Fear Inoculum (studio album) by Tool

Adam had 13 years to practice guitar and all he could come up with was the same old pentatonic shapes? I guess harmonised guitar leads are new, right?

I enjoy listening to this but it feels like the same old recycled tropes, and for me it doesn’t have the lasting impact I expect from a Tool album. I’ve listened to it quite a bit but still waiting for that click that everyone’s talking about.

The album teeters on being interesting and fresh quite frequently but then returns to safety every time.

One of the strongest moments in the album comes and goes in a flash.

On the other hand they edge on a massive moment for way too long and then wring it for more than it was worth.

Production is phenomenal. Never heard heavy drums in such clarity.

Maynard sounds delicate but strong.

Danny just fricken loves playing.

Justin holds the fort.

Adam feels slightly more lively than he was at Back to the Beginning.

Overall the album feels a bit safe, a bit precious. Good not great.

My expectations were incredibly high for this one. I think it´s a very good album, but I was expecting something different, perhaps more experimentation with instrumentation, a slightly different sound. So I guess I really liked it but still I´m a little dissaponted, strange.

From Jboy56 05/12/2022 17:40

Positive,

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It has taken me maybe 10 to 15 listens (and being absolutely in the moment with their music) to fully understand and appreciate this great album. In fact, earlier on I refused to listen to it simply due to the rediculous hype surrounding it. It takes patience, an open mind and a willingness to go on a journey with the band. It is probably worth not hanging on too tightly to what Tool has done previously here, although IMO Lateralus was the major stepping stone that launched them on this tangent. There are many subtle shifts in tempo throughout (and rediculous time signature variations that work incredibly well) - including some very tranquil, meditative moments to start off songs or as interludes, but it makes it well worth the wait as the songs build into amazing crescendos. Think of llght and shade, yin and yang - these guys are the masters of it, and it is an apex of their maturity and musicianship up to this point in time. Maynard's vocals appear lighter on than in previous releases (although I still think his singing is on a high level), allowing the music to breathe, and feeds well into the ebs and flows throughout this album. Ignoring the filler tracks in the digital version, there is barely a weak moment. I think even the drum solo of Chocolate Chip Trip is tastefully melded in as a diversion and showcases Carey's freakish drumming skills - although there are plenty of moments throughout the album demonstrating the extraordinary level he is on. Culling Voices is about the only track that is slightly weaker then the rest for me - but still essential in this epic journey the band are taking you on. This is likely a finale for Tool (I hope not), but if that's so, what a way to go out.

this is the worse Tool album, sadly

From VictorVale 06/25/2021 21:00

Sempre incríveis, mas melhor sem os interlúdios.

This is my favorite Tool album. It's like a sequel to Lateralus, with it's more complex musical arrangements, it's cleaner more polished sound. It's everything I loved about Lateralus but with even more. There isn't a single track that I'd say is even mediocre: It's very hard to single out specific tracks as standouts because every track is a standout. But if I had to pick some, I'd say Pneuma and 7empest are my favorites. This album is perfect to me.

Returning a year and a few months later, I cannot believe how low this album is rated (I guess that goes for most Tool albims honestly, I mean Lateralus is only an 81), 78? That's it? How is Pneuma only an 85? how tf is 7empest only an 87? So underrated

My favorite Tool album, but I'm not really sure why. I just love the way this album sounds. It's so polished and perfect.