10,000 Days
by Tool
  • Record Label: Volcano
  • Release Date: May 2, 2006
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 517 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 440 out of 517
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 517
  3. Negative: 43 out of 517

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  1. JeffB
    May 16, 2006
    7
    I don't know why some of the other people are rating the 'album' low, but I can't stop listening to it. It is definitely an 'experience', and maybe you need to be in the right frame of mind to hear it, but I rate it equal to listening to Pink Foyd's Dark Side of the Moon while watching the Wizard of Oz.
  2. vidm
    Jun 14, 2006
    7
    I'm fairly happy with most of the album. Lipan Conjuring, Lost Keys, and Viginti Tres should have been axed. They only detract from what is otherwise and excellent album.
  3. ApertureJanitor
    Dec 12, 2018
    7
    Great work by Tool, even with this whole spiritual vibe that surrounds this album and Lateralus. While 10,000 Days may not be as groundbreaking as its predecessor, it's still one of Tool's finest works and packs some of their best music in their whole discography.
    Although some songs here are meaningless and last way more than they need to, the core songs of this record never fail to    Great work by Tool, even with this whole spiritual vibe that surrounds this album and Lateralus. While 10,000 Days may not be as groundbreaking as its predecessor, it's still one of Tool's finest works and packs some of their best music in their whole discography.
    Although some songs here are meaningless and last way more than they need to, the core songs of this record never fail to remind the listener of the pure talent and creativity that this band possesses (and the insane technical skill Danny Carey has on the drum set).
    Same as Lateralus, 10,000 Days may scare (or in this case bore) some people that are not used to longer and rhythmically complex songs, and the meaningless tracks on this album further intensify the boredom that one may experience.
    It's a great album, it's Tool, just ignore the filler tracks on this and listen to the real meat of the album.    … Expand
  4. FredericP
    May 3, 2006
    6
    I hate pitchfork media to. But this is the worst record of tool. And i guess the worst record cover of all time, No joke. by the way, who really cares about a perfect circle. Tool is the shit. Nothing compare. Maybe from the "outside",pitchfork are doin great in that sens.
  5. Will
    May 4, 2006
    6
    Some of it works well. . .but only because it sounds a lot like Lateralus. The best trick the devil ever played was making the world believe he didn't exist. Well, the best trick Maynard ever played was making people think that he is actually "deep, dark, and mysterious". He'll probably make a pretty penny off this album tho, and his ego will once again be inflated by every Some of it works well. . .but only because it sounds a lot like Lateralus. The best trick the devil ever played was making the world believe he didn't exist. Well, the best trick Maynard ever played was making people think that he is actually "deep, dark, and mysterious". He'll probably make a pretty penny off this album tho, and his ego will once again be inflated by every other geek that tries to pick up something godlike from the re-hashed lyrics. Yes, Maynard like it up the rear. . .big deal.… Expand
  6. VigintiQ
    May 9, 2006
    6
    Disappointing album on the whole. Other than The Pot, Jambi and Vicarious, nothing really moves me.
  7. JohnD
    Jul 24, 2006
    6
    Look, it's not as bad as some of the more negative reviews would let you believe, but when you're in a record store 20 years from now, and your kid is starting to expand his taste in music, and wants to know which Tool album he should buy, "10,000 Days" should not be the response you give. As for the 200+ comments...I haven't been shaking my head this hard since I read the Look, it's not as bad as some of the more negative reviews would let you believe, but when you're in a record store 20 years from now, and your kid is starting to expand his taste in music, and wants to know which Tool album he should buy, "10,000 Days" should not be the response you give. As for the 200+ comments...I haven't been shaking my head this hard since I read the comments concerning "Frances The Mute" (not that it's bad, it's just that they get too long winded). So, yeah.… Expand
  8. sosmosis
    Sep 18, 2006
    6
    Took 5 years to make what sounds like leftovers from Lateralis. They've finally slipped. Well they're old now.
  9. clem666
    Nov 16, 2020
    6
    Interesting album project, both lyrically and instrumentally. Benefits from an amazing and striking begenning. It is hovering, dreamy and relentless. Then it all becomes scattered, silent and messy. Feels like their inspiration only lasted for the three or four first tracks. Songs last for years for silence or sometimes catchy unusual sounds. In '10,000 Days', TOOL demonstrate they can beInteresting album project, both lyrically and instrumentally. Benefits from an amazing and striking begenning. It is hovering, dreamy and relentless. Then it all becomes scattered, silent and messy. Feels like their inspiration only lasted for the three or four first tracks. Songs last for years for silence or sometimes catchy unusual sounds. In '10,000 Days', TOOL demonstrate they can be awesome and then completely change their approach.… Expand
  10. MikeP
    Apr 21, 2008
    5
    Your comments are meaningless ..beware the new world order.
  11. CHRISB
    May 10, 2006
    5
    the best TOOL song on the cd is vicarious,the rest of the album is slow,lumbering,meaningless self indulgent crap,and this is coming from a TOOL fan who first saw this band in a hole in the wall bar in TIJUANA. Man how i miss the times that this band truly rocked.
  12. Christopher
    May 2, 2006
    5
    Lateralus was an excellent album. One of the best of the past 10 years. Unfortunately, this is nowhere close to it. There are a few good songs, but nothing that comes even close to their last two records. Huge disappointment.
  13. Alex
    May 3, 2006
    5
    it's not that bad.... problem is, it's not that good either.
  14. SydneyY
    May 4, 2006
    5
    What you are buying here is an EP in disguise as a 70+ minute rock album. I loved Tool's last three, but there is just too much wasted space on this album. Tracks 3 and 7 just feature the same riff over and over, and tracks 6, 9 and 11 are just wasted space with no purpose. That leaves tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and 10 as the only real songs, and track 8 sounds like a Slipknot song. At What you are buying here is an EP in disguise as a 70+ minute rock album. I loved Tool's last three, but there is just too much wasted space on this album. Tracks 3 and 7 just feature the same riff over and over, and tracks 6, 9 and 11 are just wasted space with no purpose. That leaves tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and 10 as the only real songs, and track 8 sounds like a Slipknot song. At least tracks 1 and 2 are awesome and 4, 5 and 10 are okay. The packaging is way more interesting than this album was. So its really been a five year wait for a Tool EP.… Expand
  15. DukeA
    May 11, 2006
    5
    How do you go to the Band(it's Maynard featuring Tool now, right?) and say:I wanna do an album about my mommy? Oh and we can throw in some B-sides from Lateralus too. Jambi is the best track on this disk and they even screw it up with a Peter Framptonesque talk box ramble. And the tune: Right in two? Uh, did Sting right the lyrics? What is it about ageing rockstar types and How do you go to the Band(it's Maynard featuring Tool now, right?) and say:I wanna do an album about my mommy? Oh and we can throw in some B-sides from Lateralus too. Jambi is the best track on this disk and they even screw it up with a Peter Framptonesque talk box ramble. And the tune: Right in two? Uh, did Sting right the lyrics? What is it about ageing rockstar types and evolutionary spiral diatribes? All it's missing is an anti-nuke riff and you got coffee house chic. Maynard and his Band comit the ultimate sin(yes Toolfan, I said "sin") of being Boring,capital B-as in B-side. Stone(d) boring. It's a shame because their previous effort may be one of the greatest recording ventures of all time. Oh well, five more years isn't that long, I guess.… Expand
  16. WillieG
    May 19, 2006
    5
    I'm a long time devoted fan of the band who considers Lateralus their magnum opus. That album remains on my short list of the greatest hard rock albums of all time. Even the filler type stuff on that album was bearable and at times absorbing. This album? I'll award 5 since only about half of the album consists of songs or any musical point of reference whatsoever. I'm a I'm a long time devoted fan of the band who considers Lateralus their magnum opus. That album remains on my short list of the greatest hard rock albums of all time. Even the filler type stuff on that album was bearable and at times absorbing. This album? I'll award 5 since only about half of the album consists of songs or any musical point of reference whatsoever. I'm a musician, so a musical point of reference for me is a melody, harmony, or rhythm that can be conveyed or reproduced. This album however contains way way WAY too much wasted space and filler that constitutes nothing more than self indulgent bs. We're used to that as Tool fans, but this album takes the bloated filler to an unprecedented level of annoyance and disappointment. By being so sparse on the actual compositional side of things, this album represents a slap in the face for fans who anxiously awaited a new release for so long. Getting back to the self indulgent point above, the maynard family drama on this album is neither moving, nor interesting. Furthermore, I find the premise and lyrics of Wings Pt 2 to be so incredibly pretentious, contrived, and overly self absorbed that it makes me ill. Vicarious is the top tune despite Carey overplaying to a fault. The Pot is probably the 2nd most accessible tune, though it is quite lame lyrically. The other tracks that actually constitute songs have moments of hard rock brilliance, but they're very inconsistent. Jambi and Rosetta Stoned are good examples of what I mean here. There are times when these two songs are rocking, soaring, or flowing admirably...mixed with times when they feel like an old car that won't start. Parts of these tracks sound like afterthoughts, like they're just thrown together. It's like having several songs where you really crave hearing half of it repeatedly, but you dislike the other half so intensely that the song as a whole just isn't worth it. I really like the sparse and moody Intension though, which proves that I am not averse to a tune just because it lacks an overabundance of musicality and composition. This album should have been priced and marketed as 'Tool: The Expansion Pack', because this release falls well short of a fully realized album. In closing, I blame maynard for this incomplete and ultimately forgettable release. It's good for a few select tunes but not much else. Other than that, you'll find yourself skipping so called 'tracks' and fast forwarding through a LOT of bs on this one.… Expand
  17. ZapB
    May 4, 2006
    5
    This album gets a 5. That's an average.. I give the songs written by TOOL a 10. I give the songs written by Yoko Ono a 0.. (number 9, number 9, number 9)
  18. NathanD
    May 4, 2006
    5
    As a long time TOOL fan, i must say i was very dissapointed. i think the album is a huge step back not only stylistically but artistically as well. the thing i admire most about TOOL is their insane ability to grow leaps and bounds with each progessive album, Maynards abillity to challenge vocal structure and create lyrical genius, and the bands amazing timing structures while executing As a long time TOOL fan, i must say i was very dissapointed. i think the album is a huge step back not only stylistically but artistically as well. the thing i admire most about TOOL is their insane ability to grow leaps and bounds with each progessive album, Maynards abillity to challenge vocal structure and create lyrical genius, and the bands amazing timing structures while executing an overall level of musicianship and progession that makes the long time between albums bearable. this album did very little of this. to me it sounds like alot of undertow mixed in with influence from bands like disturbed, staind and apc, most def. a step back. i didnt feel the creativity, the excitment or geniune emotion that has been the hallmark of each TOOL album, and was perhaps perfect with Lateralus. i think Maynard for the most part dumbed down his lyrics, i was depressed with a lot of Adams seemingly uninspired riffs. Overall i feel this album could have been made by any other band, and TOOL is anything but. and as a long time die hard TOOL fan, it pains me, and dissapoints me but i have to give it a 5.… Expand
  19. BenT
    May 5, 2006
    5
    Tool's standard melodies come together disjointedly to create the first weak album in their catalog (compared to other tool records). Most of the record sounds like perfect circle out-takes.
  20. ThePope
    May 9, 2006
    5
    I would never have expected to give any TOOL album anything less than "10". This album is nowhere near groundbreaking and lacks an overall identity unlike all other TOOL albums. Some songs kinda sound like old TOOL but fail to deliver that primal rage which made their earlier material so powerful. I don't think Maynard has a trademark scream on the entire album. And yes you can hear I would never have expected to give any TOOL album anything less than "10". This album is nowhere near groundbreaking and lacks an overall identity unlike all other TOOL albums. Some songs kinda sound like old TOOL but fail to deliver that primal rage which made their earlier material so powerful. I don't think Maynard has a trademark scream on the entire album. And yes you can hear APC in this album, even if it's just the pretentiousness in his voice. Some of the lyrics are downright juvenile and laughable and others are spoken at such low levels you can't even hear him. "Stare like a junkie/ Into the TV/ Stare like a zombie/ While the mother, holds her child/ Watches him die/ Hands to the sky cryin,"Why, oh why?" Not to mention the ridiculous soundscapes and torturously extended title songs. My brother once said if TOOL was a religion I would be the Pope because I loved them so much and still do, but this album shows that even the most pious religion can be corrupted by arrogance and greed. I have no idea how anyone could even compare this album to any of their previous works. What the F*CK were they doing for those years off? Oh yeah, Maynard was enjoying being a rock star and he's brought that back to share with us all. Music is still good, but reaches a new level of redundancy on this album that combined with the new vocal style make it almost unlistenable. And then add on the fact that it's terribly overproduced and you end up with one soulless, empty album. Like much of the album in fact, this is just filler for the fodder. Now let me go cry for the end of something extraordinary… Expand
  21. JD
    Jun 14, 2006
    5
    This is more of a musical collage than an album. Very choppy. I've been a Tool "enthusiast" for years. Huge fan. Now I'm starting to wonder if I was just a David Bottrill fan the whole time. They decided to produce this one themselves and it didn't work out. It starts out strong but eventually becomes what seems to be a redundant improvisation. This the first Tool cd This is more of a musical collage than an album. Very choppy. I've been a Tool "enthusiast" for years. Huge fan. Now I'm starting to wonder if I was just a David Bottrill fan the whole time. They decided to produce this one themselves and it didn't work out. It starts out strong but eventually becomes what seems to be a redundant improvisation. This the first Tool cd I've ever found myself skipping through. Not a lot of work or soul was put into this.… Expand
  22. AnthonyG
    Jul 26, 2006
    5
    This is only half an album. I only consider 4 of the tracks to be truly good. The rest is filler. The album is not particularly innovative, either. No new sounds here. Disappointing.
  23. charredrelik
    Jun 15, 2012
    5
    First two songs are good, there are a couple i can bearly hear, and the rest are ordinary. they all have great bits in them, but on a whole, ordinary. this from a bloke who loved lateralus and reckons anema(Spelling?) is the best album ever.
  24. mrgeebaby
    Jun 25, 2013
    5
    I give this album a 6 (I think Metacritic should count this score as yellow mixed so placed it as a 5 to register that way). I am quite new to Tool and have had the ability to listen to all the albums from a fresh perspective. This means i am not judging 10,000 days based upon any anticipation, pre- release expectations or based upon a nostalgic perspective from previous Tool records.I give this album a 6 (I think Metacritic should count this score as yellow mixed so placed it as a 5 to register that way). I am quite new to Tool and have had the ability to listen to all the albums from a fresh perspective. This means i am not judging 10,000 days based upon any anticipation, pre- release expectations or based upon a nostalgic perspective from previous Tool records.

    Overall, i think this is a good nearly great album. Without doubt, the amount of thought and integrity obviously included in the writing process stands out from many other mainstream bands today.

    The album has a mix of many sounds from various cultures and genres, and from the first listen, it is clear that the band members are qualified musicians with a very competent technical ability.

    The members of this band have obviously mastered their instruments (or writing) to such a professional level, that they are now comfortable exploring different styles and techniques which noticeably adds a depth and welcome variety to this album.

    This artistic professionalism shines through at various points in the album and 10,000 days includes some of my favorite Tool songs. However, many of the songs on the album i just do not like. I appreciate the song's technical ability, depth and intelligence but for some reason, many songs on this album just do not appeal to my ear.

    The exceptions are Rosetta Stoned, and Right in Two. Those are standout tracks for me, but the rest of the album sounds a little contrived, while Keenan's melodies (although containing intelligent lyrics) just do not seem to appeal to me.

    Finally, i also have to deduct some score for the overt filler in this album. Instead of making 10,000 a structured concept album, Tool have to use up album space with boring tracks such as 'Lost Keys (Blame Hofman)' to develop a concept that leads to Rosetta Stoned. Instead they could have made a more abstract approach and made a listenable song.

    This happens more than once, and many tracks are only worth a listen once before the urge to skip them during a full album play becomes inevitable. Although this is nothing new for Tool as it also happens on their previous albums (however it is more apparent and annoying on 10,000 days).

    Ultimately, this album stands above many others, in terms of artistic and technical ability and integrity. It has some great tracks and has a lot of character.

    However, it also has a lot of apparently meaningless 'filler' that compromises repeated plays of the album inits entirety.

    6/10 mixed    … Expand
  25. Sparky
    May 4, 2006
    4
    This album is a mess. Maynard attempts a song cycle on "Separation" as the flip side of the Lateralus "unity" theme, and manages lyrics that range from uncomfortably personal ("Wings for Marie") to simplistic ("Vicarious") to inane (everything else). Not only is it weird that the band that encouraged religious exploration is embracing Judeo-christian mythology ("10,000 days", "Right in This album is a mess. Maynard attempts a song cycle on "Separation" as the flip side of the Lateralus "unity" theme, and manages lyrics that range from uncomfortably personal ("Wings for Marie") to simplistic ("Vicarious") to inane (everything else). Not only is it weird that the band that encouraged religious exploration is embracing Judeo-christian mythology ("10,000 days", "Right in Two"), none of it exhibits the sense of humor and play that colored their previous records. Gone is the meta level joke of Art Bell phone calls, Sacred geometry and negative ions, and in its place are "whatchoo talkin bout" and "sh- the bed again". Musically its all over the place: there's an attempt to impose a definable hook and song structure to "Vicarious" and "right in two", but "Jambi" is nearly unlistenable, and nothing else coheres in any interesting way: "intention" drones on with no creshendo, "rosetta stoned" plays like a collection of random toolish riffs and sounds. The band is at least honest with the failure: the janus faced cover art speaks to the confusion and lack of direction exhibited here. Pull out your copy of Lateralus and listen to that instead. Maybe the mysticsm of 2012 will inspire a better record 7 years from now when they issue a follow up to this one.… Expand
  26. NathanA
    May 14, 2006
    4
    I love Tool. After Pearl Jam, they are the only meaningful band in rock. However, 10,000 Days is mindnumbing. Tool fans wait patiently for 5 years for each album and have never been disappointed; until now. Lateralus was their best work and musical masterpiece. Yet Tool's latest attempt at mind bending falls flat. There are about 4 good songs and the rest is overtly long filler. I love Tool. After Pearl Jam, they are the only meaningful band in rock. However, 10,000 Days is mindnumbing. Tool fans wait patiently for 5 years for each album and have never been disappointed; until now. Lateralus was their best work and musical masterpiece. Yet Tool's latest attempt at mind bending falls flat. There are about 4 good songs and the rest is overtly long filler. Sometimes as a music fan, you just need straight forward rock songs, without having to wad through 11-12 minute diatribes. This album could be half as long an satisfy twice as much.… Expand
  27. Hein
    May 2, 2006
    4
    Most overrated band over the last 25 years.
  28. Takezo
    May 9, 2006
    4
    Maybe the worst album from Tool yet. Great bands always end up putting out a bad album, I just didnt think it would be this bad. Big step back for tool. Big step foward on 6/6.
  29. OsamaBinLadin
    Oct 4, 2006
    3
    You can rate that is if it where just any other bands first CD, or you can rate this from the vantage point of knowing their previous work. From the perspective of the later (alus?) this is a weak record. It has a couple standouts, but are those really standouts, or are they lateralus knee jerks? There truly is nothing new to be found. It seems that Maynard really isn
  30. Raz
    May 7, 2006
    3
    If you've listened to Aenima or Lateralus, then you know the members of Tool are all spectacular musicians. And that being the case, why do they spend their time constantly trying to prove how awesome they are? Most of this album sounds like wanking for wanking sake, with Maynard mostly buried in the mix. Soloing & jamming is only good if you bookend it with songwriting. There are no If you've listened to Aenima or Lateralus, then you know the members of Tool are all spectacular musicians. And that being the case, why do they spend their time constantly trying to prove how awesome they are? Most of this album sounds like wanking for wanking sake, with Maynard mostly buried in the mix. Soloing & jamming is only good if you bookend it with songwriting. There are no tunes here!! ...at least none that measure up anywhere near their last album, and measuring up to the perfect synchronicity of music & message on Aenima may now be past their reach. You can't even properly rock to it, because the band's too busy with stop-starts & time changes to find a riff or groove & ride it. If there's no rhythm to the rock, then it's just useless pummeling. So disappointed.… Expand
  31. PM
    May 2, 2006
    3
    I have been a huge tool fan for years and have seen them perform several times. But, unfortunately, Pitchfork nailed it. They did make an A Perfect Circle album, with one improvement, Danny Carey on drums. The hole point of A Perfect Circle, in my opinion, was for Maynard to show a different side of himself. But it sounds like he's become confused which band he is singing in. The I have been a huge tool fan for years and have seen them perform several times. But, unfortunately, Pitchfork nailed it. They did make an A Perfect Circle album, with one improvement, Danny Carey on drums. The hole point of A Perfect Circle, in my opinion, was for Maynard to show a different side of himself. But it sounds like he's become confused which band he is singing in. The band is OK at the best of times, on this record, but Maynards vocals are mearly half as powerful or intense as before. The droaning soundscapes were easily ignorable in the past, becaue they were followed by epic, hard hitting rock songs that knocked you on your a**. Now, Tool fans have to sit through eleven minutes of ambient guitar noise, to here another eleven minute tune that never really takes off or delivers. Which is the problem with songs like Vicarious and Jambi, they are so close to exploding and being the glorious rock tunes Tool once made, but instead they hold back, and you feel like you've just wasted ten minutes waiting for something that was never going to happen. Truely Disapointing.… Expand
  32. graemer
    Jun 23, 2006
    3
    Despite Christian W's claims to the contrary, the only people this album would even potentially interest are braindead 16 year old stoners. You know, all of Tool's fanbase. Utter tripe, and therefore I would recommend that you check out Franz Ferdinand.
  33. DavidA
    Oct 21, 2006
    3
    Deep lyrics should be backed up by great music, something tool still hasn't learned to do.
  34. RichardG
    Oct 21, 2006
    3
    I find it laughable that people clamour to tool, like a flock of mindless sheep.
  35. jlc
    May 15, 2006
    3
    disappointing and boring... And we waited 5 yearsfor this...oh well.
  36. Josh
    May 25, 2006
    3
    As much as Tool fans would have you believe otherwise, this album is not *DEEP* in any sense of the word. The music is contrived and tedious. The songs take a couple of listens to really grasp, sure, but it's not because they're so complex and intricate. They're just really long and repetitive. There are a couple of attempts at climaxes that sound uninspired and fall flat. As much as Tool fans would have you believe otherwise, this album is not *DEEP* in any sense of the word. The music is contrived and tedious. The songs take a couple of listens to really grasp, sure, but it's not because they're so complex and intricate. They're just really long and repetitive. There are a couple of attempts at climaxes that sound uninspired and fall flat. Not to mention the lyrics on this album are completely awful. "I own the TV 'cause tragedy thrills me"? "Foot in mouth and head up ass so what ya talkin' 'bout"? "God damn, shit the bed!"? Haha. You've got to be kidding me. So much for those contentions that "Maynard is a lyrical genius!1111". Couple that with more pointless filler tracks and a campy "skit" on Blame Hoffman, and what you have is an album that's filled with maybe 30 minutes of worthwhile music and a whole lot of wank. Mayard and the band are too full of themselves for their own good. Next time guys, focus on writing concise, unique, inspired rock tunes and maybe you'll have something.… Expand
  37. Rich
    May 3, 2006
    3
    Are we listening to the same CD? This CD stinks. Not what I would expect from Tool. Great recording session though nice clean crisp and clear. No sense of dirrection for me though, does nothing for me. A couple of good songs, but most of the CD is noise to me. And um, guys.... the rainstorm effect has been done by someone else called the Doors. Ide give it a lower score than 3, but its Are we listening to the same CD? This CD stinks. Not what I would expect from Tool. Great recording session though nice clean crisp and clear. No sense of dirrection for me though, does nothing for me. A couple of good songs, but most of the CD is noise to me. And um, guys.... the rainstorm effect has been done by someone else called the Doors. Ide give it a lower score than 3, but its not country music..... yet.… Expand
  38. TonyB
    May 12, 2006
    3
    As a longtime Tool fan, I was very much looking forward to an album of growth. Maynard would show that 'A Perfect Circle' helped him to grow as a musician. The rest of Tool would prove once again the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. Finally, that.even with all the various side projects, Tool was ultimately a cohesive megaband. Unfortunately, this album seems to be As a longtime Tool fan, I was very much looking forward to an album of growth. Maynard would show that 'A Perfect Circle' helped him to grow as a musician. The rest of Tool would prove once again the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. Finally, that.even with all the various side projects, Tool was ultimately a cohesive megaband. Unfortunately, this album seems to be nothing more than a last minute attempt to piece together a bunch of mindless drivel. You can tell some ideas were flowing, but none (I repeat NONE) of the tracks sound the least bit finished. It's almost as if they were got halfway through the songs and just said 'Forget It'. You'll be saying the same thing after listening too.… Expand
  39. DougC
    Nov 25, 2006
    3
    All the pomp and pretention of Pink Floyd's classic Atom Heart Mother - minus the strings, horns, chorus, and interesting musical ideas. High concept with the emphasis on the HIGH. The CD package (featuring Alex Grey's hypercool psychedelic artwork) with 3D viewer and all, is way more fun than the sonic silliness it contains.
  40. helloWaVe
    Jun 20, 2006
    2
    The Tool fans, of course, are going to say this album is great and if you don't think it's great you're not intelligent or perceptive enough to tell. Tool over the years has managed to narrow down their fans to an island of people that live and die by their name. This is a far cry from the 90's when the bands were so infectious they simply dragged you into their sound. The Tool fans, of course, are going to say this album is great and if you don't think it's great you're not intelligent or perceptive enough to tell. Tool over the years has managed to narrow down their fans to an island of people that live and die by their name. This is a far cry from the 90's when the bands were so infectious they simply dragged you into their sound. You were a fan because you wanted to be (or couldn't help but be one), not because you took an oath. Now, 99% of the surviving 90's bands are shells of their former selves and left us all dreaming about what it used to be like. Tool is a prime example. Ask any die-hard Tool fan to go off to a desert island and choose between 10,000 Days and Undertow--I think a lot of these perfect 10! reviews would disappear in a hurry. So Tool fans, have some guts, this thing sucks.… Expand
  41. MagicWindow
    May 3, 2006
    2
    Terrible. Stagnant riffs, awfully ham-fisted lyrics and the production seems to have taken a step back to the Undertow era. This is not a career highlight. The packaging is digusting, too.
  42. CCro
    May 2, 2006
    2
    Tool plays a 5 year April Fools joke.
  43. kd
    May 4, 2006
    2
    very dissapointed
  44. MarcoM
    May 27, 2006
    2
    Is anybody compared songs "H" and "Third Eye" from Aenima with a "Rosetta Stoned"? There are parts from these songs.
  45. DevinB
    May 4, 2006
    2
    Overwraught and underthought garbage. Stylus magazine really nailed it.
  46. RobR
    Nov 22, 2006
    2
    The lyrics are cringingly trite and hollow, the music is pedestrian, the only thing this joke of a band have going for them is the good production and the distinctive, well-refined sound of the instruments themselves.
  47. rottencabbage
    Aug 1, 2006
    1
    One of the most bland, lyrically daft offerings in ages. Experimental? Hardly. Oh goody, they can switch time signatures; can they record a memorable song? The answer is, of course, an emphatic "NO." Tool ape Pink Floyd and the countless other (talentless) metal bands out there, but end up sounding like caustic tripe. I'd rather listen to gifted musicians and lyricists who can One of the most bland, lyrically daft offerings in ages. Experimental? Hardly. Oh goody, they can switch time signatures; can they record a memorable song? The answer is, of course, an emphatic "NO." Tool ape Pink Floyd and the countless other (talentless) metal bands out there, but end up sounding like caustic tripe. I'd rather listen to gifted musicians and lyricists who can actually turn a phrase, thank you very much. There's a reason certain artists are critically acclaimed: did The Arcade Fire, The White Stripes, or Franz Ferdinand ever feel the need to record an album full of meandering, bland, overlong, pretentious twaddle? I didn't think so; they've actually got something worth saying. Of course, Tool fans will devour this like manna from the Heavens, or at least like Maynard James Keenan's constantly regurgitated, consistently meaningless, self-important feces. Another stinker from a band that believes it has Something Important to say; the only ones who pay it any heed, though, are Tool's daft, stoned fanbase.… Expand
  48. stever
    May 3, 2006
    1
    Been a long time Tool fan and waited with much anticipation for this album but am very disappointed. I think they have finally dropped the ball. I don't know if they're getting pretentious and insulated or the fact that they produced this one themselves but the album is a failure. I've been listening to it repeatedly, desperately reaching for something deeper but the Been a long time Tool fan and waited with much anticipation for this album but am very disappointed. I think they have finally dropped the ball. I don't know if they're getting pretentious and insulated or the fact that they produced this one themselves but the album is a failure. I've been listening to it repeatedly, desperately reaching for something deeper but the structure is the same as the previous, the guitar work very formulaic for Tool and the lyrics bland and cliché. I was really surprised, I thought Tool, especially Maynard with his art/politics stance would take this opportunity in our time and culture and make the watershed political art album of the decade (ie. The Wall). Instead it's just more of the same with a lot of self indulgent atmospheric noise. This is their worst music to date...might be time to consider dissolving the band. They should be embarrassed to release it. And the fans that disagree with this assessment are lying to themselves or are too young to relate to the larger scope and potential of the previous music. And as I'm sure Maynard would agree, there is no greater crime than lying to oneself by pledging blind loyalty to a failed endeavor...no matter how much you'd like to see them succeed. Sorry guys, you lost me on this one but thanks for the oldies.… Expand
  49. StefanosP
    Oct 2, 2006
    1
    After reading some of the mindless and pathetic criticism here (Lolz!Tool fanz are just like...nerdz ya know!) combined with the large amount of positive reviews from fans you might think this is a decent album. It's not. I've been a Toolfan for quite a while now, listened to and loved almost all of their work, but this album was just very, very dissapointing. Lots of After reading some of the mindless and pathetic criticism here (Lolz!Tool fanz are just like...nerdz ya know!) combined with the large amount of positive reviews from fans you might think this is a decent album. It's not. I've been a Toolfan for quite a while now, listened to and loved almost all of their work, but this album was just very, very dissapointing. Lots of meaningless noise, uninspiring music that never seems to reach a climax (but has plenty of anti-climaxes) and very bland lyrics. This is nowhere near the quality of albums like Aenima or Lateralus. In fact, this sounds more like clippings they found on the floor in the editing room and then stuck together. Tool is supposed to be progressive. 10,000 days certainly isn't. It sounds like bits op Lateralus stuck together and supplemented with loads and loads of noise. Maynards voice just falls away in this orgy of noise, in fact, when you finally hear him singing he just sounds like another layer of noise. Never thought I would say this about Tool, but this is just plain old crap. Oh and by the way, what's up with the Franz Ferdinand-Tool comparison? Dont get me wrong, I love Franz Ferdinand, but saying that Franz Ferdinand is much deeper and more progressive then Tool is only making yourself look silly.… Expand
  50. RobD
    May 3, 2006
    1
    It bored me to tears and I like their old stuff.
  51. JeffQ
    May 5, 2006
    0
    Horrible album of recycled riffs, cliche lyrics, and formulated songs. What happened to Tool?
  52. SteveDouglas
    Jan 12, 2007
    0
    What do you get when you combine and upvoter, a mindless automaton, and a fanboy. You get a tool fan. Their fans may be tasteless mindless followers, but the ratings will never follow the fans.
  53. DrunkenMaster
    May 3, 2006
    0
    Tool fans, the band is laughing at you. If you think this CD is worthwhile you are an idiotic sheep. Go back, listen to their previous albums and then put the new one in....it's trash.
  54. ME
    May 3, 2006
    0
    Okay, I don't normally do this (Put a review here without hearing the album) but I've got to. Listen, I hate Tool, and their fans (Pretentious internet nerds, thanks guy). But something I hate more is the fan that raves, thinks that tool is a fucking blessing from God and doesnt capitolize his "I's" or spell gotten "Gotton". Cool guys.
  55. DannyC
    May 4, 2006
    0
    i wanna fuck maynard in the ass with my huuuuuge tool.
  56. DavidH
    May 5, 2006
    0
    Haven't heard it, but I'm sure it sucks, it's fun to laugh at Tool fans. They're morons.
  57. stefdt
    Jun 1, 2006
    0
    kak dissapointing Tool is not the alpha and omega!!!! face that tool fans
  58. TedJ
    Oct 21, 2006
    0
    Tool is music for people who like very bad sounding music, with the following of a religious cult. That doesn't make any of the music good.
  59. BillT
    May 2, 2006
    0
    More mastubatory tripe from every internet nerd's favorite band. Nothing particularly interesting except for the new level of pretentious attained by Maynard James Keenan. Don't let anyone fool you into thinking this rehash is "deep".
  60. RustWrena
    May 4, 2006
    0
    worst album ever
  61. JamesR
    Oct 21, 2006
    0
    When people stop mindlessly giving zero's instead of things like 4's and 5's etc. I'll stop giving zeros.
  62. JeffR
    May 15, 2006
    0
    Okay, first off let me start by saying.... Oh my god, this is simple the worst recorded noise that has ever hit the ears of humans. Please someone tell these waste of life noise makers to stop recording those noises. This is not music, this is pathetic garbage. I've made better noise out of my butt. Worst album of all-time, this is an undisputed fact!!!!!!!!!!!
  63. DougA
    Sep 17, 2006
    0
    I'm sure the tons of senseless Tool fans will mindlessly upvote this. Although it's to be expected since Tool is the definition of mindless.
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Most Discussed Album of 2006
18
#18 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. AllMusic
    80
    It's not only a step forward for the band, but a re-embracing of the epic-length rock songs found at the roots of early heavy metal.
    Read full review
  2. Amazon.com
    60
    When Tool sounds as good as it does on ["Jambi" and "The Pot"] it's hard to get enough. Which makes it all the more baffling that a surprisingly large chunk of the disc is given over to mood-enhancing soundscapes like "Lost Keys" and "Vigniti Tres."
    Read full review
  3. E! Online
    75
    Sounds exactly like you would expect a Tool album to sound.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »