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. bend
    Sep 20, 2004
    10
    not as good as aenima but has the same impact. dannys drums stay magnificent
  2. 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
  3. AbdulM
    Oct 15, 2005
    10
    Maybe not perfect, but as close to perfect as possible.
  4. CharlieP
    Jan 24, 2005
    10
    One of the greatest albums of my generation. A skillful and emotional journey into oneself, a true artists album without succumbing to the record industries wants and promotions. There is no other band out there today like tool because Maynard James Keenan, Daney Carey, Adam Jones and Justin Chancellor and the most skillful and creative force in music today. If there is ANY evidence One of the greatest albums of my generation. A skillful and emotional journey into oneself, a true artists album without succumbing to the record industries wants and promotions. There is no other band out there today like tool because Maynard James Keenan, Daney Carey, Adam Jones and Justin Chancellor and the most skillful and creative force in music today. If there is ANY evidence whatsoever that the music of our generation can move forward away from the crap its become, Tool is that evidence. My personal favorite songs are "Lateralus" "Parabola" and "Disposition." Buy this album.… Expand
  5. 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
  6. ColinB
    Feb 24, 2005
    10
    jaw dropping amazing.
  7. stiNKfist..
    Apr 27, 2005
    10
    One of the greatest albums i've heard.. amazing.
  8. samb
    May 17, 2005
    10
    if the rating on this site could go any higher then the only album that would be above a 10 would be lateralus. the members of this band must be dieties because no mere mortal could create something as spectacular, beautiful, and mind-blowing as this album!!!
  9. Jay
    May 3, 2005
    10
    Absolutely outstanding. Anyone who gave this a bad review is definately kidding themselves, they can't actually be serious, they must just want to be different. TOOL are the most amazing band I have ever had the privalage of hearing. Noone else can/has inspired me so much. LONG LIVE TOOL!!!!
  10. Corey
    Jun 1, 2005
    10
    It's just great!
  11. ryans
    Jun 2, 2005
    10
    no words can describe this cd.
  12. MikeN
    Jul 23, 2005
    10
    Lateralus is beautiful!!
  13. eemisj
    Aug 2, 2005
    10
    Can't say what is better.. Lateralus or Aenima but both of them deserves full 10. I love this.
  14. RubenB
    Aug 28, 2005
    10
    An utter masterpiece.
  15. 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.
  16. simonm
    Jan 23, 2006
    10
    Best Band Eva!!!!
  17. ToddL
    Feb 18, 2006
    10
    The only way they could have made this album better is to include a blowjob with every copy!
  18. Steve
    Mar 17, 2006
    10
    This is the best album of all time.
  19. 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
  20. Anthonyy
    Mar 2, 2006
    10
    This could very well be the best album ever created. Its tied with Kid A and Animals.
  21. TheressaH.
    Mar 2, 2006
    10
    best album ever.
  22. 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.
  23. 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
  24. WillieG
    May 23, 2006
    10
    the best
  25. SamuelL
    May 23, 2006
    10
    Im not going to go into extreme detail (if you want to see more in-depth what i think of them, check out the forums at music>live shows>coachella and look for the name lord smoogsbottom III), but suffice it to say that Tool is my favorite band and this is probably my favorite cd from them. The album is beautiful, literally a masterpiece.
  26. ThemistoclesC
    Jun 20, 2006
    10
    One of the greatest music production achievements in history, Lateralus takes us on a spiritual journey towards transcendence. Pure genious.
  27. ShaneK
    Sep 13, 2006
    10
    This is the best album ever made by any band of any genre. Ever. I can not possibly comprehend how someone could not love lateralus.
  28. BrianH.
    Nov 28, 2007
    10
    Pimp ass shit. -BLAM- Pitchfork. -BLAM- the people that gave anything but a green score.
  29. Anon
    Nov 9, 2007
    10
    Critics are unreliable, plain and simple. I just sat and read the pile of crap written by Pitchfork and it is evident that they have no idea what decent music sounds like, let alone brilliant music. On to Tool. Maynard voice remains as astounding as with Aenima, filling me with as strange sensation of calmness. The rest of the band are on fire, from the buzzing rifs to the amazing Critics are unreliable, plain and simple. I just sat and read the pile of crap written by Pitchfork and it is evident that they have no idea what decent music sounds like, let alone brilliant music. On to Tool. Maynard voice remains as astounding as with Aenima, filling me with as strange sensation of calmness. The rest of the band are on fire, from the buzzing rifs to the amazing drumming there is not one moment that disappoints. But where Tool truly shine is the hidden meaning behind their songs. You could listen to the Album in just over an hour and then take hours decyphering the meaningful lyrics. All in all a great album.… Expand
  30. BrandonN
    Jan 25, 2007
    10
    you cant be serious if your thinking about not listening to this, to put it simply, piece of art. The time changes are beautifully orchistrated, and just flawless. You also get the hard, headbanging riffs from parabola and ticks & leeches. In my opinion, the best album to date by Tool, and any alt. rock, prog. rock band. The soundtrack to my everyday life.
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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 »