iTool

[xXDaveyJonesXx]

Tool: Maynard James Keenan’s band doesn’t have a unique reason for staying away from digital music – like many on this list, he doesn’t want his band’s work consumed in random pieces. Unlike most, though, Tool is truly committed. The band’s music isn’t on iTunes or Spotify and it has never allowed its label to split up its songs into a greatest-hits collection. Gotta respect those principles.

I'm a bit confused by this approach. I've never been to a Tool show before. But if I do, is it fair to assume they'll religiously perform their albums cover to cover in chronological order? If not, how is this any different? What about radio play? I only bring it up because I was looking for Tool on iTunes again like an idiot only to realize, "Oh, that's riiiight..." Got curious and finally looked into their reasoning online and it turns out they're just looking out for my best interest by optimizing my Tool expirience. Hey, more power to em. I'll pick that new album up at my local shop whenever it drops. Count on it.


http://www.spin.com/2013/06/spotify...n-five-artists-who-still-say-no-to-streaming/

 

[xXDaveyJonesXx]

Tool is one of the greatest rock bands of all time. They are if led Zeppelin and pink Floyd fucked and had a baby.

That seems... Like an accurate assessment. Right on.

 

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't go that far. They're ok that's about it.

 

[borninwinter]

Tool is one of the greatest rock bands of all time. They are if led Zeppelin and pink Floyd fucked and had a baby.

That seems... Like an accurate assessment. Right on.

There's a lot of King Crimson (80s version) in there too...

 

[borninwinter]

As to the OP, this is a consistent approach for them. I can remember back in the 90s that they pushed back against people saying they shouldn't write 9 minute songs...Jones said something like no one ever told Led Zep the songs were too long. So, I think they've always felt that it should be digested in larger chunks. I've seen them 3 or 4 times on different tours. They change the setlist between tours but they actually don't change their setlist much show to show on a single tour. They'll switch out one or two songs (in the same designated spot on the setlist), but its very much orchestrated and planned out start to finish. Adam Jones and whoever he collaborates has video/animation accompaniments done for the entire show start to finish.

 

[xXDaveyJonesXx]

As to the OP, this is a consistent approach for them. I can remember back in the 90s that they pushed back against people saying they shouldn't write 9 minute songs...Jones said something like no one ever told Led Zep the songs were too long. So, I think they've always felt that it should be digested in larger chunks. I've seen them 3 or 4 times on different tours. They change the setlist between tours but they actually don't change their setlist much show to show on a single tour. They'll switch out one or two songs (in the same designated spot on the setlist), but its very much orchestrated and planned out start to finish. Adam Jones and whoever he collaborates has video/animation accompaniments done for the entire show start to finish.

I appreciate the insight. Definitely going to have to hit a show up when they come around. Thanks

 

[technomancer]

Eh whatever. The whole "album" concept was an outgrowth of 60s vinyl record technology. Before that it was all singles. Things are just going back to the way they were in the 40s and 50s with singles being the main distribution medium. It's also really funny given Tool has no problem releasing singles and doing music videos.

 

[DrewJD82]

I'll start this by saying my first concert ever was Floyd in '94 when I was 11....a bit of a life changing event.

That said, you won't see another show that comes as close, or really, beats, what Floyd did with their stage shows, except my the Wall shows (but only the 1980 shows, it only counts if Gilmour was there )

If you listen to a Tool record straight through, there's always something segueing into the next song and their lives shows are no different. I think it's safe to say these guys view their music as art before music, because it's a whole package with them. The album artwork, the videos, the live shows, music is just one aspect of all that stuff.

They've caught a lot of shit for it, but it's worked for them. Maynard gets shit all the time for standing in the back, generally just a silhouette further back than the drums. I've got a "buddy" who went off on a whole rant about how Maynard is a weak and subpar singer because he won't face the audience....then his wife starts chiming in, "I'll never go see them again. I want the singer to pay attention to ME, the audience."....guess all those shows they did previous to 2001 meant nothing.

But, it further establishes that they do what they want to do. They've got the money and drawing power to do it and they just pushed ahead further with what they were already doing.

I actually HATED that band for years. I thought they were so boring and just lame, I didn't 'get it'. Once I heard the song "Lateralus" I changed completely....then I understood how much of a prog band they were. I went and saw them live on the Lateralus tour and it was like seeing Floyd all over again. The stage show was so damn killer, the mix was perfect.....it's incredible how much dynamics in their music doesn't come through on an album.....but at concert level, holy shit! It just made sense. I 'got it' when I saw and heard everything together at once, the lights and the music.

Caught them again on the 10,000 Days tour and the show was just even more intense. Such a flawless live band, as well.

Definitely catch them if you can, they won't be touring as much these days.

 

[justinl101]

Eh whatever. The whole "album" concept was an outgrowth of 60s vinyl record technology. Before that it was all singles. Things are just going back to the way they were in the 40s and 50s with singles being the main distribution medium. It's also really funny given Tool has no problem releasing singles and doing music videos.

To be fair though, just because something happens because of circumstance doesn't mean that it deserves to be tossed to the side or not appreciated when the circumstance is no more.

longer music pieces where common and date back before recordings even existed, music was to many and for some still needs to be more than a "single song", the industry promotes short little catchy songs because they fit they're business model not our taste. If we all desire to create our music to fit the model of Itunes and the other various popular distributors creativity will be inhibited if not eventually destroyed.

 

[borninwinter]

I'll take the quality of songwriting and musicianship in popular music of the "album era" of the 60s to early 00s over the singles eras pre and post. I'm not one of those people saying everything new suck, i listen to a fair amount of new stuff. But I think the overall amount of talent artistry doesnt match what was available during that timeframe.

 

[technomancer]

Eh whatever. The whole "album" concept was an outgrowth of 60s vinyl record technology. Before that it was all singles. Things are just going back to the way they were in the 40s and 50s with singles being the main distribution medium. It's also really funny given Tool has no problem releasing singles and doing music videos.

To be fair though, just because something happens because of circumstance doesn't mean that it deserves to be tossed to the side or not appreciated when the circumstance is no more.

longer music pieces where common and date back before recordings even existed, music was to many and for some still needs to be more than a "single song", the industry promotes short little catchy songs because they fit they're business model not our taste. If we all desire to create our music to fit the model of Itunes and the other various popular distributors creativity will be inhibited if not eventually destroyed.

And there is nothing that I am aware of preventing longer pieces of music as single tracks in a digital format.

I strongly suspect that in Tool's case it has far more to do with not selling through a medium that is easily pirated than anything else, regardless of what the claimed reason is. Like I said it's funny Keenan won't go digital because of not wanting their music consumed in bits, yet the band has had no problem doing singles and music videos.

Also to address something somebody else said, if you think there was better musicianship in the 60s rock album scene than in the jazz / big band eras that preceded it you're delusional. You might not like the form of the music, but those guys were INSANE musicians.

 

[justinl101]

Eh whatever. The whole "album" concept was an outgrowth of 60s vinyl record technology. Before that it was all singles. Things are just going back to the way they were in the 40s and 50s with singles being the main distribution medium. It's also really funny given Tool has no problem releasing singles and doing music videos.

To be fair though, just because something happens because of circumstance doesn't mean that it deserves to be tossed to the side or not appreciated when the circumstance is no more.

longer music pieces where common and date back before recordings even existed, music was to many and for some still needs to be more than a "single song", the industry promotes short little catchy songs because they fit they're business model not our taste. If we all desire to create our music to fit the model of Itunes and the other various popular distributors creativity will be inhibited if not eventually destroyed.

And there is nothing that I am aware of preventing longer pieces of music as single tracks in a digital format.

I strongly suspect that in Tool's case it has far more to do with not selling through a medium that is easily pirated than anything else, regardless of what the claimed reason is. Like I said it's funny Keenan won't go digital because of not wanting their music consumed in bits, yet the band has had no problem doing singles and music videos.

Also to address something somebody else said, if you think there was better musicianship in the 60s rock album scene than in the jazz / big band eras that preceded it you're delusional. You might not like the form of the music, but those guys were INSANE musicians.

This is where i believe the issue arrises from itunes. I believe (hard to find reliable sources on the issue for me)itunes has refused to allow them to only host a full album without the right to selling singles, and pirating really isn't the issue beause if the media exists once publicly in any format the torrent can and will exist.

is it really justified to hold it against them for only putting in 90% of the effort to keep big buisness outta the creative side? They do see the issue in they're own way, but the ideolgy they have behind the effort is, for what i assume they believe is in the best interest of the music. Tool hasn't exactly been the "let's see how big we can get our name so we can make boat loads of cash" and, that leaves me to believe this is to them is an attempt to keep the music they created closer to the feeling, vibe, and mindset they're in while performing, writing and even listening to other music.

 

[technomancer]

Eh whatever. The whole "album" concept was an outgrowth of 60s vinyl record technology. Before that it was all singles. Things are just going back to the way they were in the 40s and 50s with singles being the main distribution medium. It's also really funny given Tool has no problem releasing singles and doing music videos.

To be fair though, just because something happens because of circumstance doesn't mean that it deserves to be tossed to the side or not appreciated when the circumstance is no more.

longer music pieces where common and date back before recordings even existed, music was to many and for some still needs to be more than a "single song", the industry promotes short little catchy songs because they fit they're business model not our taste. If we all desire to create our music to fit the model of Itunes and the other various popular distributors creativity will be inhibited if not eventually destroyed.

And there is nothing that I am aware of preventing longer pieces of music as single tracks in a digital format.

I strongly suspect that in Tool's case it has far more to do with not selling through a medium that is easily pirated than anything else, regardless of what the claimed reason is. Like I said it's funny Keenan won't go digital because of not wanting their music consumed in bits, yet the band has had no problem doing singles and music videos.

Also to address something somebody else said, if you think there was better musicianship in the 60s rock album scene than in the jazz / big band eras that preceded it you're delusional. You might not like the form of the music, but those guys were INSANE musicians.

This is where i believe the issue arrises from itunes. I believe (hard to find reliable sources on the issue for me)itunes has refused to allow them to only host a full album without the right to selling singles, and pirating really isn't the issue beause if the media exists once publicly in any format the torrent can and will exist.

is it really justified to hold it against them for only putting in 90% of the effort to keep big buisness outta the creative side? They do see the issue in they're own way, but the ideolgy they have behind the effort is, for what i assume they believe is in the best interest of the music. Tool hasn't exactly been the "let's see how big we can get our name so we can make boat loads of cash" and, that leaves me to believe this is to them is an attempt to keep the music they created closer to the feeling, vibe, and mindset they're in while performing, writing and even listening to other music.

Who is holding anything against them? I may think the decision is a bit silly but it makes no difference to me how they want to sell their music.

 

[justinl101]

Eh whatever. The whole "album" concept was an outgrowth of 60s vinyl record technology. Before that it was all singles. Things are just going back to the way they were in the 40s and 50s with singles being the main distribution medium. It's also really funny given Tool has no problem releasing singles and doing music videos.

To be fair though, just because something happens because of circumstance doesn't mean that it deserves to be tossed to the side or not appreciated when the circumstance is no more.

longer music pieces where common and date back before recordings even existed, music was to many and for some still needs to be more than a "single song", the industry promotes short little catchy songs because they fit they're business model not our taste. If we all desire to create our music to fit the model of Itunes and the other various popular distributors creativity will be inhibited if not eventually destroyed.

And there is nothing that I am aware of preventing longer pieces of music as single tracks in a digital format.

I strongly suspect that in Tool's case it has far more to do with not selling through a medium that is easily pirated than anything else, regardless of what the claimed reason is. Like I said it's funny Keenan won't go digital because of not wanting their music consumed in bits, yet the band has had no problem doing singles and music videos.

Also to address something somebody else said, if you think there was better musicianship in the 60s rock album scene than in the jazz / big band eras that preceded it you're delusional. You might not like the form of the music, but those guys were INSANE musicians.

This is where i believe the issue arrises from itunes. I believe (hard to find reliable sources on the issue for me)itunes has refused to allow them to only host a full album without the right to selling singles, and pirating really isn't the issue beause if the media exists once publicly in any format the torrent can and will exist.

is it really justified to hold it against them for only putting in 90% of the effort to keep big buisness outta the creative side? They do see the issue in they're own way, but the ideolgy they have behind the effort is, for what i assume they believe is in the best interest of the music. Tool hasn't exactly been the "let's see how big we can get our name so we can make boat loads of cash" and, that leaves me to believe this is to them is an attempt to keep the music they created closer to the feeling, vibe, and mindset they're in while performing, writing and even listening to other music.

Who is holding anything against them? I may think the decision is a bit silly but it makes no difference to me how they want to sell their music.

Well im sorry but you clearly hold an opinion towards the situation and have atleast stated part of it? If it makes no difference to you, then maybe this thread isn't the thread for you. lol

 

[glip22]

Don't they have millions in stage equipment they travel in about eleven trailers?

 

[splawner]

Ya!!!!!!

 

[Tone Zone]

I strongly suspect that in Tool's case it has far more to do with not selling through a medium that is easily pirated than anything else, regardless of what the claimed reason is. Like I said it's funny Keenan won't go digital because of not wanting their music consumed in bits, yet the band has had no problem doing singles and music videos.

Regardless of the reason, I personally don't fault them for it. I can appreciate their whole outlook of not trying to please everyone and just doing things on their own terms. Good for them.

 

[anomaly]

That's pretentious rock stars for ya.

I think Tool are great. As good as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin?? I wouldn't say that, but pretty damn close. They will go down in history as one of the great of the genre. "Lateralus" is a masterpiece IMO, and Aenima is not too far behind. I didn't think too much of the last one "10,000 days" but it can't be easy following an album like Lateralus, now can it??

 

[anomaly]

What's Adam Jones' rig consist of these days?? still LP's into the Diezal VH4??