While some say
10,000 Days is a flop, a step back from previous progressive metal near-masterpieces
Lateralus and
Aenima, one quick play through of
10,000 Days is enough to prove that it not only holds its own against Tool's pervious journeys, it in someway surpasses them in terms of overarching senses of brilliance and intelligence. Where
Aenima (and to an extent,
Lateralus) was an excersize in rage and fury supplemented by strong, tight tracks,
Days... is more of a long and winding road through blackened rain and thick fog. Vocalist Maynard James Keenan doesn't seem angry anymore; there's no sense of backlash here, a "me against the world" ideal. Instead the anger has been replaced by intellect, of a man who has come out of the anger with a stronger sense of ones self and of why he was even angry in the first place.
Enter "Vicarious", the first song on the album that is an appropriate transition from Tool's older world into this new realm. It's an appropriate transition because of the song's structure; it is clearly the one track here that resembles anything on the past albums. The odd time signatures, the constant bass, the harsh yells into oblivion, the sinister guitar, all signature styles of Tool's past. But something's different; there's no sharp bite, no edge to the sound anymore. To the untrained ear it's a negative aspect, but to someone who has listened to Tool religiously notices a maturity and growth from a band with so much to say to a band with so much to give. "Jambi" continues on this route of bridging the gap between old and new, and if you stopped the album there you would be hard pressed to find something entirely moving and positive from
10,000 Days.
It's only until you hit "Wings For Marie" that you are entirely transported into this new world of Tool's. Broken up into two parts, "Wings For Marie" plays out like a magic carpet ride through the twisted dimensions of your most inner thoughts and passions. Gone are the angry musicians that blasted us with what is wrong with us as a species; instead what we are left with are brooding soundscapes of beauty and some of Justin Chancellor's best bass work to date, which given his past work is saying a hell of a lot. Introspective lyrics about losing his mother to cancer, Keenan takes us on a journey never before experienced in the world of Tool. The songs seem to breathe new life everytime you listen to them even though both parts of "Wings For Marie" end the same, with an absolutely haunting conclusion, thanks to Adam Jones' breathtaking individual strumming patterns. "Part 2" is the stronger of them, beginning with truly incredible bass playing and sounds of thunder which really seal the deal in terms of the atmosphere department; this is the kind of Tool you take on long road trips to space out to and ponder the world and your existance.
Whether it's the psychotic drug-riddled "Rosetta Stoned" (complete with a truly catchy bridge with lines like
"strapped down on my bed / feet cold, eyes red") or the haunting repeating guitar work of "Lost Keys",
10,000 Days isn't the pinnacle of Tool's career; rather, it's the pinnacle of something else, something entirely and artistically intelligent.
Aenima and
Lateralus struck a chord with the listener because of its insightful lyrics and raging tracks;
10,000 Days is on a whole 'nother playing field and time will tell what they could possibly do from here.
