Rainard Jalen

That's a ridiculous thing to say. Tool isn't even particularly inaccessible! There's way more "difficult" music than Tool out there, and certainly more "intelligent" music in term of lyrical content. Furthermore, I have never found the generality of fans of this band to demontrate any particular "smartness"; pseudo-intellectual arrogance and pretentiousness, maybe. And also sheer ignorance of what else is actually going on in contemporary music.

Billy_Martin

I completely agree with you on that. I have seen Tool five times in concert and there are some really stupid Tool fans (Oklahoma City).

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Miltamec Soundsquinaez

I wouldn't venture to say that tool is a 'smartperson group', as someone had mentioned. Which seems to suggest that if you listen to them, you're smart. I believe what makes them most accessible is the sheer honesty that speaks to fans. Maynard probably displays more emotions in his songs than by far most singers. From Jerk-Off, where he screams that he wants to 'shoot you in your f*cking head', far from an intellectual sentiment, but very raw emotionally, to lighter songs like Lateralus, where he sings, 'swing on the spiral of our own divinity.' What he and the band display in their music is a great deal of emotional complexity, which I believe we, as humans are very much that way. So, I think the honesty is what plays so well, from Maynard to Adam, ripping through a solo on Undertow, or much subtler work on H. Carey is an uber-aggressive drummer, but when he speaks, he is a very gentle soul. So, I think you can see that they unapologetically embody and display the range of emotions, that we, as humans feel, and I think that this is to be seen as virtuous, and something that everyone aspires to do, and is capable of doing. To attempt to make music that is reserved for a sophisticated 'elite' group of individuals with a higher I.Q. than the rest of us would be considered pretension, and honesty is not above any of us.

Rainard Jalen

I wasn't suggesting that Maynard is any sort of pseudo-intellectual. On the contrary, he isn't. He just writes about things that personally take his interest, obviously. I think Maynard's lyrical work was always quite honest, though I must say that I never felt much sincerity was emanating from that awful 10,000 Days LP, with its cliché-laden nonsense.

Miltamec Soundsquinaez

I don't really see what you consider cliche laden about it. Maynard does delve into politics on The Pot, but other than that he sings about people watching too much T.V. on Vicariously. On Wings for Marie he continues to disagree with organized religion, while at the same time mourning his mother's passing. On Rosetta Stoned he talks about an LSD induced alien abduction. Danny Carey tries out a drum kit, they sing about de-evolution, and they still play in unusual time signatures. I admit it is probably their worst album, but I'm not really sure what you want them to do, create an album that somehow creates everlasting peace and harmony on this planet?

Miltamec Soundsquinaez

Grant it, it was the title of 98 Degrees' second album, but in Maynard's version he's speaking from the perspective of a person who appears to be having a nightmare, whereas we know that for Drew Lachey, he draws on a firsthand experience. So, it was somewhat original.

Miltamec Soundsquinaez

I like how the band described their method of creating a song. They talk about just being in a room together, and finding a comfort level with each other, and respecting everyone's individual space. It gives them a creative freedom that really shows in their music. Anyway, as I was saying, Adam Jones may play a lick or two on his guitar, and they all begin to jam, and just see what it morphs into from there. It's like instead of sitting around having political arguments about the song structure, they send each other messages with their own instruments, and I think when you're a tight-knit group, like they are, they're able to really respond to that subtlety, and make the process work.

Dr_Rez

Actually...I dont think we have a clue how they make there music. Same with almost all other musicians. if you have done it before it is not something easily described and understood by others. I am not putting you down, just realize the fact that no matter how much it is explained one can not begin to understand how someone else goes about creating music.

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Rainard Jalen

Huh? It's hardly rocket science. Since we're talking Tool, all you do is listen to Schism a few times, think "well THAT opening sounds pretty damn good", and so make Vicarious.

Miltamec Soundsquinaez

Really? Well, I was actually describing what Danny Carey said in an interview, so I guess you could watch Danny Carey describe how his band creates a song, and then say he didn't explain it.

LOL @ Rainerd Jalen for implying that Tool are commercial sellouts who prefer record sales over innovation. They have specifically built a career out of staying away from the media as much as possible, much the way Led Zeppelin did. You don't see Maynard or Adam Jones popping up all over guitar magazine. It's because they care more about their art than their image. They don't particularly care about the marketing side, and the fact that they remain successful is a huge testament to the quality of their music.