Review Summary: This album pried open my third eye
As most Tool albums appear to be, Ænima is a difficult album to describe as a whole. Each song brings you into a unique and different experience for the songs to be grouped with one another. It seems like they want you to listen to their albums in the order they planned so that you hear it the way they had it planned out.
1. Stinkfist (9/10)
This is easily the most radio friendly song on the album. Stinkfist is an easy song to listen to (unlike most of Tool’s work); as well, it is a very cool song to listen. Stinkfist opens up with a bass guitar drenched in a ring modulator, which appears later in the song too. During a weird thing in the middle, Jones uses some delay thing on his guitar too. Maynard’s lyrics on this track are not his best, but still good. This is definitely worth a listen.
2. Eulogy (9.5/10)
Eulogy begins with a cool percussion oriented thing, which catches the listener’s attention relatively well. The song has (to me) a similar vibe to the chorus that Stinkfist provided. However, as the song went on, it went into a little quieter thing that worked out really well. The quieter part eventually went on to become better and louder, eventually bringing to the climax that most listeners anticipate in a Tool song. While it is not a ten for me, it is definitely a highlight from the album.
3. H. (9/10)
H is a very mysterious and dark sounding song. The vibe provided in this song is unbelievably great; as well, the chorus of the song is amazing. What makes the chorus seem even better is the fact that Stinkfist and Eulogy seem to lack the powerful choruses that you see in H. Why is it only a nine? H has one major flaw. The song has very forgettable and boring verses. While the verses are not great, one cannot take away how amazing the rest of the song is.
4. Forty Six & Two (10/10)
Ah, this is a masterpiece. This was another big song of theirs, as it is not a difficult song to enjoy. The flangery sounding bass along with whispers from Maynard helped give the beginning a very dark vibe. The song is absolutely one of the best songs on Ænima, as well one of the best songs they ever recorded.
5. Hooker with a Penis (7/10)
Without a doubt, this is the weakest track on the entire album. I refuse to say that Tool has particularly weak songs (Lateralus is a flawless album from the Grudge to Faaip de Oiad). Nor am I saying that this is a bad song. However, this song is their attempt at making a very aggressive and heavy song. In addition, while it is not bad, it is also not particularly great either, especially compared to the great previous four songs. The drums and bass are awesome though.
6. Jimmy (9/10)
Similar to H, this one is a pretty dark sounding one too. However, there is nothing forgettable about this one. The song itself is a cool track that is an enjoyable listen. However, it definitely does not stand out nearly as much as the others and it can get somewhat boring later on in the song. This is definitely a solid track though.
7. Pu*** (9/10)
I never really appreciated this track when I first heard it. Then I gave it a few more listens, and began to appreciate it a lot more. It is definitely a harder song to listen to from them (partially because of its length). Without a doubt, then ending of the song is one of their best endings. In addition, the rest of the song is enjoyable and is definitely one that a typical Tool fan could embrace really well.
8. Ænema (8.5/10)
This song seems to reflect their ideas of us nearing apocalypse. The riff of the song is incredible. It also has one of their best music videos. However, the song itself is relatively unentertaining. It is good, but with me, it never really sparked anything. Nevertheless, this seems to be an unpopular opinion. Therefore, you can create your own opinion about it.
9. Third Eye (10/10)
I really cannot express enough how much I love this song. This song is the strongest point of Tool’s entire career. From the stand-up comedy sample that opens up the song, to Adam Jones’s guitar effects, to the mysterious vibe in the middle of the song, to the end of the song of Maynard screaming “prying open my third eye”. This really highlights Jones’s skills as a guitarist, with multiple solos within the song that are mind blowing. As well, the song shows off Maynard’s vocal range, from his whispers, to singing, to utter screaming. As well, the song is a unique sounding piece of music. I have never heard anything like it, and I doubt I ever will. This song (and album) have pried open my third eye.
Now I skipped tracks 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, because none of them are really songs. They’re more filler type tracks. Useful Idiot is something that really is just useless boring filler. However, a Message to Harry Manback is actually a cool intro, especially to Hooker with a Penis. Since Hooker with a Penis is such an angry song, the filler of an angry voicemail suits it very well. Intermission is simply carnival music, which does an okay job tying into Jimmy. Die Eier Von Satan is probably the most unique of the fillers, being the fact that they read off a recipe in German. Cesaro Summability is a baby crying. There’s nothing special there. (-) Ions is a cool intro that serves its purpose. The track seems to be trying to mimic the sounds of a lightning storm. Listening to that right before listening to Third Eye actually enhances Third Eye a lot.
So overall, while it's definitely not flawless, it's very close to it. If you're just starting to get into Tool, I would recommend listening to this second, because I feel that Lateralus is a better introduction to the band. If you're a casual listener of their later work (Lateralus and 10,000 Days), then you should definitely give this album a listen. The experience of listening to Ænima all the way through is not one a Tool fan will likely forget.
