Album Rating: 2.0

Any King Crimson is good.



Check out RED, or THE POWER TO BELIEVE.

Album Rating: 4.5

[QUOTE=pixiesfanyo]Any King Crimson is good.







Check out RED, or THE POWER TO BELIEVE.[/QUOTE]

Top notch recomendation there.

Album Rating: 5.0

They're lyrics are horrible. Like I even like pretentious lyrics, and Maynard is like I said the Palahniuk of lyrics.

Album Rating: 2.0

Uh okay.



Elliott Smith

John Frusciante

Kayo Dot

Isis

A Silver Mt. Zion

MF Doom

The Mars Volta

Hot Cross

Off Minor

maudlin of the Well

Converge

Cursive

My Dying Bride

Jerome's Dream

Chad VanGaalen

Modest Mouse

The Dillinger Escape Plan

Time Of Orchids

The National





uhm. tha'ts just off the top of my head.

What the hell are you people gabbering about. It's seems quite clear that this forum is filled with comments from some pretty good critics, however none of you seem to actualy know what this album is about. Fist of all there is really no metaphors used in his lyrics, only clues to the deeper meanings of the songs. Each song requires a great deal of thought and understanding, and it's simply unprofesional judge somthing we don't understand.

Saying Tool hasn't got good lyrics isn't a feeling, it's a thought. You can't say you've "felt" the songs because if you did, you'd understand why so many people hold them in high regard.

The review was mediocre, but I do commend you for the effort, despite sounding biased and narrowminded at some points.

Honestly, you don't give this album enough credit that it deserves. Their songs are full of texture, layering, and other subtleties that you wouldn't usually find in most bands today. The creativity of the drumming alone is mindblowing. You underrate their complexity, especially Adam Jones's talent. Very rarely do you find bands with as strong a grasp in time signatures, chord inversions and scales as Tool does.

Also, how you can dismiss some tracks as fillers and saying that the rest of the album sounds the same? Umm, what was it again, Five Schisms? On the contrary, Tool incorporates Indian, Middle Eastern and even far east influences in their music, especially Carnatic music from india or Raga (Reflection anyone?). Danny Carey is also well trained in Tablas, a difficult but very versatile percussion instrument from india which he uses in Disposition.

It takes a profound understanding of music to bring together different concepts from all over the world and make good music out of it. Pretentious? It may sound like it but thats just how Tool is.
This Message Edited On 09.11.06This Message Edited On 09.11.06

Album Rating: 2.0

Hey look, it's typical Tool fans!

Album Rating: 4.5

I think the drumming alone is enough to make it an above average album. And while Maynard is a competent singer and lyricist, I enjoyed the lyrics on Aenima more than this because they didn't seem so overt. Lateralus just smacks of pseudo-intellectual mysticism.

Album Rating: 5.0

Hey look, it's typical Tool fans!

Album Rating: 2.0

Calling this album layered and textured and complex is as childish as calling the Mars Volta innovative and unique.



The way I see it is you've got acutal progressive bands, like Kayo Dot, Cynic, and King Crimson. These bands push the limits of music and are incredible musicians and even more incredible composers.



Then you have the "popular" versions of these real progressive bands which are The Mars Volta, Tool, etc.



Sure, Tool and The Mars Volta are "progressive" in comparsion too the mainstream, but in reality they are simply just rock and roll bands that add a few bells and whistles too their sound.

This review is the one I agree most with. Kinda boring but it has some moments. Oh, and the fanboys made me lol

Album Rating: 5.0

i understand why some people think that tool are not essentially 'progressive' and 'pushing the envelope' in the way which they claim. adam jones uses the same guitar tone and tuning on almost every song, and has actually stated that he's not that keen on experimental f-x. danny carey is an unbelievably talented drummer, but using innovative percussion and tom techniques in every song almost makes the skill banal. the same can be said about justin chancellor and his complex, off rhythm but sometimes a little predictable basslines. and if there is ever a tool album released without mention of 'ascension' and spiritual growth, it will be when keenan has left, because despite divergencies here and there he keeps coming back to the same themes.



so, in short, tool can be criticised for not being diverse enough to hold true the claim that they push the boundaries.



HOWEVER, in my opinion tool still are a progressive band who push the boundaries and open up new doors for all music, not just metal.



firstly, the music is based around rhythm: hence no quintessentially 'prog' solos from jones. the beauty of tool lies in the programming: everything is so meticulously planned out and intricate. the fact that carey and chancellor often take time to produce incredible fills and feats of musicianship is just a bonus. if you just sit and listen to the songs and follow one instrument at a time, that's when you hear the greatness. you realise how everything pulls apart to the point of collapse before bringing itself back together for one moment, then stretching out once more. it's a;ways in a state of flux but its such a refined and deliberated fluidity that's its a joy to hear.



as for keenan, the idea he writes bad lyrics is just plain wrong. he revisits themes yes but those themes are so important that it doesn't matter. the vocalist has built himself a reputation for being elitist and aloof but this whole album is fundamentally about completing your own growth and then reconciling yourself with other people: the bruised, near destroyed world of aenima is handed its cure right here if it'll listen.

umm, what are you talking about? I'm actually not that big on Tool, or prog rock for that matter. I prefer pop songwriters who can actually make good music, like Brian Wilson and Lou Reed. I just thought that many of the points you brought up in your review were arbitrary and that you didn't really address them properly.

Stop comparing Tool to those bands. They sound nothing like them. You treat this as if it's a competition of who can push the boundaries the furthest. There's more to music then complex song arrangements and instrumental virtuosity. Whats the point of making music if it doesn't appeal to anyone? Your delusional if you think those other progressive rock bands are any less prententious then Tool.

Album Rating: 4.5

In my opinion, this review is wrong. Lateralus is an amazing album. I don't get what all you critics are going on about. Tool are a deep, moving, sensational band. They have moments which make my heart skip a beat and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Their songwriting is above and beyond anything that I've ever heard and Maynard has to be one of the greatest vocalists of our age. I don't see what's not to like about them. Each of them as musicians (including keenan) are out of this world, they work so well together. I don't personally think that Lateralus is as good as 10,000 days, but it's still one of my absolute favourite albums and Lateralis is my favouite song (at the moment). I also like the mars volta so by your standards does that make me mainstream?

As for them being pretentious... well maybe they are, but who cares? They've every right to be. If I was as good as them, I'd be pretentious too.This Message Edited On 09.12.06

Zomg fanboy rampage.

Album Rating: 4.5

I'm a girl. I realise that I may sound like a "Fanboy" but thats probably because I am. I'm not a loser over it coz I don't see the point, if you love the music, what more do you need to know? I love Tool, I think they're awesome (in the actual Awe giving sense of the word) and I truly don't understand why people are slating this album. Try all you want to make me understand but it will never happen. The way I see it is that if you don't like it it's you whos missing out. I'm happy in my knowledge that Tool are the greatest band on earth and I don't see whats wrong with them. Simple as. Call me small minded or whatever you want, but give me Tool over any of the other bands in the mainstream at the moment.

i have yet to get into this band, partly because if i do the fanboys will laugh at me (id never heard of Tool before moving to the states) and i dont know where to start

Album Rating: 2.0

First, off I do not actively hate anyone who likes Tool. I don't really disagree with it, you can like whatever bands you wish. My problem lies in the fact that some Tool fans believe that Tool is the best and most creative band out right now, this is simply untrue. I have no problem admitting that there are attracting qualities in Tool's music, I do have a problem admitting they are highly unique. This is just a nu-metal/modern rock album with some odd time signatures, some very good drumming, and some spacey effects, countless bands have done it.

Album Rating: 5.0

I wouldn't go so far as to call it nu-metal.

I would.