With 10,000 Days, it is different. The ambience is, thankfully, still there, but the attitude is missing. In comes an odd grasp of melody that was previously missing. When the listener first realizes this, it is disorienting, but — at the risk of repeating myself — subsequent listens are required to come to terms with it. And when that happens, it is a glorious feeling.
Central to this new sound, if I could call it that, is Maynard’s vocals. He was always angry — with society, with its materialism — but here he is vulnerable, and with the vulnerability comes a new dimension to his vocals. No where is this more evident than in the song titled "The Pot." Drug references aside, it contains a vocal performance that is wonderful. If drummer, Danny Carrey’s drumming made Lateralus, then Maynard deserves the credit for making 10,000 Days a beautiful experience.
As for Danny himself, he is to Tool what John Bonham was to Led Zeppelin and what Keith Moon was to The Who. His odd rhythm patterns recall Lateralus, but it is evident that he continues to grow as an artist. Adam Jones and Justin Chancellor do their thing, but remain in the background. Adam, in particular, is very restrained with his lead work, conscious that there were greater things at play.
10,000 Days demands multiple listens, more so than Lateralus did. But that is the great thing about Tool; they take us where their vision — their pretentiousness — leads and we follow. With 10,000 Days, like with Lateralus , we don’t complain.
I probably won’t with 10,000 Days, as my MP3 player continues to play it on repeat. It’s been worth the wait, ladies and gents.
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