Note: this cut and pasted review of mine is more a glib jab at people at toolshed.down.net but still manages to nail my sentiments on the current Tool run either way.
WOW LIKE LOL ROTFLMAO OMG HUGZ 1LUV BFF4EVA!
Seriously, this show was mediocre : alright at best. For my 6th or 7th
Tool show, highlights of the night included Rosetta Stoned (placed in
the middle of the show is a better move if you ask me), Stinkfist (if a
bit shaky for an opener), an improv (GASP) or intro to Vicarious -
depending on how one looks at it -, The Patient (just because great
googly, they changed something!) and Lateralus. MVP as always is Mr.
Carey. Maynard's been doing some really f**king epicene and downright
ridiculously questionable movements on stage too...which is FYI...I
guess. W/R/T the Others: Adam is still a robot and Justin is still
Justin or...still vibrating like a coin-operated horse in front of a
supermarket.
The problem with these/this show/s is/are that:
1) We're basically getting gipped - the band are using the phrase
'warm-up' tour as a crutch -, stagnant 'greatest hits/casual and
pedestrian Tool-fan' set-lists, limited to no improvisation, and for
the money we're being charged there's no reason the band couldn't start
an hour earlier with an intermission, plus throw in more varied songs
from ALL ALBUMS, EVEN IF THEY'RE UNREHEARSED! Part of the joy of seeing
musicians live is seeing these guys f**k up IMO - just look at Robert
Fripp's similar thoughts...that's where the quality of the musician
comes through, seeing how they deal with imperfection. But, I divagate
too much...$66.66 really cute guys...I'm not saying the band should
improvise like revered jazz legends, but at least either slow things
down/let things breathe, try a different key, and/or remember the
Aenima days of experimentation and 'being weird' from a differentiating
between the Live and Studio world perspective...Merkaba and Push*t
quickly come to mind.
2) The visuals are probably the worst I've seen yet. A couple of my
colleagues are in agreement that our Windows Media players offer more
daedal and edifying accompaniment. Also makes me wonder if Chet Zar's
work has become copyrighted or some other egregiously diaphanous
litigious term? Who knows.
3) The band are RUSHING through most of the material in light of their
new album, which I think (they're under the impression at least) should
kick people's collective asses, rather than bring them through a range
of volatile emotions. This M.O. comes e.g. in Schism's 'new' interlude
section...what purpose does this Dream Theater-esque moment serve other
than a prescient wink-wink faux homage to 10KD's current raison dêtre?
In other words...the band is ONE-SIDEDLY kicking the sh*t out of
material that in the long run was dynamic, effusive, and NOW more in
favor of their new method of 'playing.'
4) Tool are not trying to figure out what they want to present to us as
an experiential or theatrical or fatidic band and are not making the
cut, nor seem to be even qualifying to give a sh*t.
5) These fans (fraternity and soriety dudebros and dudettes, and/or
'futants' or not) NEEED to stop singing along...and talking too, that
would be nice. I come to hear Maynard sing, not you. These fans also
need to know that applause when a song starts is ok, applause when a
song ends is ok, applause when the band goes into a delineated/expected
section i.e. a verse, chorus, and/or break is NOT ok; song = not
finished; peoples = must attentively listen; act of applauding while in
said circumstances = not actively listening. Please note: solos (on the
rare occasion that they happen) DO count. Who am I to be an authority
(or if you'd prefer, 'who am I to wave my MIGHTY finger?') on such
matters? I'm not; this is MY review, not yours.
6) The mix is pretty muddy on the low-end side. Justin's tone is pretty
indistinct and terribly terrible - yes I know I'm being redundant,
intentional. Danny's kit in particular needs to be revamped -
electronics, toms, bass-drums all should be up, equal to the level of
cymbals and that precious high-hat.
In closing, I hate to sh*t on the guys I really, really do...but man oh
man, this show/tour/and even album has been QUITE the disappointment.
P.S. I <3 You Guys Either Way!
P.P.S. Spiral Out Man!
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