LATERALUS

4.5 stars. The best Tool album. Tightly constructed and with great production. Songs like "The Grudge" and "Parabola" are among the best the band has created. Since I don't actually have a lot to talk about, I'll comment on each track.

1. The Grudge - Best opening track to a Tool album. Featuring a long scream by Maynard, it is always exciting to listen to. *****

2. Eon Blue Apocalypse - A brief guitar interlude leading into the next song. ***

3. The Patient - Very human sounding lyrics and a good intro. ****

4. Mantra - Short noise experiment. Nothing more. *

5. Schism - The song from the album that gets the most radio airplay. Some complex rhythms and great drumming. ****

6. Parabol - Slow introduction to the next song. Very relaxing. ****

7. Parabola - Immediately starts with a great guitar lead and continues to progress. *****

8. Ticks & Leeches - A bit longer than it needs to be, but still a good track. ****

9. Lateralus - An interesting song that uses the Fibonacci Sequence in its verses and comes to a grand conclusion. One of the standout tracks of the album. *****

10. Disposition - Another interlude but this time with bongos. ***

11. Reflection - The epic of the entire album. *****

12. Triad - Good instrumental that could have been the ending to the album. ****

13. Faaip De Oaid - Creepy ending that features a panicked caller talking about possible alien invasions behind a loud drum track. Not the best ending. **

If you only buy one Tool album, make it this one.