10,000 DAYS

I remember describing the previous album "Lateralus" as the soundtrack to a shark attack scene, with the brooding and tension filled tracks suddenly exploding like a shark hitting an unsuspecting victim as the full Tool sound kicked in. On this, their long awaited follow-up, there are subtle changes despite many Tool fans complaining that the album was a lame redux or others who feel "all Tool sounds the same." Here the album feels more variable in intensity and force. Where "Lateralus" was consistent power and heaviness, on "Days" the band mixes things up and explores a more introspective psych-metal landscape. The four key sound elements are often featured individually or in tandem pair as opposed to being consistently clubbing the listener to death with their combined fury and firepower. It's still Tool and it still often resembles "Lateralus" but there is more diversity for better or worse. Another issue is that the periodic interludes of quiet, reflective space or tribal percussion and chant, which interrupts the flow of heaviness I seek from a Tool album. In some sense the variable is cool, but personally when I want the experience of being bludgeoned the other stuff kinda foils the flow. If I want the spacey psych thing I can turn to numerous other bands for a more thorough experience in that kind of music. "10,000 Days" is a good album and I enjoy it but I would certainly recommend "Lateralus" be acquired first. And John is right, the bottom end on a good system is formidable.

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