Lateralus

As with 10000 Days and Fear Inoculum, another superb album. Can't recommend these three CDs enough.

This is a beautifully crafted album. The artwork alone is worth buying the cd for; the multiple transparencies are stunning. Hell! If the vinyl is the same, only bigger. I might get it just to enjoy the art!The goodies don't stop there, though, oh no! "The Grudge" starts you off with a bang, it's a wake up call just to make sure that you're listening. The next high point, for me at least, is "Schism". I think that falling down a Youtube "rabbit hole" one evening and finding the video to "Schism" was my introduction to Tool so ...I have read and watched so much about the band since I found them that I can understand a lot of the "theories" about supposed secret meanings and percussive mysteries - hey, knock yorselves out, ebjoy the album in any way you want. Personally, speaking of "percussive mysteries", drummer, Danny Carey, could be the best dummer since John Bonham.The lyrics and vocals of Maynard James Keenan are sublime. I can believe that the guy is the genius that others claim, I can almost believe some of those there "mysterious theories" that are bandied around! The man is great; his other bands, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer are great too.All in all, if you want a musical rollercoaster ride, buy this album now. If you're scared by the challenge, stick to the Osmonds, or Steps, or...nah! Get this!

Reading some of the "if you can appreciate it" "if you can understand this", "I would'nt recommend this to start off on Tool, you should try aenima" ..etc etc has prompted me to do so.There is no ideal place to start with Tool, just start.This album is heavy, if you don't like heavy rock/metal you probably won't like this. If you have an inclination to listen to this type of music then I cannot recommend this album highly enough. The music is amazing, nothing technically difficult in the guitar/ bass playing lots of polyrhytmic drumming, which is excellent. The album is a rollercoaster ride, musically and lyrically. Soft sudddenly becoming heavy. Maynard is a great singer and his lyrics are mind blowing, if a little cryptic. Perfect if you like philosophy. The lyrics are not in the liner (go to the band website for these)...which is all Alex Grey paintings, again if you like spirituality and philosophy.Musically and Lyrically this album is one which will encourage you to think. Should you choose to do so. You could just as easily "headbang" to it. As for coming to a conclusion on what it all means....well thats entirely up to you. The Individual.This album is stunning...try it (Listen to it a few times and you won't be able to stop). Then go see them live. I doubt you'll be let down.

So I won't review the music itself, because the content of this album is great, as all of you here probably know. I'll start off with the sound quality, as that seems to be the main issue with this vinyl. Works very well on my player (I do not have a great player at all, just a basic suitcase one), only noticed one small skip in Eon Blue Apocalypse, but other than that the rest plays fine and sounds amazing! You are able hear it's a picture disc, but it's more of just a slight crackle over the album, which is overpowered by the music a good amount of the time.The visual display of this album is beautiful - great alternative cover, and works well with the inlay image, the discs and their sleeves. I'm very impressed by the quality of the albums visual and aesthetic feel, as well as its sound quality. If you have even a semi-decent player, and are a fan of music or vinyl in general, this is a must for you! Incredible album, and I'm sure it would sound much better on a better player, which I plan to do soon :D

I don't think anyone who buys this album hasn't already got an idea of what Tool do. If it is new to you I don't think you could be disappointed. On the surface it is a great rock album with a very original style, driven by some of the most groovy bass since bootsy, the guitar playing is subtle genius one minute and driving riffs the next and always very original and with a strong sense of personal style, vocals and lyrics are some of the finest in the genre often locking in with the instruments using a rhythmic device that makes the song feel like a mantra. then there is the matter of the drums... Ask a drummer about Tool and the lights in their eye will tell you all that you need to know. Under the surface is a complexity especially in the choices of meter and metric changes that are deceptively easy to listen to but try to count it out and it can be mind blowing. It's hard to use eastern influenced rhythmic devices in rock music without sounding disjointed, contrived and too complex, it can easily kill the groove and ruin the power of the song but alas not so with the offering at hand.

The sound is wonderful on my cut. No skipping, or clips, or such noise. I did notice the edges of the record did feel a little roughly cut, but it plays just fine on my player (incednently also purchased on Amazon). The picture disc images display the gorgeous art work from the pages of the clear paged CD booklet (if you are familiar with it). Laterlus remains one of my favourite albums of all time, I am chuffed to finaly get a copy of this record again (long story). The cover has a shiny foil print effect on the entire design, which covers both the inside and outside of the gatefold cover. A real beauty to enjoy visually along with the audio majesty of Tool. My only slight complaint with it, is you'll find yourelf being very careful removing and returning the records to their inner sleeves as they are produced to a tight fit to a thick and heavy weight vinyl.If you haven't heard this album or the band before, I recommend looking up the title track of the record. A real journey of an album, this record will take you plays that you never dreamt of, and will happily wish to return.