UNDERTOW

Undertow is Tool's first full-length album, and the band wasted no time setting themselves apart from every other band on the planet. "Intolerance" opens the album recalling Keenan's experiences at Westpoint. "Prison Sex" is distilled genius and the catchy music belies the disturbing imagery. "Sober" is probably Tool's most recognizable song, and it's catchy chorus and riff make this their most accessible track. "Bottom" features renaissance punk Henry Rollins. "Crawl Away" is a bit emotional, though not as much as on later efforts. "Swamp Song"is incfedibly heavy, and the title track deals with addiction. "4 Degrees" is rather funny, describing how one orifice is warmer than the other. "Flood" is the most progreesive piece on the album, but it's mainly good alt. metal. After this, we get to listen to a massive number of seconds-long tracks of near-silence simply to bump up the number of tracks to 69. "Disgustipated" closes the album with an attack on oraganized religion.

Tool is ever bit as socially aware as their alternative metal contemporaries Rage Against the Machine, but they bring a level of experimentation to the mix. The band sounds like King Crimson meets Black Sabbath, and the similarities to existing bands end there. Aenima is the place to start for Tool, but fans must own this release.

Grade: C+