TRACKLISTING

 

1.- The Grudge
2.- Eon Blue Apocalypse
3.- The Patient
4.- Mantra
5.- Schism
6.- Parabol
7.- Parabola
8.- Ticks & Leeches
9.- Lateralus
10.- Disposition
11.- Reflection
12.- Triad
13.- Faap De Oiad

 

   If I'm to be honest with myself, I would say this is undoubtedly the most beautiful album Tool has ever produced. In fact, the texture of the songs is more subtle, more complicated than ever, layer upon layer of rhythms. This complexity leaves us thinking of "Ænima" as an under-developed product if we compare them both. You can stop reading right now if you want to, because I've said the most relevant issues on "Lateralus", so if you are a Tool fan, you may not be surprised if I say that "Lateralus" is inferior to "Ænima" and possibly you may be able to tell why I think so.

 

   Tool, with just three full-lenghts in a span of 8 years ("Undertow", 1993, "Ænima", 1996 and "Lateralus") has become nothing short of a legend. Some claim them to be an overrated band, other people think they are musical geniuses. Certainly the "Oh my gosh it is Tool" kind of praise is unvalid. But without fear of making a mistake, I'd say Tool's effective aesthetics solidified early on in their career. The form of the regular alternative song was already defied in "Undertow", with songs weighing around 5 minutes or more, but it was in "Ænima" when they perfected not only song, but also album progression. So, "Lateralus" cannot be mistaken for an everyday alternative CD and in some ways we can tell it fulfilled the expectancies completely. With songs clocking in at 8 minutes or more and a blend of metal, alternative and progressive, we are able to tell this is far more serious than your average MTV crap. The over-10-minute-long songs "Third Eye" or "Pushit" in "Ænima" might give the reader an idea of what "Lateralus" is about. Tracks like "The Grudge" or "Lateralus" are so polished and versatile that they are bound to surprise the listener even after he gets acquainted with the whole album. 

 

  However sweet those songs might appear, the CD is not as organic as "Ænima". I must insist on the fact that "Lateralus" is as orgasmic as any great album you might imagine. It's tribal, it's epic, its lyrics are at their most inspiring, some moments are so touching and exciting, I felt like crying (before you consider me a wimp, you should try hearing the "Parabol / Parabola" saga or the most gut-wrenching slice of "Lateralus" with a straight face) These guys have improved in everything they do: Maynard is one of the most beautiful voices out there, not to mention an impressive lung-capacity for screaming, Justin's bass lines are complexly inventive, Adam has mastered that curious technique of his, so the riffs are more of the minimalistic type but undeniably forceful, and the drums, done, as always, by Danny Carey, fit perfectly in the overall hypnotic effect, which is maybe the fundament of the band. They even dared to perform some polyrhythmic tricks. What's more, the sound achieved is completely fresh, this due perhaps to the way the recorded the material: in "Ænima" they used sometimes more than one guitar at a time. In "Lateralus" it's just the four of them playing godly. Still, there's a different "vibe" in this one, and I have come to think that not every Tool fan appreciated this new "thing". In "Ænima" the atmosphere was obscure; it was a bittersweet, dual unity. There were awesome choruses, crunching rhythms but there were also lots of parts which sounded completely chaotic, not to mention the irritating interludes. The best example I can think of right now is the beginning of "Third Eye": the continual, pseudo-tribal beating of the drums and the chaos of the guitar. Not only was "Ænima" much darker, it was more aggressive, so we've got to admit that "Lateralus" is comparatively a very benevolent CD. "Lateralus" is more of a sweet experience, and that's a little bit alarming.

 

   This is also visible in the lyrics. Although they are well-written, they are always positive, instead of showing the fury of "Undertow" or of "Ænima" ("Fuck retro anything" is still my favorite song line ever and I have to tell you that I winced when I found out what was the topic of "Prison Sex") I don't intend to diminish the band's prowess, I don't see it all negative. I'm just trying to say that there's a thematic rupture in the lyrics so it's no surprise that a lot of Tool fans still feel tricked.

 

    However, I can still count myself as a fan even after this release and what's more, I'm pretty sure their quality standards are high enough to produce more great material. That's got to count for something. You may not like it, but this CD still will intrigue you. There are a lot of enigmas in here worth of years of listening and studying.

 

95 OUT OF 100