10.000 Days, A Review

10,000 Days, A Review

5 years. That seems to be the timetable in which the band Tool feels is the best time to elapse in between albums. Unfortunately for fans like us it gets to be pretty annoying. Things could be worse of course. We could get no new Tool at all and that would leave us with the glut of shit music that permeates the music charts and allows shows like American Idol to defecate out more prepackaged crapola.

Cmon, Clay Aiken looks and smells like a turd.

Anyway, as some of you may have figured out that Tool is just days away from releasing its 5th studio album in 14 years as a band. After 2001's Lateralus wore off sooner than some fans may have liked the wait was on for more of Maynard and Company. Yes, we had A Perfect Circle to keep us company but now that they have officially disbanded (according to Maynard last month) we have only the OG Tool to keep us happy. On May 2nd I will be purchasing the new CD entitled 10,000 days and so should you. I still couldn't keep myself from downloading the leaked version from a bittorrent client. I just couldn't wait.
Here are my early thoughts

I need to watch things die
From a good safe distance
Vicariously, I Live while the whole world dies
You all feel the same so
Why can't we just admit it?

The album opens with the radio released single, Vicarious. At first it seems to be a great segue from Lateralus but after a few listens I can hear big differences and am surprised at just how strong a single this is. Probably the most single worthy song since Stinkfist. Great lyrics reflecting everyones obsession with watching the horror of the world unfold from the safety of our barcoloungers. Hooky chorus and a cool new vocal style for MJK.


Prayed like a father
dusk to dawn
Beg like a hooker all night long
Tempted the devil with my song
And got what I wanted all along

Jambi brings back images of H or Eulogy in a way. This is where Justin's bass playing starts to shine as does Danny's tabla playing. A good song that will likely grow on me in the future.

Vacant, broken
Fell at the hands of Those moments that I wouldn't’t see
Cause it was you who prayed for me
What have I done to be a son to an angel
What have I done to be worthy

This is a hard one. Wings for Marie and 10,000 days (Wings part 2) are hard to pin down. Part 1 is being hailed online as most peoples favorite song from the album and has been called "haunting, beautiful and sad". Its definitely all of those things. Wings for Marie seems to be penned for Maynards mother who recently passed but as with anything Tool we could be way off. A plodding, shifting tune in the vain of Third Eye it may take more than one listen to fully appreciate. Part 2 continues in the same vain with a "Riders on the Storm" rainfall as a backdrop and this part is definitely my favorite of the two. Still, Maynard shines vocally on both tunes and Justin, Adam and Danny show off their chops to the fullest extent. The last half of 10,000 days (Wings Part 2) is the sonic equivalent of an orgasm. Both songs together take up nearly a third of the albums running time.

Foot in mouth,
and head up asshole
What you talkin' 'bout?
Difficult to dance 'round this one
'til you pull it out, boy!
You must have been,
so high
You must have been,
so high

Holy Shit! The Pot is being hailed as either the worst or the best Tool song in a long time. I am in the latter category myself. It is easily my favorite tune so far. Maynard does acapella in the intro, lyrics about hypocrites, pot and heads up assholes!! This is the grooviest Tool song ever. This should be the second single as it will surely garner newer fans. Of course we longtime Tool folk may not want that. I mean you can practically dance to this one kiddies. Good Stuff.

The next track is Lipan Conjuring. Its a toolish interlude ala the intro to Jimmy etc. Filler.


Nurse: Excuse me? Doctor? Do you have a moment?
Doctor: A moment? What's the question?
Nurse: More of a situation, a gentleman in exam 3
Doctor: What's the problem?
Nurse: That is the problem, we're not sure.

More filler, kind of. Lost Keys (Blame Hoffman) is another strange intro to the following song so it doesn't really count as a tune.

Let the X-file be entered
As some kind of blue creature I
hate it when it stows a meteor in my bathroom
If you look at your appearance for a moment you can see
Another banana bourbon enema


More toolishness from the guys. After Lost Keys introduces us to the "silent patient" he seems to open up here in Rosetta Stoned and rattles on about alien abductions and shitting the bed. Only Tool can take such subject matter and make it kick ass. (I'm not positive but this song may have the most lyrics of any previous Tool song and it rings in at nearly 12 minutes.) Midway through Maynard takes over and bends the tune into more of a song before the "shit the bed guy" returns. Long but worth it.

Spark becomes a flame.
Flame becomes a fire.
Forge a blade to slay the stranger.
Take whatever we desire

Slow and moody, Intension meanders here before the final tune as sort of a tune up before the end. Almost chant like, Intension ranks low so far as favorite songs on this album. Danny has fun with his new electronic drum kit here. Given time it may catch me in the right mood.

Angels on the sideline,
Baffled and confused.
Father blessed them all with reason.
And this is what they choose.
Monkey killing monkey killing monkey
Over pieces of the ground.

The final song exemplifies what Tool is all about. With Right in Two Maynard sings about the "stupid moneys" killing for land and god and how any creator would look down in disgust. The state of the world today has obviously influenced Maynard here. An incredible song and a great way to end the album. Incredible bridge featuring Danny on the Tabla's or could it be "the tabla master himself?". We will have to wait and see the liner notes. Adam shreds here also. A fitting final song.

Oh, there is one more track at the end but its not a song. Its called Viginti Tres and its more filler. Just some noise to close out the album.


I would say 10,000 Days is a lot like what we would get if Lateralus and Aenima had a love child. Tool continues to evolve as a band but with songs like The Pot and Rosetta Stoned you can hear them reach in directions never touched before. Again these are just my ealrly feelings as Ive had only a few full listens so far. Just remember May 2nd, the album drops and hopefully I will see ya all there. (No, I wont be at Walmart and neither should you!)

Stand out Tracks-Vicarious, The Pot and Right in Two.

Verdict-Great album but too much tooly filler.


good night-jka,5:55am