266. Tool / 10,000 Days. 2006. 1.5/5.

Gawd this is a frustrating album to listen to. I wish these guys could make up their mind what they wanted to do with their music!
I got this when it was their brand newie, hot off the presses, and though I am not a huge Tool fan I was quite interested to see what they had produced this time around. The lead-up on Blabbermouth and other such sites was very positive.

So the result? Well, for me as I said, it is frustrating. There is some really good rhythm to some of the songs, and even in the middle of some songs. "10,000 Days" and "The Pot", which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance, are two of the best examples of this. But the mood of many of the songs is just not my style. Sure, maybe the hardcore Tool fans love it, but as a bit of a Johnny-come-lately to their music, and just an average Joe in the fan stakes, I am not overawed at it. It is hardly what I would class as metal these days either. Perhaps they don't want to be labelled that way, and fair enough if that is the case.
This is very eclectic stuff. I can't fault the music itself, but can only express my disinterest in it on a personal level. If you are a fan of Tool, you should love this. I must admit to having trouble.

40. Tool / Aenima. 1996. 3/5.

It took me a damn long time to get my mind around Tool. Most of my early tastings of the band were snippets off 2JJJ radio, and pieces at certain pubs that I frequented while living and drinking in Sydney. It was difficult to get a handle on them.

By the time I was back in West Kiama, Kearo had become fascinated with them, and as such I was able to get hold of an album, and listen to it as a whole, and without distraction. That first album was Aenima. Even then, it took some time to come to appreciate it. It was different from what I had been enjoying of lat, and I needed to get through that.

So now? Well, yes, I can see what so many people (most of them kids these days) see in Tool. Aenima lumbers along, occasionally breaking out into a faster pace, but generally staying in what I would call an ‘industrial’ metal sound. I can now appreciate it for what it is.

Rating : Aemina is middle ground for me – not one I would immediately put on to listen to, but not one I would never listen to. 3/5.