SALIVAL

"Salival" is a relatively expensive boxset released a year before "Lateralus" that provided some nourishment for starving Tool fans who had already waited four years to hear something new since the release of "Aenima". I would recommend it only to hardcore fans willing to spare the cash. Even so it is a good package.

Instead of releasing a standard live album, Tool have packed in a few surprises along the way. "Third Eye" and "Part of Me" are reasonably close to the versions performed on the albums. "Pushit" takes thing in a totally different direction. It's a stripped back version and puts an entirely new emphasis on the song, which is refreshing to see. "You Lied" is a cover song that's not available on any other Tool release.

"No Quarter" is the highlight on this album by a long way. It's the reason I rushed out to buy the album upon release. Recorded during the Aenima sessions, this cover of the Led Zep classic is a gem. Tool expand upon the original and give it a taste of their own signature style. The result is an 11 minute epic that shows the way a cover should be done - not just by playing the same song with more contemporary guitar distortion or some other superficial change, but by actually writing some new material that complements and enhances the original.

The album closes out with a couple of 'jokey' tracks, with "Maynard's Dick" in particular a track worth more than one listen.

There is also a DVD included with several of Tool's early film clips, and a glossy hardcover booklet with photos and artwork as well. Both of these fall under the category of collector's items.

For serious Tool fans, this is a 4 Star package and one you'll want to own. For others? 3 Stars, grab it from a bargain bin for "No Quarter" if nothing else.