Tool

[El Stevo]

Vicarious means either "experienced or gained through someone else" or "done on behalf of others".

Jambi is the name of a province of Indonesia, as well as the name of the wish-granting genie character who lived inside a TV on the show Pee-wee's Playhouse.

"Marie" is the middle name of Maynard James Keenan's deceased mother, Judith Marie Keenan.

As Keenan explains on commentary on aMOTION, his mother suffered a stroke that left her partially paralyzed and wheelchair-bound. The length of time between her paralysis and her death was 27 years, or approximately 10,000 days. [6]

It was recently revealed in an Adam Jones interview with Guitar World that one of the lyrics on the album to

the song "The Pot" is "Who are you to wave the finger?" Jones confirmed the meaning of the lyric as the "pot calling the kettle black".

The Lipan are an Apache tribe, known as the "Tall Grass People".

An April 7 post on toolband.com specifically mentions Dr. Albert Hofmann, the "father" of LSD, stating that on that date he synthesized LSD.

The Rosetta Stone is a granite stone found in Egypt; the stone was the key to deciphering the hieroglyphs; it was also used as a pseudonym for children's author Dr. Seuss.

"Viginti Tres" is Latin for "Twenty Three" - the number has a lot of historical, mathematical, and occult significance, as well as in American slang, where "23 skidoo" means to leave a place quickly.

There is a hidden message about a minute and a half into "Intension." The vocals sound reversed, and when played, the phrases "work hard," "stay in school," "listen to your mother," "your father is right" can be heard.

See but you can hear the judder when those bands do it.

It's like an episode of Lost! Thanks for posting all that though, it's interesting.

The Pot is blatantly a weed reference although there is a bit of pot/kettle in there as well.

I didn't know the album title was about his mum, that's quite sad.

Having listened to it some more I feel it's pretty solid but it hasn't captivated me like the others have. There's still time though.

I haven't noticed a weird atmosphere horribleman, but I think I'll concentrate a bit harder now!

[the_debaser]

It's really starting to grow on me now. The Pot is probably my favourite tune at the moment.

[Transient Curse]

Ah, a broader response. You're right, of course. No-one is likely to be swayed by my pimping of the CD anymore than they will be swayed by your disappointment (or I'd hope not).

It doesn't really make sense then that you would post purely to refute my disappointment as not being indicative of the fact that it is Album of The Year.

Simply, in relation to Tool's previous works, this is, to my ears, comparatively competent. There are ways in which a subjective work of art can have values assigned to it: namely through comparison. That's why I asked you to listen to Tool's back catalogue again. You'll rebuff this, but I think there are clearly definable "single material" songs in Tool's catalogue (in amongst the perfectly valid instrumental and ambient tracks) and by pure volume alone, 10,000 Days matches previous efforts.

But in my opinion, at this stage it doesn't match previous efforts at all. I remember buying Aenima and Undertow (on the same day, having heard Sober) and being totally blown away by Aenima with it's genre defying, muscular and emotive music and vocals. Bar perhaps Vicarious this album is never as intense or emotive as, for instance H or Pushit (a song I've been touting as my favourite song EVAR, etc for years).

In terms of the quality of the tracks themselves, The Pot and in particular Jambi represent a completely new direction from Tool. I may not have as developed a musical lexicon as yourself, but I can appreciate the repetitive riffs at the start of Jambi to be a brave move which pays of spectacularly at the Zeppelin-esque crescendo.

Have you heard Tool before? Most of their songs are based on repetition of exactly the same notes played over and over and over and over and over and over and over. H is pretty much 4 notes all the way through. 46&2 - again exactly the same for most of the song. The grudge - pretty much one rhythm, one riff for at least half the (ten minute) song. Repetition, time signature changes and rhythmic superimposition is what they do.

The Pot's unique vocals and grooving basslines are, again, pure rock anthems.

Perhaps you were expecting more in terms of the number of heavier, faster tracks? You've already said that you were unimpressed by Maynard's apparent reluctance to pull out the stops with his vocals. Can he really not try something different, more refined?

If you go out and buy an album by Britney Spears you expect to get fairly inoffensive pop. If you go out and buy a Velvet Revolver album you expect to get straight ahead cheese rock. If you go buy a Tool album you expect to get something emotive, powerfull and fairly taxing, You don't expect to sit waiting for something to happen and then have it stop before something does.

Perhaps you were expecting more in terms of 'grandiose' prog anthems.

I'm loathe to use the word prog but sure, why not. Yes.

Again, I think that'd be asking a lot. Lateralus took 5 years, let's not forget. Would you rather wait all that time, or have what is an brilliant CD in your hands right now? I personally think Rosetta Stoned is grander than anything on Lateralus.

Why's that asking a lot? They managed it 2 albums in a row and the previous two releases had (to a lesser degree IMO) something pretty special about them as well. Expecting a band to do what they've made their calling card is hardly being unreasonable.

The music for this album was worked on by the band away from Maynard while he worked with APC and the side projects / guest appearances the other band members have been involved with have hardly been expansive. I doubt very much that the album took significantly less time to write than Lateralus, in actual fact I doubt that once the length of time they spent touring was subtracted from the time between releases that there's much of a disparity between the remainder of time. Even if there is I'd suggest that they've made the album they wanted to make and that a deadline is unlikely to have resulted in a different album.

Rosetta Stoned, that's the one that comes in sounding like a Limp Bizkit song? Yes, it is. Oh yeah, there's no CD in my hands. There will be though, because despite my reservations I know that I'm going to persevere and try to get on with the album.

You mustn't forget how much Vicarious improved (unanimously) in perception once the lyrics were leaked. Give it time, seriously.

Post the lyrics to the album then, I'm sure I'll love it then, if someone took the lyrics to this album and put it over a 90 minute remix of the Crazy Frog's single would you love that too? The lyrics to Vicarious are decent, yes, but they don't erase my feeling that the song's a bit of a pastiche of their sound circa lateralus and not as good.

To go off on a bit of a tangent, I remember when The Matrix sequels came out. I was fairly young when the original came out, and I adored it. I'd had a couple of years to simmer in expectation, and was suitably let down by the sequels. People change. It's regrettable, but there we go. I genuinely hope you can enjoy this album in time.

Yes, the sequels to The Matrix are regarded as being massively inferior to the original film, aren't they.

Ultimately though, this whole exchange centers on you liking the album, your insistance that this is an amazing album and that everyone should love it. Get over it man, some people won't.

Do they change timings at different times? That's the only reason I can think to see why I find it hard to get. I mean like play a riff in 5/4 but play the drums in 7/8 or something?

I think it's just that they're absolutely superb at it and that the drum parts rarely fall into straight rhythms so the changes aren't so obvious.

[emps]

Err, yes, it's a pun, and it's shit. The lyric: 'you must have been high' is repeated through the song. It obviously is a weed reference.

As with most things to do with Tool, it isn't that simple.

The lyrics do make reference to drug use, but they are always in the context of satisfying an explanation for some otherwise unjustified action. It’s the latter which the song is most concerned about. Which ties into the pot-kettle idea. Maybe the band are just talking about weed, but more likely than not the title’s a piss-take that works by allowing immediate connection to the ‘you must have been high’ words as well as to the more frequent examples of injustice and various forms of arrogance or false reality. And note the lines “When you pissed all over my black kettle/You must've been high, high.” Why ‘black’ kettle? Perhaps referring to this Black Kettle. That would make sense given the references to kangaroo courts, and lines like “Eyeballs deep in muddy waters, fucking hypocrite/Liar, lawyer, mirror, show me, what’s the difference?”.

Further, it has even more resonance given that it immediately follows a mournful eulogy for Maynard’s mother (treated symbolically, naturally). The Pot has a completely different tone, much more aggressive, but nonetheless seems like a continuation of a theme. The Black Kettle link is perhaps further justified given the track the comes next is a Native American chant. All of this decides what's also meant by 'the pot', and it gives the title a greater resonance. Something similar is going on with the immediately horrifying 'Rosetta Stoned', as best I can tell.

Could of course be complete rubbish, but like I say, it’s never that simple with Tool.

EDIT: All assuming those lyrics are in any way accurate.

[Rsdio]

Sounds like a nice theory, wish I could make out more of the lyrics myself. Talking bollocks about the meanings of their songs is half the fun with Tool.

[emps]

Lyrics for the whole album, taken from toolshed.down.net's forum. I've made a few amendments, but it's incomplete and there are some lines that are definitely wrong:

Vicarious

Eye on the TV

'Cause tragedy thrills me

Whatever flavor

It happens to be like:

Killed by the husband

Drowned by the ocean

Shot by his own son

She used a poison

In his tea

And kissed him goodbye

That's my kind of story

It's no fun 'til someone dies

Don't look at me like

I am a monster

Frown out your one face

But with the other

Stare like a junkie

Into the TV

Stare like a zombie

While the mother holds her child

Watches him die

Hands to the sky, crying

"Why, oh why?"

'Cause I need to watch things die

From a distance

Vicariously, I live

While the whole world dies

You all need it too, don't lie

Why can't we just admit it?

Why can't we just admit it?

We won't give pause until the blood is flowing

Neither the brave nor bold

Will write us the stories so

We won't give pause until the blood is flowing

I need to watch things die

From a good, safe distance

Vicariously, I live

While the whole world dies

You all feel the same, so

Why can't we just admit it?

Blood like rain come down

Drum on grave and ground

Part vampire

Part warrior

Carnivore and voyeur

Stare at the transmitter

Sing to the death rattle

La la la la la la la lie [x4]

Credulous, at best

Your desire to believe in

Angels in the hearts of men

Pull your head on out

Your head believes in... give a listen

Shouldn't have to say it all again

The universe is hostile, so impersonal

Devour to survive, so it is

So it's always been

We all feed

On tragedy

It's like blood to a vampire

Vicariously, I live

While the whole world dies

Much better you than I

Jambi

Here from the king’s mountain view

Here from the wild dream come true

Feast like a sultan, I do

On treasures and flesh never few

But I

I would

Wish it

All, away

If I

Though I’d

Lose you

Just one day

The devil and his has me down

In love with the dark side I’d found

Dabble and all the way down

Up to my neck soon to drown

But you changed that all for me

Lifted me up turn me round

So I

I [x3]

I would [x3]

Wish

This

All

Away

Pray/ed like a martyr/father does/dusk to dawn

Beg like a hooker all night long

Shout to the devil with my song

And got what I wanted all along

But I

I would

If I could

I would

Wish it away

Wish it away

Wish it all away

Wanna wish it all away

No pressure could hold sway

Or just a fine line

Kneeling away, my sinner

So if I could I’d wish it all away

If I thought tomorrow, it’d/they’d take you away

You’re my piece of mind, my own

I said I’m just trying to hold on

One more day

Damn/Dim my life/eyes

Damn/Dim my eyes

Damn/Dim my eyes, well/if they should compromise

All hope from what you need to find me

Then I might as well be gone

Shine on forever

Shine on benevolent sun/son

Shine down upon the broken

Shine on ‘til the two become one

Shine on forever

Shine on benevolent sun/son

Shine down upon the sever/ed

Shine on ‘til the two become one

Divide, I’m withering way

Divide, I wither way

Shine down upon the many, light our way

Benevolent sun/son

Breathe in union [x5]

So as one/survive

Honor the/survive another day and season

Silently, just say your poison

Silently, just stay out of my way

Wings for Marie (Part One)

You believed

You believed in moments God conceived

You believed in me

A passionate spirit

Uncompromised

Boundless and open

Her light in her eyes dim

The end of life

Vacant, broken

Fell at the hands of this moment so that I wouldn’t see

It was you who prayed for me so

What have I done

To be a son to an angel?

What have I done

To be worthy?

Daylight dims leaving cold fluorescence

Difficult to see you in this light

Please forgive this selfish question, but

What am I to say to all these ghouls tonight

She never told a lie

Well might of told a lie

But never lived one

Didn’t have a life

Didn’t have a life

But surely saved one

So...I am...alright, now it’s time for us to let you go

10,000 Days

Listen to the tales and romanticize,

How we follow the path of the hero.

Boast about the day when the rivers overrun.

How we rise to the height of our halo.

Listen to the tales as we all rationalize

Our way into the arms of the savior,

Fading all the trials and the tribulations,

None of us have actually been there,

Not like you.

Ignorant fibbers in the congregation,

Gather around spewing sympathy,

Spare me.

None of them can even hold a candle up to you.

Blinded by choices, hypocrites won't seek.

But, nothing but the [?] of judas,

Who could deny you were the one who would have made it,

You'll have a piece of the divine.

This little light of mine it gives your past unto me,

I'll let it shine,

To guide you safely on your way,

Your way home...

Ohh, what are they going to do when the lights go down

Without you to guide them all to Zion?

What are they going to do when the rivers overrun

Other than tremble incessantly?

High as a wave, but I'll rise on up off the ground.

You are the light and the way, they'll only read about.

I only pray, Heaven knows when to lift you out.

Ten thousand days in the fire is long enough, you're going home.

You're the only one who can hold your head up high,

Shake your fists at the gates saying:

"I have come home now!

Fetch me the spirit, the son, and the father

Tell them their pillar of faith has ascended.

It's time now! My time now!

Give me my, give me my wings."

Give me my [x5]

Give me my wings.

You are the light and way that they will only read about.

Set as I am in my wings and my arrogance,

Burning all through tossed upon the believers

You were my witness,

My eyes, my evidence,

Judith Marie, unconditional one.

Daylight dims leaving cold fluorescence.

Difficult to see you in this light.

Please forgive this bold suggestion:

Should you see your Maker's face tonight,

Look Him in the eye, look Him in the eye, and tell Him:

I never lived a lie, never took a life, but surely saved one.

Hallelujah, its time for you to bring me home.

The Pot

Who are you to wave your finger?

You must've been out your head.

I hold deep in muddy waters.

You practically raised the dead.

Rob the grave to snow the cradle,

Then burn the evidence down.

Soapbox house of cards and glass so

Don’t go tossing your stones around

You must've been high.

You must've been high.

You must've been.

Foot in mouth and head up ass

So what ya talking ‘bout?

Difficult to dance round this one

'Till you pull it out, boy.

You must've been so high.

You must've been so high.

Steal, borrow, reap and save your shady inference.

Kangaroo done, hung the juror with the innocent.

Now your withered seeds are chosen

And the golden images set and you’re high.

When you pissed all over my black kettle

You must've been high, high. (x2)

Who are you to wave your finger? So full of it.

Eyeballs deep in muddy waters, fucking hypocrite.

Liar, lawyer, mirror, show me, what’s the difference?

Kangaroo done, hung the guilty with the innocent.

Now your withered seeds are chosen

And the golden images set and you’re...

High, high.

When you pissed all over my black kettle

You must've been…

So who are you to wave your finger?

Who are you to wave your fatty fingers at me?

You must have been out your mind.

Leaving things out in the ground,

Trapped without a reason.

Leaving things out in the ground…

Liar, lawyer, mirror, for you,

What’s the difference?

Kangaroo, beast, don’t needs guilt in every government.

Now your withered seeds are chosen

And the golden images up in you’re

High, high.

When you pissed all over my black kettle

You must've been high.

High. (x3)

Eyeballs deep in muddy waters.

Eyeballs deep in muddy waters,

Catch up with lies.

You must have been out your mind.

Lost Keys

[Maynard whimpering in the background, starts around 1:41

1:50-EKG monitor kicks in

2:00 Hospital fades in]

Nurse:Excuse me, doctor, if you have a moment?

Doctor: A moment? Whats the question?

Nurse: More of a situation, a gentleman in exam 3.

Doctor: Whats the problem?

Nurse: That is the problem, Were not sure.

Doctor: Youve got the Chart?

Nurse: Right Here

Doctor: <Flips page> hmmmm.. Not much here, is there.

Nurse: No doctor, no obvious physical trauma, mmm vitals are stable.

Doctor: Name?

Nurse: No sir.

Doctor: Did someone drop him off, maybe we can speak to them? Lets get some background on this fellow.

Nurse: No ID, nothing, and he wont speak to anybody

Doctor: Well then, lets say hello

Doctor: <to maynard> Good morning, I'm Dr. Watson. How are you today? How Are you today? Look son, your in a safe place, we want to help you, in any whatever way we can. But you need to talk us, we cant help you otherwise. Now, Whats happened? Tell me everything.

Rosetta Stoned

Began at 2 am

fueled up eating an entire box of kripy kreams

I might eat enough portions outside area 51,

contemplating the whole

[?] flaming

[?] split the sky like wide open

never really expect to see you in a place like this

anyway [?] and he put something inside of my birkenstocks,

then he yelled at me

holy fucking shit,

holy fucking shit x 4

Then the x files began,

with some kind of blue-green [?]

[?]

My bug eyes,

might be a big jaw,

[?]

all i could think was [?]

So on his way, like an apparition he had me crying out

Fuck me, fuck me, dead head, chemistry.

[?] on top of me got me seeing [?]

And after calming me down with some orange slices and some [?"___ Spooning/pudding?"], he revealed to me his singular purpose.

He said: “You are the chosen one, the one who will deliver the message.

A message of hope for those who choose to hear and a warning for those who do not.”

“Me the chosen one, They chose me? I didn’t even graduate from fucking high school.”

you bet

You bet

You bet

you’d better listen

Then you looked right through me

With somniferous almond (?) eyes.

Don’t even know what that means

Must remember to write it down.

This is so real,

Like the time they floated away

See my heart is pounding

‘Cuz this shit never happens to me.

Can't breathe right now.

It was so real.

Like I'd woke up in Wonderland.

Awesome and terrifying

And I want to be all alone.

Well I'll tell you a story

And can anyone tell me why?

I was on a peanut to paris??

Will I ever be coming down?

This is so real.

Finally it's my lucky day.

See my heart is racing,

‘Cuz this shit never happens to me.

Can't breathe right now.

You believe me don’t you?

Please believe what I just said.

See the dead angel and… (?)

And this wasn’t all in my head.

and they took the leather hands??

and they ?? be right here

then they showed me something.

I don't even know where to begin.

Strapped down in my bed.

Feet cold and eyes red.

I’m out of my head.

Am I alive, Am I dead

Can’t remember what they said.

Goddamn, shit the bed.

Hey.

I…

High…

Oh…

Overwhelmed as one would be

If placed in my position.

Such a heavy burden now to be the one.

Born to bear and read you all the details of our ending.

To write it down for all the world to see.

But I forgot my pen.

Shit the bed again. Typical.

Strapped down in my bed.

Feet cold and eyes red.

I’m out of my head.

Am I alive, Am I dead?

Sunkist/Sunkissed(?) and Sudafed.

Gyroscopes and infrared

Won’t help the braindead.

Can’t remember what they said.

Goddamn, shit the bed.

Can’t remember what they said to me.

Can’t remember what they said to me.

made out to be a hero

Can’t remember what they said.

I am braindead can’t remember what they said

don't know, won't know (many times)

Goddamn, shit the bed.

Intension

pure as we begin

pure as we come in

pure as we begin

pure by will alone

pure as we begin

here we have a stone

gather, place, erase, so

shelter turned to home

pure as we begin

here we have a stone

throw to stay the stranger

swore to crush his bones

move by will alone

spark becomes a flame

flame becomes a fire

light the way or warm this

hope we occupy

spark becomes a flame

flame becomes a fire

for to blame the snake, the stranger

take whatever we desire

move by will alone

pure as we begin

pure as we begin

move by will alone

leave as we come in

pure as light, return to one

move by will alone

move by will alone

Right in Two

Angels on the sideline,

Puzzled and amused.

Why did Father give these humans free will?

Now they’re all confused.

Don’t these talking monkeys know that Eden has enough to go around?

Playing in this holy garden, silly old monkeys,

Well there’s one who's bound to divide it

Right in two

Angels on the sideline,

Baffled and confused.

Father blessed them all with reason.

And this is what they choose.

Monkey killing monkey killing monkey over a piece of other ground.

Silly monkeys given thumbs,

they forge a blade, and then weapons one bound to divide it,

Right in two.

Right in two.

Monkey killing monkey killing monkey over pieces of ground.

Silly monkeys give them thumbs, they make a club

and beat their brother down.

How they survive so misguided is a mystery.

Repugnant dismal(?) creature, who would squander the other

they dont have to lie to have a conscience, ? others inside here

Cut it all right in two

Cut it all right in two

Cut it all right in two

Cut it all right in two

???????

fight over life, over love,

fight over love, over truth, over another

Angels on the sideline again

Been so long with patience and reason

Angels on the sideline again

Wondering when this tug of war will end

Cut it all right in two

Cut it all right in two

Cut it all right in two

Right in two

[Orchid]

LIke I said previously. Taken too seriously.

[Transient Curse]

Just to make sure that I'm not a bitter, jaded old man, or at least those features aren't characterised by my not thinking that this album isn't Album Of The Year I've had a little look at some comments it's been getting elsewhere. Apparently the theories include that this album's a decoy album, that Tool wouldn't actually release this and that there's a good proper album primed for release in a couple of weeks. So, phew, I'm not that bitter and jaded. Age's relative though.

These are a couple of comments from the Tool Newsgroup I've added to my subscribe list (telewest broadband, alt.music.tool). The first is pretty much how I feel about it and the second made me lol! a little.

I'll say it--this album is boring (by bonch@stupid.com)

Okay, this is the negative opinion you might not hear so much from

music critics who give this thing five stars. As much as it PAINS me

to think that a band I always considered remarkably dependable has put

out a release I actually didn't want to listen to, 10,000 Days is, in a

word, boring.

"Vicarious" is great. I was a little surprised when I first heard it.

It sounded like a Lateralus track, but I liked it.

Well, hearing the rest of the album, it sounds nothing like

"Vicarious." Not one bit. "Vicarious" turns out to be the least

surprising song on the entire thing. To summarize the problem with

this album, it's REPETITIVE. It sounds almost tired. There is filler

on this thing. This is opposite from what we were all expecting--a

technically heavy Tool album, based on the cited Meshuggah and Fantomas

influences. Quite the opposite, the music is subdued and slowed down,

with basic riff lines repeated for long periods of time with no hooks

or catchiness. It turns out the influences from Fantomas were the bad

parts of Fantomas--the long meandering repetitiveness.

There are very long periods of music that, when over, you barely

remember any of what you've listened to. The best comparison I can

make is Metallica's St. Anger (shudder). You know, how it was really

generic and repetitive, and you'd listen to three songs of it and not

remember any of the songs? I'm struggling with this fact over the new

material. On Lateralus, you remembered "Parabola" or "The Patient"

because they had catchy riffs and a cohesive flow. On this album, I

have no idea what "Right In Two" sounds like, and I've listened to the

album for the third time now. I remember the beginnings of "Jambi" and

"The Pot," and I remember nearly all of "Vicarious." I don't remember

what, say, "Intension" sounds like at all.

Maynard's adopted a lower-pitched, almost monotone voice. I keep

hearing that Maynard uses all sorts of unique vocal sounds, but it's

not true. He sings almost the same way on all songs and rather

blandly, with none of the memorable hooks on, say, Aenima, where his

vocal lines were little songs in themselves.

I guess that's the big thing that's freaking me out. A lot of this

material is so unmemorable. It's long and meandering and slow. Not in

the good Pink Floyd or Isis way. Some people said this is a

continuation of Aenima, but I don't hear that at all. Aenima had

energy and some really memorable material that didn't get boring. This

material...you know, it's a lot like modern SNL skits, where it starts

out with something mildly amusing, then runs with it for another six or

seven minutes until you're bored out of your mind.

Finally, the album is full of repetitions of past albums. Even the

exact same synth from "Reflection" appears in "Rosetta Stoned" playing

nearly the same melody, so blatantly that it's as though they're

purposely repeating these older songs. The same wah-affected bass

guitar from "Schism" appears briefly in as well. It's just that I

always admired how Tool spent years on new material so it was the best

of the best. This material is really unmemorable in a lot of places.

It just doesn't go anywhere and I feel like I'm wasting my time

listening to it, not getting any enjoyment out of it.

As a straightforward rock album, there are very few good rock riffs,

almost all of them used up in the first two tracks. The rest of the

time, Adam plays really generic riffs for very long periods of time.

As an intellectual album, it sounds like Maynard really didn't care and

put out some sarcastic vocals to kind of thumb his nose, and he stays

in the lower and mid-range in a lot of his singing, with no real

screaming at all, no high-pitched soulful singing. It's rather

sleepy-sounding and low-key.

I'm not alone in being really surprised at the lesser quality (in my

opinion) of the material, am I? I was hoping the biting social

criticism of Aenima would return, but that's not why I'm disappointed.

I just don't remember two-thirds of the album after listening to it

over and over.

I will keep listening to this album, and I will probably buy it for a

few of the tracks as well as the cool artwork...but I admit I am having

second thoughts having actually heard it. Again, it's just really

surprising to me given that it's, you know, freakin' Tool, man.

Anyway, thanks for reading, and hopefully I have a breakthrough and

discover something in the album I'm not hearing tonight that makes it

worth it.

2 comments by Bob Anderson banderson1962@yahoo.com

1. This album has more 'groove' than the other Tool albums

2. I took the mp3s and did some processing on them then burned them to

a CD, and the sound quality was still outstanding, suggesting that the

sound quality of the CD itself is phenomenal

[Lovelyman]

I seriously doubt this is a fake album Wah (unless you were joking). It's far too well performed and thought out (despite you disliking it) to be that.

Listen to the end of Jambi where there's that kyuss/aenima style bass riff smooth riff playing alongside the syncopated pedal. (about 5 1/2 minutes).

Totally sweet!

[Lovelyman]

Listen to the end of Jambi where there's that kyuss/aenima style bass riff smooth riff playing alongside the syncopated pedal. (about 5 1/2 minutes).

Totally sweet!

[Lovelyman]

Lyrics for the whole album, taken from toolshed.down.net's forum. I've made a few amendments, but it's incomplete and there are some lines that are definitely wrong:

Vicarious

Eye on the TV

'Cause tragedy thrills me

Whatever flavor

It happens to be like:

Killed by the husband

Drowned by the ocean

Shot by his own son

She used a poison

In his tea

And kissed him goodbye

That's my kind of story

It's no fun 'til someone dies

Don't look at me like

I am a monster

Frown out your one face

But with the other

Stare like a junkie

Into the TV

Stare like a zombie

While the mother holds her child

Watches him die

Hands to the sky, crying

"Why, oh why?"

'Cause I need to watch things die

From a distance

Vicariously, I live

While the whole world dies

You all need it too, don't lie

Why can't we just admit it?

Why can't we just admit it?

We won't give pause until the blood is flowing

Neither the brave nor bold

Will write us the stories so

We won't give pause until the blood is flowing

I need to watch things die

From a good, safe distance

Vicariously, I live

While the whole world dies

You all feel the same, so

Why can't we just admit it?

Blood like rain come down

Drum on grave and ground

Part vampire

Part warrior

Carnivore and voyeur

Stare at the transmitter

Sing to the death rattle

La la la la la la la lie [x4]

Credulous, at best

Your desire to believe in

Angels in the hearts of men

Pull your head on out

Your head believes in... give a listen

Shouldn't have to say it all again

The universe is hostile, so impersonal

Devour to survive, so it is

So it's always been

We all feed

On tragedy

It's like blood to a vampire

Vicariously, I live

While the whole world dies

Much better you than I

Jambi

Here from the king’s mountain view

Here from the wild dream come true

Feast like a sultan, I do

On treasures and flesh never few

But I

I would

Wish it

All, away

If I

Though I’d

Lose you

Just one day

The devil and his has me down

In love with the dark side I’d found

Dabble and all the way down

Up to my neck soon to drown

But you changed that all for me

Lifted me up turn me round

So I

I [x3]

I would [x3]

Wish

This

All

Away

Pray/ed like a martyr/father does/dusk to dawn

Beg like a hooker all night long

Shout to the devil with my song

And got what I wanted all along

But I

I would

If I could

I would

Wish it away

Wish it away

Wish it all away

Wanna wish it all away

No pressure could hold sway

Or just a fine line

Kneeling away, my sinner

So if I could I’d wish it all away

If I thought tomorrow, it’d/they’d take you away

You’re my piece of mind, my own

I said I’m just trying to hold on

One more day

Damn/Dim my life/eyes

Damn/Dim my eyes

Damn/Dim my eyes, well/if they should compromise

All hope from what you need to find me

Then I might as well be gone

Shine on forever

Shine on benevolent sun/son

Shine down upon the broken

Shine on ‘til the two become one

Shine on forever

Shine on benevolent sun/son

Shine down upon the sever/ed

Shine on ‘til the two become one

Divide, I’m withering way

Divide, I wither way

Shine down upon the many, light our way

Benevolent sun/son

Breathe in union [x5]

So as one/survive

Honor the/survive another day and season

Silently, just say your poison

Silently, just stay out of my way

Wings for Marie (Part One)

You believed

You believed in moments God conceived

You believed in me

A passionate spirit

Uncompromised

Boundless and open

Her light in her eyes dim

The end of life

Vacant, broken

Fell at the hands of this moment so that I wouldn’t see

It was you who prayed for me so

What have I done

To be a son to an angel?

What have I done

To be worthy?

Daylight dims leaving cold fluorescence

Difficult to see you in this light

Please forgive this selfish question, but

What am I to say to all these ghouls tonight

She never told a lie

Well might of told a lie

But never lived one

Didn’t have a life

Didn’t have a life

But surely saved one

So...I am...alright, now it’s time for us to let you go

10,000 Days

Listen to the tales and romanticize,

How we follow the path of the hero.

Boast about the day when the rivers overrun.

How we rise to the height of our halo.

Listen to the tales as we all rationalize

Our way into the arms of the savior,

Fading all the trials and the tribulations,

None of us have actually been there,

Not like you.

Ignorant fibbers in the congregation,

Gather around spewing sympathy,

Spare me.

None of them can even hold a candle up to you.

Blinded by choices, hypocrites won't seek.

But, nothing but the [?] of judas,

Who could deny you were the one who would have made it,

You'll have a piece of the divine.

This little light of mine it gives your past unto me,

I'll let it shine,

To guide you safely on your way,

Your way home...

Ohh, what are they going to do when the lights go down

Without you to guide them all to Zion?

What are they going to do when the rivers overrun

Other than tremble incessantly?

High as a wave, but I'll rise on up off the ground.

You are the light and the way, they'll only read about.

I only pray, Heaven knows when to lift you out.

Ten thousand days in the fire is long enough, you're going home.

You're the only one who can hold your head up high,

Shake your fists at the gates saying:

"I have come home now!

Fetch me the spirit, the son, and the father

Tell them their pillar of faith has ascended.

It's time now! My time now!

Give me my, give me my wings."

Give me my [x5]

Give me my wings.

You are the light and way that they will only read about.

Set as I am in my wings and my arrogance,

Burning all through tossed upon the believers

You were my witness,

My eyes, my evidence,

Judith Marie, unconditional one.

Daylight dims leaving cold fluorescence.

Difficult to see you in this light.

Please forgive this bold suggestion:

Should you see your Maker's face tonight,

Look Him in the eye, look Him in the eye, and tell Him:

I never lived a lie, never took a life, but surely saved one.

Hallelujah, its time for you to bring me home.

The Pot

Who are you to wave your finger?

You must've been out your head.

I hold deep in muddy waters.

You practically raised the dead.

Rob the grave to snow the cradle,

Then burn the evidence down.

Soapbox house of cards and glass so

Don’t go tossing your stones around

You must've been high.

You must've been high.

You must've been.

Foot in mouth and head up ass

So what ya talking ‘bout?

Difficult to dance round this one

'Till you pull it out, boy.

You must've been so high.

You must've been so high.

Steal, borrow, reap and save your shady inference.

Kangaroo done, hung the juror with the innocent.

Now your withered seeds are chosen

And the golden images set and you’re high.

When you pissed all over my black kettle

You must've been high, high. (x2)

Who are you to wave your finger? So full of it.

Eyeballs deep in muddy waters, fucking hypocrite.

Liar, lawyer, mirror, show me, what’s the difference?

Kangaroo done, hung the guilty with the innocent.

Now your withered seeds are chosen

And the golden images set and you’re...

High, high.

When you pissed all over my black kettle

You must've been…

So who are you to wave your finger?

Who are you to wave your fatty fingers at me?

You must have been out your mind.

Leaving things out in the ground,

Trapped without a reason.

Leaving things out in the ground…

Liar, lawyer, mirror, for you,

What’s the difference?

Kangaroo, beast, don’t needs guilt in every government.

Now your withered seeds are chosen

And the golden images up in you’re

High, high.

When you pissed all over my black kettle

You must've been high.

High. (x3)

Eyeballs deep in muddy waters.

Eyeballs deep in muddy waters,

Catch up with lies.

You must have been out your mind.

Lost Keys

[Maynard whimpering in the background, starts around 1:41

1:50-EKG monitor kicks in

2:00 Hospital fades in]

Nurse:Excuse me, doctor, if you have a moment?

Doctor: A moment? Whats the question?

Nurse: More of a situation, a gentleman in exam 3.

Doctor: Whats the problem?

Nurse: That is the problem, Were not sure.

Doctor: Youve got the Chart?

Nurse: Right Here

Doctor: <Flips page> hmmmm.. Not much here, is there.

Nurse: No doctor, no obvious physical trauma, mmm vitals are stable.

Doctor: Name?

Nurse: No sir.

Doctor: Did someone drop him off, maybe we can speak to them? Lets get some background on this fellow.

Nurse: No ID, nothing, and he wont speak to anybody

Doctor: Well then, lets say hello

Doctor: <to maynard> Good morning, I'm Dr. Watson. How are you today? How Are you today? Look son, your in a safe place, we want to help you, in any whatever way we can. But you need to talk us, we cant help you otherwise. Now, Whats happened? Tell me everything.

Rosetta Stoned

Began at 2 am

fueled up eating an entire box of kripy kreams

I might eat enough portions outside area 51,

contemplating the whole

[?] flaming

[?] split the sky like wide open

never really expect to see you in a place like this

anyway [?] and he put something inside of my birkenstocks,

then he yelled at me

holy fucking shit,

holy fucking shit x 4

Then the x files began,

with some kind of blue-green [?]

[?]

My bug eyes,

might be a big jaw,

[?]

all i could think was [?]

So on his way, like an apparition he had me crying out

Fuck me, fuck me, dead head, chemistry.

[?] on top of me got me seeing [?]

And after calming me down with some orange slices and some [?"___ Spooning/pudding?"], he revealed to me his singular purpose.

He said: “You are the chosen one, the one who will deliver the message.

A message of hope for those who choose to hear and a warning for those who do not.”

“Me the chosen one, They chose me? I didn’t even graduate from fucking high school.”

you bet

You bet

You bet

you’d better listen

Then you looked right through me

With somniferous almond (?) eyes.

Don’t even know what that means

Must remember to write it down.

This is so real,

Like the time they floated away

See my heart is pounding

‘Cuz this shit never happens to me.

Can't breathe right now.

It was so real.

Like I'd woke up in Wonderland.

Awesome and terrifying

And I want to be all alone.

Well I'll tell you a story

And can anyone tell me why?

I was on a peanut to paris??

Will I ever be coming down?

This is so real.

Finally it's my lucky day.

See my heart is racing,

‘Cuz this shit never happens to me.

Can't breathe right now.

You believe me don’t you?

Please believe what I just said.

See the dead angel and… (?)

And this wasn’t all in my head.

and they took the leather hands??

and they ?? be right here

then they showed me something.

I don't even know where to begin.

Strapped down in my bed.

Feet cold and eyes red.

I’m out of my head.

Am I alive, Am I dead

Can’t remember what they said.

Goddamn, shit the bed.

Hey.

I…

High…

Oh…

Overwhelmed as one would be

If placed in my position.

Such a heavy burden now to be the one.

Born to bear and read you all the details of our ending.

To write it down for all the world to see.

But I forgot my pen.

Shit the bed again. Typical.

Strapped down in my bed.

Feet cold and eyes red.

I’m out of my head.

Am I alive, Am I dead?

Sunkist/Sunkissed(?) and Sudafed.

Gyroscopes and infrared

Won’t help the braindead.

Can’t remember what they said.

Goddamn, shit the bed.

Can’t remember what they said to me.

Can’t remember what they said to me.

made out to be a hero

Can’t remember what they said.

I am braindead can’t remember what they said

don't know, won't know (many times)

Goddamn, shit the bed.

Intension

pure as we begin

pure as we come in

pure as we begin

pure by will alone

pure as we begin

here we have a stone

gather, place, erase, so

shelter turned to home

pure as we begin

here we have a stone

throw to stay the stranger

swore to crush his bones

move by will alone

spark becomes a flame

flame becomes a fire

light the way or warm this

hope we occupy

spark becomes a flame

flame becomes a fire

for to blame the snake, the stranger

take whatever we desire

move by will alone

pure as we begin

pure as we begin

move by will alone

leave as we come in

pure as light, return to one

move by will alone

move by will alone

Right in Two

Angels on the sideline,

Puzzled and amused.

Why did Father give these humans free will?

Now they’re all confused.

Don’t these talking monkeys know that Eden has enough to go around?

Playing in this holy garden, silly old monkeys,

Well there’s one who's bound to divide it

Right in two

Angels on the sideline,

Baffled and confused.

Father blessed them all with reason.

And this is what they choose.

Monkey killing monkey killing monkey over a piece of other ground.

Silly monkeys given thumbs,

they forge a blade, and then weapons one bound to divide it,

Right in two.

Right in two.

Monkey killing monkey killing monkey over pieces of ground.

Silly monkeys give them thumbs, they make a club

and beat their brother down.

How they survive so misguided is a mystery.

Repugnant dismal(?) creature, who would squander the other

they dont have to lie to have a conscience, ? others inside here

Cut it all right in two

Cut it all right in two

Cut it all right in two

Cut it all right in two

???????

fight over life, over love,

fight over love, over truth, over another

Angels on the sideline again

Been so long with patience and reason

Angels on the sideline again

Wondering when this tug of war will end

Cut it all right in two

Cut it all right in two

Cut it all right in two

Right in two

Ok then. Reading the lyrics while listening to wings and wings pt2.

amazing, gorgeous piece of music and pretty sweet that they respect her faith and wish her on her way to heaven!

[MalevolentPanda]

As with most things to do with Tool, it isn't that simple.

But it is that simple, none of what you posted disputes what I said. I said it was a shit pun, and it is.

I seriously doubt this is a fake album Wah (unless you were joking). It's far too well performed and thought out (despite you disliking it) to be that.

I don't think he thinks it's a fake album, just making the point that he's not the only person that's very disappointed with it, indeed lots of people think it's so bad that they are refusing to believe that this could be the new Tool album (with apologies to Wah if that's not what he meant).

I've only listened to the whole thing once through so far, and then a few of the songs a bit more. And so far, I'm finding it a bit dull, but I'll give it more of a chance, because I realise that's not really enough to make a judgement on a Tool album.

[Rsdio]

What the guy on the newsgroup said about not remembering any of the songs apart from Vicarious is spot on, glad it's not just me (which I was beginning to think it was). I remember when I first heard their other albums, they took a few listens to get into but you could tell on the first listen how brilliant they where - you knew it was just a case of letting it trickle in.

I haven't had that with this one at all, even as an exercise in texture (which I can only assume is their intention through a lot of it, what with the buried vocals and all) I think it falls far short. If I wanted to listen to 'soundscapes' there are countless albums I'd choose to listen to before this one.

I guess it says something about Tool that the whole decoy album thing is almost believable when it comes to them.

[emps]

But it is that simple, none of what you posted disputes what I said. I said it was a shit pun, and it is.

I'm of the opinion that Tool intend it to understood as 'the pot calling the kettle black' ("Who are you to wave your finger?") and that it's intentionally a pun because they expect people to link it weed. But they aren't supposed to. The title isn't a shit pun, because that's only true if the primary aim is to joke about getting stoned. The song only means that if you don't pay attention to the lyrics, beyond the "must've been high" bits. Rosetta Stoned is not so easily justified though. Not sure what the hell they were thinking with that.

Fair enough, I could be entirely wrong and it is just a shit pun. But given this is Tool, given their past work, I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

[MalevolentPanda]

I'm of the opinion that Tool intend it to understood as 'the pot calling the kettle black' ("Who are you to wave your finger?") and that it's intentionally a pun because they expect people to link it weed. But they aren't supposed to. The title isn't a shit pun, because that's only true if the primary aim is to joke about getting stoned. The song only means that if you don't pay attention to the lyrics, beyond the "must've been high" bits. Rosetta Stoned is not so easily justified though. Not sure what the hell they were thinking with that.

Fair enough, I could be entirely wrong and it is just a shit pun. But given this is Tool, given their past work, I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Jesus, I understand what you are saying. It's not so deep a meaning that people can't understand, you know. It's still a shit pun. Yes, there might be more to the song than the shit pun, but none of that makes the pun in the title any less shit.

[emps]

But like I say, that's only true if you treat it as a pun. Which I don't think you're supposed to. The pun's there to see, and my whole point was that it's easy to see, I know you can understand. But I'm saying it's too easy.

(I'm not a crazy, argumentative Tool maniac (i.e. I'm not Bastion) by the way, I'm not desperately trying to force you into liking everything about the album )

[Transient Curse]

I seriously doubt this is a fake album Wah (unless you were joking). It's far too well performed and thought out (despite you disliking it) to be that.

No, no. I didn't at all agree with the idea that it was a decoy or fake, as Panda said I meant that it was an indication of others' (fairly mental) craving for a reason that this isn't the album we've all been waiting for.

I don't think you need to worry about coming across as an argumentative Tool maniac btw, TEFoot, there's definitely some out there though!

[MalevolentPanda]

But like I say, that's only true if you treat it as a pun. Which I don't think you're supposed to. The pun's there to see, and my whole point was that it's easy to see, I know you can understand. But I'm saying it's too easy.

...

Last time I try: I'm not saying I just understand the pun, I'm saying I understand the possible deeper meaning you outlined, I fully comprehend the fact that there is more to the song than the pun, and that it would be overly simplistic to suggest that it encapsulates the meaning of the song.

Never the less, the pun is still there, it's obviously intended, and it's still shit.

[Transient Curse]

Never the less, the pun is still there, it's obviously intended, and it's still shit.

You do GET that the song wasn't written exclusively to voice the pun? It's not JUST about drugs. See?

[MalevolentPanda]

You do GET that the song wasn't written exclusively to voice the pun? It's not JUST about drugs. See?

I'd never thought about it like that. Wow, it works on so many levels. TOOL ARE TEH GENIUS.

[emps]

Never the less, the pun is still there, it's obviously intended, and it's still shit.

I accept the pun is intended. What I don't accept is that Tool meant for us to understand it as a pun. It's there intentionally, but only to as an easy way of understanding the song. That's now how the song is meant to be understood. I didn't mean it was too easy to say the pun encapsulates the song, I meant it is too easy to think that the title is intended to be a shit pun. There is an intentionally shit pun there, but to see the pun is to miss the point of the song. It's like the duck-rabbit image: you can't have it both ways at once. Again: the pun is there, it is meant to be there, but it's a decoy. Every time you see the shit pun, you fail to see the intention of the song - in fact, I'd perhaps go so far as to say (at least part of) the point of the title is to test if you're paying attention to the song. After all, Maynard's done similar things before: "fuck your God" for example.

[Transient Curse]

After all, Maynard's done similar things before: "fuck your God" for example.

Explain that one then?

[MalevolentPanda]

I accept the pun is intended. What I don't accept is that Tool meant for us to understand it as a pun. It's there intentionally, but only to as an easy way of understanding the song. That's now how the song is meant to be understood. I didn't mean it was too easy to say the pun encapsulates the song, I meant it is too easy to think that the title is intended to be a shit pun. There is an intentionally shit pun there, but to see the pun is to miss the point of the song. It's like the duck-rabbit image: you can't have it both ways at once. Again: the pun is there, it is meant to be there, but it's a decoy. Every time you see the shit pun, you fail to see the intention of the song - in fact, I'd perhaps go so far as to say (at least part of) the point of the title is to test if you're paying attention to the song. After all, Maynard's done similar things before: "fuck your God" for example.

You're making it sound really shit now. They put deliberately shit titles into their albums in order to confuse people who aren't true Tool fans?

I call bullshit.

[Rsdio]

Explain that one then?

I always thought that song was pretty straightforward.. I assume then he must have been wanting us to believe that it was he, Maynard James Keenan, who was saying 'fuck your God', when he was actually speaking from the point of view of God doing an impression of Maynard James Keenan In A Wig (a completely seperate entity than the other Maynard James Keenan). So it's basically just God having bit of a laugh at his own expense, plus proving to Jesus that he might be his old man, but he's still hip enough to get down with alternative rock.

[Transient Curse]

I always thought that song was pretty straightforward.. I assume then he must have been wanting us to believe that it was he, Maynard James Keenan, who was saying 'fuck your God', when he was actually speaking from the point of view of God doing an impression of Maynard James Keenan In A Wig (a completely seperate entity than the other Maynard James Keenan). So it's basically just God having bit of a laugh at his own expense, plus proving to Jesus that he might be his old man, but he's still hip enough to get down with alternative rock.

What?!

First of all, is this your own summation or did you construct it under advisement from other places online / are you regurgitating someone else's understanding of the song.

Next, why the hell would that meaning present itself to you?

I don't sit and analyze songs much, or ever so perhaps I'm missing out but Judith, to me, would be about someone who in the face of abandonment from (presumably a non existant) god retains strong belief and Maynard think's it's a bit silly. No?

[Rsdio]

Someone left their sarcasm-detector switched off today, I see

[Transient Curse]

Someone left their sarcasm-detector switched off today, I see

Ok, so what did you mean about the "fuck your god" line in context with your analysis of the Pot's pun?

[Rsdio]

Just gently taking the piss out of TEF's interpritation of the pun by offering a similarly convoluted explanation for the other example he gave of Maynard apparently leading us up the garden path.

It's all the better now I've had to explain it all, obviously.. I didn't think I was being that subtle but never mind.

Edit: And it wasn't me who came up with that analysis for The Pot, I think that's where you're going wrong

[emps]

The ‘your’ in “fuck your God” is ambiguous. The obvious interpretation is that Maynard is being blasphemous, but he’s not. His criticism is not of ‘your God’ in the sense of whatever God there is (if such there be), it’s of individuals’ (false) God. (I’m only talking about that one line, with respect to Judith as a whole I think Wahwah’s right). It’s not my interpretation, it’s taken from his own words from an interview that was on the official APC site after Mer De Noms was released.

And it’s not that he’s trying to “confuse people who aren’t true Tool fans” with The Pot. It’s more like the sort of criticisms he’s making in Hooker With A Penis. It’s central to what seems to be the theme of the entirety of 10,000 Days: people failing to see what’s really there, people finding simple answers or believing in obfuscations to their and others’ detriment. Is what I’ve said about the title really that obscure? All I’m suggesting that’s going on is that there is a title that can be linked to the lyrics of the song in one way, a very obvious way, and a misleading way. If you think the title is like that, you’ve missed the point of the song. There is another way to understand the title, which fits in better with the song in its entirety, which allows for the alternative to be undermined. Surely that isn’t a major stretch for a band like Tool? I’m giving them the best chance, and I don’t think doing so is as ridiculous as you’re making it out to be.

Unless Maynard’s taking the piss out of all of us (me especially) for wasting any time at all worrying about song titles and their connection to lyrics. Remember, “over thinking, over analysing, separates the body from the mind”

EDIT: And on it being deliberately shit, I didn't mean that. When I said "There is an intentionally shit pun there" I meant "There is an intended shit pun there". Whether or not the band thought the pun was shit is besides the point.

[Rsdio]

Well that's what I thought about that line in Judith too, but I don't think that's the same sort of thing as what you're saying with The Pot. The 'fuck your God' is just ambiguous like you say, it's probably trying to be provocative given the prominence it has in the song but I don't think I've ever heard anyone really claim it to be blasphemous. It's pretty common to say 'your God' in relation to anything that can be worshipped, not just 'the' God in the Christian sense. I think that's quite different to the curveball you're suggesting in The Pot, unless I've misunderstood what you're saying.