you fucking TOOL!

[J.]

Lateralus is a snooze fest. It simply is. Just is. No way around it. After Aenima, I expecting a world changing album. Instead I got an expensive, weird looking coaster.

 

[Demilich]

I had no idea people considered Lateralus such a departure. When I bought it, I'd only heard a few songs off Undertow, and loved it right away. Haven't heard it in years now 'cause it fucking broke!

 

[JayKeeley]

"filler" = polite way of calling a song "boring". Or rather, it's a "leftover".

In the old days, when all things were vinyl and cassette, these so called "filler" tracks would end up as "B-Sides" on 7" releases or tape singles.

The simple fact is, if you've got 45 minutes of SOLID material, and 10 minutes of "fluff", then I say, drop the fluff for a future rarities collection or something....but don't just throw everything into the album just because it's been recorded.

I have waaay too many albums that could have been better by being 10 minutes shorter.

 

[J.]

I dont even think Undertow is all that great. I do like some tracks off it, but cant remember the names. It does have some filler.

And "filler" are songs that are overshadowed by the better ones. Basically a catch-all term for the shitty songs on an album, as if the artist had to write some more songs to meet a certain length on the record.

EDIT: JayK beat me to it.

 

[Demilich]

doesn't the term 'filler' kind of imply that the band knew these songs were worse than the others or even wrote them just to pad out the album?

i don't remember disliking any songs on Undertow, it was the interlude things on Aenima that i used to skip

 

[Demonspell]

I only use the word filler to describe songs & interludes that have no impact on the course of the record whatsoever and serve no purpose, which are rare but not nonexistent as NAD contends. I agree that the word is wrongly used to describe below average tracks. As for album length, I missed the age of vinyl and long albums bother me less than LP-length ones...my ideal running time is between 55-65 minutes.

 

[lizard]

I wouldn't think an artist with any integrity would intentionally include substandard tracks, but I know it can happen for a variety of reasons

- deadlines mean a song is underdeveloped or too quickly written

I'm in the middle of this right now:

 

[Eminor]

Zod and J:
What is it specifically about Lateralus that turns you off? I’m not sure if Zod feels differently about other Tool, but J just said that he thinks a lot of Aenima. It doesn’t make sense to me that someone would love Aenima and not be able to get into Lateralus in the least, even if not as much as Aenima. To me, if you love stuff like “Third Eye” and “Pushit”, the move to do that kind of thing more consistently throughout the album (as opposed to the shorter, more focused stuff at the top of the album and on Undertow) would be welcomed.

I’m not saying this is the case here, but I find it interesting, and sometimes frustrating, that people are frequently susceptible to falling in love with an album and then believing that everything that comes after it has little to no merit.

 

[lizard]

I think it's when they fall in love with said album and the next doesn't meet their expectations or the band makes stylistic changes, and they're disappointed

 

[Krilons Resa]

Zod and J:
What is it specifically about Lateralus that turns you off? I’m not sure if Zod feels differently about other Tool, but J just said that he thinks a lot of Aenima. It doesn’t make sense to me that someone would love Aenima and not be able to get into Lateralus in the least, even if not as much as Aenima. To me, if you love stuff like “Third Eye” and “Pushit”, the move to do that kind of thing more consistently throughout the album (as opposed to the shorter, more focused stuff at the top of the album and on Undertow) would be welcomed.

I’m not saying this is the case here, but I find it interesting, and sometimes frustrating, that people are frequently susceptible to falling in love with an album and then believing that everything that comes after it has little to no merit.

You're better off asking a mule why he likes or dislikes an album. At least it would be more consistent.

 

[NAD]

You're better off asking a mule why he likes or dislikes an album. At least it would be more consistent.

hahaha

OI! JAYKEELEY! My "assistant" sent you "CD-R" "of" <<Undertow>> so go (check ) them -shitz- out. Very direct in comparison to their other shit, except Opiate of course, which is practically a lolcore album. Well, sorta.

 

[JayKeeley]

"Send" -your- "assistant" <my> /regards\(.)


Heheehehahehehehe.....mule.

 

[Arunas]

I understand that not everyone has to like tool. But you must understand that it's not the kind of band that you'll like in three listens. It requires a lot of time and focus to unfold. I was disappointed at a first listen. And few more listens it didn't catch me either, but then it just took off. So far it's an 8/10 with a standout Wings. And it should grow to 9 sooner or later.
What amazes me is that some sites have this reviewed already.

 

[unhinged]

I agree with arunas

I've followed tool since opiate
which when it came out was diferent to everything around
every album has been a slow burning revelatory experience
every album has at least one song that makes me shiver
I've had 10000 days on tape in my car all week now and being able to listen to it pretty damn loud has really let it start to sink in
its not as simple as it seems on a surface level
theres some incredible instrumentation on there
especially with the percussion

 

[JayKeeley]

It's only Lateralus that I didn't latch on to immediately, but both Aenima and 10,000 days were instant. Or rather, I never went from "dislike" to "like", instead I just went from "like" to "like more".

First time I heard Aenima, I was practically gushing. And yeah, Tool ONLY works at loud volume, as does Isis.

I sometimes find it odd if people can't appreciate Aenima, but c'est la vie. I've still not come round to Neurosis (and am probably the only person on this forum who has difficulty getting into them). I suppose they take some effort and volume too.

 

[unhinged]

I've still not come round to Neurosis (and am probably the only person on this forum who has difficulty getting into them). I suppose they take some effort and volume too.

it does help if its loud

the last time i saw neurosis live my nuts were actually aching with the volume of some of the frequencies, it was totally crushing and hypnotic
I'm sorry I didn't go to see Isis live now
I really got into thier early stuff but I'm not particuarly moved by the last 2
but I can understand why people gush over them

I don't think its about 'getting' a band its more to do with being 'in tune' with them

 

[Reign in Acai]

^ Clarity comes with Volume. I got Tool blasting at 100 db's right now. Vicariouslyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

 

[JayKeeley]

You know, I wouldn't be surprised to find myself graduate all the way up to Scald one day, Paul.

Me now =

Me in the future =

Hey, wait a minute, someone was wearing a Scald shirt last night at Isis....it was Lurch!

 

[unhinged]

haha, occasionally people click to scald after 5-6 years

we have been known to reduce people to tears of pure despondency

have you heard born with teeth?
thats quite accessable in a thrashy way
I reckon even tully would dig that
actually there are some that can't stand any scald but born with teeth

 

[JayKeeley]

I've not heard it. Can I paypal you some cash for a copy?