My favorite thing about Tool is that they have these incredibly positive and optimistic lyrics on top of the heaviest music you've ever heard. There's so much vitality in that tension. Nobody else does it like them.
Rosetta Stoned is so under-appreciated, but I must compel people to listen to it with Lost Keys (Blame Hoffman) first, then Rosetta Stoned, as is the order on the album. Even better with Lipan Conjuring before Lost Keys, but not essential. Tool are masters at setting the tone for all their songs and if you go straight to Rosetta Stoned without that first you'll miss such an essential part of it and be a bit confused on what the set up is for the song.
(Fucking love Tool, thanks for such a great article to introduce them to more people.)
Tool is great but the fandom is what makes it hard to want to go see live. I don’t want to overhear innumerable balding dudes in Alex grey apparel talk about how they’re not musicians they’re SOUND ENGINEERS. Danny Carey is unironically the greatest drummer alive right now though. Fear Innoculum is one of my favorite albums of the last decade.
The one and only show of theirs I had the privilege of catching was in November of 2001. True to form, Maynard was towards the back of the stage, no lights on him whatsoever. And then the naked man and woman, bodies painted silver, descended from the ceiling, hanging from their feet.
Absolutely agree with you that “Descending” is the best song from Fear Inoculum. I have to listen to it sparingly though. Too many strong emotions associated with it now, but yeah, I think it’s all of them displaying the mastery of 30+ years of making music together.
Incredible article! Please give Opiate and Undertow a proper listen; I don’t think you will regret it! I was surprised that you didn’t care for them, because aside from that we have nearly identical favorites from each album.
I am kinda with him on this, though I have found that Undertow is a perfect album if I'm just really angry. Man is it great for that. Outside of that though, I generally only listen to "Sober."
Immediate notification click. I see Tool I like.
This is an epic article
🫡
My favorite thing about Tool is that they have these incredibly positive and optimistic lyrics on top of the heaviest music you've ever heard. There's so much vitality in that tension. Nobody else does it like them.
Rosetta Stoned is so under-appreciated, but I must compel people to listen to it with Lost Keys (Blame Hoffman) first, then Rosetta Stoned, as is the order on the album. Even better with Lipan Conjuring before Lost Keys, but not essential. Tool are masters at setting the tone for all their songs and if you go straight to Rosetta Stoned without that first you'll miss such an essential part of it and be a bit confused on what the set up is for the song.
(Fucking love Tool, thanks for such a great article to introduce them to more people.)
Great point. I agree
No one does foreplay better than Tool.
Tool is great but the fandom is what makes it hard to want to go see live. I don’t want to overhear innumerable balding dudes in Alex grey apparel talk about how they’re not musicians they’re SOUND ENGINEERS. Danny Carey is unironically the greatest drummer alive right now though. Fear Innoculum is one of my favorite albums of the last decade.
Dude this is an excellent write up. I’ve been listening to them like crazy this year. They fucking rip.
🥂
Watch "Mike Portnoy Learns Impossible Danny Carey Drum Part" on youtube. Tool is on a different level.
This is excellent
Watching him struggle to figure out the time signature is so real
Adding here for anyone interested
https://youtu.be/b3sEdST3D9E?si=8Q4O2H9l6mJ1FAoF
The one and only show of theirs I had the privilege of catching was in November of 2001. True to form, Maynard was towards the back of the stage, no lights on him whatsoever. And then the naked man and woman, bodies painted silver, descended from the ceiling, hanging from their feet.
Absolutely agree with you that “Descending” is the best song from Fear Inoculum. I have to listen to it sparingly though. Too many strong emotions associated with it now, but yeah, I think it’s all of them displaying the mastery of 30+ years of making music together.
Was waiting on another music post from you. Thank you.
Favorite deep track has to be Culling Voices on fear inoculum
Incredible article! Please give Opiate and Undertow a proper listen; I don’t think you will regret it! I was surprised that you didn’t care for them, because aside from that we have nearly identical favorites from each album.
I am kinda with him on this, though I have found that Undertow is a perfect album if I'm just really angry. Man is it great for that. Outside of that though, I generally only listen to "Sober."
Used to listen the shit out of Tool way back when. Maybe time for a refresher
Don’t like Undertow? Oh. Ok.
Oh man you made the IQ bell meme, love that article already.
I don't know much about Tool. But I know you always spoke highly of them. After reading your article I'll start listening to them now.