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Post by allbuttonmode on Sept 6, 2019 8:23:00 GMT -6
Right... So this post will undoubtedly be unpopular with some. But here goes:
I'm a big Tool fan. Love them. Love their albums and side projects (for the most part). I eagerly awaited the new album, and was very excited when I started listening on Spotify. Unfortunately, the streaming version was so heavily mastered that it had audible artifacts. It's not Californication-bad, but I really wasn't expecting this band to let something like that pass. (Yes, I checked the audio preferences)
Well... No.
The big "feature" was a small screen, showing an animated art video, going for a few minutes. The screen itself is so bad, that looking at it straight on, half of the screen is like looking at a 3D clip without the glasses. Migraine-inducingly bad. You have to actually tilt one of the sides away from you to get a clear image. Whoop dee doo... I'm sure the clip itself is great. But there's no way one can enjoy it on that screen.
There is also a download card for sound files of the album, in the format we all know and hate as - wait for it - MP3!
MP3. In 2019.
I sincerely thought it to be an error in the text. Thinking the record company wasn't up to date on the latest formats. But no. MP3 files they are.
So: Tool, a band known for pushing the envelope, releases their first album in 13 years, promoting a "limited edition package". And THIS is all they can come up with???
- A smashed version on the streaming platform - A mediocre CD package with MP3 file download.
- No HD files. - No vinyl
I am very disappointed. Are they really ok with fans, in order to hear the album properly, having to shell out over $130?
In a world where Led Zeppelin put their entire back catalog out in beautifully made boxes, proper books, two vinyl versions in each box, and great download files - AT A LOWER PRICE - a common CD and MP3 downloads just does not justify the ridiculous price they ask.
Now get off my lawn.
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Post by Blackdawg on Sept 6, 2019 8:42:34 GMT -6
Hd tracks has 24/96 of the new album for about 20 bucks... www.hdtracks.com/fear-inoculumPlus all their other stuff. Sorry you spent so much for 16/44.1.. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2019 9:52:08 GMT -6
So the packaging is about as generic as the tone of the album?
I'm a fan as well (saw them 9x on the Lateralus tour, just to brag. haha), but I can not get past how identical the production sounds to 10,000 Days. You'd think in a 13 year period, they might move the EQ in a different direction on a tabla or something. It's been hard for me to pay attention to anything else. It's like B-sides from past sessions or something. You'd have a hard time convincing me that they didn't record all this stuff back then.
I'm not writing it off, but I have to figure out how to ignore these more trivial things in order to focus on the songs.
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Post by Tbone81 on Sept 6, 2019 11:27:54 GMT -6
So the packaging is about as generic as the tone of the album? I'm a fan as well (saw them 9x on the Lateralus tour, just to brag. haha), but I can not get past how identical the production sounds to 10,000 Days. You'd think in a 13 year period, they might move the EQ in a different direction on a tabla or something. It's been hard for me to pay attention to anything else. It's like B-sides from past sessions or something. You'd have a hard time convincing me that they didn't record all this stuff back then. I'm not writing it off, but I have to figure out how to ignore these more trivial things in order to focus on the songs. They were both produced/mixed by Joe Barresi so maybe that’s the similarity in sound that’s distracting you? |
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Post by allbuttonmode on Sept 7, 2019 4:55:40 GMT -6
Hd tracks has 24/96 of the new album for about 20 bucks... www.hdtracks.com/fear-inoculumPlus all their other stuff. Sorry you spent so much for 16/44.1.. Thanks for the heads-up. I need to pay more attention to that place. |
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Post by allbuttonmode on Sept 7, 2019 5:04:13 GMT -6
So the packaging is about as generic as the tone of the album? I'm a fan as well (saw them 9x on the Lateralus tour, just to brag. haha), but I can not get past how identical the production sounds to 10,000 Days. You'd think in a 13 year period, they might move the EQ in a different direction on a tabla or something. It's been hard for me to pay attention to anything else. It's like B-sides from past sessions or something. You'd have a hard time convincing me that they didn't record all this stuff back then. I'm not writing it off, but I have to figure out how to ignore these more trivial things in order to focus on the songs. The first time I heard the single, I thought the same. But, as I started listening to the album, it became irrelevant. At least to me. Regarding the Lateralus tour: I saw the two gigs they did in London. I remember being annoyed when they took a break in the middle of the show (both nights) and showed the "Schism" video. A song they had played 30 mins or so before. |
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Post by allbuttonmode on Sept 7, 2019 5:06:51 GMT -6
So the packaging is about as generic as the tone of the album? I'm a fan as well (saw them 9x on the Lateralus tour, just to brag. haha), but I can not get past how identical the production sounds to 10,000 Days. You'd think in a 13 year period, they might move the EQ in a different direction on a tabla or something. It's been hard for me to pay attention to anything else. It's like B-sides from past sessions or something. You'd have a hard time convincing me that they didn't record all this stuff back then. I'm not writing it off, but I have to figure out how to ignore these more trivial things in order to focus on the songs. They were both produced/mixed by Joe Barresi so maybe that’s the similarity in sound that’s distracting you? I don't think Joe Barresi is to blame. When 10.000 Days came out, they got the same heat. And that one was produced by Dave Bottrill. |
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Post by Tbone81 on Sept 7, 2019 19:24:34 GMT -6
They were both produced/mixed by Joe Barresi so maybe that’s the similarity in sound that’s distracting you? I don't think Joe Barresi is to blame. When 10.000 Days came out, they got the same heat. And that one was produced by Dave Bottrill. Sorry, I’m a little lost 😬... you mean that 10,000 Days (Joe Barresi) was also criticized as being too similar in production to Laterales (Botrill) ? I think I get what you’re saying about the album but could be off...To me the production (and arraignment) are very prog rock, and less heavy/dark sounding than previous albums, and that kind of throws me. And a lot of the riffs sound like they ripped off previous albums...so far this is not my favorite album but I can tell it’s already growing on me. Not sure how I really feel about it. It I’m definitely glad to have some new music that’s worth listening too. |
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Post by Cyrus Melchor on Sept 8, 2019 7:37:12 GMT -6
You've got plenty of time to come to love it. Even 5 years from now- when they haven't released a new record- and you wish they would.
I remember feeling exactly as you do about this about 10,000 Days. Same old, I thought. And tripping about the art. I was a real creep about the 3D glasses and whatnot. But now? That's a frickin GREAT record.
And so too will this one.
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Post by ragan on Sept 8, 2019 9:01:17 GMT -6
I mean, how unique can the 300th dropped D riff with chorused bass, snares off and various D#’s peppered in really be expected to sound?
<ducks>
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Post by ragan on Sept 8, 2019 9:04:19 GMT -6
Oh I forgot the *extra spooky* major third from Maynard!
<ducks again>
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Post by allbuttonmode on Sept 8, 2019 9:18:51 GMT -6
I don't think Joe Barresi is to blame. When 10.000 Days came out, they got the same heat. And that one was produced by Dave Bottrill. Sorry, I’m a little lost 😬... you mean that 10,000 Days (Joe Barresi) was also criticized as being too similar in production to Laterales (Botrill) ? I think I get what you’re saying about the album but could be off...To me the production (and arraignment) are very prog rock, and less heavy/dark sounding than previous albums, and that kind of throws me. And a lot of the riffs sound like they ripped off previous albums...so far this is not my favorite album but I can tell it’s already growing on me. Not sure how I really feel about it. It I’m definitely glad to have some new music that’s worth listening too. Sorry if I was unclear. But, yes, I remember people online saying the same thing then. Same song structures/riffs/sound/production. |
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Post by Blackdawg on Sept 8, 2019 10:01:54 GMT -6
You can't win as an artist haha
You either sound the same and "boring"
Or you go into a different direction and everyone wishes they did something similar to how they did last time.
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Post by Tbone81 on Sept 8, 2019 11:08:23 GMT -6
You can't win as an artist haha You either sound the same and "boring" Or you go into a different direction and everyone wishes they did something similar to how they did last time. For real lol. For what it’s worth I really like this album, and I’m not surprised they took things in this direction, it’s just going to take some time for me to really wrap my head around it. I thought the same about 10,000 days and it’s one of my favorites now. Radiohead is another band that does that to me. Every time they release something new I scratch my head for a minute, say hmmmmm... and then slowly let myself absorb what they’re doing. |
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Post by christopher on Sept 8, 2019 23:03:38 GMT -6
That’s a bummer.., all that money and it’s just a CD, MP3 download? I thought it would be the whole deal.. vinyl, HDwavs, MP3, CD.
As for the recording. It’s truly wonderful news that in 2019 they can be #1 best seller on the charts with the highs mixed that low.
I never listened to anything after Aenima, but I was exposed to friend listening, and saw them a few years ago in SF. Anyway, I thought 10,000 days was the new record, and started steaming that last week. Then realized Fear is the new record, .. they sound exactly the same.
Except, no.. 10,000 days sounds analog being pushed hard. Fear is crystal clear. It’s remarkable in that aspect, and it’s a tough decision which is better, thinking they were both made in 2019.. but 10,000 has a sonic texture I like more. I can max out the treble in the car and crank the stereo and it just gets incredibly huge. FI I try to same thing and it works, but I don’t feel the same magic. Although I like FI.. the invincible song is pretty cool and growing on me. Someday I need to have cash and I’ll get the HD version of both. I feel like ..so far while steaming, 10,000days is a little on the slightly too cloudy side.. FI is slightly too much clarity..
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