Tool

The band, the members and their style

Tool is an American alternative metal band from L.A, formed in 1990. After the release of their first album in 1993, Undertow, the band immediately received overwhelming reputation and status for bringing metal back into the main stream. Even after years of growing popularity, the band made it clear that they had no interest in rock-star subsistence; neither did they wish to do too many interviews. The band-members goal was, and still is, to create original music and develop their style through alternative and progressive metal. As of today, Tool has released four albums, each with almost five years between each release. However, new material is said to be currently in the making, six years after Tools 10 000 Days. Tool consist of five members: Adam Jones on guitar, Justin Chancellor on bass, (replaced Paul D Amour in 1995), Danny Carey on drums and Maynard James Keenan on vocals. Besides the often disturbing lyrics and imagery presented by the band, the members are far from the Satanists and psychos as some might judge them as. They live normal suburban lives, and work on other things aside from music. Jones is a visual artist and comic publisher, also known for his award-winning art direction for Tools cover art. Keenan owns a wine orchard, and founded his own winery, Caduceus Cellars in 2004. The band is known for its quite peculiar and metaphoric lyrics, with an unusual and varied instrumental side that makes their music hard to categorize by one genre. Although most of the songs have a progressive metal or artistic rock-feel, they have a certain unique sound to them which differs the style from most modern metal. The lyrical side of Tools songs is an important aspect of their music, and like the instrumental side, the lyrics are mystical, metaphoric and often quite poetic. Some songs might have a quite dark lyrical side with themes and metaphors they the listener will struggle to interpret. But one of the main characteristics of the lyrics, is how the words have more than one interpretation, though all interpretations seem to point towards the same thing. The vocalist is therefore saying more than one thing at a time. Other times, the lyrics might be more in-your-face, with aggressive and dead honest depictions. Nevertheless, the lyricism presents a quite negative view on the world. Psychosis, relationships, intolerance, society, and criticism of the human condition are some of the themes that characterizes the lyrics.

Vicarious 10 000 Days (2006) (Intro) Verse

Eye on the TV 'Cause tragedy thrills me Whatever flavor it happens to be, like: "Killed by the husband" "Drowned by the ocean" "Shot by his own son" Drum on grave and ground "She used a poison in his tea, and kissed him goodbye" That's my kind of story Part vampire It's no fun 'til someone dies Part warrior Don't look at me like I am a monster Carnivore and Voyeur Frown out your one face, but with the other Stare at the transmitter Stare like a junkie into the TV Sing to the death rattle Stare like a zombie While the mother holds her child, watches him die La, la, la, la, la, la-la-lie (x4) Hands to the sky crying, "Why, oh why?" Bridge/ Verse 3 Blood like rain come down

Chorus
I need to watch things die ... from a good safe distance Vicariously I live while the whole world dies You all feel the same, so... Why can't we just admit it?

Credulous at best your desire to believe in

Chorus
Angels in the hearts of men Cause I need to watch things die ... from a distance Pull your head on out your hippie haze and give a listen Vicariously I live while the whole world dies Shouldn't have to say it all again You all need it too, don't lie The universe is hostile, so impersonal Devour to survive ... so it is, so it's always been Bridge/ Verse 2 We all feed on tragedy Why can't we just admit it? It's like blood to a vampire Why can't we just admit it? We won't give pause until the blood is flowing Neither the brave nor bold Will write as the story's told We won't give pause until the blood is flowing

Chorus
Vicariously I live while the whole world dies Much better you than I

Even though most Tool songs do have a double meaning and metaphors, this one is slightly more straightforward than most, and therefore easier to understand. What Tool is expressing here, is the simple fact that people enjoy watching things die, no matter how much they might try to hide or shiver away from it. If something big is happening, you will watch it and you will most defiantly be curios. Even a sympathetic and caring person can still be intrigued by the most horrible news. Even though Maynard is speaking from his point of view, he clearly hints to the main public, that is us. (You all need it too, don't lie. Why cant we just admit it?) Maynard claims he likes watching things die, and he thinks most people have a higher opinion of themselves than he might himself. But all in all he knows everyone like to see, hear and read about death, decay, chaos, or impotence. Paying attention especially to the last words of the, song (much better you than I), it seems like Maynard is critiquing people's character, while it's better for you to be dying than him. In other words, when people see death or tragedy occurring on the television, it becomes some sort of sick entertainment, as they feel thrilled. (Eye on the TV, cause tragedy thrills me) This line pretty much sums up the rest of the song. It goes on from there to stating that we should all just admit this feeling, and that if we don't we are quite simply liars in our own right. Vicarious is all in all about how people like violence. We are all addicted to the pain, suffering and death of anyone or anything, as long as we are ourselves are not close to or related to it physically, emotionally or mentally. What the lyrics boils down to, is the enjoyment of imagery in media which reflexes the horrific existence of others that creates a vicarious thrill for the viewer.

Instrumental part of Vicarious

Vicarious is a progressive metal song. This genre is especially noted for its songs with quite abnormal strokes and overall structure. This song in particular is written in a 5/4s stroke. It is also written in Drop-B. One more thing Progressive metal is known for and this song is a good example of, is that it has a lot more bridges or have different riff to different verse. It isnt easy to know, and it depends what the band or group is aiming for when they make the song. The stanza of the song goes as following: Intro Verse Refrain Bridge (verse 2) Refrain Bridge (verse 3) Refrain Bridge/Ending. One thing that is easily noted, is the amount of bridges. Each one of those also got their own riff. The chorus is a little different from the rest of the song. While most of the song is picking, the refrain consists mostly of chords. Picking is when you tap each of the strings rapidly, and when you play a chord you stroke several strings at a time. The function of the chorus is to explain all the verses so it all hangs together. It is in many ways the glue of the song, that sticks everything together . It also reflects the action.

The song consists most of guitar, bass, drums and vocals. The vocal is the most clearly instrument, followed by the drums. The lead voice got a young and hoarse touch and on part of the song it sounds like whisper. The vocals are crucial for the song because it gives it a deeper and serious effect.