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The legendary prog band Tool are back with 10,000 Days and to say this disc was anticipated would be a massive understatement. It’s been five long years since the release of Tool’s last opus Lateralus and its safe to say that both my tastes and the music world in general have changed dramatically over these years. With 10,000 Days, Tool also have the unenviable task of following up Lateralus, an album that was a hit both commercially and critically. These things considered the question then is how I would receive 10,000 Days. Though my tastes my have changed, Tool certainly have not, and with 10,000 Days they deliver a predictable yet enjoyable album.
From the start of the CD, Tool show that they are content to stick with the formula that has gotten them so far. “Vicarious” kicks things off with a trademark odd-time signature Tool riff propelled forwards by the ever-impressive bass playing of Justin Chancellor. After all, it just wouldn’t be Tool if they weren’t playing in 5/4 time. Vocalist Maynard James Keenan joins in soon thereafter with his unique voice with lyrics that lament the sensationalist bent of the news media. Even though it is seven minutes long, “Vicarious” still remains interesting the whole way through. The song is instantly catchy, yet is complex enough to rewards those coming back for repeat listens. In fact, the whole CD is best understood only after many listens.
I only wish I could say the rest of the CD held my attention as well as “Vicarious.” A lot of the later tracks, especially “Intension” and “Vigniti Tres” seem tacked on just to fill space. I know weird ambient interludes have been a staple of previous Tool releases, yet I still feel the urge to press the skip button when they come on. Some of the songs such as “Rosetta Stoned” also seem to overstay their welcome and devolve into extended drum and bass jams that never go anywhere. The album at times feels like 60 minutes of music needlessly stretched out to 80 minutes.
On the songs that do go somewhere though, the results are impressive. “Wings for Marie,” a two part seventeen minute song that is a tribute to Maynard’s mother is a good example of such a song. The song starts off quietly and slowly builds tension only to release it all in a powerful climax that ranks among the best done by the band. “Right in Two” features yet another nice buildup and serves as a fitting bookend to the album. As always, the musicianship on the album is top-notch. Drummer Danny Carey never fails to impress with his complex rhythms and Justin Chancellor continues to play inventive and unique bass lines. The glue that holds it all together is Maynard, whose expressive vocals have defined Tool for the band’s whole existence. In the end, 10,000 Days falls a little short of the band’s previous masterpieces. However, it still is a damn good record that should please the band’s massive legions of fans. I can only hope the wait for the next album is not five years long.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Vicarious |
| 2. Jambi |
| 3. Wings For Marie (Part 1) |
| 4. 10,000 Days (Wings Part 2) |
| 5. The Pot |
| 6. Lipan Conjuring |
| 7. Lost Keys |
| 8. Rosetta Stoned |
| 9. Intension |
| 10. Right In Two |
| 11. Viginti Tres |
: 76.06
| Buy other Tool albums |
