10,000 DAYS

TOOL is comparable to religion. They have a vast and loyal following, some of which are not right in the head. They also have an army of opposers...the Anti-TOOL. I don't think I would go as far as to say they were compositional geniuses, but they are indeed clever. Most of the TOOL hatred seems to come from the fact that many of their songs are drawn out, or that they aren't really all that progressive as they're made out to be. I agree with both stances, but I still love this band. Their longer songs are in the vain of doom metal, but unlike doom metal they have a ferocious intensity that meets an end. They are the kings of stoner-metal, and they should be proud to wear the crown.

10,000 Days: At first listen, this album seemed to lack the overall aggression from the previous 2 (Aenima & Lateralus), which would prove to be tough to follow. After several listens on the ol' iPod it began to grow on me, as good music should. Personally, I never cared much for lyrics... as long as the singer complemented the band I couldn't give a hoot about their 'message'. With Keenan, I always listen. Many of his songs through the years have to do with how dismal society is becoming, but he complains humorously. He has a great and unique voice, and always paints a disturbing picture with his lyrics. This album is the usual TOOL, but the title track takes it a hair deeper.

Vicarious is a good opening track, strong and accessible. Sounds like many a TOOL song, but with introspective lyrics concerning our lust for witnessing tragedy from afar. Jambi is another strong and accessible TOOL song, but too similar to Vicarious to follow it. Nice wavy bass though. Now it gets a bit more emotional... Wings for Marie and 10,000 Days are essentially one song (I believe about the death of Keenan's mother) that builds and builds and builds for 15 minutes. This is by far the most powerful song TOOL has ever released. I find myself overwhelmed every time I listen to it with the headphones on. The Pot is a great track about the hypocrisy of the drug war and the government fighting it (I think), and although it sounds like TOOL, it is Keenan's most unique vocal performance to date. The next track, Lipan Conjuring, is seen by many as senseless filler, but I think it's a great intermission. The album is better with it than without. The next 2 tracks again combine to form one long song, and easily one of the most disturbing. Lost Keys starts off the story with a nurse and doctor exchanging dialogue about an unidentified patient, and then Roseta Stoned begins with the patient's psychotic ramblings about alien abduction and the like. It is very easy to picture a deranged mental patient schitzing out when listening to this song. Intension is a trippy and mellow track, perfect to calm the mood after Roseta. Right In Two is the last 'song' on the album, and although good, is similar sounding to Intension. Right In Two does build towards something a little more complex, but is not a good closer. The last track, Viginti Tres, combined with Wings For Marie equals the exact time of 10,000 days. I've not tried it, but apparently the intention is to play them simultaneously. This can be the only purpose of Viginti Tres, for it is just noise.

This album is fantastic in many ways, but not quite as good as the previous 2. Most critics think the worst thing about TOOL is that they always sound like TOOL. I think this is their best quality. Very few bands can claim to have their own sound. Progressive? a little bit. Awesome? always.

3.99 stars