The first half to three-quarters of this album is a masterpiece, with some of Tool's most impressive songs. After the title track, it becomes less interesting and overlong. Whenever I listen to this album late at night, I never make it all the way through without falling asleep.

Try as I may, I will never understand the fuss about this album.

I like Tool, but this album is only okay.

well, i never was a metal/prog head and this didn't change my mind. it just feels pretentious and lacks innovation and veriety.

@outlaw
Put on some good earphones/Headset and give it a listen with the volume not to high but enough to clearly feel the atmosphere.

Ha, when I see comments like below I always check the rest with an odd curiosity as to who is against who. Turns out it might be aimed at me! Well... I listened to it serveral times before. Remember really not liking it. First times were several years ago. Not sure what I would think now it's 2012 (always liking more music). I guess it's so high because it is on over 100 charts.

Seriously, if you're asking why this album is so high up on the lists then clearly you've never listened to it.
It doesn't sink in after 1 listen either, its like Trout Mask Replica. Listen to it a couple times then you will realize it is no doubt a top tier 2000's album.

This is absolutely the best album of the 2000s. It' s not just a good prog-metal work, It makes you feel in an another dimension, consisting of surreal places and abstract shapes. All the instruments work very hard even if there isn' t any virtuosity. The first time I' ve listened to it I was hypnotised and now it' s like a drug for me.

The peaks are very high. "The Grudge", "Schism", "Parabola", "Lateralus", and "Reflection" are top-tier songs of the 00s. Even "Ticks and Leaches" is interesting as a drum showcase. Sadly, I feel the rest of the filler tracks, etc. are throwaways.

Hmmm ... boring and overrated