Lateralus

Lateralus

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com's Best of 2001
Everything about Tool's fourth album is an experience, starting with the packaging, which consists of liner credits printed on a translucent plastic sleeve over the CD and a booklet that layers anatomical representations atop one another--the first page pictures musculature and blood vessels; the next, bones; the third, internal organs; and so on. It's worth describing the packaging of Lateralus because it says much about the astonishing music within. Maynard James Keenan and company understand the expectations riding on this much-anticipated release and they've delivered the goods! While it remains in the Tool tradition of trance-inducing progressive metal, Lateralus is tighter, clearer, crisper, and all around a notch above their admirable previous releases. Aenima was marred by muddy production and a certain predictability. Undertow had a cleaner sound but wasn't as confident or adventurous. With Lateralus, Tool have raised an already lofty bar still higher by coming up with a collection that kicks major ass. --Genevieve Williams

Tracks:

The Grudge
Eon Blue Apocalypse
The Patient
Mantra
Schism
Parabol
Parabola
Ticks & Leeches
Lateralis
Disposition
Reflection
Triad
Faaip De Oiad

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Everything about Tool's fourth album is an experience, starting with the packaging, which consists of liner credits printed on a translucent plastic sleeve over the CD and a booklet that layers anatomical representations atop one another--the first page pictures musculature and blood vessels; the next, bones; the third, internal organs; and so on. It's worth describing the packaging of Lateralus because it says much about the astonishing music within. Maynard James Keenan and company understand the expectations riding on this much-anticipated release and they've delivered the goods! While it remains in the Tool tradition of trance-inducing progressive metal, Lateralus is tighter, clearer, crisper, and all around a notch above their admirable previous releases. Aenima was marred by muddy production and a certain predictability. Undertow had a cleaner sound but wasn't as confident or adventurous. With Lateralus, Tool have raised an already lofty bar still higher by coming up with a collection that kicks major ass. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2007-07-02

Saw them live on the Lateralus tour! What a show! This CD is amazing! Everything about Tool is amazing. I just don't know what else to say. I could actually do a thought provoking review but what the hey. Just listen to it and love it!!

Favorite band of my lifetime. "Spiral Out!".......2007-06-27

I can't even begin to describe TOOL, other than that listening is believing. Amazing, amazing band. I just saw these guys 2 weeks ago on the 10,000 Days Tour in Winston-Salem, and it was the best live performance I have witnessed, hands down...
Ok, so for "Lateralus"...Yeah, it's my favorite TOOL album, although I am a big fan of Aenima and Undertow. I think it's slightly funny that when this album came out back in '01 most TOOL fans were confused by it, only now, in '07, to call it their favorite. Each song is a journey itself within the entire album experience. I feel that "Lateralus" showcases each bandmember the best of all their albums. "The Grudge" is probably TOOL's best album-opener. Maynard has some awesome, intense lyrics: "Saturn comes back around! Picks you up like a child! Or drags you down like a Stone! Sinking deeper!" And Adam Jones has some awesome licks here. Now for "Schism," I will say I originally felt indifferent about it for awhile, now I just get it. "Reflection" is a very note-worthy song; Easily one of my Top 3 TOOL songs. Awesome beat from Danny Carey. I just wish I could've gone to the '02 Lateralus Tour to hear it played live.....And "Lateralus"...God, it's indescribable. One of the most rockinest, inspiring and powerful songs I have ever heard, EVER. The best way I can describe it to someone who hasn't heard it, is it's like the equivalent of "Stairway to Heaven" in modern times.
Just buy this album, OR download it, NOW. Maynard is legendary. Danny is one hell of a drummer and could lay down a beat for ANY metal band on earth. Justin Chancellor is a pretty sick basist (again "Reflection" is tight). And Adam is Adam; The guy is capable of melting anyone's face off with a guitar solo. AND go see TOOL live; You won't be disappointed.

An experience unlike any other!.......2007-06-25

Describing what this album (or tool) sounds like is futile. The first time I heard them i thought it was loud, abrasive, and often downright painful. I HATED it. But one thing I had to admit even then. I wasn't getting the whole picture...there was a whole lot more happening inside that sonic chaos than I could understand. I felt a bit insulted actually. The initial reaction was to give up, but something held me back. I resolved to bear through it and figure it out.

There will always be a sea of creative beings at any moment in time vying for our attention. Fads come and go, and the only true judge of quality is history. We trust history to separate blimps like the Monkees from beacons like the Beatles.

It is my firm belief that there are only two bands out there, who are truly leading the way. Everybody else is just trying to keep up. Tool is one of these two bands. (I won't tell you who the other band is...but it starts with 'R' ends with 'd' and has an 'adiohea' in the middle)

Maybe you've heard a friend rave about Tool, or maybe you've seen one too many people wearing a Tool shirt. You heard the singles on the radio and thought they had their moments. But you're not sure. 4.5 stars? Who are these people giving this album such high ratings? Are they stupid goth kids? Are they violent dirty headbangers? Are they satan worshiping skinheads? Are they drunk frat boys? Are they sophmoric nu metal fans? Maybe.

Or maybe were just a bunch of people with all sorts of different tastes in music who recognize what an achievement this album is.

Make no mistake about it. This album is the Sistine Chapel of Tools work.

Buy this album...and be ready for a challenge. The rewards are well worth the effort!

How good can you get?.......2007-06-20

In Tool's case, FREAKIN' AWESOME! This album is so unique, so powerful, and so wonderfully written that only Tool could've done it. Ear candy to any prog-metaller (sorry for making up the dumbest word ever), or even to just any true music lover. And what a cool sound they've got. Danny Carey's drumming is not what most of us think of when we think "drumming". It's very tribal, with lots of tom-toms and snare drums with the snares off, and also very complex, playing through the quite difficult time signatures and elaborating on them with ease. So yeah, a good drummer does not a good band make. But what about a guitar player who plays interesting but absolutely CRUNCHING riffs, or a bass player who elaborates on the melody while simultaneously creating a different, cool, low-end groove? Or a great singer who sounds like no one else (except those who have tried to imitate him)? All this, plus the icing on the already great cake...songs like "The Grudge", "The Patient", "Schism", the "Parabol/Parabola" suite, the title track, and the "Disposition/Reflection/Triad" trilogy. Even the weird, one-minute interludes are cool.
In conclusion: 6 stars, really. The inferior "10,000 Days" got five. If you like this type of music, or just good music, or if you are a slightly brain-damaged Tool fan who somehow hasn't bought this yet, BUY IT! LISTEN TO IT! REVEL IN ITS GLORY! Thank you.

intelectual music.......2007-06-19

Had the lateralis copy and could not wait to listen to it, then when listening to it I thought to myself intelectual sounding music--loved though the song watch the weather change. Sound was too techie, had all these formats, but one thing only was that it lacked to me the driving bass lines of paul d'amour so out with it to have maggots somewhere.

Metamorphic: The String Quartet Tribute to Tool, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Sad
What to do with a String Quartet tribute?
great
String Quartet Tribute - Good Intentions
C. Sipperley's an idiot

Metamorphic: The String Quartet Tribute to Tool, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Vitamin Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

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General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

String Tribute to Tool
The String Quartet Tribute to a Perfect Circle
Anotomica: The String Quartet Tribute to Tool
The Piano Tribute to Tool
Chamber Maid: Baroque Tribute to Tool

ASIN: B0000ALFZM
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Tracks:

Stinkfist
Sweat
Prison Sex
Undertow
Eulogy (Acoustic)
Jimmy
Lateralus
Disposition
Parabol
Eulogy (Remix)
Rampant (Original Composition)

Product Description

1. Stinkfist
2. Sweat
3. Prison Sex
4. Undertow
5. Eulogy (Acoustic)
6. Jimmy
7. Lateralus
8. Disposition
9. Parabol
10. Eulogy (Remix)
11. Rampant (Original Composition)

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Sad.......2005-11-24

I really tried hard to enjoy this cd but it is just impossible. I'm a huge tool fan with all there albums and everything else that comes with being a fan: t-shirts, etc... The thing is is that it sounds like some bum with a violen downtown playing tool songs. Nothing much. It is really upbeat and high pitched when the tool songs are supposed to be dark and moving. To start with they need more instruments then that lame ass violen or whatever they are using you may say, "oh but they have more instruments you just are being annoying!" NO! all I hear is that annoying fast-paced, high pitched string instument. I would recommend listening to this cd entirely before you buy it, I guess some people actualy liked this cd since it has 4 stars right now. Thank God I bought it on ebay for $3.99 it made for a good disc. I'm just putting the word out there, this cd sucks.

What to do with a String Quartet tribute?.......2005-05-25

Let me put it short and sweet:

Tool - kicka**
Metamorphic - kicka**

Mix them together - holy f***ing s***!!!!

That's right... mix the original Tool song with the tribute song, and the song explodes like a 20,000 megaton nuclear warhead! Now THAT... is power!

great.......2005-02-21

I think who ever wrote " Dont give thease people your money " should think into it more. All of thease tribute bring a different light to all of the groups that they cover. Every one loves to listen to there favorite bands and what this does is it lets you hear songs that you love in a different way. Witch i found verry interesting. I enjoyed this tool cover cd since that day i heard it in my friends car. i imidietly went out a bought it because i thought it was amazing that somone out there had enough guts to cover todays music with an orchastra. I also thought that it was verry acurate to what tool actualy did with the music. I enjoyed it.
Thank you.

String Quartet Tribute - Good Intentions.......2005-01-22

Tool's music has often been described as "orchestral." It can evoke so many different emotions. My mother even enjoys listens to them. In fact, she says she can almost visualize a ballet to some of their songs. That being said, classical music can sometimes have EVERYTHING to do with a band's music, which would make it obvious to do a string quartet tribute album. I study classical music at a collegiate level, and I applaud these groups' efforts. However, a tribute doesn't necessarily sound good by just playing the same notes as was written. Classical music is played with a different style, and is meant to evoke emotion (just as Tool does). This CD in particular sounds like someone plugged in a Tool recording into a MIDI file. No emotion whatsoever. A lot of the songs chosen don't translate well to a quartet of strings, and the ones that do are so incredibly bland. This idea is great, but I have yet to run accross a SQT with nice arrangements and professional performers.

C. Sipperley's an idiot.......2005-01-17

I would like to say in the defense of the producers of these String Quartet Tribute albums that they have honored me and my band with their efforts. This Sipperley guy (or girl) obviously doesn't understand that:

1. We as artists give the String Quartet Tribute producers the right to put these CDs out.
2. It provides our songs the opportunity to be heard and played in venues that would otherwise not play our music.
3. We get paid for every single CD that is manufactured.

There is nothing "shameless" about their efforts, it is the music business and it only helps extend the life of our songs by having new releases of them available for our current fans and the new ones we gain from the different versions.

I'm not writing this as a debate, I actually have bought every String Quartet Tribute CD I could find to support the efforts of this great series after I was given a copy of the one which pays tribute to my band; Dashboard Confessional.

This is a great album as are the others. I believe that it is a great investment for any fan and each copy that you buy actually pays the artist because these products are licensed.

Anotomica: The String Quartet Tribute to Tool

Average customer rating:

Exquisite Music
Great idea, mediocre execution.
Transcribed Bliss
Was expecting so much more

Anotomica: The String Quartet Tribute to Tool
Steve Velez , Jim McMillen , Tool (band) , Jim McMillen , Fred Charlton , Da Capo Players , The Section , Tom Tally , Pam Jacobson , and Reggie Clews
Manufacturer: Vitamin Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Tributes | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The String Quartet Tribute to a Perfect Circle
The Piano Tribute to Tool
Metamorphic: The String Quartet Tribute to Tool, Vol. 2
String Tribute to Tool
Chamber Maid: Baroque Tribute to Tool

ASIN: B0006FFS1K
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Tracks:

Sober
Intolerance
The Grudge
The Patient
Opiate
Hush
Schism
Ticks And Leeches
Aenema
Pushit

Tracks:

Stinkfist
Sweat
Prison Sex
Undertow
Eulogy (Acoustic)
Jimmy
Lateralus
Disposition
Parabol
Eulogy (Remix)
Rampant (Original Composition)

Customer Reviews:

Exquisite Music.......2006-12-27

I first learned about classical tribute albums for metal bands when I heard about the Estonian group Rondellus and bought their magnificent tribute to Black Sabbath, called Sabbatum.

Sabbatum was such a brilliant album that, when I heard about Anotomica, I listened to it and bought the album. Bear in mind, I know nothing of Tool's music. But I do know classical music, and I love this album. The renditions of the Tool songs sound fantastic to me. The music is well-played, and I love feeling the textures of the music and the interweaving of the instrument voices.

The only reason I don't give this album five stars is because of the song "Rampant" on the second CD. It is total crap and not at all enjoyable to listen to if you like classical music; it is disharmonious and disorganized-sounding. It's jarring and unpleasing to the ear. It was also not written by Tool, so I'm rather annoyed that its composer tacked it onto this tribute album.

My advice--Copy all of these songs except "Rampant" onto your iPod and bliss out!

Great idea, mediocre execution........2006-04-23

Just a few days ago I was driving to work listening to Lateralus in my car and I was thinking how interesting it would sound to arrange some of the songs for a string quartet, so I was greatly suprised when I came across this very album at Barnes & Noble.

While I think it's an excellent idea and I can think of few bands that would work better in this format, I was very disappointed in the execution. There just seemed to be very little... intensity. Listen to Ticks & Leeches for example, or the end of Schism--not to mention they skip my favorite section of The Patient. If you want to hear how much sonic ass a string quartet can kick, check out recordings by the Kronos Quartet. I would love to see what they could have done with this material.

Transcribed Bliss.......2005-12-08

This cd set is an amazing orchestral transposition of one of the greatest melodic bands of the current era. The cd is not for everyone. Obviously the metalheads that only appreciate repetitieve basal tones in their ears that will eventually lead to deafness, will not find this set to be to their musical expectations. Those of us who appreciate Tool for their melodic qualities, as well as appreciate 'classical music,' should find these discs to meet their expectations. Obviously, being a string tribute, these discs are instrumental, not rock/industrial covers with vocals. Overall, these discs are refreshing, especially considering most tribute albums these days. After all, the core purpose of a tribute album is to make make money off of someone elses artistic ability. I give this recording 4 out of 5 stars due to the fact that it is a cover album, and it didn't amaze me as much as some classical music does, the first time that i heard it. Overall, it is a very enjoyable listen.

Was expecting so much more.......2005-04-26

First, let me say that I'm a huge Tool fan, and I don't even like "heavy" music that much. I really enjoy their music and I think Maynard is the best vocalist in rock today. Now, on to these CDs. I didn't like them for the most part. The only reason I'm giving them three stars is because they have a great concept and their are a few pretty good sections in them. The songs just don't represent the darkness of Tool's music. If you want to see what I'm talking about, preview Schism. I think the reason this doesn't work is it's going to be impossible to recreate Tool's sound with a violin. A group like Apocalyptica (four cellos re-creating Metallica if you are unfamiliar) would be different, because it would allow Tool's darkness to come through. Furthermore, Danny Carey on drums is probably half the reason Tool is so wonderful. Put any other drummer in Danny's place, and Tool will not be nearly as good as they are. Once again, a string quartet can't replace a great drummer with their instruments. Overall, if you want to check these out, go ahead, but I'm just saying that you're not going to get nearly the same impact as you will when listening to Tool.