Tool Albums Ranked
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles. Formed in 1990, the group’s line-up includes drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Justin Chancellor has been the band’s bassist since 1995, replacing their original bassist Paul D’Amour. Tool has won four Grammy Awards, performed worldwide tours, and produced albums topping the charts in several countries. Due to Tool’s incorporation of visual arts and very long and complex releases, the band is generally described as a style-transcending act and part of progressive rock, psychedelic rock, and art rock. The relationship between the band and today’s music industry is ambivalent, at times marked by censorship, and the band’s insistence on privacy. Here is Tool’s albums ranked worst to best.
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5. Undertow (1993)
“Tool’s debut showcases a band in metamorphosis. Not quite the “what if King Crimson were heavy, bro?” form the band would later take on, but also not the more simplistic group that wrote Opiate. Undertow has its highlights, from the proto-djent time signature shuffles of Intolerance and Swamp Song to the radio ready soar of Prison Sex and Sober. However the latter half of the album drags considerably, with meandering songs that hint at the band’s future path but without the fine-tuned efficiency later extended jams embodied.”
4. Fear Inoculum (2019)
“Fear Inoculum definitely took the place as one my favorite albums by Tool. Each song is at least 10+ minutes long so if you have a short trip in the car it makes life a little disappointing because you’ll get to where you’re going before the song ends. If you’re a Tool fan then you’ll love it. If you’re not a Tool fan you’ll probably still love it.”
3. Ænima (1996)
“The album is nothing short of amazing. Although some interludes are very, VERY annoying (Cesar Sumarability [spelling] has a very irritating start), the rest is great. The opener, “Stinkfist” is amazing, followed by “Eulogy” which is less good but still worth a listen. I didn’t like “H.” very much, but it’s still a worthwhile track. The signature “Forty Six and Two” hits after a bizarre interlude (known as the well named “Useful Idiot” for Vinyl buyers), and is a good example of Tool in its prime. “Message to Harry Manback” follows, another interlude, then to the song “Hooker with a Penis,” a hardcore rant track about a true encounter between Maynard (the singer) and an OGT (Original Gangster Tool) fan who talked trash on them. I’d continue but the rest of the album is interludes and track follow-ups, leading to the renowned “Ænema,” a song based upon Bill Hicks and one of his well known comedy acts.”
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2. Lateralus (2001)
“Lateralus flows like a concept album and is helped to do this by its linking songs. These are short instrumentals that help link together the main songs. These linking songs include “Eon Blue Apocalypse”, “Mantra”, “Parabol” and “Disposition”.This technique was also used on Aenima but it ended up dragging the album down. Here tool have perfected that technique and it does wonders for the album and adds to the progressive feel.”
1. 10,000 Days (2006)
“Without telling you to much about this album and spoiling some of the most treasured hits from Tool’s libraries, this album features songs both intellectually assimilating and somewhat sorrowful woes. 10,000 days was named due to Maynard’s amazing mother, which held an astonishing 10,000 days of life. A woman which inspired Maynard to be the man and tool that he is today. A masterpiece for those looking use for their inspirational musical talent.”
