LATERALUS

Absolutely phenomenal. Tool has created a distinctive blend of art rock, metal, and ambient music over the course of their unfortunately concise discography. Though the albums they have released were over prolonged periods of time, they are definitely worth the wait. Ænima was an incredible album, but Lateralus is undoubtedly the quintessential Tool album, and it definitely belongs in every prog collection.

Early in the album, beginning with The Grudge, we are treated to a dark, angst-ridden collection of compositions. About halfway through the album, Lateralus experiences a change of pace, resulting in ambient, experimental tracks such as Disposition and Reflection. The album ends off with the disturbing, enigmatic Faaip De Oiap, which contains excerpts of an interview with an ex-Area 51 employee.

Very unique, however, are Danny Carey's syncopated polyrhythms in his drumming on these compositions, where he plays in different time signatures than the rest of the group, resulting in the trademark Tool sound. Maynard James Keenan's vocals are better than ever on Lateralus, and Justin Chancellor's bass playing never disappoints. A must have.