10,000 DAYS

How would you react to the statement from the musician you adore when he said his appreciation towards certain band? Are you impacted with the statement from the musician of your idol? If so, how far can you go beyond the limit of your musical boundary should the band that your favorite musician appreciates does not comfort your taste? Think about it!

It happened to me with respect to TOOL. I knew nothing about the band and did not really intend to explore further as I was in doubt if the music is not that far away from those under progressive metal box. But when I read an interview between progarchives with Rick Wakeman sometime last year, I remember clearly that Rick Wakeman mentioned that TOOL is an excellent band. Oh .. to me Rick Wakeman means a lot as his work with Yes as well as solo have cheered my childhood days. So if Mr. Wakeman said that TOOL is an excellent band, I should explore. When this album was released I did try to purchase it from amazon but I refrained from "click"ing because the site mentioned "Customers who purchased TOOL 10,000 Days also purchased ." and you know what appeared at my screen? Pearl Jam! Wow .!!! Does TOOL associate well with Pearl Jam? Are they in the same box? By that time I was not into the kind of Grunge music yet - until recently when I frequently deal with younger people in our country's rock organization i-Rock! - so I get used to the music of Pearl Jam as well.

My curiosity about the band did not stop and finally I got the album and had it spun. I was impressed by the first spin as I like the kind of music TOOL plays. Swear, this is nothing to do with Mr. Wakeman anymore. The opening track "Vicarious" (7:08) is kicking and I accepted the track at first listen. The main characteristics of TOOL music is its repetition in basic rhythm section and/ or riffs. If you don't get used to this kind of music, it might be hard to accept this album. "Vicariously i, live while the whole world dies. You all need it too, don't lie" sings Maynard James Keenan. Yeeeaaahhh .!!!

So what makes the music of TOOL interesting then? Two things, I think. First, the use of textures that accumulates from simple to more complex ones with its intensified guitar effects / solos by Adam Jones and much more dynamic drums by Danny Carey. This might also happen with powerful voice of Maynard James Keenan which can sustain high register note for such a long time. Second, the soundscape that sounds really good - even excellent as the sonic quality of the CD is excellent. These two things have made it worth owning this album for your prog music collection.

"Jambi" reminds me to the name of our province in Sumatera, Indonesia. The term used by the band seems like referring to the place where it's mentioned like "sultan" etc. This track brings the music into heavier riffs using similar style as opening track. There is nice guitar solo during interlude which makes the song much dynamic. Under "Wings For Marie (Pt 1)" (6:13) the band explores the ambient psychedelic style. Seems like this track is introducing to the entrance of another ambient track (no. 4) which serves as ambient style as well "10,000 Days (Wings Pt 2)" (11:15) with repeated guitar fills that might bring you to a boring feel.

"The Pot" (6:24) is truly my favorite as it has a dynamic texture in relatively simple structure. The texture is basically formed thru the use of bass guitar which plays really tight and pivotal in this arrangement, augmented with guitar riffs and fills. It starts wonderfully with powerful vocal - similar to the voice style of The Mars Volta, I think. "Who are you to wave your finger? / You must have been out your head / Eyehole deep in muddy waters / You practically raised the dead " - oh what a wonderful opening lyric! The music flows marvelously with firm beats of bass guitar combined with excellent drumming and guitar fills.

"Rosetta Stoned" (11:13) is another favorite of mine. I like how this tune is really compact in structure, rockin' in nature especially with heavy guitar riffs, wonderful repeated chords and tight bass lines. Again the band shows its consistency in improving the textures as the music flows using guitar and drums. I remember King Crimson music as I listen to this track many times - well, at least the way Danny Carey plays his drums is similar with Pat Mastelotto or Bill Bruford in new King Crimson music.

Overall, it's definitely an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Despite many influences from other bands, TOOL is a unique band. My reference is only for this album while I'm now ordering other albums of the band like "Lateralus" and "Aenima". The reason I need to purchase previous albums is that I like their music. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild, GW

Share this TOOL review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Gatot
• Report this review (#87638)
• Buy TOOL music online with PA partners
• Show all TOOL MP3/Stream
• Go to TOOL page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to 10,000 Days page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for TOOL related discussions