UNDERTOW

Undertow is tool's first full length album after 1992's debut "Opiate" EP. The album shows a clear improvement in sound and production. The band started to settle for lengthier pieces and more epic soundscapes. Maynard James Keenan's vocals are excellent on this album and show sorrow and anger as he switched between agonising screams and beautiful melodies. Adam Jones is able to show off his excellent guitar skills and the drumming here is flawless.

The opening track is a good way of kicking things off and easily pulls you into the album. "Prisonsex" has a funky siberian khatru style intro that leads into revolting lyrics "sh!t, blood and cum on my hands", and shows a more energetic yet melodic side to the band. "Sober" is a masterpiece and the best song on the album, lyrics about Jesus are told by some of Maynards most powerful vocals and this is musically incredible.

"Bottom" features Henry Rollins to help out on vocals and is an interesting and lengthy song. The title track is a real wonder on this album along with "flood" and "four degrees". These tracks continue to show off the faultless musicianship that the band have built up. "Disgustipated" is a lengthy tag along which includes sounds of crickets and recitals from the bible and is a percular track. It doesn't drag down the album or make it better really. Undertow is more for tool fans but for those starting off to listen to them i would recommend "aenima" and "lateralus" first.