Tool return, fans still burning down message boards - grab a coffee for this one.
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.…
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments
— go to most recent comments276 - Opiate
Jack...
1. The ten tracks with music you are referring to contains more music than most full length albums with 14 or more tracks
2. Corporate is not meant in a monetary sense I presume but rather indicating being music bred for a specific market by the 'corporates' behind the band/idol.
3. I for one think the interludes are very necessary on TOOL albums to make the long tracks more segmented and free you from any emotion attached to the previous song. That’s what it does for me anyway. But if you don’t like 'em skip 'em.
4. If you don’t like TOOL why bother to come here and read all these comments???
5. If you want a quick fix and don’t want to take time to appreciate music on a deeper level you should rather stick to bands like trapt and disturbed.
277 - Jack On
Opiate, this review has turned into a forum for debate on the topic that is Tool, a band that I have been a fan of for a long time. It is that very reason that I--as well as some others, clearly--am so strongly harsh on this new album.
I dont buy into this whole idea, however, that Tool's music is free from negative--perhaps even constructive--criticism simply because a bunch of devotees swear that Tool's music is immaculate art. And you continue that tradition of sheltering Tool as if sheltering a child from disciplinary action ("he's young, he didn't know any better").
If Tool's interludes free you from emotion, that's fine. Perhaps too deep in some pseudo-spiritual existentialism, but fine. I, on the other hand, find them to be fillers, allowing Tool to put as little effort as possible in delivering a true full-length record. And, yes, maybe their limited number of "real" tracks are longer than most others in any genre, but as I argued in my last post, that assumes that quanity surpasses quality. I find that the lengthy, epic-wannabe songs serve as only fillers, continuing in the footsteps of other Tool hallmarks such as Eulogy and Pushit. Those songs were long, but did not seem so monotonous. And Aenima as a whole did not consist of every song being that way. Rather, shorter songs such as H, Stinkfist, and Jimmy were there to balance it out. 10,000 Days is an album full of boring, unfulfilling songs that go on for the as long as the album title suggests.
278 - Trevor
I have many people to address.
(Might as well get this out of the way first) Okay, so the British spell it "analyse." I knew someone was going to say that. Adi, do you happen to be British? Either way, it doesn't matter. Type in "analyse" to Microsoft Word and see what happens...
Jack...I don't know where to start. Sure, all bands put time and "thought" into their music. But does, let's say, My Chemical Romance or Nickelback put as much time or thought into their music? No way in hell! And no, of course I was not there to see them record it--that's completely irrelevant. This is probably the worst argument I've ever heard.
And as far as the length and content of the songs? How about quantity AND quality? There's no way "Reflection" could have been crammed into less than 11 minutes and still been as good. And what did I ever say about a lyrical story? As Maynard said in an interview, the lyrics are no more important than the rest of the music--the music gives the "feeling" and the lyrics just sort of fine tune it and show where it is going. Oh, and you said he doesn't sing nearly as much on 10,000 days--I don't think that's entirely true. I find there to be much lyrical content on the new album.
And for the "filler" tracks or whatever you want to call them. I find them to be completely necessary. They make the songs transition well, which turns the album into one huge composition. I don't know about anyone else on here, but when I listen to Tool, I listen to the album as a whole.
You seem to equate "corporate" with "business." Not all businessmen are corporate businessmen. Anyways, I think if all Maynard cared about was making money he would have played whatever the record company told him to. And you know what? He didn't. Though he does admit to selling out, as many of us know, in the song "Hooker with a Penis." How else would his music reach the number of fans that it does?
Oh and a question popped into my mind: How is it that whatever I say is subjective, but your opinions are apparently OBJECTIVE as if you base everything you say on facts alone? All of your arguments are just as subjective as mine.
One thing you are right about is that Tool is not/should not be free from criticism. Critisize all you want, but prepare for criticism against yourself.
Jack, do you happen to be a pretentious college kid that walks around carrying books by Sartre and then regurgitating random philosophical bullshit whenever you get the chance to impress somebody? "Pseudo-spiritual existentialism" give me a break...
Okay, Mike...I'm not even going to bother. You seem ignorant beyond repair. At least Jack Off seems to sort of know a little about what he wants to be talking about.
By the way, I know that no matter WHAT I say, you are going to find some way to try and shoot it down or argue it. This may be one of those "agree to disagree" situations.
279 - rollrcoastr
One last and final thing to say directed to all the people "entitled to their opinion" when your opinion about the album is negative or you think Tool has sold out or created a product that is lacking in whatever aspect you were looking for:
All you know about me is what I've sold you, DUMB FUCK. I sold out long before you ever even 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. YOU BOUGHT IT ALL!!!
I think that about sums it up right from the belly of the beast. For those of you that were able to sing along with what I wrote above, I love you all and will see you at the show. For those in the dark, you really suck. And you know what? (Lemme stir it up even more) If you don't appreciate 10,000 Days, YOU SUCK. You are dumb, point blank. You ability to comprehend is atrocious. Stick to the radio and every other piece of shit that you eat up on a daily basis. I can't wait to read your bullshit rebuttals.
280 - everytoolhater
Tool sucks! I listened to one song and I decided that the entire album sucks. I know it takes time for these songs to soak in, but I am an impatient loser who likes nothing more than shitty metal and radio music. If it is not extremely popular and constantly on the radio or Mtv then it sucks. Green Day is the best band ever period. I know it all you see, and this 10,000 Days album is crap. That is a fact because I said so, and don't you try to tell me otherwise because you are just wrong and don't know half of what I do about music mmkay? This CD is talentless compared to my Yellowcard CD. Tool isn't even good at all. None of the members can even play their instruments. Danny Carey is the worst drummer in history. I mean how can you compare him to Tre Cool, answer that will ya? All of you who think Tool is good you need to listen to Panic at the Disco, now that's real music.
281 - Jack On
Wow, Trev, did I strike a nerve?
First of all, yes I'm a college "kid" as you put it, but I dont know about the whole philosophical rant thing and attempts to impress someone with those rants. If you're insulted by the fact that I have a vocabulary that includes more than "whoa", "that's bullshit", and "Tool is art", then by all means, be insulted. And what about you? Who are you exactly? Perhaps a high school student who has all the problems in the world cause he cant get a prom date simply because he wants to wear a black t-shirt with a band name on it everywhere he goes. Is that you? I doubt you're the high school football team quarterback. They usually dont get emotional on one song, take a breather for the "filler", and then tear up for the next one.
It's that allusion to how emotional and well-developed Tool's music is that makes me call your opinions subjective. You make the assumption that Tool puts in so much more time into their music as other bands, such as My Chemical Romance, as you mentioned. Am I a fan of My Chemical Romance? No. Hell no, in fact. I deplore their music. But I can say the same for 10,000 Days, so you're not going to find me hailing 10,000 Days as a monumental masterpiece and questioning how four human beings could make such a solid testament to progress in ONLY four years. Come on, this album could have taken a single year for all we know. Dont try to tell me that Tool put some much effort into their music JUST BECAUSE they are Tool. And when it comes to putting "thought" into their music, how do you define thought? I guess Tool were the only ones who were consciously aware of what they were doing during the creating process. Or maybe you think Tool's the only band that's ever said "No, wait, try this, it might sound better".
I agree. How about quality AND quanity! But like I said, take a look at Pushit, Eulogy, etc. It's been done. Tool just didn't do it again.
For Maynard to say lyrics just sort of fine-tune music, doesn't that contradict what he said right before that statement. Ya know, about the lyrics being no more important than the rest. Unless, however, he means that the lyrics are less important. If a song goes on for seven minutes, is it going to kill him to sing for five? And I mean SING. Not like whisper some here and there, talk a bit here and there, maybe scream at the end.
282 - Brainiac Fingers
...meanwhile back at dictionary corner... I typed "analyse" into Microsoft Word: nothing happened. The reason nothing happened is because I'd already selected "English (United Kingdom)" from the "choose Dictionary" option. You see, the Kings English came first, "American English" is its retarded, bastard son, who only comes out at "nite" ;)
On to the new Tool album. After living with 10,000 days for more than a week now, I must retract all my previous negative comments about it. It is an exceptional album, full of rhythmic subtleties (which is what attracted me to Tool in the first place) that aren't obvious on first listen. I now proclaim 10, 000 Days to be a worthy successor to the mighty 'Lateralus'.
283 - Trevor
What are you talking about Brainiac Fingers??? England just named its stupid country after MY language...duh! Haha :)
And Jack...this transitions well...I'm glad you have a wide vocabulary. I consider myself to have one also. I can't stand talking to people who say "You know, like, when shit, like, sucks?" NO, I don't know when shit sucks. What exactly does shit suck?
My point is, I've only heard a certain breed of intellectuals use the words "pseudo" and "existential" within the same sentence. And those people, like, totally suck, man...
You're right. We know nothing about each other. I have one or two band shirts that I wear maybe once a month. I don't fit the typical "I'm deep and I listen to deep music" kind of look. I don't know what my "look" is--I don't really care.
And I didn't mean to come across as thinking that whatever Tool does is art simply because they are TOOL. And yes, they are not the only ones who say "No wait, try this, it might sound better." Anyways, their particular sound includes what some people have referred to as "noise" and no, Maynard doesn't sing full-throttle the entire time. Basically what I'm trying to say is I like their sound the way it is and apparently they do too. You make it sound like Maynard is just lazy and doesn't feel like giving it his all. I believe that he just likes doing it the way that he DOES do it. Tool wouldn't be the same if he were singing throughout the entire 8 minute song. Plus, I think that would take away any effect his vocals had when used sparingly.
Hopefully that about wraps it up? I've actually sort of enjoyed this little debate...
284 - C-Note20
WOW all I hear is how Lateralus was a masterpiece and how 10,000 days suck. I have been a Tool fan since there 1st EP in 92 and I have no nipple rings or new tattoos. 10,000 days is Tool moving forward. As any Tool fan will tell ya, you have to sit down and LISEN to the album a few times to feel it. There albums have been that way since Opiate. 10.000 days is a great album worthy of any Tool fans love.
As for the masterpiece it is still Ænima.
Expand you mind and think for your self.
285 - lern2swim
Rollrcoastr... that's at least the second time that I've seen the lyrics to hwap quoted in this discussion to support the pov that it is somehow blasphemous to criticize this ablum. The problem with that should be quite simple for someone with your superior ability to comprehend to see...
The criticism is not coming from people who are saying Tool has sold out. I haven't read through all the post but I can at the very least say with complete truth that I personally never did.
As I've already stated, I have no problem with other people enjoying the album, hell, I enjoy it, my problem is that idiots like you think that somehow it's high treason to criticize Tool.
Don't get all caught up in your superior comprehension skills either, comprehension has nothing to do with it. The problem is you're standing there staring at the naked king and telling him how great his new clothes look. Grow up.
286 - rollrcoastr
lern2swim...
thats great dude. i just wanted to stir it up. you win! i just needed some attention because i dont get enough from my mother. which brings me to the subject of hamburgers. they are like, so good. especially with cheese and jello. makes me feel mellow. then i climbed up the mountain and achieved the pompous status of ass sausage. naked king oh naked king, how large it looks. where would i have been if it wasnt for you. please give me direction and ressurect my treason for to mention anything, something to eat, and then wash my hair. are you still reading this? i am so bored. on to the next blog to see what i have to do to get some more attention...
287 - rollrcoastr
TOOL RULES
288 - GODSMACK FAN
TOOL SUCKS
289 - rollrcoastr
tool is the bet
290 - chemical romance hottie
10000 days blows monkey balls
291 - alberthoffman
i like tool
292 - britney spears
The new tool album is like sooooo crappy, totally
293 - Eric Olsen
Tool likes you
294 - lern2swim
i like to lick on candy. makes my lips so sticky. ooo-la-la, you've got to work, COVERGIRL, do your thing... shante, shante!!!
295 - Jack On
Does anyone want to guess why the boys all call me Jack On? I will give you one gu-ues-sss...
296 - bill hicks
tool is good, really good, really really good, reeaaaaaaaaaalllllll high on life
297 - fred durst
i did it all for the nookie yo. i like to cover queer 80s pop. you gotta have faith. we are so deep, kid, so stick the cookie up your ass. get up with that shit, kid. tool can't fuck with me, yo
298 - #1nickelbackgroupie
Tool really sucks. that is why you never hear them on the radio. duh, everyone knows that the good stuff is on the radio. that is what we want to hear. thank you CLEAR CHANNEL for controlling the airwaves, fuckers!!!
299 - everytoolhater
i just listened to the album for the second time and it still sounds like some teletubbies theme music. if i dont like the album after one or two listens, then i shove it up my ass until i absorb it through the linings of my rectum. damn. it RECT- UM, DAMN NEAR KILLED UM. i need music that jumps out and grabs me like 50 cent you. you be a wanksta, i be da gangsta, SON...
300 - lern2swim
everytoolhater...
i couldnt have said it better myself. you get where i am coming from, brother. you know what they say, great minds think alike. lets go grab a latte from starbucks and see what new EMO albums there are. then we can vomit and masturbate with our own tears...
301 - Jack On
Whoopee, lets all go. can i go can i go too? please. lets meet at the usual place. you know, under the train tracks. where we first met and... well you know so i dont want to say. but i would like to try it again. i will bring my george michaels greatest hits album
302 - lern2swim
jack on...
I just got the remastered tear for fears with the weblink so when you play it on your computer it goes right to their website and they have like all this interactive stuff to play with like make boy georges junk grow if you scoop up some magical beans and feed them to him then he will sing accapella and you can make him sing louder be pressing enter really fast and his voice goes higher. OMG, he is the best
303 - GREEN DAY ROX
the new tool album is horrible. there music is so face value. what is he saying? i need to be able to clearly hear the words to like it, like billy sings. green day is so much better than tool. they sing about important stuff like politics and war. you know the stuff that people have been singing about for 50 years. the stuff that the masses like. the stuff that MAKES MONEY AND BRINGS FAME AND GIVES US AN OUTLET TO PORTRAY OUR POLITICAL AGENDA AND BRTAINWASH ALL THE KIDDIES INTO OUR BELIEFS. THE STUFF THAT HAS BEEN DONE SO MANY GOD DAMN MOTHERFUCKING TIMES OVER.
304 - BILL HICKS
hello maynard. nice to see you again. glad you can come. now step inside and see what albert has waiting for you.
305 - albert hoffman
its a new blend, made especially for you. does anyone else want to come on the ride? i am driving...
306 - rollrcoatr
i want to go, also. i will see you at the square on avenue J. midtown traffic may be busy, so wait for me. Rosetta S said she will be there, damn, what was i supposed to say? this shit never happens to me
307 - lern2swim
did i mention that i just came out of the closet?
308 - Jack On
only because of me...
309 - everytoolhater
and me...
310 - rollrcoastr
Now that is some cutting edge art. Dont bother, I'm out.
311 - Christopher Rose
lern2swim: I applaud your energy but as comments editor I need to ask you to try and limit your personal expression to just one identity, in or out of the closet...
Cheers.
312 - MCH
Chris;
Please except my apologies for going off-topic...but last night during the Yankees-Red Sox game, Joe Morgan said, "Alex Rodriguez is the only one I see coming down the pike who has a shot at 700 or more homers."...Which is how I learned the expression, and flashed me back to our "is it pike or is it pipe" debate...??
313 - Franko
MCH:
Joe Morgan often uses incorrect English, much like John Madden makes up his own words. I would have to say "pipe", though. Unless you consider that a "pike" is a long pole-like weapon, similar to a baseball bat? Pike is also the name of an Elven character in a fantasy book. Maybe Joe thinks that AROD looks like an elf (subconciously, of course).
TOOL is great. 10,000 Days is great. I am thoroughly pleased with the bands newest accomplishment. Can't wait for the tour!
314 - Christopher Rose
Seven hundred Homers? What would Marge say?
315 - Franko
Oh Homieee!!! Doh- MMMM, BEER...
Now talk about Tool!
316 - Trevor
Wow...
How did I manage not to get made fun of throughout that entire tirade?
317 - Jack On
Yep, good debate, Trevor. Been fun.
And whoever's using Jack On as their ID on here... I would say it was funny had your remarks been a little more original.
318 - lern2swim
Seriously... If I had actually crecked a smile it might have been worth the time for whomever did all that. Not that they obviously have a whole lot going on for themselves in the first place.
319 - Theena
After listening to 10,000 Days the respect I had for Tool went a million notches higher. Just outstanding.
This is not another Lateralus. This is not an Aenama. This is not undertow. This is the sound of a band that is in total creative and artistic control of their music. Every mainstream rock band should listen to this record and weep. This is what I've been waiting for.
To Maynard, Adam, Danny and Justin: Thank you so much. You made my year a memorable one.
320 - 8ball
oh....god........oh god.......u are all like little children .......its ok ur forgiven for u know not what you do......its ok....when the next album comes out....be it in 5 years or whatever...im sure ule all be saying ....tool rocks......ule come out of your ''i hate tool'' closets and beg to be taken back into the fold....dont forget la te ra lus was the end of one journey and 10,000 days is the beginning of another.....y not see where it goes b4 judging something that will be recognised and praised all in good time........and as for my spelling in a previous post....im sorry.....do you feel better now......its ok little baby.....go back to your im better coz i can spell using a dictionary box.....ok dude.....thanx.......baaaaaa....baaaa...baaaabababazaaaaa
321 - Trevor
Haha, so you're not British?
322 - Vicman
What the fuck guys!!
10,000 days is amazing, same as Lateralus and Aenima. wings and 10,000 are fucking awesome.
323 - mother do you think
this album is subpar. that is a fact.
324 - Swed
10,000 Days is absolutely amazing, it takes a long time and a lot of patience to digest and start to love, just like Lateralus. I just saw Tool live on their small venue tour, and let me tell you that these songs are not decoys, anybody who thinks that makes me sick. These songs absolutely shred live, that concert left me speechless, it was the most amazing live music you could ever hope to see. If you want to hate on Tool or on this album, just keep your mouth shut until you see them live, then we'll see what you have to say.
325 - usefulidiot
...10 years after Aenima, 5 years after Lateralus, a new classic was born: 10000 Days is the album of the year...