Lateralus
by Tool
  • Record Label: Volcano
  • Release Date: May 15, 2001
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 641 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 580 out of 641
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 641
  3. Negative: 58 out of 641

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  1. StevenO
    May 11, 2006
    10
    two words... F***ing brilliant
  2. robg
    May 2, 2006
    10
    Musically complex and yet simplistic all the same, and with lyrics involving many mysteries and esoteric beliefs, Lateralus will stupify you and amaze you all at the same time. Tool's fourth studio release, and their most accomplished, is rife with intricate time signatures and deft drumming at its finest. The bass and guitar work complement eachother and fit well with the drums. The Musically complex and yet simplistic all the same, and with lyrics involving many mysteries and esoteric beliefs, Lateralus will stupify you and amaze you all at the same time. Tool's fourth studio release, and their most accomplished, is rife with intricate time signatures and deft drumming at its finest. The bass and guitar work complement eachother and fit well with the drums. The vocalist Maynard James Keenan has one of the most beautiful voices in music and weaves in mysterious and spiritual lyrics about freeing yourself from restraints, thinking for yourself, and living life to its fullest. They are not devil worshippers as a lot of people would like to say. Their music may be heavy as all heck, but their message is about healing and being one with the universe. Amazing album.… Expand
  3. Ed
    May 2, 2006
    8
    Most impressive. Let down in places by some meandering which acts like a speed bump to the album's overall flow, but it's rare to listen to a metal project where the silences can be as potent as the sound.
  4. JDWilliams
    Apr 29, 2006
    10
    Amazing! One of the best albums ever released...no doubt. Maynard and Adam are GODS! as Danny and Justin..are scientists! 10,000 Days their new cd that comes out this coming tueday(May 2nd) is a great followup i recommend buying lateralus and 10,000 days on tuesday and listen to lateralus then listen to 10,000 days and just smoke a joint and enjoy!
  5. jayp
    Apr 26, 2006
    10
    this seriously has to be the most fucking unique band ever. they seriously fucking rock!!! the drums and guitar are amazing
  6. M-Stylez
    Apr 26, 2006
    10
    Lateralus is better than Aenema and Undertow because of the more pronounced and more complex use of time signature changes, the cleaner production and the overall better variety of songs. For me, musical expression is about being passionate and different, and Tool hits the mark on Lateralus, standing above their piers as the best. There is a reason why many people consider Lateralus to be Lateralus is better than Aenema and Undertow because of the more pronounced and more complex use of time signature changes, the cleaner production and the overall better variety of songs. For me, musical expression is about being passionate and different, and Tool hits the mark on Lateralus, standing above their piers as the best. There is a reason why many people consider Lateralus to be one of the greatest albums of all time. Listen to the songs titled "The Grudge," "Ticks and Leaches," "Lateralus" and "Schism," and decide for yourself if Lateralus is your cup of tea.… Expand
  7. MelanieE
    Apr 9, 2006
    10
    One of the best albums I've ever listened to. Every time you listen to it you hear or experience something new.
  8. Takanashi
    Apr 2, 2006
    10
    If you were to study your ego, then transcend into enlightenment, driving back the harshness of society all the while... this is what it would sound like. Bloody brilliant.
  9. AnthonyL
    Apr 1, 2006
    6
    I love Tool as a band, so I'll have to explain the bad score. Tool have always had songs that were long and slipped in and out of harder lyrics and riffs, but this album just gets it all wrong. Even the good songs will have you bored out of your mind half of the time. Example: "Schism" is a great song.....during the parts of the song where they actually sing and play more music than I love Tool as a band, so I'll have to explain the bad score. Tool have always had songs that were long and slipped in and out of harder lyrics and riffs, but this album just gets it all wrong. Even the good songs will have you bored out of your mind half of the time. Example: "Schism" is a great song.....during the parts of the song where they actually sing and play more music than an almost silent chord or two. The rest of the 7 minute song will just have you going to sleep. So much of the album is filler space (even within songs like mentioned before) that I just cant recommend it over the obviously better put together Aenema or Undertow.… Expand
  10. NickS
    Mar 22, 2006
    10
    Open the mind, let the energy be transposed superfluously onto a CD. Add creative electric guitar with equal parts metal distortion, and soft flowing acoustic and you have Tool's most transcendental piece yet. Lateralus
  11. Steve
    Mar 17, 2006
    10
    This is the best album of all time.
  12. DaveB
    Mar 5, 2006
    10
    This is definitely one of the most relevant and introspective rock albums released in the last decade - if it weren't for Tool, there would be no hope for the evolution of modern rock past the year 2000. I find it hard to believe anyone could miss the value and beauty flowing from this record.
  13. TheressaH.
    Mar 2, 2006
    10
    best album ever.
  14. Anthonyy
    Mar 2, 2006
    10
    This could very well be the best album ever created. Its tied with Kid A and Animals.
  15. ToddL
    Feb 18, 2006
    10
    The only way they could have made this album better is to include a blowjob with every copy!
  16. MyaI
    Feb 14, 2006
    10
    No doubt the BEST album out there today.
  17. simonm
    Jan 23, 2006
    10
    Best Band Eva!!!!
  18. Nieman
    Jan 13, 2006
    10
    one of the best cd's I,ve ever owned
  19. stevem
    Nov 23, 2005
    10
    go figure it out your self people they have broke through on those music chains that have let most people wana link bands to one another when tool cant be compared to another, they stand alone with their own sound,
  20. ArthurD.
    Nov 13, 2005
    10
    Oh my God!?!?! Who are those critics who only gave the album 73 points?!?! Are you guys from the stoneage?!?! This is by far the best album ever!!! Okay, okay....as a TOOL-fan my view may be biased a little, but 73 points is ridiculous. I can imagine that people don't like the album, because they're more into classical music than into (symphonic) rock, but if you don't like Oh my God!?!?! Who are those critics who only gave the album 73 points?!?! Are you guys from the stoneage?!?! This is by far the best album ever!!! Okay, okay....as a TOOL-fan my view may be biased a little, but 73 points is ridiculous. I can imagine that people don't like the album, because they're more into classical music than into (symphonic) rock, but if you don't like the genre, then don't do any reviews on it! The Grudge, The Patient, Schism, Parabola, Ticks 'n Leeches, Lateralis....The whole album!.....It's a masterpiece. So many users can't be wrong, can they?!?! See....I'm a big fan of Tool (and "a perfect circle") and I would be the first one to admit when an album sucks. Like "A perfect circle" 's album E-motiv....now THAT one indeed did suck! But Lateralus is the best album from last decade… Expand
  21. Hand
    Nov 3, 2005
    10
    Creates a beautiful mindscape to dive into. The album is drenched in meaning, escapism and complexity.
  22. MarkD
    Nov 3, 2005
    10
    Ah... The first album by Tool that i was introduced to... The beginning of a new life I tell you. Tool are masterminded people and I love this album in all its glory! All their albums are outstanding and unique. For my favorite band in the world and their best album - Lateralus- I tell all you that aren't Tool fans and understand much: Learn to swim! ...UND KEINE EIER! Believe in Ah... The first album by Tool that i was introduced to... The beginning of a new life I tell you. Tool are masterminded people and I love this album in all its glory! All their albums are outstanding and unique. For my favorite band in the world and their best album - Lateralus- I tell all you that aren't Tool fans and understand much: Learn to swim! ...UND KEINE EIER! Believe in nothing and question authority! To the understanding and great tool fans out there: Great Listening and over thinkning over analyzing seperates the body from the mind... (oh great now i got the song stuck in my head)… Expand
  23. DavidW
    Oct 30, 2005
    10
    I own over 300 albums, and this is my favourite. It takes a few listens at first, but persevere, listen the whole way through and enjoy the journey
  24. TonyS
    Oct 27, 2005
    10
    Tool is the most godly band of all time. People who don't like tool don't listen to them enough. One of my friends gave me a recommendation of tool 5 years ago. I went to the store and bought Aenima and lateralus and I drove to for 10 hours listening to them. It was one of the most boring experiences I have ever had. I had also bought a slipknot albumn that I listened to for the Tool is the most godly band of all time. People who don't like tool don't listen to them enough. One of my friends gave me a recommendation of tool 5 years ago. I went to the store and bought Aenima and lateralus and I drove to for 10 hours listening to them. It was one of the most boring experiences I have ever had. I had also bought a slipknot albumn that I listened to for the rest of the trip. So I thought I had just wasted $20. I went home and gave them a second chance...better a third...good and ect. Now "Schism" "the grudge" "Lateralus" "Ticks and leeches" and "parabola" all have over 1000 play counts on my ipod. I started to enjoy these songs seperatley. But then I decided to try the cd as a whole, and it is remarkable. I do homework to it, I turn on tool when I am going to bed. It is soothing and angry at the same time. I think that they are a true depiction of skill. They don't waste their time with loud music, it is all well thought out and used in a good manner. So if you hate tool then I encourage you to put down you stupid fall out boy cd and burn you beatles cd and buy lateralus and force yourself to listen to it 10 times in a row. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me. No joke.… Expand
  25. AbdulM
    Oct 15, 2005
    10
    Maybe not perfect, but as close to perfect as possible.
  26. HutchC
    Oct 13, 2005
    10
    To truly understand this album you need to understand just how difficult it is to bring symphonic melodies, great lyrics and explosive talent together - and make it sound as utterly implosive as Lateralus. I pity folks who probably dont play any instruments (particularly drums!), have never attempted to compose and play a song of their own - and set out to rate albums that are act as To truly understand this album you need to understand just how difficult it is to bring symphonic melodies, great lyrics and explosive talent together - and make it sound as utterly implosive as Lateralus. I pity folks who probably dont play any instruments (particularly drums!), have never attempted to compose and play a song of their own - and set out to rate albums that are act as cornerstones of metal. Albums like Megadeths "Rust in Peace" and Tools "Lateralus". I disagree with Elusive Cat completely.… Expand
  27. KurtM
    Sep 29, 2005
    10
    This is the most spiritual and well written album that I have ever heard. Every song brings a new feeling of emotion. There is something spiritual about it.
  28. ElusiveCat
    Sep 19, 2005
    7
    Their defining element "wanking sludge" (good one {Pitchforkmedia!). Ha Ha Ha. That's definetly true and sad about Tool's overrated guitar sludge. This band and this album particulary, are overrated by its listeners and their zombified fanbase. Overall, the album has some solid riffs and some impressive dymanic tension parts. Though it's much of what has been released in Their defining element "wanking sludge" (good one {Pitchforkmedia!). Ha Ha Ha. That's definetly true and sad about Tool's overrated guitar sludge. This band and this album particulary, are overrated by its listeners and their zombified fanbase. Overall, the album has some solid riffs and some impressive dymanic tension parts. Though it's much of what has been released in Tool's past records. Nothing out of the ordinay, Nothing that contributes to the evolution of rock and roll, but most importantly its accesibilty is only limited to a peculiar taste of rock. Radiohead's Kid A is the true testament of the 21st Century.… Expand
  29. SeanG
    Sep 5, 2005
    10
    An album that fits into a category of it's own. Unlike any other form of music, T o o l has blended so many techniques and sounds that no category or label of music does them justice. Lateralus is T o o l 's piece de resistance as it is an album that will make you rethink what good music is.
  30. JSS
    Sep 4, 2005
    7
    Often pretentious. Often beautiful. Often overrated. But...Maynard is quite the singer.
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Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Best Album of 2001
1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2001
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Wall of Sound
    83
    A 79-minute sonic sojourn of hard rock delivered with an arty, fusion-conscious sensibility rooted most obviously from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Jane's Addiction.
    Read full review
  2. Q Magazine
    80
    Ultimately, it's Tool's experimental, borderline progressive, edge that proves most rewarding. [Aug 2001, p.141]
  3. Dot Music
    90
    It is dense, it is long, it is complicated. It is also a magnificent triumph of artistry over blind anger.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »