 Artist: Tool
Album: 10,000 Days
Artist History:
Tool is:
Maynard James Keenan – Vocals
Adam Jones – Guitar
Danny Carey – Drums
Justin Chancellor – Bass
Discography
- Opiate (1992)
- Undertow (1993)
- Anema (1996)
- Lateralus (2001)
- 10,000 Days (2006)
Standout Tracks: Vicarious, Jambi, The Pot
Overall Impressions:
As a long time Tool fan, I had been dying for a fresh fix since the 2001 release Lateralus. Upon hearing the first single “Vicarious”, I hastily raced out to buy 10,000 Days. “Vicarious” hits you with a hurricane barrage of instrumentation that will certainly blow you away. The 43 second introduction of electric guitar strumming with syncopated bass is completely standard Tool. What hits is most certainly mosh-worthy, but it is truly a teaser for the actual instrumental force coming later. Maynard’s distinctive, lucid voice begins as the drums tone down temporarily. As each verse ends, the volume and intensity of the track increases. The song glides up and down adding slightly more to each new climax. At 3:26, the song cuts out and gives way to quick segmented vocals and music. Again, the pace starts to pick up, but lulls again, this time going all the way back to replay the introduction. At last, around 5:32 into the song, we start to build to the final climax. There is some foreshadowing while we get a taste of machine gun style drums. The song drops again, leaving you ready to scream for more when finally at 6:34 you get the last shot needed to temporarily fulfill the aforementioned Tool fix, and then some. The climax to “Vicarious” is nothing short of sheer power symphony. Maynard croons with greater hair-raising ferocity than ever as each instrument collides as if each playing their own synchronized solos. Then the song ends. Abruptly.
Track 2, “Jambi” continues on the same musical genius pace. It’s as if every Tool lover’s expectations for a new album have come true. When the CD arrives at the sedate “Wings for Marie”, you aren’t really surprised. Tool has a tendency to go to extremes, whether it’s minimalism or maximization. This is definitely the minimalism end of the spectrum. It’s 6:11 of minimalism. You plow tediously through it because when it comes to Tool, you never know when they’ll pick up the pace or throw something in there. The pace pickup appears 4:12 into the song and lasts until 4:25. For the little pick up there is, the 13 total seconds hardly seems to justify having listened through the remaining 5:58 of the track. As if that weren’t mind-numbing enough, it continues into Track 4, “10,000 Days (Wings pt 2)”. These songs combined provide a ramping effect. It’s a really REALLY long ramp that takes 11 minutes and 50 seconds to gain a total of one foot. There is slight building up occurring but it’s so slight that by the time you get to 5:39 into “10,000 Days (Wings pt 2)”, where it finally does pick up for an extended period, you’ve probably already switched tracks or went to sleep. Now I’m sure the pieces are artistic expressions with profound lyrics. However, realistically, the average music fan has no background in playing instruments and doesn’t have a poet’s ear for lyrics. Not to mention that Maynard’s voice is so instrumental in quality, that it’s difficult to pick off exactly what he is singing.
In spite of what I just said, the introduction to “The Pot” is one of those rare instances where you actually can understand Maynard. It’s a surprise because Maynard seldom ever takes center stage with such loud and clear vocals, which alone makes this a standout track. It seems to me that the title of this track should be taken as a reminder that you’re probably better off being high to enjoy the rest of the album though. All that’s left is the artistic side of Tool, without any remaining potential for a radio friendly release. “Lipan Conjuring” is a chant. “Lost Keys (Blame Hoffman)” is one really long introduction to “Rosetta Stoned”. “Rosetta Stoned” features some excellent instrumental work, but Maynard distorts his vocals in numerous ear-piercing ways that make it difficult to listen to in entirety. “Intension” is a slow somber track. A listener has to make it nearly half way through “Right In Two” before you get to anything interesting. Capping off the album is “Vigniti Tres”, a non-musical track of sound effect that concludes 10,000 Days with a lackluster vibe making you wonder why exactly you invested $15 to buy it.
The bottom line…
10,000 Days is a worthy listen through that will satiate any existing Tool fan’s desire for new material. Nevertheless, it’s difficult to want to listen to it multiple times in entirety unless you’re a fan of Tool’s artistic side. My money says for anyone but a die-hard fan, buy the 3 standout tracks on I-tunes and skip the rest of it.
Rating: While I give the standout tracks 10/10, it pains me to give the rest a 6/10.
Bonus Features:
The CD comes with a pair of stereoscopic lenses that enable you to view psychedelic album art inside the jacket.
Track List:
- Vicarious – 7:06
- Jambi – 7:28
- Wings for Marie (Pt 1) – 6:11
- 10,000 Days (Wings pt 2) – 11:13
- The Pot – 6:22
- Lipan Conjuring – 1:11
- Lost Keys (Blame Hoffman) – 3:46
- Rosetta Stoned – 11:11
- Intension – 7:21
- Right In Two – 8:55
- Viginti Tres – 5:02
Website: www.toolband.com
Fan Site: www.toolshed.down.net
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