The Official Tool Thread

sidewinder · 09-02-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engine

But I don't see the reason to compare ISIS and Neurosis to Tool.

Neither do I, they don't sound alike.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottsy

Now that we have had two albums or so of the whole personal awakening theme in Tool's music, what other themes do people think they might cover? I mean they`ve tackled some pretty lofty themes and concepts lyrically... I'd like to see this dcontinue as well as maybe hitting on some new themes... I like a good lyrical challenge...

Or maybe people are just happy with their present lyrical themes... feel free to respond!

I've never paid close attention to their lyrics, personally. What I'd like to hear from them next is kind of a "back to basics" rockin album. I don't mean straight-forward rock, I just mean less spacey and just in your face. Like Aenima but closer to 45-50 minutes and without the experimental filler tracks. I just want something I can put on often. The problem I have with pretty much all of their albums, as much as I love them, is that they are too long so I don't put them on as often as I'd like to (being an album listener). I still want their technical abilities and songwriting, just in a more compact package.

333 · 09-02-2009, 06:31 PM

Thank you to whoever changed the name of this thread.

sidewinder, I have a problem understand what it is you mind about longer albums if you're an album listener. I like a playlist as much as the next, but there's just a one-a-kind experience that comes with listening to a whole album. I dig the longer ones when I'm driving, but I can always pick up where I left off no matter where I listen to music thanks to technology.

Back on topic, though, Tool's lyrics is what does it for me, really. I've learned to, in some instances, detach myself from the music and just feel the lyrics. This being because I went through a phase (perhaps still going) of really just loathing Maynard's voice. He's a hell of a vocalist, but I don't know. I don't know how I feel about him anymore.

A lot of people, I think, loved them for their in-your-face rock, when they made very angry music. There's still a taste of hostility in what they write today, but some of the lyrics from their earlier days can still give me goosebumps. I find that more fans of this type of genre identify more with anger versus what Tool is trying to present these days. What they convey in their music presently, I feel, leaves much for interpretation. My love for words, lyricism and poetry is always touched when I listen to them, but what makes me weak, to be cheesy about it, are Adam Jones' riffs weaving in and out of Chancellor's subtle, beating bass lines. It's where it all comes together in my mind, or soul if you want to get all cosmic and shit.

sidewinder · 09-02-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 333

sidewinder, I have a problem understand what it is you mind about longer albums if you're an album listener. I like a playlist as much as the next, but there's just a one-a-kind experience that comes with listening to a whole album. I dig the longer ones when I'm driving, but I can always pick up where I left off no matter where I listen to music thanks to technology.

I agree the album experience is like nothing else, which is why I listen to albums. I just prefer the tight feel of a 45-50 minute album, and I feel that longer ones have a tendency to have a little filler here and there. Trimming the fat on some of these albums (even the slightest amount) could turn a 4.5-star album into a 5-star one.

And yes I can pause an album and pick it back up later, but I usually prefer to do it in one sitting, and sometimes grow impatient. My attention span isn't what it used to be...even if it's a great album.

BTown · 09-02-2009, 07:36 PM

Hey I've recently been wanting to get into these guys, where do I start with them?

sidewinder · 09-02-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTown787

Hey I've recently been wanting to get into these guys, where do I start with them?

Undertow. But I'm sure you'll many different opinions.

Dr.Seussicide · 09-02-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidewinder

Undertow. But I'm sure you'll many different opinions.

Undertow's a good album... but I'd definitely say Aenima first...

333 · 09-02-2009, 08:54 PM

If you can, start with Opiate. I think they're the kind of band you've gotta digest from the begin to end. The music progresses quite a bit from the time the first EP was dropped 'til 10,000 Days. For me, the most prominent aspect of this band is their public growth as musicians and a band, all of which you can witness in their discography.

NumberNineDream · 09-02-2009, 09:34 PM

I just started my Tool journey. FINALLY!
it's about time i've listened to the discography. Listened to some few tracks, they seem my style already. But I'm starting now from their debut album.

scottsy · 09-02-2009, 10:51 PM

I agree with the notion that you should start with Opiate and move on, successively through each album.... there truly is a progression that can be clearly heard... and trust me it is a GOOD progression... they are indeed one of those rare bands who better themselves each album, without leaving the previous one sounding awful, either...

sidewinder · 09-03-2009, 01:25 AM

While I like each album, I still have a soft spot for Undertow. I like 10,000 Days but it still has room to grow on me, I can't say each is better than the last, personally.

09-02-2009, 07:36 PM	#84 (permalink)
BTown super cool Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 806	Hey I've recently been wanting to get into these guys, where do I start with them? __________________

09-02-2009, 09:34 PM	#88 (permalink)
NumberNineDream Blue Bleezin' Blind Drunk Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The land of the largest wine glass (aka Lebanon) Posts: 2,200	I just started my Tool journey. FINALLY! it's about time i've listened to the discography. Listened to some few tracks, they seem my style already. But I'm starting now from their debut album. __________________ Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Welcome to the Black Lodge

09-02-2009, 10:51 PM	#89 (permalink)
scottsy Untalented Drummer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sussex, Wisconsin Posts: 2,900	I agree with the notion that you should start with Opiate and move on, successively through each album.... there truly is a progression that can be clearly heard... and trust me it is a GOOD progression... they are indeed one of those rare bands who better themselves each album, without leaving the previous one sounding awful, either... __________________ "If you're like me, then it's possible you're a clone generated from my stolen DNA. I suggest you turn yourself in for destruction immediately" - Shaun Micallef.

09-03-2009, 01:25 AM	#90 (permalink)
sidewinder Engorged Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,536	While I like each album, I still have a soft spot for Undertow. I like 10,000 Days but it still has room to grow on me, I can't say each is better than the last, personally. __________________ last.fm \| my collection on RYM \| vinyl instagram @allthatyouseeandhear I'd love to see your signature/links too, but the huge and obnoxious ones have caused me to block all signatures.

09-02-2009, 06:31 PM	#82 (permalink)
333 Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 965	Thank you to whoever changed the name of this thread. sidewinder, I have a problem understand what it is you mind about longer albums if you're an album listener. I like a playlist as much as the next, but there's just a one-a-kind experience that comes with listening to a whole album. I dig the longer ones when I'm driving, but I can always pick up where I left off no matter where I listen to music thanks to technology. Back on topic, though, Tool's lyrics is what does it for me, really. I've learned to, in some instances, detach myself from the music and just feel the lyrics. This being because I went through a phase (perhaps still going) of really just loathing Maynard's voice. He's a hell of a vocalist, but I don't know. I don't know how I feel about him anymore. A lot of people, I think, loved them for their in-your-face rock, when they made very angry music. There's still a taste of hostility in what they write today, but some of the lyrics from their earlier days can still give me goosebumps. I find that more fans of this type of genre identify more with anger versus what Tool is trying to present these days. What they convey in their music presently, I feel, leaves much for interpretation. My love for words, lyricism and poetry is always touched when I listen to them, but what makes me weak, to be cheesy about it, are Adam Jones' riffs weaving in and out of Chancellor's subtle, beating bass lines. It's where it all comes together in my mind, or soul if you want to get all cosmic and shit.

09-02-2009, 08:54 PM	#87 (permalink)
333 Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 965	If you can, start with Opiate. I think they're the kind of band you've gotta digest from the begin to end. The music progresses quite a bit from the time the first EP was dropped 'til 10,000 Days. For me, the most prominent aspect of this band is their public growth as musicians and a band, all of which you can witness in their discography.