In an age where major labels dictate that new releases from bands appear on record store shelves every 18 months or so, rare is the artist given freedom and ability to reflect and stretch out to explore creative evolution and release music as an artist, rather than the prepackaged predictability of an entertainer. Thankfully, Tool has somehow managed to circumvent these rituals, releasing a record every four to five years as they so feel the need. This ability to patiently craft their musical direction has paid off for not only the band, but for listeners, as they've been able to expand their musical vocabulary from album to album with great precision, all the while remaining true to the foundations that built such a loyal, if not cult-like, following. But with this absence comes changes to the popular music landscape, as new bands and sounds (as well as a new generation of heavy metal fans to entertain) replace and stimulate the charts. Namely: a lot can happen in five years, especially with a fickle ock audience that is overinundated with constant new bands' songs. The group defied expectations (and even got radio airplay) with Lateralus, but would fans stick with them during the hiatus? There were moments when Maynard James Keenan would emerge courtesy of A Perfect Circle, and there were also several stunning video DVDs to pacify while 10,000 Days was being written, along with cryptic messages via their website, but that was about it.
Thankfully, 10,000 Days was worth the labor pains and wait to deliver. It's not only a step forward for the band, but a re-embracing of the epic-length ock songs found at the roots of early heavy metal. The album starts out with "Vicarious," which features some of Maynard's most straightforward lyrics since Ćnema's "Hooker with a Penis." Essentially a biting commentary on reality television, information stimulus overload, and living through others' experiences, it's only a brief glimpse of what's to come, as 10,000 Days also offers some of Keenan's most confessional lyrics. The 17-minute epic "Wings for Marie/10,000 Days" is an ode to his mother, who passed away during the band's hiatus after dealing with paralysis from a stroke for 27 years. In a way, it's voyeuristic to listen to someone working out family issues on disc, but Keenan does it in a way that's sensitive and honest without ever treading the careful line between melodrama and sincerity. Most of the songs are a bit long in the tooth when compared to most metal songs these days, but then again, Tool isn't exactly just another band, either. With most songs clocking in over six minutes, the exercises in songwriting wouldn't work as well with any other band. But when you have such high-caliber musicianship as Danny Carey and Adam Jones anchoring drums and guitar, respectively, it's hard to make a wrong turn. The anger that served as fuel for some of their greatest works has been replaced with calmer and more introspective moments as they patiently work out rhythm and melodic passages from one theme to the next. That's not to say the anger isn't still there; it does check in from song to song, but like most of Tool's fan base that has stuck with them through their first recordings, the group has evolved beyond that stage and has moved on to new concepts to explore. So depending upon which Tool you are looking for, you're either going to love or hate 10,000 Days. If it's the hard-driving band with an intellectually driven existential anger and fits of Hot Topic-laden angst, they've fled for other pastures (probably to Arizona Bay). But if you're looking for the Tool whose passion and introspection is complemented by intense emotion, brutal honesty, and musical maturity, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better metal album in 2006.
Okay, am I the only one that hears this, or does anyone else think this song sounds like a motorcycle? Hear me out. It starts off with the guitar, bass and drums combining to sound like the engine starting and then being revved several times. Then, abruptly, it stalls. An attempt is made to start it again, but it doesn't turn over right away. Once it does start, however, it speeds off down...
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Everybody has bad habits, especially when it comes to eating. Some of us snack incessantly while we work. Others are prone to guzzling a beer or three every night then crashing out on the couch. More than a few of us enjoy midnight snacks -- usually delicious junk foods like devil’s food cake, cheddar cheese or salami slices. But even if you're a generally healthy guy, chances are you unknowing.
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According to Tool's official site, their upcoming tour has been postponed, due to Danny Carey's recent bicep surgery. Fret not, he is said to be recovering well and the dates will be rescheduled. They will still play at Bonnaroo, so don't worry if you were planning a trip to Tennessee this June to see them. All this said, is it just me, or are we still waiting on a video from the closing-in-on-...
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I pulled this right off of The Tool Hotline.ClickThat's right. According to Harddrive Radio and Launch Radio Networks, Tool will be recording selected dates on their upcoming North American tour for a live CD and DVD. Although the band records all its shows, Danny says that they'll only be picking the best of the best for the CD/DVD, as opposed to releasing a recording of every show, a la Pearl...
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Just yesterday I was thinking how cool it was that my MOG status had risen from "below the radar" to "chill." But today I find that in one short day my status has risen to "smoking." I mean, don't get me wrong - I've always known how fucking amazing I am. There's pretty much no one in the world more super-duper neato than me. But I still can't help but be excited to see the upward trajectory of...
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Thought they would never do a vid for this cd. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicarious_%28Tool_song%29
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Tool will tour the United States again from mid-November to Christmas. Tool will be supporting their April, 2006 release ??10,000 Days??, the Grammy Award-winning fourth full-length studio album.As for the concert film or DVD that's rumored to have been shot during the group's recent touring cycle, bassist Justin Chancellor told The Pulse of Radio that there's no official plan yet. "We've got m...
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Found it kinda cool, don't remember the name of the flick thats in the vid...
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Not for the faint of heart, it's just a satire and mocks the news media...Just a warning it deals with some heavy issues... OK have some fun lol...;)
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Everybody has bad habits, especially when it comes to eating. Some of us snack incessantly while we work. Others are prone to guzzling a beer or three every night then crashing out on the couch. More than a few of us enjoy midnight snacks -- usually delicious junk foods like devil’s food cake, cheddar cheese or salami slices. But even if you're a generally healthy guy, chances are you unknowing.
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whether you know it or not......Who are you to wave your finger?You must have been outta your headEye hole deep in muddy watersYou practically raised the deadRob the grave to snow the cradleThen burn the evidence downSoapbox house of cards and glass soDon't go tossin' your stones aroundYou must have been highFoot in mouth and head up assSo whatcha talkin' 'bout?Difficult to dance 'round this on...
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In a quest to never release live footage, Tool has a new DVD in stores. It is the first single from 2006's 10,000 Days. The "Vicarious":http://www.amazon.com/Vicarious-Tool/dp/B000Y1ZXU2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1198039422&sr=8-1 single features the new video and interviews with Adam Jones (the guitarist / creative director for all of Tool's visual work) and others. ^^Danny Carey's d...
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Tool's last album, ??10,000 Days?? (Volcano II/Tool Dissectional) was released a year ago. It was the group's fourth studio album as well as their first in nearly five years. In an interview with bassist Justin Chancellor, the English-born musician explains that fans might not have to wait another five, but rather "sooner than later," according to "Blabbermouth":CH.??Justin Chancellor??He expla...
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being a Tool fan for quite a while now I know not to trust anything that pops up on their site on April 1st...I think last year it was Maynard "finding Jesus"...and this year...tour dates postponed to find an ancient Mayan symbol...."Having examined and re-examined certain material in 'The Mayan Factor - Path Beyond Technology' by Jose Arguelles, Adam, Danny and I (along with a few others - we'...
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Has anybody heard anything about a new Tool album? I heard a rumor that they were in the studio working on one. It almost seems a little early for them - don't they usually take about 4 years between albums? Let me know if anybody has heard anything?
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Does anyone have any idea if/when Tool will be releasing a new video? "Something kind of sad about the way that things have come to be, desensitized to everything. What became of subtlety?"Tool's best video and song. EVER.
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I was very lucky in the spring. Tool was touring a few select, small venues in the states before taking the show overseas. The locations were downright intimate. In New York, they played City Center, a 2500 seat thrust-proscenium theater. After 45 minutes of trying to get tickets either online or by phone, I got through and scored reasonable seats in the 1st balcony for both nights they played....
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This show was more than just a Tool show for me seeing as how it could very easily be their last show in California. I have to say that after seeing quite a large number of concerts at my moderately young age, this one could easily top them all. I have never experienced a concert with so many sensory stimulating aspects before, not even of the three Tool shows I had seen prior. Their visu...
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According to Tool's official site, their upcoming tour has been postponed, due to Danny Carey's recent bicep surgery. Fret not, he is said to be recovering well and the dates will be rescheduled. They will still play at Bonnaroo, so don't worry if you were planning a trip to Tennessee this June to see them. All this said, is it just me, or are we still waiting on a video from the closing-in-on-...
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Vicarious |
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| 2 Jambi |
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| 3 Wings for Marie, Pt. 1 |
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| 4 10,000 Days (Wings, Pt. 2) |
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| 5 The Pot |
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| 6 Lipan Conjuring |
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| 7 Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann) |
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| 8 Roseta Stoned |
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| 9 Intension |
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| 10 Right in Two |
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| 11 Viginti Tres |
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Click to purchase…
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 "10,000 Days")
