Even though the album has leaked into every orifice of the Internet and even if you've downloaded it, please support Tool and buy this album when it comes out.
At 21 years of age, I thought I'd be too old to get excited over a new album, but my nights and days were spent constantly thinking about this particular album since the day Blair on Tool's official website said that recording was complete. As I listened to 10,000 Days I realized that no, I wasn't too old to get excited over a new album - especially since it's been almost five years coming.
Opening with the first single, "Vicarious," the album begins in an explosion of sound. It sounds like almost a mix of "Schism" and "Parabola" from their 2001 effort Lateralus. It speaks of our love for violence in the media and yet, when it comes to reality we struggle to deal with it. Vocalist Maynard James Keenan (herein to be known as MJK) sings "...I need to watch things die / from a good safe distance / vicariously I / live while the whole world dies / you all feel the same / so why can't we just admit it?".
Adam Jones comes through continuously throughout this album and on “Jambi”, he is truly amazing. “Jambi” is almost a continuation of “Vicarious” but here, instead of watching violence, we are almost creating it. The song illustrates falling to “the dark side” or succumbing to the bad thoughts in our mind — "...in love with the dark side/ I’d found / dabbling all the way down / up to my neck..." – and yet somehow pulling ourselves back before we get too deep.
What I am about to say will outrage Tool fans, but "Intension" reminds me of an A Perfect Circle song – if only for a moment. MJK could not have left A Perfect Circle without being influenced in some way by the song-writing. “Intension” is filled with quiet guitar sounds contributing to a beautiful 7+ minute track. It almost reminds me of “Disposition” or “Parabol”. Its light electronic programming gives it a hint of something slightly Nine Inch Nails circa The Fragile era, but the guitars are certainly signature Tool.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Triniman
Where should a Tool newbie start?
2 - Angulimala
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.
3 - Groupie
I don't think you got this one right. However, the understatement will leave people pleasently surprised when they do hear the album.
4 - Apollo
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.
5 - joe
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@#&
6 - neomage
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
7 - jessa kay
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.
8 - Shan
This review is great. It has definitely convinced me to purchase the album when it is released!
9 - Vanessa
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
10 - dave
arghhhhhhhhhhh tooltooltooltool!!!
11 - opiate
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.
12 - GroupiesAreGay
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!
13 - Apollo
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.
14 - Ominous
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.
15 - Ominous`
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 !
16 - me
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.
17 - Satan
Hofmann is the man who formulated LSD as seen on toolband.com (April 7th)
18 - Matt Largo
I'm a huge TOOL fan. I will definitely make this part of my collection. Nice review.
19 - zerotwilight
Great review, im glad to hear such an intelligent description of the songs althought the "lyrical meanings" are all subjective to the listener.
20 - stephan
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.
21 - This album SUCKS
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.
22 - Richmond, BC, Andrew
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?
23 - simonorman
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.
24 - spoog
great album, but shame about the guitarist's excessive palm muting in almost every heavy song. he can do so much better
25 - alexman
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.