Album Rating: 5.0

I love Undertow, started listening to it when it came out (was in 6th grade), and I definitely wouldn’t argue with someone saying it’s better than this (though I disagree)...but to say this is absolute dogshit is ridiculous.

Yeah, it's not dogshit. It's just...a Tool album. Nothing more, nothing less.

Album Rating: 4.0

For the record, I had basically no emotional investment in liking this album. I hadn't listened to Tool in 8+ years before it dropped, had no excitement at its being announced, was v happy to say that 10k days was disappointing, and basically expected to like this even less. And besides Lateralus I have no great reverence for any of their past albums. Nor do I think the band are especially deep or above their peers. FI just pleasantly surprised me

Album Rating: 4.5

Still really disappointed in the lack of vocals. Most of these tracks feel like they're missing a big crescendo at the end when the vocals come back in full force. That's pretty much the best part of the best Tool songs. The instrumentals are great but... I don't know, these tracks just don't resonate as much without the vocals tying everything together. The climax of songs like Right In Two and Schism are fucking incredible and there's nothing really like that here.

Album Rating: 5.0

"there's nothing really like that here."

There s no album like this, so you re right...if you re waiting for Maynard's screams as if you were still minus 20 you are missing the point.



"I had basically no emotional investment in liking this album."

I invested in full force. Dudes came to Portugal after 10 years plus and it was the best live show of my life to the point (new tracks included, entrancing af). When they hit the music apps in HQ (high improvement) I gave a discog run prior to the show and other to the album. My daughter was born this year...so yeah...pretty emotional. I also happen to think this album is very good, not relying on repetition (on close listen), and definitely on a different approach from the band (thus LightChaotic's misconception). Which is curious that haters say its same stuff they did on previous albums...I have to agree the album puts their work in retrospective though...but smoothly bros...result for me is the perfect comeback album. And without a damn single or a radio playable song.

Album Rating: 5.0

"Nor do I think the band are especially deep or above their peers." Neither...I just happen to like the band a lot lol. Its kinda neat to see that, when it comes to Tool...lots of haters seem like super moron rednecks in their statements, when they are absolutely capable of getting all sensitive with other (meandering/ "repetitive") albums lol

Album Rating: 4.5

"I don't agree so you must be young and clearly you're missing the point. Whatever the fuck that means."



These songs don't resonate with me as much as their previous work and the lack of vocals is the main issue that I have. "You just don't get it maaaan". Cool, I still like their earlier work more. I don't hate these songs, I just prefer the lyrical themes and the way that the vocals were handled on their previous albums.

Album Rating: 5.0

They (and Maynard) surely were more energetic, I love all albums as they are (I had this written in the comment back there, but all text got erased with some invalid character). My fave is Lateralus. I didn't said you didn't get it, just missing the point towards your expectations, if you are waiting for explosions and shit.

Sorry for the "as if you're minus 20" thing (I didn't thought you were btw)...how hold are you then? I'm 36 now, but I feel a bit younger.



Mind this thread is a bit deceiving and a 4er shouldn't give tips for 1ers, 2ers, 3ers and fuckers.

Album Rating: 4.0

DDD, just to clarify, when I say that I had no emotional investment, I'm not saying that I have no emotional connection to the album. It certainly resonates with me a fair bit emotionally. I just mean to say that not liking it would have had no emotional cost for me. I'm not emotionally invested in the idea of Tool being my fav band (they aren't), or in the idea of them being super peerless geniuses. I mean, I've definitely forced myself to like albums for those sorts of reasons in the past and this is definitely not one of those times lol.



Not saying you definitely misread me, just clarifying!

Album Rating: 4.5

I'm 27.



I don't necessarily need the music to be more energetic, I just wanted Maynard's vocals to be more integrated into the fabric of these songs. Whether he's screaming or not, it feels cathartic when he comes back in towards the end of a Tool track. Descending was BEGGING for this to happen and it just feels less satisfying with Maynard completely left out of the finale. His vocals are just as important as the rest of the instruments for me and not only that but I feel like the lyrics tend to resonate with me more when Maynard brings them full circle.



Obviously they wanted to go with a different approach on this record and that's fine. If you don't miss the vocals like I do then that's cool. It just feels like something is missing for me. These guys are all talented as fuck and the instrumentals can tell their own stories. I just prefer when Maynard is a bigger part of those stories. I also prefer the themes on 10,000 Days but it's kind of hard to top songs like Wings and Right In Two in that regard.

Album Rating: 5.0

Yap...I don t know for how long they do that, but on the live show Maynard was always on the back, letting the instrumentation take the leading part. That seemed intentional and led to the album's release. Such as this smoothier retrospective sense.



Nightbringer. I got it...just wanted to share my personal/ emotional investment on it. I also think they are geniuses in their craft, as much as some others of my fave bands x) so not peerless lol we sputs have listened too many things at this point.

And LightChaotic, if I can't teach you nothing else, I can teach you this: Give nothing to these sucker haters on this thread. You have to defend and to keep the realm at all costs. That's why I intervened! X)

Album Rating: 1.0

I was curious to see which comment represented pi (sort of) in this most mathematical of threads, but was wholly unsatisfied to see it was bottom tier...



'cocktober stinkhead'

Album Rating: 5.0

They took the ball and went home and suddenly this thread became great again.



But yeah if your third eye was opened with the help of Tool, there is probably an emotional connection. Especially to people who think that shit is ridiculous - because they speak a tiny bit of my mind.



Oh hi demon. Well almost great.

Album Rating: 4.0

Cool, no worries DDD. And I also don't think that there is a problem with being emotionally invested. It is not a necessary impediment to a sound appraisal of an album.

Album Rating: 2.5

penisbeards

Album Rating: 3.0

There is so much text on this page for Sput standards.

Fitting that this happens in a Tool thread.

Album Rating: 2.5

I bet most tool fans hate trump, yet here they are building a wall... of text

Album Rating: 5.0

"I bet most tool fans hate trump, yet here they are building a wall... of text"

learning how to read helps BB...I bet you speak into a mic and your comments show up....

Album Rating: 3.0

Hahaha Blob!

Album Rating: 5.0

I don't want to look upset...I actually found that sentence funny af X) but some tad longer discussion on an album or band in a music forum shouldn't be condemned :P