Waiting for Tool to release an album can be an odd experience, especially if you happen to be a relative newcomer to the band’s legion of fans. On one hand you are curious about the musical direction the band has embarked on whilst making the album (listening to Tool’s album in chronological order bears testament to this). On the other, there is the odd mixture of information, disinformation, rumours, hearsay, and whatnot. Much of it, to the delight of the fans themselves, originating from the band itself (Maynard even issued a statement on the Internet saying that the people who downloaded the album ahead of the release date would be very surprised come May 2nd, leading many to assume that this was a decoy).
So it was against this background that Tool’s latest offering, 10,000 Days came into the horizon.
The title, and the subsequent release of the track-listing, generated even more rumours. 10,000 Days? That title was almost normal by Tool standards. Consider the previous albums, EPs, etc. — Undertow, Opiate, Ænima, Salival and Lateralus — and you begin to see how the title 10,000 Days seems almost out of place in their discography.
No matter. The album leaked on the Internet and, like bees are drawn to honey, was downloaded by those who have waited years for something new from Tool. I was amongst those who downloaded.
"Vicarious," the opening track, is an odd song that will grow on most listeners. Upon hearing it for the first time, I was disappointed. Maynard’s vocals sounded muffled and the song sounded like something that was deemed inappropriate for Lateralus. Subsequent listens have resulted in this becoming probably my favourite offering of the album.
From this odd beginning, the album begins to take shape and the path Tool traveled becomes increasingly clear. Up until Ænima, it was clear that this was a band that was pissed off, certainly Maynard was. Lateralus saw them channeling the anger into a musical plain that can be described as ambient. The angry riffs and vocals were still there, but there was space for the listener to soak him or herself in before letting the anger take hold – sort of like Physical Graffiti Led Zeppelin meets Dark Side-era Pink Floyd.
Article comments
1 - Vicman
I like almost all of the songs of this album:
Vicarious
Jambi
Wings & 10KD.
The Pot.
Rosetta Stoned
Intention
Wright in two
My first impression was good, but it was better and better...
Now I cant compare between Lateralus, Aenima and 10,000 days. Each album is worthwile!
Can´t wait to see them live.
2 - Vicman
I didn't know if you people knew this. But, If you burn both Viginti Tres followed by Wings for marie .. Then, play that track as one with 10,000 days as another track and play both at the same time, Both Wings for Marie AND 10,000 days sync ! It is incredible ! It is like an 8 piece band but it all FLOWS ! It flows like one song.. It is the most unique and incredible thing I have ever heard in my life.. BadA$$ ! The vocals, drums, the guitar riffs, everything flows ! Both songs get heavy at the same point at 9 minutes and 14 seconds in, it is magical ! This band synched tracks !
They synched them in testament to Maynard's mother passing to sound like an 8 piece band.. The vocals wisp back and forth almost like a conversation during the sync.. It's UNREAL !
Tool meant these tracks to synch.. If you look at the track times, "10,000 days" is 11 mins and 13 seconds long.. When you add the track times of "Viginti Tres" and "Wings for Marie" it adds up to 11:13 as well.. Look at the album cover ! There are 3 faces with one in the front.. This SICK band meant for all three tracks to play as one song for the self-title track "10,000 days" . Freaky !!
By the way, "Viginti Tres" means the number 23 in Latin . 23 is the number of synchronicity . And nothing is more synchronous than hearing the tracks mixed as I described .. Everything Tool writes is for a reason. These aren't merely interludes and fillers this band puts between songs. All their tracks have a meaning and there's a reason why they are there .. They are truly a one of a kind band like no other.
thats also why the clock in the artwork..11..
Most incredible band ever!!!!!!!!!!
3 - Guppusmaximus
*Ahhh* It's Sleepy time.... Anything from Tool after Aenima has bored me to tears. F*cking Stoner Rock! 10,000 Days was safe for them. Very commercial sounding and can be played on the radio...*Cha-Ching*
4 - Theena
10,000 Days is commerical sounding? Riight.
5 - Guppusmaximus
Yup...That's what I said.
6 - Camakazi
So GuissepeMinimus thinks 10'000 days is commercial sounding!!! As much as I love the album, I can't see any of the songs ever being played on commercial radio.
I think Aenima is much more commercial than 10'000 days in that Aenima had me hooked first listen, whereas the later albums have taken a few listens to completely appreciate it.
You are a tool Guissepe.
7 - Camakazi
Yup...That's what I said.
8 - Ass Foot
Tool is the devil. Maynard is the devil. All their albums are straight up evil and sound like circus music bellowed from an anus. They are nothing like the crowbar I have, let alone any like any other of my tools. MISLEADING!
9 - TacTac
Commercial sounding? When was the last time you heard your favourite radio station play a 7 minute (never mind an 11 minute epic) song?
This album is certainly not commercial but I don't think its going to appeal to Tool fans that have not evolved with the band. If you are still stuck in 1996 and hoping that music will never change don't bother with this cd.
If you want an amazing, heart-felt, technical masterpiece than you have found it.
As for being the devil....sure whatever!!!?!!
10 - Don Mega
LOL. Look people. Listen to the album a couple hundred times before you rate it. 10000 days is an acquired taste. You will begin to hear more behind the music... news broadcasting backward voices softly screaming cries for help. It's cool! As for the anus bellowing...listen to someone else...because you must be right...they've only been a money making band for like 13 years so they must suck.
11 - KC
I mean sure, early Tool is great and alot more aggressive than now. But when you want to compare the actual music itself as opposed to the attitude, 10,000 Days and Lateralus are by far superior.
12 - chris
To review tool like they want us to grade them is completly moronic. Hopefully There next album will have a track about there so called reviewers. If my opinion matters at all i say let them be tool and only tool. To me there music is played with so much compassion to review there work is unfair. Tool is the greatest band EVER!!They changed my life, and if u can open ur mind long enough to digest what they are trying to say they will change your life as well.
13 - khairil
can't wait for the next Tool's album. after a long-awaited 6 years, which breaks their 5 years gaps between the next album, it should be out this year.
14 - kfein
it's april 2014, and still haven't heard about tool's latest album