Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Give me my Wings, 30 April 2007
I purposely waited one year after the release of "10,000 Days" to give this review so that it would be a better indication of my feelings towards the record, rather than a quick and excited review about a hugely anticipated album.
After what felt like an eternity since 2001's incredible album "Lateralus," Tool unleashed their most progressive album to date in the form of "10,000 Days." The album was shrouded in secrecy, as is Tool's way, revealing very little other than the track names a short few weeks before the album's release.
It quickly surfaced that the album's title was related to the amount of time lead singer Maynard James Keenan's mother spent paralysed from the neck down, and the album's longest duo of tracks "Wings For Marie / 10,000 Days" is a surprisingly touching yet angry account of that story. Clocking in at a collective 17 and a half minutes, the duo is an epic Tool song, so different to anything they've done before, a live masterpiece and by far and away the best thing on this album. Fans were slow to warm to the track but all eventually come around to its sheer strength, vocal complexity and lyrical and emotional power.
The album itself, in its entirety, is a revelation, much like "Lateralus" was and "Aenima" was before that. Opening with powerhouse radio single "Vicarious," the album starts with a roar and continues its charge through second song, live favourite "Jambi." After the assault on the senses that is "Wings For Marie / 10,000 Days," fans experience Maynard James Keenan's highest vocal attempt yet, the unusually apt "The Pot," which boils with energy reminiscent of the "Undertow" days.
The enigmatic "Rosetta Stoned" oozes with drug-induced paranoia and is the heaviest guitar track Tool have done since "Aenema" nearly ten years ago. The song must be heard to be believed, sporting various different vocal styles and an even more prolific variance is rhythms and styles thoughout.
The album's second-to-last track, "Right In Two" is possibly the band's most ingenius lyric writing showcase to date with unforgettable comparisons between human beings of today and our ancient monkey ancestors, with some interesting comparisons unmistakeably drawn together.
The only negative thing I can say about "10,000 Days" is a common complaint I have about Tool's records despite being a huge, huge fan, and while a bit nit-picky, it is regarding their shallow attempts at expanding the CD length by pouring the likes of "Viginti Tres," a four minute distorted sound that leaves the album ending on a particularly low point after such a strong start and fantastic run all the way through. One wonders why "Viginti Tres" is even there.
But that is a very minute scuff on the shining trophy that is "10,000 Days," in my opinion, one the best album released since Tool's own "Lateralus" in 2001. Every song (proper song!) is conpletely stunning and entirely different from the next and people will be listening to this record for decades to come.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Combination Of The Old, 4 Jun 2006
Tool's new album is more a combination of the old styles than a searching for a new one. The album is aggressive at times, recalling the grittier, fuming Aenima days. But it also has a more developed progressive styling, which strikes me as an evolution from the more complex structures of Lateralus. The production is very crisp, the album art is quite unique with its 3D lenses and overall a nice package with heavy influence on the works of Alex Grey.
My first impression of the album was that it drifts off about halfway through. It is a monster, clocking in at nearly a CD max, it will certainly test the patience of some fans, even the most rabid. After kicking off with "Vicarious" and "Jambi" I was impressed. Both songs are very solid, very tight and fuse the more complex structuring of Lateralus with heavier, more `rocking' sections, akin to Aenima.
Then comes the real first surprise, the "Wings" two-part epic clocking in at nearly 20 minutes. Tool fans are used to long pieces, such as Third Eye and the Disposition/Reflection/Triad masterpiece, but this is something much more drawn out, far more progressive. I was swamped in the song. Completely in awe at the wondrous build-up work, the sincere emotional delivery of MJK and especially the magnificent, spine-tingling moment when he sings "10,000 days in the fire is long enough, you're coming home". A truly fantastic piece, and it struck me, on first listen, as Tool's finest.
The rest of the album had to grow on me. "The Pot" did not impress me at first, but I have gradually come round to it, and especially enjoy the heavy chugging middle section. After "build-up fillers" as I would like to call them, small statements linking the album together such as "Lipan Conjuring" and "Lost Keys" pass, "Rosetta Stoned" crunches in. This is the other enlarged progressive piece of the album, except this one is downright heavy and full of twisting guitar and drum motifs. The song for me really only gets going at the midway interlude where the band slow things down, Pushit style (from the album Aenima for those unaware of what I mean). The song then progresses and builds to sumptuous close.
The same can be said for the last full track on the album, "Right In Two". Again this grew on me after leaving a rather mediocre first impression. Now it is up there with the `Wings' piece as my favorite moments. This is a true Tool song. Brooding and slow to start with, it erupts into wave after wave of distorted riffing and drum pummelling that borders on the insane. A fine way to finish the album.
So, overall this is a great Tool album. Danny is on top form as ever, MJK's voice is just as haunting, Justin is probably more prominent than ever with his grumbling lines and Adam creates catchy riffs and good chugging parts. Whether it tops Aenima and Lateralus I think time will tell for me. All I can say is, give it a few listens and things that initially disappointed may well surprise you.
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34 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
10,000 Days, 19 April 2006
Was there really any doubt that the next Tool album was going to be fantastic? No not really, because they are a band of pure genius, a band that can put together the most beautiful music whilst at the same time throw in some vicious and powerful riffs which make you go crazy for more.
I have just listened to the whole album 10,000 Days, and i must say i have been blown away once again. This album is pure brilliance crammed onto a CD.
The thing that struck me most about this album is that it is quite different to everything they have previously done. After the opening track Vicarious (which has a hint of Lateralus) the album twists and turns and shows off something completely different. The track named 'The Pot' for example was confusing at first because i was unsure if it was actually Maynard singing.
Each and every song on the album is a perfect fit, from the fast paced opening of Vicarious to the creepy ending of Viginti Tres.
I have only listened to the album once so far, but i will be sure to listen to it religiously from now on.
My favorite tracks from the first time round were, 'Jambi'- A surprisingly heavy song with one of the most unique guitar sounds ever. '10,000 Days'- 11 mins of pure genius, one of the most beautiful Tool songs ive ever heard. 'Right in to' - A great song to rock out to, with some kick ass riffs and excellent lyrics.
Overall i am once again perfectly happy with this new serving of Tool, and i expect all the other Tool fans will love it also.
Nose.
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