Tool: 10,000 Days : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Tool's dense, often quasi-religious lyrics have always been among the most overwrought in mainstream metal -- no small feat. But the music has such anthemic power that even the most cynical listener can find himself chanting along to lines like "To ascend, you must die!/You must be crucified!"

On 10,000 Days, their fourth album, Tool maintain a level of craftsmanship and virtuosity unparalleled in metal. On the opener, "Vicarious," the quartet reprises its primary formula, which dates back to the 1993 debut, Undertow: Each player keeps his own syncopated version of the central groove until they unite for the first of many spine-tingling crescendos -- then, just as sharply, the foursome de-crescendos into a brooding instrumental jam, as the rhythmic and melodic lines meander and cross until the next explosion. The web of shifting dynamics and time signatures sounds so primal, so visceral, that any lyrical message seems incredibly important.

Singer Maynard Keenan's operatic vocals, alternately simmering and shrill, are more personal and less pretentious here than ever before. The album title refers to the time between when Keenan's mother became paralyzed in the 1980s and when she died, in 2003, an experience that inspires some of Keenan's most poignant lyrics yet ("10,000 days in the fire is long enough/You're going home"). More than fifteen years into Tool's career, he has composed words with the depth and resonance to match the music.

EVAN SERPICK

(Posted: Jun 7, 2006)

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Review 1 of 23

4of 5 Stars

"More than fifteen years into Tool's career, he has composed words with the depth and resonance to match the music."

Implying what? That the lyrics before then did not have that depth? What is with these reviewers? Have you even listened to Tools full repertoire?

Come back when you have listened to H.

Jan 31, 2008 14:03:34

Review 2 of 23

5of 5 Stars

In 10,000 Days, Tool gave us much heavier music than any of the previous albums. Vicarious and Jambi are the 2 first songs of the album, both containing, creative vocals and dense guitar and bass mixes. The collaboration of Wings For Marie and 10,00 Days show Keenan's personal life, in the mourning of his mother's death. The Pot criticizes the government, Right in Two shows us Tool's softer side, and Rosetta Stoned mixes extraordinary vocal effects with heavy beats. Overall, it is Tool's best album, and one of the best from any artist in the past 3 years.

Sep 16, 2007 15:29:23

Review 3 of 23

4of 5 Stars

Greg Kot is a musical idiot. His biography of Tool is ignorant and incorrect at best,
deceitful and misleading at worst. He cherry picks lyrics out of context then misinterprets them in the worst way possible. Mr. Kot, if you had any integrity you would have retracted those words. Unfortunately, you are a tool. You are the one reveling in downcast negativity. Tools music is the most inspired message of human greatness I have ever heard, and I listen to a lot of genres and eras of music.

As for this album, it feels to me to have several great ideas, but not enough to warrant a full length album. wings for mary, 10000 days, the pot and perhaps jambi are all works of art.

Vicarious is tools nod to radio to have something catchy to play, but it isn't as passionate as these other songs. Its technically incredible but thats about it. The rest are filler, or atmospheric tracks. lost keys is interesting new ground but ultimately rather silly(even though they do a good job projecting the powerful sense of grandiose glory the narrator mentions).

Intention and right in two also sound fresh. Both are low key, repetitious and very groove friendly. The simple guitar melody is very catchy and the choice of instruments for the tribal sound(drums mostly) is well done.

Ultimately, if perhaps one or two more full fledged songs were included then I'd definitely say 4.5 stars were warranted. But most of whats on here doesn't have the substance to justify a full 5 star rating.

Sep 11, 2007 15:29:13

Review 4 of 23

5of 5 Stars

musicfan001, you're an idiot. this cd is awesome and better than most of the crap out now days. all of tools cds are amazing and im glad they continue to make great music. i just wish they wolud come out with music more often instead of a cd every 5 years. but the more time they put into it, the better it is i guess.

Aug 18, 2007 12:54:59

Review 5 of 23

1of 5 Stars

I thought Lateralus and Aenema were great, but this is not. Not because the music is bad either. I would support Tool if the music is bad. This music is voyeuristic and kind of inappropriate. It varies from inaccuracy to inappropriatenesses leaning more towards the latter on their singles. Think about the effect this music is having on the millions of people who hear it. As part of Maynard's biography he should include a portion called "My contest with the kid" it which he is portrayed at investing millions in beating a kid with asthma in a go-cart race. This type of music is dangerous to society and I would like to see music and society show more responsible attitudes towards young people.

Jul 28, 2007 18:33:11

Review 6 of 23

4of 5 Stars

I'll be the first to say that I'm not a legitimate OGT, in fact, I got into A Perfect Circle before I delved into Tool. Now, having become an insanely devoted, and learned fan, I can see 10,000 days for what it really is. To me, the pinnacle in Tool's catalogue is "Lateralus", I don't ever see Tool producing anything that could eclipse that album's worth and impact, but 10,000 days is no blunder- it's a gem in its own right. Tool is the embodiment of musical evolution, and while they continuously evolve, they also maintain their roots and core elements. Wings/10Kd is easily one of their most epic and emotional songs, showing a masterful balance of melody and, ambience and hard attack. Songs like "The pot" and "Rosetta Stoned" portay more of Tool's evolution, showing varying usages of off-kilter rythyms set against Maynard's unique and unconventional lyrical direction. It's also a more direct album in terms of theory. Maynard points a glaring finger at society and its obsession with death and tragedy. While some my call his lyrics trite in comparison to past efforts, his message is at times sublimely poetic and drenched alleghory. 10,000 days is art in beautifully brutal form, the kind of album that converts non-believers into believers. The cynic would say that its more prodding and distracted compared to previous efforts, the true music fan, however, would see that its a progessive milestone and a cerebral anthem. Lateralus is the album that hooked me and changed the way I experience music. 10,000 days has only reaffirmed my faith in Tool's ability to produce music that transcends the industry standard.

May 17, 2007 11:07:09

Review 7 of 23

5of 5 Stars

Tool is a very unique and ground-breaking band. They have a sound that no-other band has successfully duplicated, With only 5 album releases they have gained much respect and even been called The Pink Floyd of this generation. 10,000 days is their fifth offering and at first listen it may overwhelm the individual, Granted that this isn't the usual Tool, With 10,000 days you hear a Tool that merges with Experimentation
much more so than their previous albums. Tool is a band to be taking seriously when it comes to Music. Tool takes effort and pride in what they do and each member of the band believes the freedom and expression of art and to not fall prey to the corporate commercialism that pollutes most of the air-waves these days. True they have been on MTV but they never exceed over the boundaries, Tool is a band that hasn't sold out and has gained a mass popularity because of their great, deep, emotional music. If there's a best rock band out today my opinion would have to say that Tool takes the Gold. 10,000 requires attention also a mass amount of patience. these songs aren't your every-day poppy hits you hear on the radio. they are something more..they are original works of art...Love Tool or Hate Tool you have to admit they have talent. 10,000 days is Tool at their most experimental stage and they pull it off with flying colors. thumbs up to Maynard and crew for delivering yet another masterpiece to modern day Rock. It's worth checking out. Very Epic

Mar 29, 2007 22:00:49

Review 8 of 23

5of 5 Stars

10,000 Days is One of the greatest albums in the world. It delivers on all fronts from each member. Maynard's vocals are way awesome. Danny delivers a great drum performance on this album. Adam's talk box really inspires me. Justin delivers his best bass performance on this album. The lyrics on "Vicarious" make you think about how most people are drawn in by violence and tragedy on their t.v., and how most people don't know what the hell is going on in the world. "Wings for Marie/10,000 Days" are two sad songs that make you think about how Judith suffered on this planet, and how she deserves eternal happiness. "Rosetta Stoned" delivers a really fast vocal performance by Maynard. This is a must buy album. EVERYBODY WHOS THIRD EYE IS OPEN NEEDS THIS ALBUM!!! Others need it to open their third eye.

Nov 29, 2006 20:37:48

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