Tool for Beginners

Ummm, I have to admit I always thought that Tool was a band for angry dudes – just supposing I don’t know shite about them, where’s a good place to start?

Thanks for asking, Betti.

I’ve chosen to respond right here, because I so enjoy waxing semi-eloquent on the subject.

It has been only for the past few years that I’ve been digging Tool.  It stemmed from my love of Maynard James Keenan’s other band, A Perfect Circle.  Yes, I know this is kind of a backwards route to take, but since I’m SO out of Tool’s demographics (except that I am Caucasian), I guess I get to do things my way.

As for A Perfect Circle, the first single from their first CD didn’t wow me.  It was the subsequent “Three Libras” that I fell in love with.  I purchased the CD (Mer de Noms) and devoured the rich sounds.  The follow-up, Thirteenth Step, is perhaps even more “listener-friendly.”  I mention this because if you try out some Tool and still find them to be too “band for angry dudes,” APC might be the way to go.

Prior to APC, Tool was a take it or leave it band for me.  Then, around the same time I was eating up APC, Tool’s “Schism” really grew on me.  I purchased Lateralus, their most recent release at the time, and found that I already knew (and liked!) several of the songs.  So I continued in reverse chronology and purchased Aenima.  Dug that, too.  This year, I purchased 10,000 Days shortly after its release, as I was already enthralled with “Vicarious.”  Awesome CD.  I really wouldn’t classify it as angry dude music.

Sometimes I think I must hear music differently from most people.  Certain songs seem to penetrate not just my ears, but every pore in my body, and this applies to much of Tool’s catalog.  The artful, complex construction of the songs and Maynard’s rich vocals and passionate delivery (whether a primal scream or a soothing whisper) are aural beauty, to this listener.  It’s not just anger for anger’s sake. Sometimes it’s not anger at all:  “Celebrate this chance to be alive and breathing” (“Parabola”).  Remember, not all passions are anger.  Don’t let the creepy videos or aggressive delivery fool you.  And remember that the lyrics often have metaphorical meaning.

Of course, if some twenty-something ex-frat boy wants to hear nothing but fury and brutality, well, that’s his freedom of choice.  Or self-imposed lack thereof.

Undertow and Opiate will be in my CD collection soon enough, I’m sure.

Did I babble and confuse?  Sorry.

I suggest trying Lateralus and/or 10,000 Days.  Alternatively, check out APC (Mer de Noms and Thirteenth Step ).

Happy listening.  Let me know what you think.  Don’t hold back.

Stuck in my head:  “Orestes” – A Perfect Circle

Comments:

thank you for the tool tutorial!! i’m really wanting to check them out now and download them onto my mini! i’ll let you know my thoughts!…~zen
zen