review: Tool - 10,000 Days

Ok-

So first things first: Make sure to buy this when it comes out. Bands like Tool deserve the cash for their work, and situations like this can show the recording industry that mp3 downloads do not have to affect record sales, so long as the record in question is quality work. If nothing else it would be nice to show Maynard that being tightfisted with his releases is not needed as his fans are of a higher caliber.

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10,000 Days is different than previous Tool albums. Some people have mentioned an experimental vein that follows the whole set. I don't personally hear anything that is far enough outside the their spectrum to be considered "experimental". 

-- There is a definite change in lyrical delivery. Some rattled/mumbled lyrics along with normal vocal styles were a pleasant surprise.

-- Throughout, you will hear notes and riffs that are similar if not taken directly from other songs/albums. This is NOT negative. All of Tool's albums have a symbiotic relationship with each other. This is especially the case when it comes to albums after and including Aenima. I would not doubt that this album is meant to tie in with the others in some manner. Lyrically and thematically, this should be the case but is yet to be seen.

-- This doesn't appear to be an album of singles. Though many of the songs could do well when aired on the radio, I believe this is a whole package kinda deal. you need the song before and after to set you up and make each song better. This may be part of the reason there has been so many negative remarks about track 01 "Vicarious", it's a great song, but by itself it is just a song. directly followed by Jambi (track 02) it becomes abruptly more powerful.

Many people are judging this album negatively. The shameful bit is that they are comparing one Tool album against previous Tool albums and saying "Why isn't it as good?". Instead, they should be comparing an incredible Tool album against all the rest of the CRAP out there that people call "Rock", and realizing that even if its not their favorite, its still top shelf badassness.