[.ca] 10,000 Days

wow:
i've always liked tool, but this album came together for a bit better than did their other albums. some songs were almost transcendental. some of the songs really make you slow down, or even stop what you're doing or thinking about and just listen. the prime example of this for me on this cd was lost keys. that song isn't just a song... its an experience. it's like, the listener is in the head of someone who is lost, confused, scared and lonely. it was brilliant how they got the doctors to talk over the music to the 'main character', but the music over powers their words with the over bearing emotion so that while you hear the words, you don't care about them, because the voices don't care about you and don't understand what you're going through. they just want to 'deal with you' and get you out of there. ... it gets me every time. but its good. vicarious is another good one. if not buy the cd, make sure you listen to some songs (in my opinion the ones i mentioned hold the highest priority, of course).

The writers of stories sold:
Tool has an incredibly raw edgy sound that is certainly not for someone looking for a quaint easy listening album. It has odd timings that flow surprisingly well but which may not please aesthetically. Following the example of their previous albums as well as Keenan's work with A Perfect Circle there are a number of filler tracks which don't really add to the album, but most of which don't take away from the listening experience either. The first track, 'Vicarious', hits the listener with a hard fast sound that becomes addicting the more it's listened to. It almost comes across as sadistic until you realize that Tool is attacking the media's lust for violence in a very clever round about way. "Eyes on the tv, this tragedy thrills me ... it's no fun 'til someone dies". This track paints the scene for the intelligent lyrics and messages Tool will throw at the listener throughout the rest of the album. 'The Pot' has a very different feel than anything else on this cd and - as has already been noted - one of the most interesting and alluring sounds. Smart lyrics and a quick pace, it's the same old Tool with an original sound. I found 'Jambi' incredibly appealing as well except for a minute-and-a-half long squealing guitar solo approximately four minutes into the song which took away from my listening experience. The only other track that really stuck out was 'Roseta Stoned', which was one of my personal favorites. It's an absurd tale told by a man who has (apparently) been contacted by aliens. 'Lost Keys' leads up to it, following the conversation of a nurse and a doctor who find a man hugging himself in the examination room and not speaking to anyone. The song opens with the man speaking (not singing) so quickly to a hard rock background that it's difficult to keep up; all while he babbles about ET and being called the chosen one. Unlike a lot of the other tracks on the cd it doesn't appear to have a specific direction but I enjoyed the odd diversion and seemingly un-Tool-like sound. It is worth mentioning that the tracks 'Wings for Marie, Pt. 1' and '10, 000 Days (Wings, Pt. 2)' for which the cd is named are a tribute to Judith Marie Keenan. She suffered a stroke and was paralyzed for over 27 years of her life (roughly 10, 000 days), and is the mother of Maynard James Keenan (vocalist for A Perfect Circle and Tool). He references her in a couple of his other songs; 'Judith' from the album Mer De Noms by A Perfect Circle, and 'Jimmy' from the album Aenima by Tool. However, neither of these other tracks quite do justice to the theme, being too angry or too unfocused. Through Wings Pt. 1 and 2 you see a softer side of Keenan, commending his mother for her unwavering faith. The tracks may not possess Tool's usual heavier hitting edge, but if you know the history of the lyrics it's easier to appreciate the message and understand how it fits so perfectly with the album nonetheless. As for the rest of 10, 000 Days, what was not filler was uncharacteristically slow for a Tool cd. By no means was it bad, but after the fast paced beginning I found the end of the album to be a little disappointing in its apparent lack of aggressive edgy music. It was still an excellent listening experience, but without the punch that previous Tool albums like Lateralus delivered.

Great album ... a little too much filler not enough killer:
I love Tool, and almost everything they do. I love songs like Ticks and Leeches, the Grudge, Schism, Anemia, Vicarious and such ... and I do enjoy listening to some of their songs (which was stated before as) "just noise". I can appreciate that part of Tool is that "nothing" type music, songs like Mantra or Parobol which basically have nothing going on for several minutes. haha. I like it and especially like how Parabol goes into Parabola. They are not meant to be single songs , but more like an intro to the next song. On 10,000 Days it seems that there is way to much of these songs and it does not lead to anything. I know I'm kind of babbling ... I'm rushing hahah. But in conclusion, I much rather listen to Tool's more straight ahead rock songs ... like Vicarious, The Pot, or Rosetta Stoned. Still a great album , and still worth the buy

Atmospheric Masterpiece:
I do not usually listen to Metal CD'S but after listening to a few short pieces from this album I decided to purchase it .It is one of the most unique CD'S I have heard but also one of the best. Some reviewers have picked apart this album song buy song or they have complained about the filler.I like everything filler and all. I believe that this CD should be judged in it entirety. If you were reviewing a book you would not judge it 1 chapter at a time or complain that some sentences were too long.It would be judged as 1 whole unit and I believe the same applies to this CD and looking at 10000 Days like this it is one of the finestCD's to be released recently.

Amazing!:
Tool has impressed me with all of its releases, and 10,000 days is no exception. From straight forward rock ("the pot") to atmospheric brilliance (Wings for Marie), Tool continues to amaze. It's not a short cd at all, most of the songs surpass five minutes. Easily worth every cent. For a little bonus packaging is really cool.

• Vicarious
• Jambi
• Wings For Marie (Pt 1)
• 10,000 Days (Wings Pt 2)
• The Pot
• Lipan Conjuring
• Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann)
• Rosetta Stoned
• Intension
• Right In Two
• Viginti Tres