Good read, thank you

I love Tool but outside of his art I find Maynard to be a very frustrating individual to put things nicely. I have to imagine I'm taking this somewhat wrong, but it appears as if he actually believed that the releases of Aenima and Lateralus would convince the entire country to vote democrat. The baffling thing is that I didn't vote for Bush, and I'm sure many other Tool fans didn't either, and yet somehow Maynard appears frustrated with the fans?

But my political beliefs have nothing to do with the fact that I listen to Tool. If Maynard is really interested in politics perhaps that's where he should be focusing his energy. If he really wanted to make a difference he wouldn't be writing vague songs that don't have any direct political relevance. He'd be running for office or lighting himself on fire in protest or something. Silly Maynard.

I think this is very true.

Anyone bright enough to figure out even SOME of Lateralus is going to vote Democrat anyway.

Anyone bright enough to figure out far more than just the tip of the iceberg is also probably bright enough to realize it wouldn't matter.

If George Bush lost in '04...would things REALLY be that different?

I'm thinking that MJK was referring to the state of the world and that "no-one is listening" doesn't really mean he's talking about their message. Their frustration is with people in general (not just Tool fans) and that is reflected in 10000 Days.

There's probably a lot of truth in what you're saying. Still, his choice of words in this article seemed a little bizarre, and I guess easy to misinterpret. This theme has come up a lot though with Maynard and his perception of humanity, and because of various bits and pieces that I've read, I do get the impression that he may be trying to hold people, (very much including the fans) to an unreasonable standard. He's not exactly leading by example, unless complaining is considered an example.

i totally agree Carbonatedgravy. i can say personally those albums had a huge affect on my life, in a positive way. i dont understand how maynard thinks that those albums did nothing as far as enlightening people. to understand even a part of those albums takes a lot of time and thought, which the average american is not willing to put into most things. if maynard wanted his lyrics to touch the majority of the people in america, then the whole format of the band would have to change. but what his lyrics did do, was to change and educate people who took the time to learn it. until tools music, which i no way want this to happen, becomes more generic, it will not reach the majority of the people and in a democracy the majority is the final word. so unless youre reaching the majority, then you cant expect a couple of albums to change the face of america. hell, its hard to fathom any album of any format or style changing the way people act in america.

Well said, Carbonatedgravy.

Those are all good points, and I would never discount what the music has done for me on a personal level. I believe that I have grown emotionally and spiritually because of it. That may sound cheesy, but it's true. And I think before people can reach out and help society in any significant way, they have to evolve personally and become comfortable with their own lives. I don't understand why, but it seems that Maynard has gotten impatient and dissatisfied with what Tool has done for people. Ironically though, I think that if I did feel that Tool was trying to push me into some political line of thinking through their music and not just their interviews, I'd be much more likely to stop listening altogether.

I agree - particularly with the spiritual and emotional growth this music can cause. It does sound cheesy, but it's absolutely true - for me as well.

Although I don't know about 'impatient'. I think more just idealistic and unrealistic. Tool's music does change lives, minds and perception. It has done, and will continue to do so for many people. But to expect to see the results of that change in greater society and in politics is - I think - entirely unrealistic.

It would be nice. Hell, I'm as idealistic as they come, I just think Maynard needs to realise that though his music does change people - lots of people, and in drastic ways - it's unlikely that he's ever really going to be able to see that change.

Of course Maynard is going to look at things from the 'lyrical' perspective. I really find the lyrics interesting, but come on let's not box tool into just really good lyrics/ideas... The music if pretty freaking impressive, with and without the lyrics Maynard wants us to listen to. How about a little fairness re. the politcal aspect. I voted for bush because we were freaking attacked on our own soil... How about a song about that? Or would that be anti-liberal? Can't someone be both? I'm liberal regarding drugs/sex etc. But I want to be safe at home, and so far we have been.

i can see what you are saying CArbonatedgravy, but i do think that Maynard was expressing more of a general feeling of a downward spiral since Lateralus. I mean, if you consider wehre the world was at in 2001, we were at a crossroads in many ways, coming into a new century and looking to redefine things, yet we have taken a wrong turn in my opinion, and it seems in his as well.

Since Lateralus was released we have had American involved in two foreign occupations and a culture of fear and paranioia pervade the world on many levels. Taking Australia, as a microcosm of the west, we can see a lot about what has happened. In 2001, there was a federal election, and our prime minister of then (and now) who is a big supporter of bush, was lagging badly in the polls. Following September 11 and a huge attack on illegal immigration, he had people so fearful and so desensitized to ideas that he won, and has won again since.

I think it is anger and frustration with this culture that many feel, maynard included

cheers
jesse

Article said so perfectly

best description of tool ever

In this case I think you are probably right. His frustration probably is more global than I first implied. Just given the context I probably misinterpreted things a bit.

Still, most of my other points stand. Maynard acts totally passionate about stopping war, political change and most of all Bush-bashing. He calls for change in his interviews and he blames the common man for not doing anything about it which certainly wouldn't disclude the fans. His opinions are all well and good. I'm sure they're educated and I'm sure he's put a lot of effort into his beliefs. What bothers me is the apparent hypocrisy. Maynard makes a big deal of nobody doing anything, again, citing the common man, and yet he does nothing himself. He's a musician. I love the fact that he's a musician. It has enriched my life beyond words, but his music is not going to change the political spectrum. As others have noted, to think his music will inspire change on a global scale is entirely unrealistic.

I would disagree with you again there.
In my previous example of Australia's political climate, an important factor in people's acceptance of such right wing reactionary policy was complacency and greed in monetary matters, and fear on a physical level.

If people thought beyond the simple, considered ideas such as empathy, looking at things from another's point of view or understanding emotions such as hate, pain, suffering, revenge, there would have been a very different course for the world. It is often that larger steps in a certain direction are dictated not by the man but by the few, either for better or worse. People like Tony Blair, in supporting GW Bush against his party's initial feelings, had a HUGE role in the continuation of this global conflict. Music such as TOOL's has heretofore been very vague, and open to interpretation, so people who were intellegent, or open to ideas, opened up and took a lot out of it, but people who were racist or narrow minded, took tool to be supporting them (yes i have seen so many posts saying third eye was racist).

This album is still TOOLish, yet holds such a strong political message (even in vicarious and right in two alone) that it will surely have vast influence on the collective view of the world of many people.

sorry, i know that was a bit all over the place but i am at school, and have to run
\cheers
jesse

I'm not totally sure that I understand everything that you're saying, so forgive me for that. I'll respond to what I can.

Music, like any other means of communication can be intensely profound and influential to an individual in their personal life as it applies to thinking and emotion, but to apply that mental change and evolution to the physical world around you is a lot trickier, especially on a large scale.

By disagreeing with me you imply that music can inspire global change, but when has this happened? I suppose Tool's music could be one piece of a giant wave of political change, but only so many people listen to Tool, and only a small percentage of the listeners are drastically going to change perspective because of it. The message in Right in Two for example is easy to understand and easy to agree with. I love the song and the lyrics. However, it's pretty idealistic and even if it leads to enlightenment among some people, there will always be those that choose to ignore the message, or dismiss it as an oversimplification.

I suppose that if the actual politicians, that is the people running the world were to take heed to Tool's words, then that could make a difference. But to think George W. Bush is sitting in the oval office rocking out to Tool is indeed unrealistic. And if he was he'd probably ignore their opinions out of spite because they hate him so much.

If everybody thought idealistically and open-mindedly and took heed to the message Tool is trying to project, things would be different. I'll admit that. But that will never happen. Maynard would be more likely to inspire change if he were to actually become a politician himself. That would at least give him a chance.

If you still disagree, that's fine, and I like reading your opinions, but I don't see how you'll convince me that Tool is really taking a stand and making a difference with their music besides on a personal level for individual people.

you cannot be serious. I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry at that comment.

I think Tool change each album. Think how much we change in five years. A whole fucking lot. Think how much these guys, with all the money and freedom they baisically have, can change. I think they are all very spiritual, but Maynard must be looking around and going, "What the fuck? Everyone bitches, and everyone moans, but he gets re-elected. Why don't people do something, make a statement?" I think this makes Maynard a little frustrated. He is just doing that through is lyrics and in this album. We all say, "shame on him." but really, what is wrong with it? He's disappointed, about a lot that he sees, why wouldn't he write about it? Isn't that what writing is about?

I've always liked Maynards attitude, I see no reason not too. He is honest, and says it how he sees it. I don't care if he shits all over people.

I guess if we all agreed on everything it would be pretty boring around here. I can respect what you all are saying, but I don't find anything admirable about Maynard's attitude. It's fine because he's just some guy I'll never meet and I don't need to worry about it. But if I am in a position where I'm devoting attention to it, I think being an ass to everyone who you think doesn't "get it" and is below you is a pretty shitty example of how to behave for someone who is trying to spread illumination.

Anyone bright enough to figure out some of Lateralus should be intelligent enough to not vote at all.