10,000 Days is Tool's latest release and the closest to being the one they've always wanted to make, according to Maynard. I couldn't agree more, the anger and intensity from Ænima is still there but we have the spiritual and holy feeling that we only got in small dosages (e.g. 42 & 6) but is abundant in Lateralus. I see imbeciles arguing about the fact that Maynard's vocals are lame and the songs lack the spirit from previous releases, mainly Ænima. Well, the vocals take a background role but this is on purpose, the morons don't get it, this guy pulls a shaman act here and it's supposed to sound that way, but more about it later. There are even some trolls who claim Tool is now christian or catholic because of the lyrics, and the worst is, there are fools who buy it and feed them, but as anyone who actually thinks about it it's just another face of our favorite freak, MJK. By the way if you haven't realized by now, Tool is my favorite band and I listen to Tool EVERY fucking day. Until my ears bleed.
Vicarious (7:06)
As has been mentioned, this one is the first-single-to-be-released song, much in the vein of Stinkfist. To save you time, it's basically Tool at what they do best: catchy, weird-at-first-listen riffs, Maynard screaming off his lungs, funky bass lines (thanks Justin), trippy guitars (I love you Adam) and thundering, fast, crazy drumming (marry me Danny). The song is about the morbid fascination YOU have, yes, you, TV addict; grinning wide as the fire consumes the bodies, the shots go through the heads and the blood flows across the screen. We all stare in awe at the tragedies of others, so, why can't we just admit it? [Toolgasm: 6:36]
Jambi (7:28)
Another great and catchy tune, famous for a talk box solo by Adam, which gives the song a weird but unique tone. Apparently is about power corruption and some Sultan. I like this song a lot, gotta love the bass and shit, it makes me get up and dance like the head-banging-retarded freak I am, shine on benevolent sun. [Toolgasm: 6:00 (check bass)]
Wings for Marie (6:11)
Here you can appreciate the shamanic Maynard I was referring, at first the lyrics are almost undecipherable, and THIS IS ON PURPOSE. The guy even goes backstage in live performances. This, combined with mellow guitar and an overall relaxed tone makes a very atmospheric track that sets the way for the next song very appropriately. [Toolgasm: 4:10, not that jaw-dropping but it's the highlight of the song]
10,000 Days (11:13)
One of the three epic songs from the album, if you ask me. Check the vocals again. It's atmospheric. It gives a very unique feeling, one we're aren't used to getting from Tool. That doesn't mean it's bad, the whole song it's a fucking climax, and the rainy noises are well done. Try turning off lights and monitors and TVs and shit and think about your mother, if applicable. This is some intense, heavy emotional song, it must be heard at least one time alone, lights off and everything, concentrating on the sound only. I can't help but sing along when Maynard asks for his mother wings, definitely a cool and memorable moment. Now for all you guys on the internets that get mad about the "pro-christianity" message we are supposedly getting here, well, I won't elaborate but, one doesn't have to be a Buddhist monk to write a book about Shanti or whatever, In fact, I like how we get the mental image of Maynard in the congregation, looking to the "ignorant siblings" with disgust. [Toolgasm: 5:35 and onwards]
The Pot (6:21)
Another catchy one, a great song to sing along and dance to. It has a cool rhythm, mainly because of the bass, Justin really shines all over this album. The lyrics deal with hypocritism but I really haven't read them thoroughly, yes, shame on me. Anyway, I love the Ganja? P-LEASE! line. [mini-Toolgasm: 5:58]
Lipan Conjuring (1:11)Segue. I get this picture of Maynard with some Dhalsim-like monks, all chanting and weaving around their prayer beads. It goes well with the theme of the album. This just shows how Tool never dwells on the same concepts and is always looking for new, weird shit to deliver.
Lost Keys (Blame Hoffman) (3:46)
Disorienting. Like you don't know where you are. Bright lights on your eyes. What the fuck? It really sets the mood for the next one really well, although can be skipped. I really like it, it's mesmerizing.
Rosetta Stoned (11:11)
Another epic. Music's great, lyrics are funny and one of the best I've seen and probably one of the best ever. Did I mention Tool is my favorite band ever? There's so much going on this one you'll want to listen to it again and again just to catch all the curious thingies and references all over. Basically it's a guy so high, DMT, LSD, Krispy Kremes and whatnot, he gets and abduction experience, and apparently, an apocalyptic message it's delivered to him by somniferous almond-eyed aliens, a very important one, but the guy's so fucked up he can't remember. Everyone who's been under the influence of psychological agents can understand. Maynard here pulls a a stand-up comedy act and it's good, It's like a satire. He didn't have a pen, and he shat the bed. Priceless. Won't spoil anymore, read the lyrics, it's worth it, instant favorite. [Toolgasm: 8:44 and again at 9:10 and AGAIN at 10:30]
Intension (7:21)
It begins with construction noises. People chattering, or rather, whispering. Eerie. Gives a sense of evolution, confirmed later by similar noises but electronic and technology-like, Danny produced a very cool effect here. There's some good drumming in the middle. I can almost see the primates building shit and stone tools. The lyrics say that we begin pure and only by will alone, we get to what we are today, but the vast majority of the population doesn't realize this and go about without reflecting their own existence. This song only sinks after like the fifth time you listen to it, but it's worth it, though, it's really mellow and kind of builds up to the next one. [Toolgasm: 3:55]
Right In Two (8:55)
This is the other epic I was talking about. The lyrics are very emotional and the felling all over is really good, specially when the music really kicks in because the first five minutes is like Intension was still playing. But! check from 5:22. You'll cream your pants. More construction noises and Stone Age-like drumming. That electronic kit or whatever Danny brought really paid itself. I swear I see the villagers from Age Of Empires (the first one, the best). The song puts the listener in the shoes of angels as they contemplate our human existence, and ask themselves puzzled and confused, why, if there are enough resources on the fucking planet we live in for everyone, there's, like, this human instinct to conquer, kill and take over everything, we can't seem to be satisfied, ever. Reminds me of the crazy psilocybin theories of Terence Mckenna. This is satire folks, and not the funny kind. Everyone should listen to this song and think about the message. Maybe this is the message Maynard talked about in Rosetta Stoned? I really like the "Repugnant is a creature who would squander the ability to lift an eye to heaven, councious of his fleeting time here" line. [Toolgasm: 5:22 and from then, multiple orgasms until the end]
Viginti Tres (5:02)
This is a closer, it's just some creepy noises with some weird, distorted, 3-syllable word at 3:24. It's worth the listen, though, lets the listener reflect about Right In Two and kind of reminds me of 2001: Space Odyssey.
This album, plus having great music, comes in a cool package. It's a cardboard-bound booklet partly covered by a flap holding a pair of stereoscopic eyeglasses. This is what that means. So it's definitely worth buying. Looking through the eyeglasses is somewhat cool, I guess you can do it if don't have anything better to do. /FANBOYISM
UPDATE: I finally figured how to use the cardboard-bound booklet partly covered by a flap holding a pair of stereoscopic eyeglasses, it's great! it's tricky to get the effect right, but once you do it's really cool. The image has to appear as one and only one, it's a the-right-angle-only-kind of optical illusion, plus concentrating on seeing only one picture so it appears 3D like.
UPDATE: I finally figured how to use the cardboard-bound booklet partly covered by a flap holding a pair of stereoscopic eyeglasses, it's great! it's tricky to get the effect right, but once you do it's really cool. The image has to appear as one and only one, it's a the-right-angle-only-kind of optical illusion, plus concentrating on seeing only one picture so it appears 3D like.
