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Maynard is taking a while off to create a new tool album...anyone got any idea about when its coming out...huzzah
>>By vlad_dracula (Sunday, 2 May 2004 10:09)
Maynard is just finishing his tour with APC, and then he'll get back to work with Tool. The rest of the guys were already working on it, they're just waiting for Maynard to join them.
The rumor is that the new album will come out in the beginning of 2005.
>>By [SchISm] (Sunday, 2 May 2004 11:22)
Tool are the single greatest band in the world today. I believe Maynard James Keenan is god, and if not, a very high-ranking angel. There is just no way an ordinary human could produce Undertow, Aenima, Salival and Lateralus. He is a poet and a genius. I've loved Tool since the very beginning, and I will love them till the very end.
And as for the 'Maynard's gay' comments, I pity you people. If you are put off one of the greatest musicians in history by the possible (but untrue) rumours of his sexuality, you are nothing less than sad, homophobic losers who need to get a life and a Tool album.
>>By Stinkfist (Monday, 3 May 2004 04:08)
It really is sad that people say those things about Tool, without taking the right attitude, listening to them. I can't say if Keenan is god, because I'm agnostic, but he's indeed one of the most incredible music geniuses out there. Has anyone listened to Led Zeppelin's cover No Quarter played by Tool? Damn, what a great song.
>>By [SchISm] (Monday, 3 May 2004 10:06)
hehe...maynard is amazingly talented but just another one of us sh*thead humans. I saw him three times with APC (missed the fourth at AC) and three times with Tool. Both bands have something amazing and it's great that he's taken a responsibility to try and compensate for that lack of genuine music in today's society. Though none of us have the right to judge any musician, even Britney Spears demands such respect. She is a musician as well, she has just taken a different path than the one to which some of you expect to be taken. However, Maynard is different in the fact that he seems to have a genuine level of self-awareness as well as awareness of the world. And he's amazingly clever with his lyrical and vocal content. Even if he weren't in a band, I think that he would write amazing books or poetry. But always be cognicent of his message...any one of you could be the one on stage, it just happens to be him. He wishes for you to know that you are completely capable of just as much if not even more than what he is. We are all human, he just happens to have a microphone...
>>By Jia (Sunday, 9 May 2004 18:09)
I am sorry, but I don't agree that Britney spears is a musician, she is puppet with a weak voice and a big pr machine behind her. Besides, I don't think she has ever written a song herself (she might be named a co-writer, but that in general means no more that she saw the lyrics before she had to sing them and said that the were oke, but only some ogf the unpronouncable words would have to be left out). Therefor I don't believe that she deserves the same respect as Maynard or Tool (or any other hard working original band for that matter), who do all their work themselves and ride on their own talents, not the ones of the people surrounding them......
>>By Campking (Tuesday, 11 May 2004 13:34)
well, i didn't necessarily say Britney Spears is the same type of musician as maynard, however she is a musician. She doesn't write the music or probably not even the words, but she's the one who performs them on tour and in the studio. So she's sexy, has a team of brilliant musicians to back her, she can dance and she can perform very well, she has a lot of advantages. That doesn't mean she didn't work hard to get there and that she doesn't work hard to stay there. She reaches out to way more people than Maynard, and thus, her responsibility is much greater than his. Maynard can sing very well, and he can dance (liturgically anyway) and do many other things, however, he is not able to deal with fans, promotions, endorsements, and all of the other things that affect the world through music the way she can. So there's ups and downs. I'm not saying I rush to the store to buy Britney's music, i'd prolly kill myself first. But what I am saying is that she is a musician, and regardless of the type of musician she is whether it be full out self-taught or as effect through other people, we have no right to judge her, just a right to hate her music. you'd be doing the same thing if u were in her position. (you could prolly get shot for writing something like this on a Tool discussion, but i'm sure everyone in the band would agree...)
>>By Jia (Wednesday, 12 May 2004 14:42)
I agree with you Jia. I don't like that kind of music, but I respect people who do, and if she's so successful, it's because she has many fans out there, that like her, and her music, so I guess we should respect each other and stop this nonsense.
>>By [SchISm] (Wednesday, 12 May 2004 14:54)
Hey all, while i agree 100% with Jia in the sense that britney has a lot of adantages working toward her, i dont see her as a musician, more so an entertainer, true she works hard as do most in the same field however one point to consider is the fact that you dont see the type of or as many promotions for tool as you do for britney, no soft drink endorsements that i know of either or cosmetic adds staring keenan, anyway the point is would brittany sell as many records without the commercial machine behind her?? Tool dont have/need that sort of support and manage to kill the sales, it lies in the quality of the music and while britneys records sell to a mainsteam crowd that have her catchy riff songs drummed into thir head every time they turn on the radio, Tool has a distinct appeal of a more underground nature making their records sell and i think that is where Campking was coming from....
>>By Squire (Wednesday, 12 May 2004 18:12)
musician implies the performer is an artist
define art
art might be brittneys lip syncing and dance moves if you think about it
>>By fr33k (Wednesday, 12 May 2004 19:01)
One can grudgingly admit that Spears' music is definitely art. However, due to the machine she works for, a cycle is created in which the art begins to define her as a person.
On the other hand, Maynard defines the art he creates. I think that is a suitable definition of art. Art is defining that which you create. Are you creating the art, or do you have to live up to an image in which that art creates? I believe that is essentially what Brittany is doing. Her music is marketed as trendy and "rebellious" [sic]. Although her actions you see reported on the 6 o'clock news every night could be considered rebellious (if you forget the fact that sex sells, that is), her music is definitely not. We've seen the same pattern repeated with most every pop culture musician since the 80's. We'll see it again.
At the same time, you have TOOL's music often referred to as "depressing" and "nihilistic", which is a complete antithesis of what their music really represents. It's sad that TOOL's music contains truly rebellious ideas and themes, and they are degraded for it. Their music represents a need to break away from the normal cycle of things, creating your own pattern.
It's true that I don't have the right to judge her, but at the same time, I can't go sit on a mountain top and chant mantras all day long either. So the only thing I'm left with is my opinion. And in my opinion, Brittany Spears' music sucks!
By the way, thank you all for giving me the opportunity to bash on Brittany's music. It's a favorite past time of mine. Too bad her good looks are wasted on her abysmally bad talent. If I've offended any Spears' fan, I'm sorry. After all, this is a TOOL discussion board. What did you expect? We listen to the good shit here!
"Please, give me the Satan worshipping family down the block.
The ones that have the good albums."
---------Bill Hicks
>>By strangled_desires (Wednesday, 12 May 2004 21:44)
Thought you guys might like this:
"Art, if its object is to undo repressions, and if civilization is essentially repressive, is in this sense subversive of civilization. Some of Freud's formulations on the role of the indispensable third person"-----i.e. the audience-----"suggest that the function of art is to form a subversive group, the opposite of that authoritarian group...The indispensable third person must be suffering from the same repressions as the creative artist. The relation between the artist and the third person is one of identification, and identification is the relation which...binds together the members of an authoritarian group. In contrast with the repressive structure of the authoritarian group, the aim of the partnership between the artist and the audience is instinctual liberation."
-----------An excerpt from "Life Against Death" by Norman O. Brown.
Since the purpose of the machine that powers Brittany's campaign is one mainly designed to make money, the above statement rules out her music as being art. (Money being a substitute for the search for pleasure.) However, we all are aware the of the "instinctual liberation" that TOOL strives for in their music. Thus, TOOL creates art primarily; the money gained is merely a by-product.
>>By strangled_desires (Sunday, 16 May 2004 11:29)
"money being a substitute for the search of pleasure"...let's not forget that even the guys from Tool would not be so eager to make albums and play shows if they too were not being paid for it, they'd be busy holding down other professions. As a human and a citizen of America or even the world, they too are subject to the bounds of money...on an independent level, they are definitely more relevant as artiste(s) than Britney. Tool creates art primarily, because the money that is made is of necessity, because they are getting paid. Very few people are lucky enough to make money for what they love to do, but trust fully that even though they love making art, the necessity of life comes first, and at this point in the human condition, money is generally more valued than art. Sadly so, but we've made it this way.
>>By Jia (Sunday, 16 May 2004 17:52)
You're right, of course; we have made it this way. The responsibility inevitably falls on us. However, I'd like to believe that during some point in human evolution there would be a time when we realize the futility of such things as money. Yes, I know it's very idealistic; but, with artists such as TOOL always striving for a grander vision, I think we'll get there some day.
But for now, I guess I'll have go to work like everybody else.
>>By strangled_desires (Monday, 17 May 2004 07:47)
in my own opinion, there is one flaw in that ideal. Forsaking money and embracing nature the way we once did as animistic beings, is kind of backwards thinking in my opinion. I believe the world to be wholly perfect the way it is, fudamentalism, existentialism, whatever you wish to call it, I think that all the things that are happening to us right now are things that are necessary, and that like every other creature that has ever inhabited the Earth (much less any other planet or star in our universe) we will die out the way we are intended. The only flaw I see in the ideals of many philosophers and followers of unique bands (or any other medium of entertainment) like Tool, is that there is a desire to return to times when we enjoyed sexual openness and live in chaotic, quasi-peaceful societies. However, that's the gap that Maynard talks about in songs like Reflection and Pushit. The gap we face now is the gap between earth and outer space, and the only way to the other side is to achieve space living or to die out and rejoin the cycle of our universe. Of course, only a theory, but i kinda fell into a tangent anyway...
>>By Jia (Wednesday, 19 May 2004 16:05)
Whereas, I can’t argue your logic; I don’t necessarily agree with the “backwards thinking”. I definitely understand how it has that appearance. And I too see the “desire to return to times when we enjoyed sexual openness”. I’m assuming here that “sexual openness” can be used synonymously with unadulterated love, and not necessarily the definition our culture usually gives to the word “sex”.
Anyway, humanity’s main purpose in life is to progress. Progression, in terms of humanity is very subjective, but I think you can agree that everyone wants or has the desire to continue toward the future. Why does humanity continue to progress, or explore, or create, or even destroy? People continue to do these things to define, and essentially, to FIND themselves. Why are we trying to find ourselves? WHAT are we trying to find? And why are we so unhappy with our current condition that we wish for change? In what part of humanity do you most often see a natural curiosity without a desire to change the environment?
You usually see this mentality in children. What’s so different between the mentality of children from adults? Children experience a form of unadulterated love that is more encompassing than most adults will ever know. Mainly because children live in their own world, set apart from adults. It’s not until adults impose their particular life styles, values and conditions upon children do we see the loss of this “pure” love in which time has no constraints.
So I definitely see how this particular train of thought followed by many philosophers can be considered “backwards thinking”. However, we’re not really trying to “return to times when we enjoyed sexual openness and lived in a chaotic, quasi-peaceful societies”. We’re attempting to stretch our minds back to a “prehistory”, if you will. We’re trying to access that “eternal” which has and always will exist without the burden of time. As Jesus said: “ Except ye become as little children, ye can in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Perhaps I’m getting a bit too mystical here. Sorry.)
As far as “excepting the world to be wholly perfect the way it is”, I truly admire you. That is my most noble aspiration. When it comes down to it, that’s everyone’s aspiration, I would think, at least unconsciously.
I really enjoyed your comments on outer space and the gap that Maynard occasionally mentions. Very thought provoking. “Pushit” has always been a simply amazing song to me. Very late Freudian, I always thought. And “Reflection” is my favorite song on the Lateralus album. The bridge in that song is fucking awesome. It sends chills down my spine every time I listen to it. Also, I had always associated to this song the religious worship of the Mother/Moon archetype (…”the moon tells me a secret”…) to experience the Father/Sun archetype (…”this light is not my own and a million light reflections pass over me”…). An amazing example of this is given in a story written down by Baba Ram Dass in Be Here Now. But when it’s coupled with the association of the “gap”, it gives the song an even more interesting facet. I listened to it a few times while thinking about what you were saying. Brilliant.
I also completely agree with your thoughts on outer space. That truly is the “gap” that humanity now faces. We definitely need to get the fuck off this planet before some of these whacked out political leaders decide to blow it all to hell.
See. Tangents can be fun, even if you do fall into them.
>>By strangled_desires (Saturday, 22 May 2004 17:26)
oh of course. Outer space, the societal and personal gaps that we all face encompass the ability to accept "God" for what it is, everything is how it must be because it is necessary and all that fun stuff. I admire your observations about your own societal views and those found within the music of Tool.
It's quite funny; all of the things that are happening in the world, the things that make adults run over each other. When you actually analyze a person, an adult, who is close to you, you find how amazingly child-like they can be once you get passed their developed vocabularies and over-practiced mannerisms. We're all little kids trapped within bodies reborn from ageless spirits, and eternity is already with us. It's not something we can access, or imagine, because it is something we are. At least that is what I believe.
I don't know if this is even allowed, but do you listen to A Perfect Circle? It's pretty hard to bring them up without someone flipping out, making comparisons, but I think that A Perfect Circle is a very good look at this point of view. Thirteenth Step, the newest record, very much is written from an adult-broken-down-to-a-child point of view. From the beginning, on the package ("mine, mine, mine" - words often spoken by children) to the last song Gravity ("feel again, like a baby"). It's a very good look at the mind set from a wholly human perspective instead of a introspective POV. The point is, humanity always seeks to return back to child-like vision, the vision of eternity. To "take what is mine" if you will.
Recently enough, i've come to understand how much of a child I really am, and since then, so many windows of opportunity have opened up for me because I can focus more energetically on the things that I want instead of the things society tells me I want. Children never judge and children always - not believe - but seek to understand what you tell them (a common mistake, even in the Bible). They are the best teachers.
and that's what Maynard is...a big kid. just one with developed vocabulary and over-practiced mannerisms (and cool ones at that. I've seen him so many times live and he can dance and sing so well, it's like religion for him...almost).
yeah...tangents are fun.
>>By Jia (Wednesday, 26 May 2004 23:38)
Hey All,
I just finished listening to the Lateralus album once again. Gotta be at least the 900th time I've done so. It's always such a positive experience for me.
I listen to a wide variety of music, but from time to time I always feel a need to revisit TOOL, especially the Lateralus album. It's almost as if, by listening to said album, I am able to realign myself. It becomes a spiritual experience I suppose. While experiencing the music, one is able to delve into the various layers of psyche and tap into that primordial energy we all crave so desperately.
Layer by layer, you peel the ego like an onion with each and every song, going ever so deeper. You continue reaching for the center of Self. With "Reflection" the last remnant of ego is cast away and you are thrust home with "Triad". Actually, I guess that makes sense. After all, one definition of "enlightenment" is the convergence of mind, body and spirit. Does this not represent a triad? Does one not feel this when completely at ease with Self?
I often feel this when listening to TOOL. The music has almost become a meditative trigger. Is this good or bad? Who's to say? All I know is, I'm often able to work through the stress of a particularly harrowing week when listening to the contemplative rhythms.
BTW: You are most perceptive Jia, and I admire you for that. (Sorry for the inconsistent posts.) And yes, APC's newest album is spectacular. I never thought of it as consisting of an "adult-broken-down-to-a-child point of view", but you make a good point. To me, it sounded more like someone recovering from a drug habit. But the emotions expressed would still be the same.
In the end, I think that's one of the most brilliant things about Maynard and the creative projects he puts forth. He seems to understand the necessity of working through one's emotions instead of getting swept away and overwhelmed by them.
"People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long course of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass themselves without wondering."
---------St. Augustine
>>By strangled_desires (Sunday, 25 Jul 2004 14:05)
Tool...........o My god what a band!!!! this band has definately changed my life!!! it was incredibly weird what made me buy lateralus, im not a long time fan im a fan about a year and a half now and i downloaded lateralus the song and i thought it was cool but i didnt think much of it but after hearing it the next day i bought the album!!, i dunno why i just did! and ive loved this band ever since! ive bought all there albums since and i think they are all outstanding!! maynard james keenans voice is.....erm i dunno how 2 explain it but it is amazing and he is my favorite vocalist off all time no doubt and danny carey is 1 of the most talented drummers i have ever had the pleasure listening to. I have to say stinkfist is my favorite tool song but it usualy changes because there all amazing!! there videos are so amazing and artistic!!!!! they are amazing in every way i couldnt name you a bad song even the filler tracks and intros cause they fit in perfectly with the music! its amazing! adam jones is an amazing dierector! and us tool fans have him to thank for the great videos!! maynards stage presence is very rare and weird but i think its real cool that he doesent care what any1 thinks and any1 who says hes gay needs to shut the hell up u fuckers whats wrong with that you homophobic shits!! i dont care what way maynard looks and what his sexuality is he will always be my idol and inspiration! TOOL are my favorite band overall and i personally can not get tiered of them!!!
>>By cruel_portrait (Thursday, 29 Jul 2004 01:50)
The most interesting thing about Maynard is actually found in the difference between Tool and APC. On the latest Tool album, Lateralus, you can hear that all of his vocals are actually technically perfect for the most part. However, with the new APC album, though conceptually perfect for the project, his vocals aren't exactly perfect and he makes a few obvious "mistakes". THe difference is that APC is a little more human, and human error can be found. Whereas, Tool is a reflective concept of the human psyche, somewhat apart from the body itself, and just for someone to have that complete an understanding of their artistic presence is what really amazes me. I saw APC total of 3 and a half times this year, and the first time was at a club in DC. I was 15 feet away from Maynard, and his charisma and stage-presence are so powerful that I was forced to just sit there and watch, even though I had the inevitably pulsating desire to go to the bathroom and relieve myself. For anyone really interested in Tool, if you like Maynard, the new APC album is, at least in quite a human aspect, is much more evolved than Lateralus and simply a must hear.
>>By Jia (Saturday, 31 Jul 2004 20:38)
TOOL is the modern day Led Zeppelin and nobody comes close
>>By 8drummer8 (Saturday, 31 Jul 2004 22:02)
I'll have to disagree on that statement.
Led Zeppelin is Led Zeppelin
Tool is just Tool
>>By CHARLOS (Sunday, 1 Aug 2004 01:48)
Tool is in the same class as Led Zeppelin or you could say Pink FLoyd, i think that would be a little more accurate. Led Zeppelin's aura of rock and roll, is a lot different than Tool's. Where as I look at Led Zeppelin as shaministic rock stars, i look at Tool as more of...hm....rock stars with shaministic powers. There ability and perception of message venues through music are a lot more articulate than Led Zeppelin, but that's only because of the change in time periods. nothing else to say right now...
>>By Jia (Monday, 2 Aug 2004 19:14)
What can i say about Tool.. The truth is there are just no words to express the sheer magnitude of their brilliance. And if there were I'm sure they've already been said. every aspect of them is breath taking. Their musical ability, their themes, their spirit. Not only breath-taking but confronting as well. In the music I find freedom in all aspects.
>>By WaitInTheFire (Saturday, 7 Aug 2004 14:30)
has anyone heard if they are working on new material
>>By j27 (Saturday, 7 Aug 2004 18:43)
I think Tool is definitely working in the studio right now, putting together music and just waiting for Maynard to return from whatever dealings he has with APC. At least that's what I've read in several places, including their official site. I hope they are working on new material because a new album is much deserved, hehehe. My ears are getting very hungry. I've been listening to Thirteenth Step once a day since it came out and i'm fiending for something new. I hope one of the bands does a double album, both are very much capable of pulling it off.
>>By Jia (Monday, 9 Aug 2004 03:16)
are tool coming over to england this year,i heard they were?
>>By stevebeast1 (Thursday, 12 Aug 2004 19:10)
MESSAGE TO JIA AND STRANGLED DESIRES-----
i am working on a "toolish"/ music/ art/ project.
i like the way you two think.
write me back at my personal e-mail
ridethespiral@rock.com
send a little personal info, e-mail, bios, interest in tool, etc.
i need a little input from music and art patrons
no payouts involved, sorry--it's self-funded
peace
>>By lesamarie (Friday, 13 Aug 2004 21:35)
woah i didnt realise that so many people would give enough of a shit to talk this much about Tool. No one i come across in London really listens Tool apart from some losers i work in a record store with. My opinion is that Tool are fucking amazing and are, to me, the best band in the world but there is tons of other shit that is as good as them. Manitoba, Nick Drake, Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, The Melvins, Tortoise, Jeff Buckley, blah blah blah sooo many other people.
Everyone seems to be pinning all this heroic shit on Maynard, yeh the man can write and sing but those other members fucking rock! Adam Jones is a fucking outstanding atrist and guitarist, he's the fucking creative genius inside Tool. Theres no point in even comparing any other drummer to Danny Carey apart from maybe Dale Crover from the Melvins, he is on a par with him.
I think its fucking great that people get so riled up about their favourite bands and write all this long crazy ass shit about how much they worship them, a lot of the stuff thats written on this thing about Tool is... laughable, but some of it makes sense.
... Right, thats what you're supposed to do on these things right? Just rant on about your opinion.
'fuck it dude, let's go bowling'
>>By very cunty (Saturday, 14 Aug 2004 03:36)
I feel that Lateralus is the greatest album released in the past 20 years. The time changes and unusual time signatures blow my mind. I can only imagine what the next album will be like when it is released within the next year!!!
>>By juxtaposition (Friday, 20 Aug 2004 19:01)
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