Undertow [PA] - Tool

...equal measures admiration and irritation. Undertow was the band's first full-length LP and was a great indication of how the band were likely to evolve over the following years. This was a band that 'didn't do' press interviews, didn't administer samplers for the DJs to promote, nor publicised their music in any real way. Tool found fame largely through word of mouth.

The Band:

Maynard James Keenan- Vocals
Adam ...
...Percussion

Tool's music is lyrically and musically dark. On 'Undertow', vocalist Maynard James Keenan deals with such issues as prison rape and murder in no uncertain terms. Indeed, the music is often shocking, yet utterly provocative and artistic. Meanwhile, the music that accompanies such unpleasant topics is equally unsettling- bass heavy, complicated and often aggressive. This will not be for everyone. However, Tool see their music ... more

Tool have for a long time now been the band that every pretentious rock elitist just had to have in his/her record collection. The enigmatic, cryptic and abstract sounds of the band's music attracting in equal measures admiration and irritation. Undertow was the band's first full-length LP and was a great indication of how the band were likely to evolve over the following years. This was a band that 'didn't do' press interviews, didn't administer samplers for the DJs to promote, nor publicised their music in any real way. Tool found fame largely through word of mouth.

The Band:

Maynard James Keenan- Vocals
Adam Jones- Guitar
Paul d'Amour- Bass Guitar
Danny Carey- Percussion

Tool's music is lyrically and musically dark. On 'Undertow', vocalist Maynard James Keenan deals with such issues as prison rape and murder in no uncertain terms. Indeed, the music is often shocking, yet utterly provocative and artistic. Meanwhile, the music that accompanies such unpleasant topics is equally unsettling- bass heavy, complicated and often aggressive. This will not be for everyone. However, Tool see their music very much as 'art'. This art form aims to bludgeon its way through society's taboos, being as unconventional and individual as it can along the way.

Track-Listing:

1. Intolerance
- A good indication of what is to follow- heavy riffing accompanied by solid drumming and Maynard's silky smooth melodies. The tempo is very hard to get used to- not the normal 4/4 arrangement. The refrain: 'You lie, cheat and steal' is repeated to give the song a negative feel. Superb percussion throughout, some parts border on 'drum solos'.
8 out of 10

2. Prison Sex
- One of the most disturbing tracks on the album. Painfully blunt and honest insight into the reality of prison. The brutality of the subject matter is brilliantly contrasted with the subtlety of the verse melodies. Very atmospheric and diverse. The ending features a tempo gradually slowing to a dead stop- haunting stuff, brilliantly emotive.
9 out of 10

3. Sober
- A key single of the album. Starts with a thudding bass riff, leads into drum roll and whining guitars. Immediately sinister. Lyrically regretful and sombre- 'I just want to start this over'. The ending is abrupt and emphatic.
8 out of 10

4. Bottom
- Features bizarre 'spoken word' appearance by Henry Rollins. The first half of the song is good, a quick tempo and good melodies. However, the second half of the song is simply sublime. The tempo is slowed right down as Maynard passionately screams for us to 'Turn Inside' repetitively with such feeling it gives you goose bumps. The drums and guitars add the punch to an absolutely amazing song. You feel emotionally drained when it finishes.
10 out of 10

5. Crawl Away
- A classic metal riff drives this song throughout. More straightforward than other tracks. Yet, still features plenty of strange guitar effects and disjointed rhythms. A very anger song- 'I can see your back is turning, if I could I'd stab the knife in'. A powerful vocal display, particularly at the end where a note is held until even after the music has long finished.
8 out of 10

6. Swamp Song
- Another exercise in vitriolic expression- 'You're a dumb and belligerent f****r, I hope it sucks you down'. Great use of loud/soft dynamics during the latter half of the song, with soft moments building up to an explosive climax.

7. Undertow
- Features an upbeat start. Slows down for the verse. Creepy guitar effects. Hard-hitting bridge uses heavy percussion and down-tuned guitars for a powerful combination. Chorus features the vocal of 'Shut Up' repeated forcefully but this is developed wonderfully into an extended chorus in the latter half of the song. Unexpected 'slowing down' of tempo near the end keeps the listener on his/her toes.
8 out of 10

8. 4 Degrees
- Another highlight of the album. Starts with edgy guitar riffing, threatening to erupt at any moment. Not as heavy as other tracks- beautifully melodic chorus. Features philosophical lyrics- 'free yourself from yourself' that question the purpose of life through the use of existentialism. Maynard impressively holds an extraordinarily high note for a full 10 seconds with the odd blast of guitar distortion for mind-blowing effect.
10 out of 10

9. Flood
- The first 4.5 minutes of this song are purely instrumental- a dark drum and guitar jam session. The remaining 3.5 minutes is classic Tool- irregular time signatures and complex guitar work. Uses repetition and punchy rhythm for emphasis. Stunning 'double-bass' drumming in the outro.
8 out of 10

10. Disgustipated
- An uncomfortable 'knocking' marks the beginning of the end for an uncomfortable album. Bizarrely features sheep noises in the background as well as various clips from TV shows and radio. 3 minutes in and Maynard enters the song with the insistence that 'this is necessary'. Sounds like violence encapsulated into song.
5 out of 10

The overall musicianship on display here is often breath taking. Many of the time signatures are extremely complex and hard to get used to. Maynard's vocal range is simply astonishing- from blood-curdling scream to delicate sob, and everything in between. The music is a great medium for the alienation, disillusionment and discontent that the album represents thematically.

With the success of A Perfect Circle, Tool's current plans for new material appears to be on hold. However, there are Internet rumours surfacing that we may be treated to the band's fourth album some time before Christmas. Either way, this band have however already assured their place in the history books with groundbreaking albums such as this.

Label: MFN

 

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