(This was going to be a brief CD review, but turned into a bit of an epic)
Of all the kinds of music that are written about on this forum it seem that heavy rock (for want of a better desciption) receives very little attention.
I think that one of the reasons behind this is that most of it isn't really all that good, or interesting to listen to. Since the break-up of Soundgarden, Kurt Cobains demise, Pearl Jams ticketmaster problems, there seems to have been a shift in emphasis from quality to quantity.
The bands around at the moment (Limp Bizkit, Korn, Papa Roach, Linkin Park to name a few) all seem to be rehashing the same things that have been done (much better) before. They also seem to be driven by money and marketing, rather than by the desire to produce quality music. there's really not much difference in my eyes between a Limp Bizkit and SClub7: neat 4 minute songs packaged for the MTV generation, with shiny videos and very little content.
One band though has survived for 9 years (their first EP was released in 1992) and in my opinion are one of the best bands of the planet at the moment. They are Tool.
Their new album "Lateralus" was released yesterday, and although I've only been able to listen to it twice I can honestly say that this is a very special piece of work. If you've never heard of them or their music then the contents of the CD may come as something of a shock. There are no conventional song structures on the album, it is more of an opus, to be listened to and understood in it's totality. The majority of the songs are over 8 minutes long and vary in texture from the sublime to the intense.
In the same way that Radiohead pushed back the boundaries of modern music with OK Computer, Tool have in one fell swoop shown the other "heavy" bands out there what true musicianship is. In their front man, they have one of the most distinctive and talented singers in the world. The guitarist, Adam Jones wrings some incredible sounds from his Gibson. The bassist Justin Chancellor basslines ebb and flow beautifully. As for their drummer, Danny Carey, his playing is unique and the rythmns are truly magnificent.
But the album is far more than the sum of it's parts.
If you're looking for a CD that sounds like nothing you've ever heard before and will challenge your preconceptions of "Heavy Rock", then this could just be it. (it's also fantastically recorded.)
Give it a spin, and you might just like it!
Cheers
Matt
Posted on: 17 May 2001 by Pete
Tool are touring in America this summer with King Crimson, who IIRC they cite as a prime influence. If you want a band who don't confuse "heavy" with merely "fast and loud" and who can play rings around most people, you could do worse than check out Krim. Unlike most "progressive" bands, KC still are...
Have a listen to the last couple of studio LPs, ConstruKction of Light and THRAK, and the last live one, Heavy ConstruKction, for more ideas what they're about these days. If you like those the 4 CD ProjeKct box of live improv club dates may appeal: it has some truly sensational stuff on it.
Pete.
Posted on: 17 May 2001 by Matt Gear
Robbie
I was lucky enough to catch Soundgarden in '96 too when they played in Brixton Acedemy, London. Fantastic band and a fantastic gig. The solo release from Chris Cornell is also terrific, although quite a lot more mellow than the older SG stuff.
Like i said, I listen to alsorts, but guitar based favourites are SG, Pearl Jam, Tool and A Perfect Circle (Maynards other band).
I'll definitely check out your recommendations though if i get a chance.
Matt
Posted on: 17 May 2001 by Ade Archer
Most of my music collection is rock, and I recently brought Significant Other by Limp Bizkit, not having heard any of their stuff before, but it was going cheap in Woolworths, and having heard they were one of the top current heavy rock bands, thought it was worth a try.
I think it would be fair to say it won't be seeing the inside of my CDX again. What Garbage!
Any Tool recommendations for someone who hasn't heard any, and what other rock stuff are you all listening to.
Cheers
Ade
Posted on: 18 May 2001 by Matt Gear
Ade
Tool have got 5 CD's out at the moment. their first, "opiate" is a 6 track EP. then their albums are "undertow", "Aenima" and "Lateralus". they also have a CD / DVD box set of live music and videos.
Undertow is probably the most accessible of the Tool albums. it's more conventional in song format although you can start to hear some of their more experimental tendencies coming out. Opiate is also a good CD, although i'd say start with Undertow.
Aenima is a great piece of work. though may come as a bit of a shock if you're not familliar with their style. some of the tracks are short segues which can sound a little bizzare if you don't know where the band are coming from.
Lateralus is a storming album. totally unlike any thing i've heard before. i've pretty much had it on repeat since i bought it and it just keeps getting better and better.
Another album you may be interested in is Mer de Noms by A Perfect Circle. the llead singer of tool also fronts this band, which he formed with one of Tools guitar techs. again, this album is very different from the current crop of "nu-metal".
another album i like a lot is "white pony" by the deftones. i was never all that keen on their earlier stuff, but this album is really good. lots of great riffs, but also lots of interesting tempos and light and shade, which makes for an interesting listen.
Can't finish up without recommending Soundgarden. my favourite band, and (IMHO) the best of the lot to come out of Seattle in the 90's. Check out "badmotorfinger", "superunknown" and "down on the upside" and i don't think you'll be disspointed.
Happy listening!
Matt
Posted on: 18 May 2001 by Bas V
My personal favorit is still Aenima, but that's because I know it much better than Lateralus. The music on this album is so involving. There are some really cool parts on it, which seem to surprise even if you have heard the album a 100 times. For example, listen to track 5 (Forty Six & 2) at about 4:30. I cannot do with my hands what drummer does, but perhaps this tells more about my a-musicality. Go and listen.
Other personal favorite bands are Deftones, Incubus and Smashing Pumpkins. BTW, I think Limp Bizkit's first album 3 dollar bill y'all was pretty cool, as was Korn's Life is peachy. It's a shame some bands can become so commercial...
Greetz!
Posted on: 19 May 2001 by Andy Moore
I have just bought Lateralus and am listening to it for the first time. I felt immediately compelled to write about it and was glad to see so many of you already have.
It has been a long wait since the excellent Aenima but I think it's worth it. Musically the new album (so far, I am now on track 7) isn't too different from their last outing but it is the sheer quality which keeps it fresh. If anything I would say it's slightly groovier in a Sabbathesque kind of way, but without treading into stoner territory.
Other bands I'd like to mention are Korn whose first album was something new and original at the time and spawned the Limp thing (sadly). It's a shame that apart from Follow the leader they haven't done much since. They were good at the Krazy House in Liverpool many many years ago, however.
But what about Incubus? I saw them live (with Korn in Manchester) a while back and was impressed. OK so the lyrics are pretty bad but they have great enthusiasm, good grooves and even a few moments of genius. Crowded elevator (an extra track on the Japanese version of Make Yourself, and I think on a soundtrack album somewhere) is stunning. Their website
www.enjoyincubus.com is pretty cool too.
Andy
Posted on: 22 May 2001 by von zipper
Rage against the machine did it a almost a decade ago,why do it again?(on a sidetrack,i loved the fact they were on the Sony label-rebels against the corporations...not!)
thanks for the nod, people-will check out tool as i haven't experienced them yet...guess i got left behind in a Nirvanic haze...
Posted on: 22 May 2001 by Ade Archer
Brought Lateralus today and am currently listening to it as I write...Great stuff.
Vinyl copies of 'Kill 'Em All', 'The $5.98 E.P. Garage Days Re-Revisited' and 'One' 12",all in excellent condition, also picked up at the local market stall dealer, so I'll be doing a bit of listening tonight.
Cheers
Ade
Posted on: 23 May 2001 by Matt Gear
glad you like it derek.
it yields more and more with repeated listenings.
you're certainly right about the rythmn of the songs. the drummer does some really interesting sutff.
as for foot tapping....try to tap along with track 9. the riff is in 13/8 which makes it somewhat difficult. will be interesting to see everyone trying to jump up and down to it at the gig in june!
if you want any more info / recommendations, feel free to drop me a line.
cheers
matt
[This message was edited by Matt Gear on WEDNESDAY 23 May 2001 at 12:58.]
Posted on: 24 May 2001 by Bas V
Hi
Just back from the first concert of TOOL from the European tour. It was great; these are one of the best musicians around. Unbelievable how they make this music, even more when they do it live. And besides, the video screens show some fascinating shots too. TOOL rules...
If anyone gets the chance, go and see them, you won't be disappointed!
Greetz!
Bas
Posted on: 06 July 2001 by Goose
I recentley saw TOOL at London Brixton acaademy, and despite the souns being so so loud and distorted at some points the gig was excellent. I couldn't really hear the band properly as I was up in the Gods, but Danny Carey is a god!
Lateralus is also a good album, and so is Aenima
Check out a band called Third and the Mortal 'tears Laid in Earth' LP,the singing will break your heart, very dark sounding, with some Epic spacey drum production. It's very hard to get hold of. If anyone wants more details, mail me!
Thanks
Goose
