10,000 DAYS

This review could be five words long: New Tool Record out Now. If you're not a fan, this probably isn't the record that's going to win you over, but for those who've been waiting for the follow-up to Lateralus, this record is exactly what you would and wouldn't expect from Tool: a brutal, strange, moody and captivating record from the first cut to the end.

A lot of the songs feature polyrhythms and hemiolas, the specialties of Tool's opening act on their last tour, Meshuggah. But while Meshuggah use polyrhythms to maximize dissonance and tension, Tool inject them subtly into various parts of the album, along with pulling out all their old tricks: odd-time signatures, ambient pieces, and the buildup of intelligent emotion that characterizes their work. These polyrhythms can be frustrating to hear the first time, but grow on you as they're absorbed.

The album's production is both an improvement from their other records in its clarity and power, and questionable as the vocals take a back seat to the instruments in many cases, which is sure to frustrate some people.

The most amazing thing about the members of Tool is, while they're all individually talented players, they can forego their egos and serve the songs, which seperates them from most prog bands. Still, each perosn gets a chance to shine: Maynard's vocals range from whispers to effects-heavy belting, Adam Jones' guitars are both ferocious and textural, Danny Carey's drumming rocks, and Justin Chancellor's bass playing is moody and powerful.The lyrics range from righteous fury ("I need to watch things die") to cryptic and spiritual ("Fetch me the spirit, the son and the father/Tell them their pillar of faith has ascended"), and the breadth and complexity of emotions and subjects covered is astounding and uniquely Tool.

So, basically, this record is like every other Tool record in it's complexity, heaviness, and emotional density, and stands on its own with heavy polyrhthms, subtle time shifts, a wicked talk-box solo (on "Jambi") and unique production. Like Lateralus and Aenima before it, this record takes a few listens to wrap your head around, and I'm sure in six months I'll have a different review and appreciation for 10,000 Days. I refuse to rate any band that puts this much effort into what they do. Get it, you won't be disappointed.