[dorio]

submission courtesy of mrbreeze


Band: Tool
Album: Lateralus
Released: 2001 (Volcano II/Tool Dissectional: US)



Track List:
1. The Grudge
2. Eon Blue Apocalypse
3. The Patient
4. Mantra
5. Schism
6. Parabol
7. Parabola
8. Ticks & Leeches
9. Lateralus
10. Disposition
11. Reflection
12. Triad
13. Faaip de oiad

Musicians:
Maynard James Keenan- Vocals
Adam Jones- Guitar
Danny Carey- Drums
Justin Chancellor- Bass

Lateralus was released in spring 2001 as the 4th commercial relase in the Tool catalogue. It seems to move along the same musical path as the other Tool albums...but then again...it doesn't. This album has everything from small instrumental interludes to 9 minute epics.

The cd starts off with a great song in "The Grudge" and moves along through the songs/instrumentals "Eon Blue Apocalypse", "Mantra", and "The Patient".

Up next is "Schism" a tremdous song led by Justin Chancellor's bass in the beginning. A song about love/relationships. It truely (again) is a masterpiece"

Next up is "Parabol" a short instrumental prelude to the spirital cleansing that is "Parabola". "Parabola" is a song that seems to suggest living life to the fullest. Although it may mean something completely different to each person. That's the beauty of Tool songs, they can be interpreted in many different ways. Listen to Adam Jones' driving guitar riff and great use of a wah pedal in the solo.

After "Parabola" is "Ticks and Leeches" .

The title track and epic "Lateralus" is up next on the album. This song starts off with a slow yet melodic riff that seems to lull you to sleep. However then comes in the drums from a distance. Soft at first then picking up in intensity as it nears. It almost sounds like impending danger. When the drums fully arrive in comes a blistering drop-d power chord riff from Jones.

An interesting note regarding the lyrical structure and drum beat during the first verse. The beginning lyrics of the song use the Fibonacci number sequence, where each number is the total of the two before it....

Black (1)
then (1)
white are (2)
all I see (3)
in my infancy (5)
red and yellow then came to be (8)
reaching out to me (5)
lets me see' (3)

It is widely known that Danny Carey uses complex mathematical sequences when the comes up with beats. This is why he comes up with some really bizarre tribal beats. It's been said that when Tool jams they have mathematical charts hanging up to inspire new time signatures and music.

The album rounds out with "Disposition", "Reflection", "Triad", and "Faaip diad" All of which fit nicely on the album. Musically and lyrically.

There you have it, another Tool masterpiece. I'm sure most Tool fans will be looking forward to a new album sometime in early 2005 when Maynard is done with A Perfect Circle's tour for "The Thirteenth Step".

[mrbreeze]

Here is some supplemental information regarding Tool and the use of mathematical theories to influence their music.

Tool and mathematical theories

[itlof]

A little short but an extremely good and confusing album, a masterpiece inside of a masterpiece inside of a...oh I'm lost

[metallicac/dc]

Very complex album. Reminds me of DSOTM but heavier for some reason. My 2nd favorite (better if it had more songs).

9.5/10

This post has been edited by metallicac/dc: 08 July 2005 - 02:14 AM

[metal432]

Why does everyone compare Tool to Pink Floyd? They sound NOTHING alike to my opinion, Tool is so heavy and the vocals sound so much more modern than Pink Floyd. I love both bands none the less.

[GilmourIsGod]

i've actually always thought of tool as the pink floyd of my generation.....i couldn't really tell you why though

[mrbreeze]

i've actually always thought of tool as the pink floyd of my generation.....i couldn't really tell you why though

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree. In fact at a tool concert a couple of years ago some hippie came up to me and my friend and told us "dude...these guys are the pink floyd of your generation"

Looking forward to their next ablum

[The Smashing Pumpkin]

Love this album, my favourite at the moment.

[InEEdEXLAX]

every tool fan should give this a read
http://www.bofe.org/overthinking.htm

[Will_Wood]

every tool fan should give this a read
http://www.bofe.org/overthinking.htm

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow. Thank you for that. That was very interesting.

Tool is an amazing band. Absolutely amazing.

[Sgard]

Gets better every time you listen to it.
Difinatly one of the great bands of our time.
Always pushing boundries.

[ravaging]

there are very few bands that can send chills down your spine and bring a tear to your eye in one song. tool is one of these bands, except they do it with every song. Lateralus is by far their most complicated album and probably one of the few masterpieces of our time.

i'm not sure why people are saying it's a short album. quality over quantity.