Fear Inoculum

It's hard to explain or describe a TOOL album. You have to listen to it for yourself and you have to listen to it multiple times at that to truly understand it. There are a lot of complaints that Fear Inoculum is too derivative of their previous works, and it's true that you will find distinct glimmers of past albums in the songs (eg. 7empest has an unmistakable Undertow influence, and Pneuma sounds kin to something off of Lateralus) but I don't see this as anything to criticize. There is nothing wrong with a band invoking their own sound and the songs still have plenty of their own flavor to add to the mix.I admit I didn't love the album the first time I heard it, but even with TOOL being my favorite band I can't honestly say I've loved ANY of their albums on a first listen (except for Ænima, that album killed right out of the gate). It takes time and patience and openness to let their music sink in and take hold. Now I adore this album. I wouldn't say it's their very best work, but at no point did I expect or need it to be. They've already hit that benchmark (again, Ænima). I just needed this to be good and to be TOOL. And it is most definitely both.Maynard's role takes a bit of a backseat on this outing, which can be a difficult adjustment at first. The lyrics are good (great, in a couple of spots) but overall, he has held back quite a bit compared to previous efforts. I don't know if this was intentional (or just a lack of interest on his part) but in return, you'll get to see other members like Danny Carey and Justin Chancellor really shine and get some long overdue spotlight.The songs are definitely long, even by TOOL's standards (the shortest proper song on the album clocks in at about 10:05) but as is typical with this band, they are so engrossing and engaging that once they've fully wrapped around your brain, you'll barely notice. The only exception to this, I feel, is 7empest. While I genuinely love this song, it may be the first track from TOOL that I've ever felt was longer than it needed to be. Not egregiously so, by any stretch, but I still find myself briefly zoning out somewhere in the middle of it.The one element that I feel truly falls flat on this album is optional "interlude" tracks. In TOOL's past catalogue, most of the albums have contained segue tracks that are usually soundscapes or short instrumentals of a sort that provide a connective tissue between the main tracks, either serving as an intro or outro to an actual song, or simply a transition from one song to the next. This creates a cohesive listening experience when you put the album on and play it through from start to finish. Most of their albums feel like they were meant to be listened to as one complete work, rather than a collection of songs. But Fear Inoculum is not like that. The songs feel separate and, for the most part, do not flow from one into another. In and of itself this is ok, but this time the included interludes feel extremely tacked on. They each feel like the band was just messing around in the mixing booth and then said "Hey, this is neat. Let's throw it on the album." Even Chocolate Chip Trip, which on the first couple of listens turns into a surprisingly fun three-minute Danny Carey drum solo, begins to wear thin after a short while. These interludes do not hurt the overall production, exactly, but they really don't feel necessary at all and I often find myself skipping over them.If you're trying to scale all of TOOL's albums on a self-contained best-to-worst spectrum, Fear Inoculum may actually be one of their worst albums. But any band that can claim THIS as their worst album, is clearly one of the greatest bands to ever exist. It is a phenomenal effort, especially after 13 years, and miles above anything else out there right now. If you are new to this band, this MAY not be the best place to start (*cough* Ænima) but if you already love TOOL, I think this album will assuredly find a place in your heart.

Tool fans are a protective bunch, and I am a fan. I know from experience as a King Crimson fan as well just how protective we fans can be. I once saw a KC fan yell at a tourist for taking Robert Fripp's photo during one of his famous soundscapes performances. That was the Winter Garden at the World Financial Center (called Brookfield Place today) in 1999. I get it. Don't criticize our favorite bands. They are critic-proof.Tool are back and they have met our expectations. Fear Inoculum is great. I can't really put together a cohesive review, but I wanted to share my notes.I have thought about this since 2001, and I think it has to be said that the band has been going easy on us this century. They haven't been as challenging or revolutionary as they were in their first six years. Tool, even when not smashing through walls, is impressive. Parabola is one of the most incredible tracks I've heard this century, yes. And I love Invincible, self-reflexive as it is. But overall, Tool has mellowed a little into an art rock band that impresses with their musicianship, but doesn't quite reach the heights of the albums of my infancy.I came into this world in 1973. You know that year. Houses of the Holy. Dark Side of the Moon. Selling England. Tubluar Bells. For Your Pleasure. Larks' Tongues in Aspic. Brain Salad Surgery. The following year had The Lamb and Starless and Bible Black. As much as we want to place Tool with them, we can't. Tool are influenced by some of these greats. And it seems more apparent than ever on Fear Inoculum.Most of the main tracks are spaced apart by instrumental tracks that quote some of their earlier works. And I agree - ambitious, epic songs should have space between them on an album. So bravo to the boys for making an album. If you play it all the way through, there will be chances to take a breath.But I still think it is an accessible album, despite the length. 10,000 Days is not the easiest of listens. Fear Inoculum is really smooth and easy by comparison, like an irish whiskey on the rocks. The compositions tick all the boxes: time changes, strong solos, Maynard's impeccable vocals, and one of the best drummers and bassists in rock. The lyrics, as usual since Lataurus, are not all that great, but they are fine. And the songs this time out have a more consistent tempo. There aren't many fast sections here (nothing like Bottom or Grudge). No need to dive into the photos and lyrics like this is a Rush album. Not many hidden meanings. It's just four amazing musicians making their work seem easy. And that is not a negative criticism. When I listen to Fear Inoculum, I hear a band that has composed and prepared for so long, recording the songs must have been a relief. I hear a relaxed art metal band. Is that nuts?I get it. I'm past the age of giving a crap, and so are these four talented guys who are decade ahead of me. They slaved over these compositions, looked back, realized that a lot of them are in odd numbered time signatures (involving a lot of 7s), and said screw it, they might be slower but they are all up to our standards.And that's really what I want to stress here. This is a Tool album. Like every other studio record they put out, it lives up to the hype and their high standards. We can't take that for granted. Despite my gripes about this album being accessible, I'm having a very hard time deciding if it is better than Lateralus. If it is, it's their third best full length album. If not, it's their second weakest. This? Weak? I gave it five stars. Time for another listen.

After an absence of 13 years TOOL is back, and in a big way. From the title track opening to the closing "notes" of the coda Mockingbeat this CD delivers. My first take away is that this us TOOL, but not TOOL. I mean this as a compliment. The sound is all TOOL, but lyrically the band has matured. The songs seem less straight forward and lend themselves more to interpretation. I see this CD as a natural progression from 10,000 Days. Maynard's voice is more refined but still powerful while Justin and Adam continue to show just what accomplished musicians they are. Danny on percussions is the standout though. I would love to hear a master recording of just his drums from this album. He shines. Others will probably break this CD down track by track so I won't, but suffice to say all of them are great. Maybe it was the wait of 13 years which is making me so ecstatic over this music, but I don't think so. TOOL has always been a band of accomplished musicians, and this CD proves they still are. They still retain that skill and craftsmanship which they've brought to every one of their album's, but they seem to have grown and moved forward with Fear Inoculum. This is what great bands should do. Is it a masterpiece? Only time will tell, but I do think it demands a listen. Multiple listens in fact. I think TOOL fans will love it, and it may even convert some of those who aren't.