10,000 DAYS

Well the day has arrived - at least for me. After 5 long years of waiting - my favorite band (still performing) "TOOL" is within a week of officially releasing It's much anticipated fourth full-length studio release "10,000 Days" - and I have just had the privilege of my first listening to the album.

So without further ado - my brief take on "10,000 days"

Any music released by "TOOL" is anticipated with bated breath by its rabid fans - and "10,000 Days" is certainly no exception. Critically acclaimed as the band that "saved" the progressive rock genre from the clutches of grunge and AOR Radio in the early 90's - Tool has never ceased to astound both it's fanbase and detractors alike by delivering driving yet still melodic tracks aimed at making the listener part of the experience - right up to their Grammy Winning Opus "Laturalus" released in 2001.

To be perfectly blunt - "Laturalus" has been outdone. And 10,000 days is destined to become a defining moment in not only Tool's career, but for Prog-Rock as a whole. This is one record that is going to take repeated listening to really sink in.

Opening with the driving " Vicarious", one thing becomes instantly recognizable: Vocalist Maynard James Keenan has not only not lost any of his introspective fury - but has in fact added to his bag of tricks over the past half decade working with side project 'A Perfect Circle" . As a tone setter - the opening track also sets the overall tone for the album - almost conceptual in nature - with Keenan's attack running from subtle to bombastic as he explores the duality of modern society's obsession with death and pain - avoiding it personally, while consuming the darkness in the media we choose to consume.

" Turn on the TV, 'cause tragedy thrills me. Whatever flavor. I Like To Watch Things Die."

Also impressive on the whole is the redefinition of the trademark sound of the band - returning to the rhythmic balance of 1996's "Aenima" while maintaining the fullness of their last effort. The musicianship is absolutely flawless - with Percussionist Danny Carey driving the whole album with his unique application of light and shade. Most impressive of all -this is perhaps the one groups that is able to teach musicians as a while the old adage "It's not what you play that's important - It's what you don't play"

Other standouts on this album include The title track with it's menacing beauty, The juxtaposition of "Rosetta Stoned" and the crafty "Right in Two". I would expect several singles from this record to hit modern rock radio and do rather well - however I'm sure the radio edits are not going to do justice to the band's true effort here. "10,000 Days" is not a collection of Portraits - but an entire sonic landscape laid out before the listeners ears beckoning you to enter into the dark world of your own mind and search thru the cobwebs of your thoughts to find the secret of your psyche - Are you living - or are you dying?

Complex melodic chording, apocalyptic rhythms, symphonic arrangements and thought provoking lyrical statements have always been the "tools of the trade" for this band - And these tools have been at last sharpened to a razors edge.

"10,000 Days" is a definite "must have" for not only Tool fans - but for anyone who truly appreciates Music as art, instead of candy for your ears.

Sour has never tasted so sweet.

Share this TOOL review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to daschmuck
• Report this review (#77760)
• 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