The Tool Page: Opinion - View Single Post - 2006/09/23 - Toronto, ON

here's the article

Live Review: Tool in Toronto

Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto - Sept. 23, 2006

By SHERRI WOOD -- Toronto Sun

"In art, all who have done something other than their predecessors have merited the epithet of revolutionary; and it is they alone who are masters."
-- Paul Gauguin

TORONTO - Revolutionary might be stretching it, but since Tool sounds like nothing other than Tool, it's probably safe to say Maynard James Keenan et al are masters at what they do.

But what exactly is it that they do?

Sure, they're most often categorized as some denomination of metal -- art-metal, prog-metal, math-metal or whatever the other metal qualifier-of-the-day happens to be.

But, as evidenced by their performance Saturday night at the Molson Amphitheatre, the L.A. quartet, rounded out by guitarist Adam Jones, bassist Justin Chancellor and drummer Danny Carey, are adept at much more than just metal.

Complex, polyrhythmic, proggy interludes would give way to twangy guitar solos, that would in turn give way to trippy psychedelic rock jams.

They really are uncategorizeable. Yet, there's no denying a distinct Tool sound.

Awash in blue and green light, a writhing, shirtless Keenan said little, but sang with his usual primal strength.

Accompanied by various post-apocalyptic, psychedelic and just plain weird video projections, the group played a diverse set, spanning their 16-year catalogue, including selections from their latest album, 10,000 Days.

Highlights included Stinkfist, Schism and the ode to Jung, Forty Six & 2.

While they're often accused of pretentiousness, it doesn't really seem fitting. Granted, they do wander into self-indulgence (ahem, we could do without the 11-minute avant-garde jam session) and they definitely harbour gimmicky tendencies, but it shouldn't be misconstrued as pretentiousness. There's nothing snobby about their rock.

Just ask the 16,000 screaming, drenched fans. Despite the rain, the Amphitheatre's lawn and seats were to capacity. If there's one thing about Tool fans, it's that they're insanely loyal. One guy even watched the show through the stereoscopic glasses that came with the new album.

Ok, so maybe Tool fans are weird as well as loyal.

But they know a good show when they see it -- even through stereoscopic lenses.

09-25-2006, 08:04 AM	#117
BoNeSaW Level 5 - Deep Thinker Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: ontario, canada Posts: 92 Bincount™: 0	Re: 2006/09/23 - Toronto, ON - Molson Amphitheatre here's the article Live Review: Tool in Toronto Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto - Sept. 23, 2006 By SHERRI WOOD -- Toronto Sun "In art, all who have done something other than their predecessors have merited the epithet of revolutionary; and it is they alone who are masters." -- Paul Gauguin TORONTO - Revolutionary might be stretching it, but since Tool sounds like nothing other than Tool, it's probably safe to say Maynard James Keenan et al are masters at what they do. But what exactly is it that they do? Sure, they're most often categorized as some denomination of metal -- art-metal, prog-metal, math-metal or whatever the other metal qualifier-of-the-day happens to be. But, as evidenced by their performance Saturday night at the Molson Amphitheatre, the L.A. quartet, rounded out by guitarist Adam Jones, bassist Justin Chancellor and drummer Danny Carey, are adept at much more than just metal. Complex, polyrhythmic, proggy interludes would give way to twangy guitar solos, that would in turn give way to trippy psychedelic rock jams. They really are uncategorizeable. Yet, there's no denying a distinct Tool sound. Awash in blue and green light, a writhing, shirtless Keenan said little, but sang with his usual primal strength. Accompanied by various post-apocalyptic, psychedelic and just plain weird video projections, the group played a diverse set, spanning their 16-year catalogue, including selections from their latest album, 10,000 Days. Highlights included Stinkfist, Schism and the ode to Jung, Forty Six & 2. While they're often accused of pretentiousness, it doesn't really seem fitting. Granted, they do wander into self-indulgence (ahem, we could do without the 11-minute avant-garde jam session) and they definitely harbour gimmicky tendencies, but it shouldn't be misconstrued as pretentiousness. There's nothing snobby about their rock. Just ask the 16,000 screaming, drenched fans. Despite the rain, the Amphitheatre's lawn and seats were to capacity. If there's one thing about Tool fans, it's that they're insanely loyal. One guy even watched the show through the stereoscopic glasses that came with the new album. Ok, so maybe Tool fans are weird as well as loyal. But they know a good show when they see it -- even through stereoscopic lenses.
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