished -- who gives a fuck! This is a really nice review and I too downloaded the album but I am still really excited about purchasing it. Good job Jessa and screw all the other people who ripped on you!

xo

arghhhhhhhhhhh tooltooltooltool!!!

Lo guys I'm a 24 year old South African that loves TOOL. I have been a fan for almost ten years now and am probably a little obsessed with them. I got a horrible feeling in my stomach the first time I listened to the album, a fear that I might not fall in love with this album like the ones before. As I am typing this it is only the second time I'm listening to it! I got so paranoid that I frantically searched the web for other opinions in the album, but now I realize that it is a relationship that is at its beginning. The album needs to speak to ME. The only song that grabbed me from the start was Vicarious but I'm sure the rest will come in time like with laterals. Just want to say I am very disappointed with Lipan Conjuring, Lost Keys and Intension and see no likeable potential, things I have never said about any TOOL tracks. Even Viginti Tres has little appeal even if I'm high. Still I will give this album the chance it deserves.

Nah man, you have to listen to this album a few times on loud I think. It's a wicked album! Thanks for the review!

Your revised (...in fact completely different) review of the album is much more thoughtful and a far better reflection of how the album will impact a listener. Well composed, and good background.

Hmm Well as i play the new cd i am forced to Ask myself ........WTF are you talking about.. Thank God its out, With all the crap they play now days. .......Tool is one of the very FEW the very very few great rock bands out today. The new cd is great.

BTW dont even begin to try and understand the songs yet You have to feel it befor you can even try to understand it. I dont think you will ever feel their music Jessa !

I'm fucking excited for this album but I'm going to hold off until it's released. And [Edited] ominous, you can't tell someone they don't get anything or they won't get anything. It's someone's interpretation of the album - doesn't mean it's right and doesn't mean it's wrong. I liked Jessa's review and it made me more excited for the album.

Hofmann is the man who formulated LSD as seen on toolband.com (April 7th)

I'm a huge TOOL fan. I will definitely make this part of my collection. Nice review.

Great review, im glad to hear such an intelligent description of the songs althought the "lyrical meanings" are all subjective to the listener.

Why am I reading about people bitching that Tool has gone down hill? Has anyone heard the crap that has been coming out lately from other bands? Let's compare all the other bands out there to Tool. The best music written by other bands compares closely to Tools worst written music. So think about all the great music that Tool has written it really is in a category of its own. So to sit there and bash the music that Tool makes is like saying that every album that comes out by any other bands suck. People that are bashing Tool probably listen to crap like HIM, and bands that have no talent playing live or the ability to make you feel the music. So please do your self a favor and shut up and enjoy possibly the best bend ever to play music, live or recorded.

I hoped to god this album was a hoax. It's soooo bad that I'm in shock. We go from "third eye" to "you musta been hiiiigggghhhhh." Oh my god, shoot me now. This album is a complete and total disaster. I will never be able to rock out to "shit the bed" as lyrics, never. If this isn't a hoax, then they're done. It's not a coincidence that ALL of the North American shows' tickets go on sale before the album's release.

1. Vicarious - AWESOME
2. Jambi - AWESOME
3. Wings For Marie - GOOD
4. 10000 Days - BETTER
5. Pot - Took a couple listens to, now it's "ok"
6. Lipan Conjuring - WTF IS THIS? SH*T, THAT'S WHAT
7. Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann) - SEE #6 ABOVE
8. Rosetta Stoned - took a couple listens to, now it's a FANTASTIC SONG
9. Intension - It's ok, kinda repetitive
10. Right In Two - I really like it, GOOD SONG
11. Viginti Tres - OK, The third mantra on the CD that would be better filled by silence then whatever the f*ck this is..

all and all after listening to it a couple times, Tools new CD has sounded better then it did when i first listened to it...but i still expected more after 5 years... Lateralus and Aenima were UNREAL... Undertow, Opiate, and now 10000 Days are all good, but not as good as the aformentioned albums, its almost as if theyve taken a step back with 10000 Days. Its still good, just not great. And they should has more then 11 songs...wtf is that.

Ive heard rumors of a 2nd album to be released later on in the year...anyone?

Jessa... you are a sexy, sexay gal. Don't listen to 'em. After 20 listens (or so now... non-stop really), yeah. THIS ALBUM IS BRILLIANT TOOL. you will be disapointed if you don't allow yourself the opportunity to embrace it in full. I absolutely love the "Blame Hoffman" - "Rosetta Stoned" transition now. "'Shit the Bed.' I'll never rock to lyrics like that, never" I read on a post. This is the band that made you "rock" to lyrics like "Fucked my Lazy-Boy" and "Green is your color now." It's brilliant.

great album, but shame about the guitarist's excessive palm muting in almost every heavy song. he can do so much better

ok, I only want to say, without subjecting Tool's artwork to more scrutiny that Right In Two, isn't about "idiocy" or people, being sheep etc.. It's about mankind, and its acension to where we are today. The history of Tool, in a few words. That's whats its all about - the concept that we really are talking monkeys and that we've gone from, making blades out of stone, to clubbing our own brothers - in the end the only thing we claim to hold us together is religion, but in reality it is our eternal souls. Tool's new album is revealing, insightful and dramatic. A true, concept album. I personally think that there is a possibility of a hoax, only for the one good reason. US. The people who download the CD before its out, who can't wait for the surprise, and would rather discover on our own. Either way, those who are Tool fans understand, HOAX or not, GOOD or not...this CD is TOOL.

I love it and you know what. I couldnt possibly think they could put out a horrible album. I mean all the stuff they do is awesome. The pot fed my hunger of the angry kind. I couldnt find anything thats so much fullfilling this year. I have waited so long and not to be dissapointed. The crap we have had in the music scene is unbariable.

I want everyone to know you should here this all the way through one after another. DONT SKIP TRACKS TO FIND THE BEST ONE YOU HEAR. Some of the songs go from a slow beat to fast and erratic.

Amis wypierdalajcie!

Good review. You know your Tool. Everyone buy it when it comes out!

This album is epic. Forget everything else.

I could destroy the world to this album. I could also save it.

I don't know why people are acting like it's some cardinal sin to say this album isn't quite as good as the last two. The last two are damn-near masterpieces. I do appreciate Tool getting back to their roots, though...which this album does in abundance. 10,000 Days sounds more like Undertow than anything they've done since. It's harder. More abrasive. More organic. I can't wait to hear Vicarious, Right In Two, and the Wings songs in concert. They're definitely on par with past classics.

for the record: the "Gonzo" above is NOT yours truly

also..i have refrained form finding and downloading the album yet, very difficult to resist the temptation

but i will wait until the 2nd...and comment then

nuff said?

Excelsior!

Ok, my original impression of this album was extremely harsh. I hated it, partly because Meshuggah is just so dam bad ass, teched out, fresh, sci-fi, cutting edge, etc. I was just really hopeing that Tool would come out with an album that would rival Meshuggah. But after more listens, I think I am able to pinpoint what exactly I like and dislike about this album. I love Vicarious. I really like track 2 also. It sounds fresh, I love the groove, the only thing I don't like is the guitar solo. I hope I'll eventually change my mind because it ruins the rest of the song for me. Danny Carey in tracks three and four came up with really interesting phrasing on kit. On first listen, it sounded too jam-like for me, but once I gave it more chances, the parts are actually intricately moving with the Justin's lines in totally set interweaving lines, it's bad ass. Also, this might have Adam's best guitar work on the whole album. Track 5...I still absolutely hate this song. Maynard still sounds like Sammy Hagar on this to me. I just don't like the feel of the song(groove wise)at all. Also, I absolutely hate the "ya musta been Hhhhiiiggghhhh" lyric. This song has got to be the worst song Tool has ever written. Track 8 has a lot of interesting vocal parts, effects, phrasing. This song might have Maynard's coolest vocal parts...this and track 4. I hate the "shit the bed" line though, it drives me nuts...especially because it rhymes with other lyric parts. I absolutely love Carey's drum parts on this song. The overall song structure through me off on first listen with this song in particular, but again after more listens, it's bad ass. I am still a little disappointed with the electronic drum sounds on this song. Track 9 finally has Carey using new electronic drum sounds. I like it, I just wish it was louder in the mix. Track 10 unfortunately has the second most annoying lyric in the album..."Monkey", again it just drives me nuts. It just sounds soooo stupid to me, it ruins the song. I hope I can get over this because the song is cool besides this. Carey plays really cool mixed sticking patterns on the drum triggers. The overall song structure again is unusual and requires multiple listens...which definitely seems to be the big change overall with this album. I'm disappointed with the electronic drum sounds overall though. Carey really needs to focus on improving this. Overall, Justin's bass sound and use of delay I love...it comes through the guitar mix in a moody, textural, bad ass way. I am convinced that live justin's sound and effects will possibly make this material way darker than the way it comes across on the album. There is also a really interesting play of answering back and forth, not only between the bass and guitar, but with the drums as well, unusual. It seems that the bass lines carry more of the melody load than on previous Tool albums. I think Adam's guitar lines play way more of a traditional bass line role than before, which led me at first to think the guitar lines were weak...untill I noticed how it was effecting the overall composition of songs with the other instruments. Also, I hope this isn't the whole album because it seems very short.

I agree with Dave - Tool Tool Tool!

The album leak is a hoax!
Hey everyone, I've just recently come across this information through various legitimate sources from the rumor mill, and rest assured this latest leak scare is a decoy album.

No, it is not an album produced by earshot or Chevelle, but a cleverly devised ruse by the members of Tool themselves. After having listened to select tracks, it occured to me that many of them had blatant similarities to past tracks. One track, for instance, is reminiscent of Pushit Live, and one of the filler tracks will remind listeners from a certain filler track on AEnima.

I can't say much else except for the fact that this is all leftover material from past recordings and recent recordings that were never used on their past and upcoming releases. The real album, with the real single, and the REAL album title and cover art will be released on May 2nd, while the decoy, cleverly made as it was, will be placed right next to Ten Thousand Fists on store shelves.

Don't believe it's fake? Maynard is particularly quiet on this decoy, barely making himself heard on many tracks, and with a talent like Maynard why wouldn't you utilize him? Even the lyrics themselves seem to be a rather ingenius joke.

haha great review i cant fucking wait

I couldn't agree more, Andrew...I'm disappointed..I've been a tool fan a long time, and I simply expected more..I'm also a drummer..this is not Danny's best performance..

Amazon has an import version of 10,000 days for sale May 16th for $26. Is this a double disc or something? What's the differance?

Hey V.... I said to my brother yesterday that this sounded like a bunch of B sides from all their records....is their credibility to your sources??

I don't know all the stuff about "is this the real album" and all that hoax stuff but either way, it's still a wicked album.

hey there.. i really identified with what you said about waiting for this album, and many of my feelings about the songs on it are similar to yours.

'Right In Two' is by far my fave song too.. this was an excellent review, thank you!

I am interested to know how credible your sources are "V"

First, totally agree with your review. It's funny actually, cause my review of this album would be broken down by the number of times i listened to it:

1st listen:
Hmm... Jambi is amazing. powerful, emotional, angry, sad. just great. I'm not so sure about the rest of the album.

2nd listen:
Jambi still kicks ass. Skipped Vicarious this time. I like the buildup and release in Wings for Marie pt 1 and 2, i might start to like this song. Right in Two is kind of cool now that I'm not stuck on the fact that Maynard's singing about Monkeys.

3rd listen:
Wow... really starting to like Wings pt 1 & 2, and what's up with Rosetta Stoned? This song rocks. still don't get The Pot.

4th listen: (after reading some of the lyrics)
Damn. Jambi, Wings pt 1 and 2 are the best Tool I have ever heard. The Pot breaks the mood up for a little bit, but then damn it comes right back for Lost Keys through the end of the cd.

5th listen: I'm officially addicted to Jambi, Wings pt 1 & 2, skip The Pot, addicted to Lost Keys, Rosetta Stoned, Intension, Right In Two, and I even think Viginti Tres is cool in a weird way.

6th: heh... so now I like The Pot too. Even started listening to Vicarious.


So yeah, thought it was funny how my opinion of this album went from "What the hell is going on here?" to "This is one of the most amazing CD's I've ever heard."

"This album SUCKS" (21):

Tool does a handful of U.S. dates before they go overseas to kick-off the albums' tour, then they come back to the U.S.. Think of it as a "pre-tour warm-up". They do that before every record.

As far as the record.... I'm only two times through and over half of it went right over my head. The half that has sunk-in thus far, god damn. I can already tell this is a motherfuck. Tool takes time to digest. Those who don't know that, don't know Tool.

I GOT THE ALBUM AND IT IS SICKKKKKKKKKKK

GET MIRC AND DOWNLOAD IT YOU LAMERS

1. Vicarious - AWESOME
2. Jambi - AWESOME
3. Wings For Marie - GOOD
4. 10000 Days - BETTER
5. Pot - Took a couple listens to, now it's "ok"
6. Lipan Conjuring - WTF IS THIS? SH*T, THAT'S WHAT
7. Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann) - SEE #6 ABOVE
8. Rosetta Stoned - took a couple listens to, now it's a FANTASTIC SONG
9. Intension - It's ok, kinda repetitive
10. Right In Two - I really like it, GOOD SONG
11. Viginti Tres - OK, The third mantra on the CD that would be better filled by silence then whatever the f*ck this is..



that is the track list and all of you that think its a hoax are fucking idiots

I'm not sure if it's a hoax or not - doesn't bother me, because either I get stuck with this album (which is amazing) or I get a whole nother album along with it on the 2nd. I torrented it, yeah, but I'm buying it on May 2nd the moment I can.

By the way, 10,000 Days takes a few listens.

As a fan, I found this album to be their worst. I get the somberness and reference of 10,000 days (Vietnam) and the feel they were aiming for (the state of our society). Intension and Vicarious felt more like APC songs than TOOL. Personally, I think Rosetta Stoned is the diamond in the rough followed by a distant second by the single Vicarious. The instrumentals are simply not worth the time. I find the feeling I have now spot on to the emotions portrayed in the album. That could be comforting and uplifting to some, personally I find it a fall from grace. I think this is the "With Teeth" of Tool, a sense of disapperance and fading. I felt the execution was a repeat of eMOTIVe, quite disappointing. I see the positives others have posted as negative, which is legitimate to see both ways. Definitely a provoking album. Give it a listen.

well well well...

after such a long wait...(not to mention slightly dissapointing work with APC) its great to hear tool again. Is the album great too? What follows is my humble opinion:

Overal it seems very much a continuation of the album before lateralus...with a lot of lat. touches though (definitely feeling the "schism")

Most of the music is stunning, it certainly feels like tool...so i dont think the hoax bla bla is true. I think this song was a nightmare to produce, because there simply isnt anything like tool and expectations are laden. I think thats where maybe the price of success is hurting this album. It feels more clinical than organic in terms of how its recorded. Vocals seem thinner (eventhough they must have been filtered and compressed a million times).

I think the real impression of 10,000 wil be when we get to see them live. Thats when the music breathes and lives more. Right the album feels more like a beautyful corpse. Beautyful but dead...

Before all you toolheads get offended...i absolutely love tool. And im not dissapointed by the album, i just think it could have been better...and thats not what i can say about any other tool album

This album is incredible. it is a culmination of all of their previous work, which is why so many of the tracks sound like their earlier stuff. as for the hoax nonsense, so fucking what. if it is old ass b-sides, theryre marvelous and that means more new tool on may 2. it more than likely isnt a hoax but, if it is that would be a good joke. back to the quality of the album. how can anyone really question its brilliance. one of the greatest things about tool is that they are always progressing and evolving, doing different things, never just sounding the same. they are our generation's Pink Floyd.
i can not stop listening to this. i dont want to stop. about the tour dates, god i hope this short US tour is just a warmup. ive never seen them live and i will do whatever is neccessary to do so. also, to anyone who bitches about A Perfect Circle being inferior to tool and a poor substitute, think of it like this as i heard in maynards own words: A Perfect Cirlce is the other half, the other side, the female side to tools more aggressive more masculine nature. they are two parts of one entity. but their music is however it speaks to you, in whatever way that it resonates with you. to each their own.
The review, however was utterly magnificient. i have never in my life heard such a beautifully complete, well thought out, and more importantly heartfelt critique of any album. my utmost respect and kudos to jessa for thinking, feeling, and writing so well.

please stop saying that its a reference to vietnam with the 10,000 days. it refers to maynards mother, the title track is about his mom, she was paralized for 27 years before she died, about the equivelent to 10,000 days... no more war/vietnam references please learn a thing or two before you ruin tools name i hate people that put meanings to their songs when they have no clue

One must simply spend a day without sleep and listen to this album while studying for an acient greek philosophy exam to be completly consumed... you will not believe the connections one will make. The one, being the one, mentioned at the end of Rosseta stoned at around 8:40 is perhaps the most articulate, lyrical motif that I have ever enjoyed. It coincides so well with notions of what the pagan god is its almost mind bogaling. The one, aristotles god or plato's demiurge falls so well with that part of the song.... Tool, is so subliminally spiritual, yet people over look this.... Spiritual in a good way.. though wings for maria kinda takes one back.

opiate and undertow had me hooked instantly, aenima took some listens, lateralus took me a month to get it, 10,000 days takes even longer.... i have always said, the best music takes the longest to understand. Tool isnt about a first listen WHATSOEVER. if you listen to a song one or two times and like it you dont understand what tool does. tool does it for the art, you have to listen and try to understand, its almost more of a task at times than a pleasure, but once u get it, you are hooked, and it is beautiful. Tool have really hit it home with this one, no there is no decoy or double disc, thats all crap. If this album is a decoy what are they gonna do on tour play these songs for a little bit then add the supposed new ones? there is no double disc or other cd comming out, this is 77 minutes of the best tool ever and some people are just idiots and think it sucks and they have to make another record like aenima that isnt as creative and rocks their socks off. Tool isnt about rocking out, because they have rocked out pretty good before doesnt mean thats the idea of it. They do it for the art, they progress, they have progressed much further here than they did with lateralus, this might mean you dont get to bang your head as much, go listen to slayer than. Tool is art, to understand art you must know it as well. This cd takes more and more listens to get it and the more you listen the more you understand what the band is doing. I like lateralus the best of all tool cd's, its too early to say how i like this one compared to others. But I can certainly say this is by far their most artistic. Like Maynard himself sais, "most people just dont get it." people judged what the songs meant before they even heard them, and people now are saying 10,000 days is a reference to vietnam.... as said in the above post its about maynards mother, 10,000 days is easily one of the best tracks Tool has ever recorded, so strong in meaning you can feel the emotion. All you people that shot this album down think you understand Tool, they dont care what you think about them is the bottom line. They make art work, whether joe shmoe likes it or not does not matter to them. Go listen to Korn or Disturbed if you dont understand what im saying, you are probably to absent minded to get the concept. 10,000 days is an excellent album, no there is no extra disc comming out, if you weren't satisfied with this one then dont listen to it. you still have other Tool records you can listen to. Tool is not making cd's to please you, trust me, they dont even know who YOU are. Once you begin to understand Tool and what they practice, you will cherish this cd, along with the rest.

The 10,000 days reference doesn't refer to Vietnam. Maynard's mother suffered a stroke early in life, and was left partially paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair for 27 years (or 10,000 days) until her death. This is the basis for the songs Wings for Marie/10,000 days (his mother's name was Judith Marie, APC song Judith also deals with this theme). The song is, in part, a tribute to her and how her love saved his life. Amazing.

yeah,,, people have been saying for months,,, 10,000 days isnt the real name I KNOW ILL BET MY LIFE ON IT!!! well, they were wrong obviously. these are people who are just dumb and think they know 4 guys theyve never met better than anyone else. Everything is hear for us, no hoax this time. no double disc no fake names no none of that. its time to take this album seriously. 10,000 days has alot of meaning, its about maynards mother, and the way he wrote the lyrics to that song is just incredible, almost like he has found religion, (did he ever not have it though? not sure) Im not even religious, and I love the song wings for marie-10,000 days, which i wouldnt say praises religion but certainly accepts it.

Ambient noise ridden, drawn-out, built-up, pretentious and tired. These are just a few of the many labels that could be given to 10,000 Days, the new release from Tool. Only a band that is known for their relentless 'horror film' tacks could get away with releasing a mess such as this. Though one may argue that Tool has never released two 'like-albums', they have always written good music. Maynard and company really dragged the waters to capture this cacophony. There is absolutely little to no musical solidarity or structured cohesion. Unlike earlier albums, 10,000 Days lacks fluidic movement as well as thought provoking transitions found in songs such as Ænima. While the band has never been known to write and release substandard music, perhaps they're merely following in the footsteps of their peers. This doesn't add up when taking into consideration that this is Tool, and not Metallica. An album should not have to grow on you like cancer, it should have that one track which grips you from the start and drives you to explore the rest of the album in its entirety. Unfortunately, this album has none. Released by any other band, 10,000 Days would serve to be an abstract experience. Released by Tool, it serves to invite disappointment. Be prepared for a sorry excuse of a tour, where you will most likely find yourself staring at an empty stage while loud noise is regurgitated through the stadium speakers.

I am sorry for Tool, because whether you wish to believe it or not, this album is real, and not a hoax - though we wish it were.

I saw NIN in LR and it was fucking amazing, cannot WAIT to see TOOL in KC!!!

WILL YOU STOP WITH THIS RUMOUR CRAP, THERE IS NO DOUBLE DISC, THERE IS NO FAKE ALBUM, THE BAND WORKED HARD TO PUT OUT 76 MINUTES OF MUSIC AND YOU GO AND CALL IT A DECOY, DONT EVER LISTEN TO A TOOL RECORD AGAIN IS MY OPINION, IF YOUR GONNA INSULT THEM LIKE THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM GETTING RID OF AENIMA OR LATERALUS, I HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE GET SO MUCH OUT OF A BANDS ALBUM, IT HELPS THEM IN SO MANY WAYS, THEN THE BAND MAKES AN ALBUM THEY DONT UNDERSTAND, SO THEY BASH IT, PLEASE DO NOT FREQUENT CHAT ROOMS ANYMORE, YOUR OPINIONS SHOULD BE SPOKEN INTO A TAPE RECORDER AT BEST.

I downloaded this fake tool band called counterfist and I really thought it was Tool for a bit, with hesitation. Unfortunately I liked it but then found out it was fake, Its kinda weird liking what u think is tool but then finding out its not.

I did hear the real one though and thought it was awesome for the first 5 songs ive heard so far.
That would be kick ass news if there was a double disk, but I very highly doubt it.

If this is the only single leaked CD tool should make the release date much sooner to save their album sales. Im still buying it anyways.

I think people who have said this is a disappointment have missed the point... to some extent the tool albums up to and including 10,000 days have contained a commentary on society and the way people interact with each other and the media. go through and find the link between the albums on this theme... give you a starter "vicarious" and "schism"...

That said the music is nothing short of amazing and the lyrics are intense and well thought out... i havent ever come across a band that makes me want to sit down and actually think about what i am listening to... they definately have their work down to an art and anyone who doesnt see it really doesnt understand it.

As for the people that were bagging out Lipan Conjuring and the other segue tracks here, go back and have a look on Lateralus and Aenima... they were on those albums too or are you listening to Tool for the first time with this album?

In closing i would just like to give you new listeners a little advice... do not listen to it like you listen to everything else, you will miss everything, there is subtlety, there is some blatantly obvious stuff, but you need to be willing to open yourself up to see it.

Art not Music

im half way between believing that 10,000 days is a decoy and accepting it for what it is. good reviews.i think that the whole cd has striking resmblence to lateralus, but it does grow on you. when i first heard the cd it was too overpowering to develop and idea of the point of the cd. maynard is makin it real hard to understand him, but i appreciate what he's tryin to do.my friends and i have been talking of course- about why it cud be a decoy- tool has always been good at deception and keeping secrets ( not that we dont love them for it) but that is a huge (leak) for tool. also extremely short and has little difference in sound compared to the huge difference between each of the others. i just take what i need from it, i suggest you all do the same, it is of course tool. peace and love

I agree completely with your synopsis Jessa.

I'm 41 years old. I've been listening to "rock" since I was 4. I've been listening to Tool for over a decade. That doesn't make my opinion right, just informed.

10,000 Days is a masterpiece.

I am praying for Keenan. I know he is wrestling with God. Thankfully his mother was a good example to him in a world full of misrepresentations.

Please support Tool's efforts by purchasing the CD if you have the means.

-Monster

Few more days and we'll all know for shure... Anyway IMHO it may well be either a B-side or perhaps an earlier less developed version of the final album... unless that's the "real deal"... and then I'm not shure I'll buy it (as intended) at all. It's not that it's a bad album - it just lacks the GENIUS of Lateralus and Aenima... As somebody said, it sounds more "FEMININE", like A Perfect Circle more than like Tool, not that A Perfect Circle are not a very good band, still - they are not Tool. They lack the "BALLS" and the GENIUS Tool have... Same with this album - Just listen to Maynard's voice gamma in both Lateralus and Aenima or to Carrey's drumming, and Justin and Adam's guitars - they are AMAZING!!! and what about here? Very good, O.K. I agree, but far from brilliant... It reminds me of the first released hoax - that with Counterfist - hey, they were more than O.K - they are a good band indeed, but after listening, even for the first time I immediatelly felt they were not Tool. This second leak, although much more close and alike to the Tool we all love, is still far from the genius of Lateralus and Aenima... and I don't think it's a question of "it will grow on me" or not - I just feel the "spark" is not there, not like in Lateralus and Aenima... It sounds like Maynard's voice, but without the huge gamma in the other albums, the passages between complete sofftness and gentle weeping and the roughness of some other passages... the same with the drumming and the guitars. I realy,realy hope that on May 2'nd I'll return home with a copy of the new Tool album - a better one that this leaked version ... The new TOOL album, after Lateralus and Aenima, should be a 10, not an 8 and a 1/2...

I wish everybody would just accept this album and realize that its not a decoy. I agreed with many of you that it was a possibility at first, but once you get to know these songs you see the brilliance in them. And that is exactly how Lateralus was at the beginning too, and I guarantee if that had been leaked early people would have been thinking a lot of that was a "decoy" until they realized it wasn't and grew to appreciate its genius. I think its just so hard for people to hear new Tool because there is five years of hype surrounding it, and we all know how talented they are, so I feel for the guys because it must be almost impossible to have so much expectation surrounding everything you do. We expect so much that anything we hear isn't going to seem like enough right away, its going to take time to let it sink in to appreciate it. Props to them for not giving a shit what people think and making what they want to make. As for the spark not being there... in my opinion a spark could have been created in you without you even knowing it until it becomes a fire burning inside you, and I think most Tool fans they will be consumed by the new material in time. Wings for Marie/10,000 Days is one of the most touching pieces of music I've ever heard in my life. It is a poignant tribute to Maynard's mother and how her love saved his life, and is the the most personal and moving thing Maynard has ever written. If you disagree, realize how he's spilling his heart for us to hear and how soul searching it is and how much he loves and misses his mother. And this song is a lot more than that, it's too deep to get into here and anything I've said barely begins to scratch the surface. Hearing through Maynard's words his mother's cries outside the gates of heaven that she has come home, that its time for her to get her wings and fly above the pain that she experienced in this life is mind shatteringly beautiful, I can't listen to this song without crying. Think what you want about my opinion, but I've lost my mother to cancer and see a lot of parallels in his agony and its simply beautiful; if you realize the emotion behind the song you will see how its as brilliant and beautiful as anything Tool has ever done. Even more so in my opinion. Right in Two is my other personal favorite, written from the point of view of angels questioning how humans could be blessed with reason but still kill each other over such meaningless things. The rest of the album, mainly Vicarious, Jambi, The Pot, Rosetta Stoned, and Intention I have begun to fall in love with as well. I like some more than others, but that is the case with all music obviously. If it's not what you expected, than fuck you buddy for not letting go of your expectations. Is it as good as Aenima or Lateralus? Irrelevant question... its different and its not meant to be compared, treasure it for what it is, find the beauty in it. I hope somebody will listen to this and find some truth in what I'm saying and echo it.

I got a copy from a friend and this is clearly not a hoax. No one would put this much effort in to the quality of a hoax. Though i have to agree with everyone who is dissapointed in this album. Sure, we can judge it from the message it contains, all the many theories that are out there, but if i wanted a "commentary on society" then i'll read don delillo, or watch a documentary on PBS. I don't buy CD's to learn about my times, i buy CD's to rock the fuck out in my car with the windows down. Let's face it, a majority of tool fans are going to be hitting the NEXT TRACK button on their CD/MP3 players 4 or 5 times for this one.

I read somewhere that Maynard purposefully decided to drown out his vocals with the other members, and all I can think of is why? His mother died from a stroke or something? Oh, okay, then that's a logical choice. The reason TOOL is so great is due almost entirely to maynard's voice. not only has he almost completely removed his voice, what does shine through is flacid and thin. The lyrical content is almost cartoonish.

I originally felt that this album was Tool with a little APC aspects, now i've realized its more like APC with some Tool aspects. I mean, come on, if they had released this album 3 years ago, i'd accept it for what it is, but 5 years later and they give us a CD with 25 minutes of meandering ambience? No excuse. They basically produced 10 minutes of good music a year.

And for all of you who will respond to people like us that say we aren't true tool fans and that we don't understand: STOP IT! You need to realize when something you like lets you down and there is no shame in saying they haven't done their best. Tool could release an album of slowed down fart sounds and you'd defend its aesthetic meaning to your grave.

Bottom line is after 5 years, we get basically half an album. they better release something a little sooner next time and maybe there won't be so much expectation.

#5 The Pot - this was one of the first tracks i dug, even before Jambi (everyone seems to love jambi except me... i felt it could have been more!)

The Pot has some really cool bass melodies, the guitar takes a backseat and lets the bass do the work its cool.

Lateralus is still my favourite Tool album though...

Blubberst, i agree with everything you have said, 10,000 Days is more half than whole. May 2nd, i expect some alterations in the new cd/cd's? Josh, im glad you could emotionaly relate to Maynard's personal experiences, having your mother die of cancer must have changed your life and after hearing that song has made me apreciate my own mom as well as should it to all. Patience will play a large role in the release of 10,000 days so i guess wel just have to wait a couple weeks and see what happens.

Don't these talking monkeys know that edens got enough to go around?

listen to it closely listen to the bass its not him at all listen for the message in the vocals and remember,THINK FOR YOURSELF

I too have downloaded the album (and intend to buy it upon release).

A few comments firstly its certainly a grower, and there are some moments which sound like bog standard metal.

Also you cant possibly compare it to Lateralus which is a masterpiece, this album is a classic example of a band experimenting after producing such an album e.g. Radiohead's Ok Computer followed by Kid A.

Thats not to say its a bad album, its very good (although I have to refrain from calling it a masterpiece for now,) but should be judged on its own merits not compared to previous albums, how could you possibly do that? each Tool album is unique and distinctive.

p.s.
If this album is a hoax, and I go ahead and pre order it what am I going to get? A Tool album with a different name and track listing? Or a copy of this 'hoax'?

fuck your veiws on this album are fuckin shit.. its the best album ive ever heard.. take drugs and listen.. maynards lyrics are soo encrypted.. nothing is what it seems with tool.. my meanings to the songs have no relation to any of the meanings i have read hear.. maynard is a supreme being.. this album is fuckin amazing its not a decoy and if it is the next album will be god himself singing , because nothing can top this albumm in anyway.. definatly goign to be my all time favourite..

peace out..xoxo

I dont need to take drugs (and I pity anyone who has to take drugs to appreciate a Tool album) to appreciate a good album, I dont need to swear constantly to get my point across.

'my meanings to the songs have no relation to any of the meanings i have read hear.. maynard is a supreme being'

-I dont really care what your 'meanings to the songs' are, I'm sure MJK is the only person who knows the true meaning OF the lyrics and frankly what the rest of us think is irrelevant.

The point I was making was that 'Lateralus' sounded like a masterpiece the first time I heard it, however with the new album you need to listen to it several times, it really does get better everytime I listen to it, but at this point in time I feel 'Lateralus' still has the edge although that may change.

UHM, 10k days sucks! How's that?

I agree with josh. after sitting down and doing that thing that i hope all of you do when you get a new tool cd, i have found that there is actually more soul in it than i had previously thought.im getting more out of 10,000 days than i think i would out of a decoy.the genius is definately there, that sheet music must be fucking insane. anyway, my point is that if you havent taken the time to pry it open for yourself with 10,000 days, sit down and take it in.

I find it a little ridiculous that some of you out there are so "sure" it's a decoy. But also how some of you are so "sure" that it's not. This is a good album at the very least, whether or not it's real. Be patient - it comes out in less than a week for God's sake. The lyrics do coincide with the official song titles, and considering those are the ones that Amazon and all the other companies have posted as the official record, it would seem more likely that it's the real thing - I can't see how such companies would post fake artwork and song titles, and then send out something different to the people who pre-ordered... But on the other hand, I don't think any of us would be surprised if Tool incorporated the same titles/themes into the lyrics of a bunch of fake songs (well, the songs are real Tool clearly, but possibly just b-sides if you follow that thinking) and leaked those out to f*ck around with people. So ultimately, let's all just be patient and wait till the 2nd to find out.

hm...for those of you who posted negative comments about tool. i say you are not real tool fans, and do not fully fathom their artistic talent. I say this because i believe that you cannot simply like one album and not the other, there is something in every album for fans to take. You must dig deeper in the meaning of the songs, and you cant look them up on the internet, you must feel them.

I respect everyones opinion completely except for those few people that think their getting "ripped off" for waiting 5 years for this CD. Its still one of the few bands that consistantly have songs that are over 5 mins long, they change their guitar riffs throughout the song and arent the same stupid chorus, like just about every other band alive. I think song #5 "the Pot" is the only song that sounds somewhat like APC and thats only cuz maynards voice. This is gonna be the best CD I can buy probably since Lateralus, cuz the rest of music is very repetative and lame. U dont need drugs to listen to it, but if you've had shrooms and try listening ,its simply amazing.
I really cant believe some TOOL fans are disappointed with this. Why? I could understand u ranking it last compared to the others, especially this early, but how can it suck. To each his own. I'm so fuckin excited for the CD though, a Hoax CD simply wouldnt make sense at all, A double disk CD would be a nice surprise, but unlikely. TOOL is the most creative band I've ever heard, and I don't need these reviews to tell me my opinion, Its interesting though. all thats important is that I heard the CD and I love it, its already one of my favorite, Aenima, Opiate and this one should be the only ones where I dont skip any songs. Lateralus unfortunately had a song or 2 I skip, and same for undertow, which still rocks.

I love this album and haven't stopped listening. So yeah there are a lot of "quiet" parts but how is that different than Lateralis that you all seem to love the most. I like all Tool albums almost the same...aenema is prolly got the edge. Tool is a band that will NEVER put out something they don't feel. Everything on this album is exactly how they wanted you to hear it and if you are a true Tool fan than you couldn't ever hate it. FYI I love Jambi and The Pot. Thanks for reading...kill bitches and smoke weed

On a separate note I hope the CD is mastered as a HDCD like Lateralus becuase it will sound amazing, just think of the clarity of sound on Lateralus. Also I hope they decide to remaster the back catalogue in the DVD audio format, imagine listening to that, amazing music made to sound even better!

Great review, Jessica! I'm 37 and have been extremly excited about this album :) Tool never fails to impress me. Greatest band ever and an unbelievable album. Period!

Different than anything else, Yes. What did you want? Another Lateralus? Another Aenima? Tool continues to evolve with each album and always will. Listen to the album. LISTEN. Do Not Hear It. Listen to it. If you do not like it then, your expectations are unnrealistic. 5 years can make you build a HUGE expectation. This album is everything and more I thought it would be. The review was great although we all get something different from each lyric and a songs interpretation cannot be defined from one person alone. I feel any TOOL fan will surely love/grow to love this album with some time with it. Become friends and rock out with 10,000 days. Also, go buy the fucking album. Support Tool. I know I will.

Peace
Spiral Out
Keep Going

Amen SpiralOut! TOOL!

and seriously, where are your peoples patience?! I thought you were all TOOL fans!?

TOOL!

Where can this be downloaded? I finally heard Vicarious and am psyched to hear the rest. I'm buying it on the 2nd, but would love to hear the whole thing now.

10,000 days will turn some heads. I have been waiting two months for this CD. I cannot stress how much I need this CD. In Tool I trust.

Judith Maire Keenan did not die many years ago...she died in June 03'....other then that great review...the album is amazing!!!

go to this page:

www.myspace.com/7real7ism7

Here youll find photos of the album... someone allready has it!!

i don't want to believe the rest of the songs are not what we all espected. But if its so(hope not), 10,000 days will be the first album with an awesome first single and the rest of the songs...

Lets hope for real tool stuff... may 2nd

Peace!

hey, I'll bet you by the time you read all of these damn posts, the album will be out! BUY, BUY, BUY!

Tool hates it sooo much when people download their shit... so that would give them good reason to protect the album that is coming out.

Think about it...they have had over 4 years to play and make good songs... I think the REAL cd is going to be all their great songs, while this cd is the songs that didn't quite cut it.

They allowed this Cd to get out so that know one will expect the real one when it comes out.

When I heard Tool had finally brought out a new album I was stoked... got on the net and downloaded it right away - After listening to it a couple of time.. im disappointed.. definetly wont be buying this album.
Flush summed it up pretty well. "Ambient noise ridden, drawn-out, built-up, pretentious and tired."

10k Days doesn't compare to their other albums.. I hope that it is a hoax.

For me 10,000 days is the greatest album of tool. Disapointed to see how other people judge it especialy for those 10 years fans. A deeper meaning is in this album each in every song all you have to do is just see it!not only listen to it but to see it. It will grow on to you much faster than the late albums. As we all now tool songs grow in to you...

anynone who has listened to 10 000 Days very closely at least 20 times, will realize that this has once again far surpassed their previous endeavours. Every album has successively been superior to the previous. It's an evolution and an ascension.

The only song I have listened to is Vicarious and is one of the most amazing songs I have ever listened too. The lyrics are some of the best I have ever heard. I do agree that Tool is the modern day Pink Floyd and their music is contagious. I can't get enough of their music. 10,000 Days will be nothing short of spectacular. I pray for May 2nd to come.

Yes the album is real, yes it is different. And screw everyone who says you have to like this album to be a Tool fan. I love Metallica but St. Anger sucks. Im not saying 10,000 days Sucks, but people are entitled to their opinion. Personally I dont think this album is anywhere near a 5 year wait, or better than Opiate, AEnima, or LAteralus, or Saliva for that matter, serisouly find me a better song than No Quarter. But I cant wait till May 8th, seeing them in Dallas! Section F, Row J!

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the song No Quarter a Led Zeppelin cover?

Well. i cant say that i had to listen to the album over and over again to love it. i heard the first song Viscarious and was indeed hooked. some have been saying that it doesnt sound like tool. i say thats a load of crap. they sound exactly like they should and always have sounded which is simply excellent. ive been listening to the album over and over again. not so i can learn to love it more but because i love it already. i will be going to see them in june too and i will definatley be buying the album. i cant wait till its released

Don't download the album! how do u think you can judge an album on shite MP3 quality, and dont you think that 5 years in the making deserves some cash and a proper listen in better quality?

SO BUY IT

Personally, when the single came out on the radio, i felt a little bit alienated.. since i've been a lingering die-hard tool fan for the past 7 years. "Vicarious" is.. to say the least.. different. After a few times and getting the lyrics down i've grown to have chills every time it plays.

Anyway, it's been at LEAST 4 years since i've bought an album of any sort. Time to break that record..

THIS IS THE LEGIT ALBUM. THERE IS NOT ANOTHER ALBUM. THIS IS NOT A COLLECTION OF B-SIDES. THIS WAS ALL STARTED BY PEOPLE UNSATISFIED WITH THE MUSIC... SO IF THIS IS A FAKE, PROVE IT...OH, YOU CAN'T? WHY NOT?
BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER ALBUM.
CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW INSULTING IT MUST BE FOR TOOL TO HAVE PEOPLE CALL THIS A FAKE. THEY PUT THERE BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS INTO THIS. YOU DON'T LIKE IT, GO BUY A POP ALBUM AND SHUT THE HELL UP.

WHAT MORE, I THINK IT'S AMUSING HOW PEOPLE BASHED LATERALUS WHEN IT CAME OUT BECAUSE IT WASN'T LIKE AENEMA. NOW THOSE SAME PEOPLE ARE CALLING LATERALUS A MASTERPIERCE. YOU WANT AENEMA, GO LISTEN TO AENEMA. YOU WANT LATERALUS, GO LISTEN TO LATERALUS. DON'T CRITICIZE THEM FOR BEING A BAND WITH A GROWING SOUND, THAT IS A RARITY MOST BANDS TODAY CANNOT HOLD A CANDLE TO.
OPEN YOUR MIND.
THINK FOR YOURSELF.

'vicarious' starts note for note the same as 'the patient' only harder. like... throw some overdrive on... the drums start at 11 seconds in both songs...

this is a remix/remake album.

hoax? lazy album to exploit fans?

we'll see.

When Alice In Chains came out with their follow-up albums to Facelift, were they too met with such abrasive reactions? When Pink Floyd released Animals, did they receive mixed reviews the likes of which 10,000 Days is receiving? Given that the internet was at its infancy when both aforementioned bands released their masterpieces--we have something here to evaluate. Has this band not delivered on every previous album? So allow me to explore something: "Album Evolution and Experimentation"

Tool has chosen to explore different sounds, moods, transitional methods, life experiences, vocal experimentation etc. This was also done on eMotive. Bands like Radiohead, Dream Theater, Queensryche, Pearljam, Metallica, Fear Factory, Sevendust, and Anthrax, to name a few, have all made risky transitions. With every above example, they have lost substantial fan-base through poor experimentation, and failing to evolve. Most of your classic rock artists were pioneers of the techniques of album evolution and experimentation--thus largely explaining why they never failed to deliver. Unfortunately, Tool has failed to deliver, and their evolution is bordering extinction. Now, we can do one of two things:

1. We can accept this album and force ourselves into liking it, just as we were forced to like disagreeable foods as children.
2. Take the advice of Tool and think for yourself.

I choose to think for myself, and plan to pass on buying this album.

interesting

i live in australia and bought the album at midnight last night at a special release party. the album is real, all the songs you have downloaded are included in it. the limited edition packaging is a digipack with little magnifiers to see closely into the artwork. This album far surpassed my thoughts of what it would be and is only rivalled by Aenima.

go out and cop the album you wont regret it

thought I had to join to say something. The music is quite different frm previous albums, however, there is something that is new and this novelty in their music is quite explicit and possible be better than their older stuff. Rosetta stoned was created with some depth. There is no way this is a DECOY. I keep seeing that. You can not enjoy something until you experience it. Some things need to be able to connect cognitively before one's dopamine is released. BE PATIENT...

see... my mate from australia agrees. Too bad it is not released in Indonesia so soon.

"Now where was I?.. Oh yeah, TOOL!.. I'm not going to reveal my source, Mister Patience, but do you want to know the kind of things that have been going on while this record was being recorded? Okay, first there was the decoy record just to confound all those would-be bootleggers out there. This took, oh, about a year, just because the band members wanted it to sound pretty close to the real thing (so as to be believable), along with equally believable art design."

Quoted from here...

damn... thats gotta make you ponder.. FAKE OR NOT!!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Well this album is clearer a grower and you need to listen to it several times to appreciate all the detail, now that I have listen to it countless times I agree with some of you its on a par with the previous albums. Given time Im sure most people will learn to love it and rank it as amongst Tools best work.

i'm not listening to Lateralus, i'm not listening to Aenima anymore since i've bought this album....i don't think it's a bad reaction :)

This album is amazing. It is the essence of Tool. You know it when you hear it. I haven't even listened the whole way through yet (the album was just released here in Australia today), but I can already tell that it will by far exceed the other albums in complexity and intensity. For those of you who downloaded it, good on ya. Now do the right thing and go buy the album. Well worth the 30 bucks that they charged for the limited edition here. Hell, I would have paid 100 bucks for it if required. And to even say there are tinges of A Perfect Circle on the album is an understatement. Big Fu**ing deal?!? I think it makes it that much better. I can't wait to see the new material performed live.

Now get your A$$E$ out there and buy this album!

I've never heard anything as pure and emotional as this album. Wings for Marie and 10,000 Days have some of the most powerful lyrics I've ever seen. I absolutely can't wait until tuesday. It will be an honor to pay for this album, even though I've already heard it many many times.

This is definitely an evolution of sound. As before, Tool has almost completely disregarded "Pop" elements such as song structure. The absence of such elements provides for a very unique sound. If you are used to hearing heavily distorted guitars, repetitive drum beats, and dragging vocals, then neither this album nor any of Tool's past works will fully satisfy your habits. 10,000 Days is something new; it is idiotic to expect it be exactly as Tool's past albums.

After many hours spent listening to this album, I have decided that is my favorite Tool album. It is, by far, the most thought provoking and personal album they've ever produced. If you aren't already an experienced Tool fan, this album may come as a shock to you simply because it is so much different than anything ever done before it.

This album has influenced my outlook on life a great deal. It has an extremely positive theme and approaches many of society's deepest problems. My advice is to embrace the band's progression and your own. It isn't often that something this epic comes around.

Long live Tool.

I don't believe for a second that this album is fake... howver if it turned out that Tool had pulled one over on us and they released a completly different album next week... I would be an extreamly happy tool fan. because I love the current songs that I'm digesting and that would just mean I'd have a double dose of Tool to hold me over for the next 5 years.

Has anyone really figured it out yet. Whatever you say "could be, or most likely isn't true about the meanings of the songs. All the band wants you to do is to use the music to fit your life, and decide for yourself.EternalRevolvingIntelligentCreature.
Love,Respect,Truth

I like it

'I have found some kind of temporary sanity in this shit, blood and cum on my hands' is one of the heaviest line ever written in the history of rock and 13 years on from the angry young man that listened to undertow over and over I still get a real kick out of the album, long after I've pretty much given up on the likes of Slayer, Napalm Death, Meganerd, Anthrax, and bands of that ilk kicking round at the time. At the same time, I would feel strangely unsatisifed if Tool released an album like undertow again. My tastes have moved on and Tool is one of the few bands who keep it interesting enough for me to keep listening to their stuff. Ænima and Lateralus are always on the CD rack or the mp3 player, and 10,000 days will be no exception. Its a monster album you need to listen to and absorb....slowly. Track I like the most so far is Intension, least is probably Vicarious.

Thanks Tool for keeping it interesting for us over 30 year olds, lol.

Like any of my favourite albums, the first time I listened I wasn't particularly blown away. But that's not a bad thing. Tool never has, and never will be, about first impressions. This is the thinking mans metal outfit. Which is why I'll still be listening to this album next month, next year, and for years to come, unlike most of the other trash that gets released these days.
For those that don't understand Tool, stay away. For those who's idea of metal is a pop song with reverb, fuck off. For those who heard about this forthcoming release and decided to wait and hold off on terminating their sorry existances until hearing it - life is good. So good in fact, it's probably worth hanging around another 5 or 6 years for the next one.

About the supposed "horrible 25 minutes of ambience music" on the album... How long would you say an average CD is? 45 minutes sound about right? Well, there's this thing called deleting music off of an mp3 player, and this thing called burning cd's but leaving some tracks off. Even if you do that to this CD, it's STILL longer than most CDs.

I DL'd the album, but still plan to buy it the moment I get a chance... just trying to keep an open mind and let it grow on my like all other tool albums did. When I first got Undertow and Aenima, I hated Aenima but loved Undertow. After awhile, Aenima grew on me and I liked it as well. Then Lateralus came out and I got it, hated it; I thought all the tracks sounded the same instrumentally, but I liked The Grudge.. finally, Lateralus (the song) started to grow on me... then Schism... you get the idea. It really takes multiple listens to get used to anything released by Tool other than Undertow. As for the APC thing? Like Maynard and people here have said, Tool is his yin, APC is his yang. Tool is his masculine side, APC is his feminine side. Now that APC is done, the two have combined; he now has to let his yin and yang creativity out at once.

HOORAY! I'm an Aussie and 10,000 days was released yesterday (29/04/06)over here. I loved it from the first listen although i am sure that further listening will give me a much deeper appreciation of all of the songs that Tool have to offer. As for will others like it? - i think that if u loved Lateralus (as i did) u will find a lot to like in this albumn too. Lateralus is by far my favourite album of all time so i was hoping for a lateralus-esque evolution (but can still hear touches of Undertow in there strangely enough) which i think is what they delivered here. It may also help that i have been getting into a lot of Meshuggah lately, and tool themselves admit their time listening to Meshuggah has probably had an influence on the record.

Long story short: I bought the official album, am thoroughly enjoying it and would recommend it to any long-time Tool fan

Cheers

Please...this is no masterpiece, and Tool is not some mysterious band. They come out with an album every 5 years, and rarely do interviews. They aren't mysterious...they're just weird rich bastards, that get rich off of people who think that they're mysterious musical geniuses. That's how they create hype. Yeah, they're good musicians, Lateralus, and Anima are amazing albums...Lateralus is my favorite. 10,000 Days, not so great. The only reason why there were so many rumors that what was leaked online was a decoy, was because there was so much hype about a new album coming out after 5 long years, that no one wanted to think that what they were hearing was what they had been waiting for. Listen to "The Pot"..."Who are you to wave your finger. You musta been out your head." What, is MJK now into Ebonics? After 5 years this is a huge disappointment, but of coarse with all the die-hard Tool fans, they'll turn a pathetic effort into a masterpiece.

absolutely, didnt you know he was a poor black raised with rich white tendencies. My god where have you been?

apologies for the overlooked cheers

action over the appreciation...maybe

Hi,

I have only had time to listen to it once, and my first impression was the guitars were drowning out much of the other music. I am listening it to a second time, have turned off all silly things like bass boost and lowered the some of the Hz and it is sounding a bit better. i am not sure if this was undertaken on tools part, or if they are experimenting. I am yet to make complete judgement, how can you after one listening, but eeven this second time i am hearing some of the nuances of this music, and yes it is beginning to grow on me.

As I reside in Australia, and purchased my copy of 10,000 DAYS on April 28, I can categorically tell you this album is no hoax. If it is then , its the most expensive cd hoak in music history. When you buy your personal copy, you will know what I mean. The cd package is nothing short of brilliant, let's say its like having a truncated form of an abstract art gallery in your hands, and in something approaching 3D to boot! In comparison, other bands cd packages seem as worthy to keep as a greasy, used pizza box. So forget the bloody hoax theories, they're simply perpetuated by petty minded geeks with single digit brain cells.
The album itself is suffocating, complex, thought provoking and meant to piss people off I suspect. Its still 100% tool, though, only its 100% tool in 2006, not 1993, 96, or 2001. Tool create music for themselves not for " fans ", and even their thinnest perceived material promotes more discussion than 99% of most other bands epics. Listen carefully, and don't bloody judge too soon. Otherwise you just make yourself look like a fu&*%#g hypocrite,..savvy.

So much as been said about this album, and really, the only comments I've seen of true value are that of the originator, Jessa. The interpretations are nothing short of breathtaking -- as not only have I taken about the same meanings from 10,000 Days, but a lot of them is what I think and feel, myself as a human being. MJK is an amazing songwriter and musician, in general, and just because he threw a few swear words (like in previous albums) and is speaking more in slang does not speak for the intelligence and complexity of his message.

10,000 Days, to me, isn't as "experimental" as people keep making it sound. To me, it sounds like... like TOOL! The signature tune and melody, the haunting and other-worldly aspects, the enigmatic progression, the lyrics so sincere and brilliant (Especially on the two "Wings" tracks) -- they're all constructed beautifully to make an epic, yet at times, down right strange experience. This is an effort that speaks to fans of their actual combined MUSIC, not just one aspect of it from a previous release in the 90's.

The only thing that spooked me was the opening vocals to "The Pot" -- I didn't "get" them at first, you could say, but I stuck with the song, and quickly, it and Jambi became my two favorites, when it comes to their overall playability.

I do hear some influences from Meshuggah here (though idiots will repeatedly continue to lament about it not being "Meshuggah-like" enough). There are complex melody/rhythm patterns that are created by the instruments all catering to different pieces of a melody of polyrhythm and power. In this way, it is very much an effort INFLUENCED by Meshuggah, as stated to in previous interviews.

There is also a slight aspect of A Perfect Circle (a band I am also quite fond of, with the exception of eMOTIVE), but only because Maynard sings somber and low in parts. Other than that, there are really no other aspects of it (contrary to what kids who hate APC will whine about).

Just... all in all, it needs to be heard -- like they've said -- more than once. Go BUY it (as I intend to), and listen to it, completely before you just search a random blog site and trash Tool because it's "kewl" to you.

Oh yeah, and another thing, USE SPELL CHECK, PEOPLE!

2 more days and you get it right.
Who cares by the way. Fake not fake, il's good music, it's good Tool, and if it gets even better, I 'll buy it. Wake up, they're still alive...

The packaging is impressive, another extension of their well thought out art. I bought the album because their efforts at thought provoking aesthetics should be rewarded given that it is so easy to get stuff on the net. The album is hard to review over a few listens, like a lot of their work it takes a little while.
Thanks.

The packaging is nothing short of brilliant? WHO CARES, IT'S A CD, NOT A PAINTING... I'm not going into a store to ask..."Do you have that new artwork that just came out?" TOOL hires some drugged out hippie that does their packaging and artwork for them. All they did was say... "Yeah, I like it." It shows how great this new album is when so many are talking about the packaging and artwork. Something that TOOL did not create.

Adam, don't buy it!!
Adam is wrong
Adam is wrong
Adam is wrong
Adam is wrong
Adam is wrong
Adam is wrong
Adam is wrong
Adam is wrong
Adam is wrong
Adam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrongAdam is wrong

Regarding the legitimacy of the 10,000 Days rip floating around online: there is both a legit copy and a bogus one (possibly a few from reading elsewhere). I happen to have both, and whoever originally posted the fake even went thru the trouble of editing the id3 tags to match the Tool tracklist. CHECK THE TRACK TIMES. The correct ones were posted with the tracklist on toolband.com a few weeks back; if they don't match then what you have is NOT Tool. The one bogus I have is a band called Counterfist, and the CD title is Chiral. It's not terrible, but it's definitely not Tool...

As for the genuine article, anyone who "gets" Tool and has been listening to their material will not be disappointed, tho' as other posters have indicated, one listening won't even scratch the surface...

SO, THE ALBUM IS RELEASED IN THE UK TOMORROW (1st OF May 2006). I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO THE LEAKED COPY FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS NOW, AND LIKE THE ALBUM. I AGREE WITH SOME PEOPLE THAT THE LYRICS ON SOME SONGS ARE NOT GREAT AND THAT SOME OF THE TRACKS THEMSELVES JUST DON'T SOUND AS GOOD AS WE ALL WANT. THE RUMOURS ABOUT THE REAL ALBUM (NOT THIS FAKE ONE) BEING RELEASED ON 1ST OF MAY SEEM TO BE UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN. I HOPE THE BAND HAVE TRICKED US AND IT IS A DOUBLE ALBUM, BUT DON'T SEE IT HAPPENING.

I WILL LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM ALL THE TIME LIKE I HAVE BEEN DOING BUT SOME OF THE TRACKS ARE DISSAPOINTING. LOVE TRACK 1,2,3-4,5..AND THEN THE REST IS NOT OF THE SAME STANDARD.

IF THIS ALBUM HAS BEEN RELEASED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD BY NOW, WOULD WE NOT KNOW THE TRUTH, ALL THE RUMOURS AND EXPLANATIONS PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN SEEM MORE HOPEFUL THAN ANYTHING.

TOMORROW WE WILL SEE, CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE THE REAL THING WITH GREAT SOUND QUALITY AND PLAY IF VERY LOUD....EVEN IF IT IS THE SAME SONGS I HAVE HAD FOR OVER A WEEK....ANYTHING ELSE IS A BONUS...SECOND DISC PLEASE.....IM HUNGRY!

Addendum: I notice the tracktimes listed on wikipedia are off by maybe a couple of seconds from what my player shows for the genuine Tool, but the bogus rip times are significantly different, sometimes by several minutes...

Adam, you're right! The decoy reaction is a manifest function of the album's five year interim, and its integrity. It is my belief that they expected much more than what was delivered. I would have waited 10,000 days for something that was worth listening. At least we still have Winger and Gentle Giant.

I have read ALL of these comments...I'm very tired. Right in Two is similar to Third Eye in it's length, raw power and experimentation.

Brilliantly multi-layered soundscape from one of the most powerful bands of all time.

Please, if you download this album (which I only think is slightly allowable to know if an album is worth buying...) and it is good enough to listen to, please purchase the album, with it's amazing packaging and astonishing sounds, it is a must for serious music fans.

Great review btw.

Well I was lucky enough (or commited enough) to be the first in line in Wellington, New Zealand when the album was released at midnight. I literally ran home (salivating profusely) in order to listen to this Album. Even during the wee small hours of the night I found myself laughing aloud and getting goosebumps when I listened to this album. It's uncanny how TOOL can just step things up and constantly amaze me, and everyone else i'm sure.

Funny aside: the tool release concided with the release of the new pearl jam album and in the store out of around 60 people not one had come at midnight to collect an album with pearl jam on the cover. This is a credit to tool, other bands need to learn some patience

I love Tool, but probably won't buy this disc. The reason? Because the band totally lost me on Lateralus. Every song becomes this 20 sound art thing.

I guess if I want to hear Maynard make rock and roll I have to stick with Perfect Circle. Tool's new music just bores the shit out of me.

and another thing. I didn't see Kabir's site mentioned anywhere in here. Tool 'official' website is useless, just like the music... just weird art from the very cool mind of Adam Jones.

Also, Adam Jones has some crazy cool stuff up on myspace too.

Anyhow, if you want Tool news, music, tabs, anything pertaining to Tool, go to Kabir's site. http://toolshed.down.net/

Shit, it only took my one time to listen to each song, to think this album is the FUCKING SHIT. I've listened to Tool since Undertow, always loved 'em, always will. Buy this FUCKING CD!!!!!!!!

"Fool," I'm a fan of Tool, and I'm buying the album, why? Because I think it's good. I'm disappointed because I expected A LOT more, and I get annoyed when die-hard fans give more credit to an album and band than what's due. Everyone is obviously entitled to their opinion, and in my opinion, 10,000 Days cannot hold a candle...not even those tiny skinny little striped birthday candles, to Lateralus and Anima.

For all the people claiming that this isn't the real album, I am confused. Are you saying this because you aren't satisfied?

Anyway, 10,000 Days is an absolutely amazing album.

Vicarious and The Pot (why do people not like this song!!!) where the two tracks that initially grabbed me. Since then, I have am totally amazed by Jambi, Rosetta Stoned and Right in Two.

And that doesn't even cover the absolutely AMAZING 17 minutes that is 10,000 days.

Would I have liked more intense Tool similiar to Aenima? Of course. But 10,000 days is not Aenima. By the way, that doesn't mean I think 10,000 days is soft, it is more like Lateralus in tone than Aenima.

In time, 10,000 days will be adored like any other Tool album. Tool is the best band of this era and hopefully will continue to be so for a long time.

Been listening to 10,000 Days now for, well about 3 days. I wasn't going to download it early and "cheat" but after reading all of the mixed reviews I decided that I couldn't wait. (of course I'll be buying the cd on tues. and deleting the shoddy quality songs from my computer right away) I have to aggree that this is definatly a record that takes more than one listen to get into. There were a few "what the hell is this"? moments the first time through. The reason for this is that I was expecting something different... what it was I'm not sure since not of their previous albums have sounded alike. However after the initial shock I sat back and thought about the first time I listended to Lateralus and was set back a little. So I've been listening to the new record almost non stop in my office, car, home ect. and its not so much that it's grown on me like I've heard so many people say, but it's opened up to me... or maybe I've opened up to it is more fitting. Anyway you want to look at it.. songs that at first I wasn't sure about simply because they sounded "different" like Rosetta Stoned, and The Pot have now become exciting to me the way Lateralus was the first week I owned it, and I hear new things in them everytime I listen to them. It's definatly something you have to come into with an open mind, but I think if you give it a chance it will blow you away. This is another classic Tool record that I will be listening to for years.

By the way, I'll be seeing them for the first time since 02' May 15th in Detroit and I can't wait to see the new shit live!

it's real, im in austraya too, and it was released on 28th.

just skimming through these posts....wow adam. sounds like someone's bitter....and ignorant.

-TOOL hires some drugged out hippie that does their packaging and artwork for them. All they did was say... "Yeah, I like it."-

anyone who didn't catch that earlier, read it again and have a good laugh.

http://www.alexgrey.com/

if you did some research adam, you might find out that that "drugged out hippie" also did work on your favorite album. as with your favorite album, the art was contributing to the concept....which tool created. adam jones worked with alex grey on the visual concept. i seriously doubt that tool took a back seat on the concept art, considering they have fought so hard to keep their creative freedom(even in court) to deliver their concepts.

there is one thing i do agree with though...

-"The only reason why there were so many rumors that what was leaked online was a decoy, was because there was so much hype about a new album coming out after 5 long years, that no one wanted to think that what they were hearing was what they had been waiting for."-

...very true.

you are entitled to your own opinion as you said.
i'm not giving my opinion on this album, but it's hardly a "pathetic effort" even if you don't enjoy it. masterpiece, that's for the listener to decide.
i guess i'm just waiting for your masterpiece considering you are all-knowing, all-mighty adam.

oh, and let me know when your band releases that masterpiece adam. hopefully the world will give it enough listens to dub it just that. then maybe you can reach the stature tool has worked for and earned for the last 15 years.

True artists create a piece of work with the intent of impressing only themselves. That is what TOOL has done again with this album and they have created another masterpiece. If you are a "true" TOOL fan you already know they don't make albums for the fans, they make them with only the thought of pleasing themselves. They are not a "Sale Out" band that puts together an album a year and the album sounds like everything else they put out. Or a band that tries to sound like other bands that are popular at the time or imitate the sound that is popular at the time. TOOL makes albums with only the intent of satisfying themselves not you. You should appreciate that because these guys aren't pretentious like other bands. Believe me they have enough money and don't need yours so don't by the album if you don't like it, that's just an extra copy for a true fan to pick up. Those of you bagging on this album need to listen to "Hooker with a Penis" because that song is about you. Here's the lyrics:
I met a boy wearing Vans, 501s, and a
Dope Beastie t, nipple rings, and
New tattoos that claimed that he
Was OGT,
From '92,
The first EP.

And in between
Sips of Coke
He told me that
He thought
We were sellin' out,
Layin' down,
Suckin' up
To the man.

Well now I've got some
A-dvice for you, little buddy.
Before you point the finger
You should know that
I'm the man,

And if I'm the man,

Then you're the man, and
He's the man as well so you can
Point that fuckin' finger up your ass.

All you know about me is what I've sold you,
Dumb fuck.
I sold out long before you ever heard my name.

I sold my soul to make a record,
Dip shit,
And you bought one.

So I've got some
Advice for you, little buddy.
Before you point your finger
You should know that
I'm the man,

If I'm the fuckin' man
Then you're the fuckin' man as well
So you can
Point that fuckin' finger up your ass.

All you know about me is what I've sold you,
Dumb fuck.
I sold out long before you ever heard my name.

I sold my soul to make a record,
Dip shit,
And you bought one.

All you read and
Wear or see and
Hear on TV
Is a product
Begging for your
Fatass dirty
Dollar

So...Shut up and

Buy my new record
Send more money
Fuck you, buddy.

I'm not going to change anyone's opinion because music, art and movies are such a personal thing.

For me:
This album really struck a chord. It did not take multiple listens to get me. The first listen got me and each song progressed and sent chills deep into my soul. Having now listened to this way too much over the last several days... it still hooks me and still brings out the goosebumps. Might add, I'm not easily moved like this.

10,000 days offers the best most comprehensively brilliant arangements I've heard in sometime and would venture to suggest that we may be talking about this record for quite awhile.

Great record. Much deeper aspects to it as they have mentioned on the official website (numerology of solomon's temple built by herod, sacred geometry, and others) that will make for a long long long interpretartion by us avid fans.

Tool is progressive rock to its finest...every cd they have ever done is different than the previous ones while still keeping the same sound that made them unique in the first place. Lateralus took a completely different route than Aenima and 10,000 days goes even further and deeper. There is so much to this record that you really do have to listen to it all the way through (who wouldn't want to anyhow?!!) and many times to really begin to see the portrait they're painting here.

Maynard hasn't become religious and if you actually read the lyrics you will know that. Hes a spiritual agnostic who accepted his mothers religious devotion. He tormented her over the years in way with his stubbornness and prob outspokenness of his stance on religion but with these songs he is showing how much he appreicated and respected her beliefs. She stayed strong and kept her in his thoughts and prayers at all times and he is showing his mother love with these songs for that...


TOOL ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!