Post by NeonTool on Feb 27, 2005 16:45:22 GMT -5
I was always a bit afraid of posting this kind of question on a message board since we all know it normally leads to a flaming rampage from all the other so-called fans. So, what I'm asking you is how you got in touch with his music and how it affected you through your life so far. I'll start.
The first time I've had the chance to really listen to Tool was when Aenima came out. My cousin had just came from Canada, and brought with him several cd's as he knew I was a big fan of music, especially the so-called alternative stuff. Back then I was more into Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains, as most teenagers. Anyway, he brought one that immediately caught my attention, because of the lenticular case and all the cool artwork (I just love when an album has good artwork, especially if it seems strange to most people). He said to me that this band named Tool was one of the most proeminent at the time, and that the album was simply amazing. I still remember him saying "this one will test your english skills to the max, as well as your patience". I didn't quite figured out what he meant by that at the time, but I would soon find out.
To be honest, I hated it at first. It was so strange and different from what I had heard till then, and the lyrics were so cryptic (hence my cousin's warning) that I could barely make any sense out of it. It took weeks and dozens of full listenings to get at least a glimpse of how brilliant this album is. I eventually managed to get some info on the band and about the album itself, as well as the lyrics. It may sound strange, but I used to study all of it when I came back from classes, and the more I thought I was getting it right, I would notice a line that completely ruined the whole process. My girlfriend also complained about me wasting my time with a "stupid album", but I kept on.
One of the songs that surprised me, when I looked up others' opinions about it on the web (at the time, at the local library) was Stinkfist. At the time I didn't know what fisting meant, and when I found out, I was so surprised, because it wasn't what I thought was the core of the song, AT ALL. ;D And this happened with pretty much all the other songs. But one thing that I immediately decided to do was to not let that affect my judgement of the songs. They have the meaning that I give them, the meaning that I think it's best for me, that helps me and heals me everytime I listen to them. Well, after that I bought Opiate and Undertow, had to do the same research for them, and loved them (many people don't like Opiate, but I dig it).
Around 2000 a friend of mine came to me with some mp3's from a band called A Perfect Circle. He said I would probably like it cuz "it sounds like Tool, especially this song Judith, man it's so c00l". The songs he gave me were Judith, Magdalena and 3 Libras. After I listened to them, I immediately figured out Maynard had to be the lead singer, I never heard a voice as individual as his. I was kind of worried then that he had left Tool, because of all those rumors about the band's problems with their label or something, which fortunately was confirmed to be a false alarm later on. One of APC's songs that I cherish with all my heart is 3 Libras. I remember me and my gf (now ex-gf ) used to spend whole afternoons listening to it. I know the song is not really romantic, but the sheer beauty of it, and maynard's voice transported both of us to a fantasy world, it almost seemed the whole world would stop each time we heard it together. She was petrified when I told her APC had the same lead singer as Tool
Everytime I hear APC, I remember those good times, sometimes I cry, sometimes I feel happy, for at least having had the chance to live them. In 2003 we broke up and 13th Step was very important in my "healing". Of course, before that, Lateralus came out, a magnificent piece of musical art and definitely one of the best albums EVER. It completely redefined the way I see things and life itself.
Well, I could say SO much about how mjk and his fellas changed my life, but it would take so many pages, that I think it's better to stop here. I just want to add that I was flamed for being a fan and an admirer of his art so many times, I have been called all sorts of names, and been tossed around so much... "but I'm still right here", and I'm happy for having the chance to meet people like you guys and girls, people that don't judge me harshly for loving music with all my heart, that don't call me gay just because "the guy wears stupid wigs, and does strange things on stage", or that think this is satanic music (believe me, you can't imagine how many times people say this to me ).
Life isn't easy for anyone, but mjk has surely helped me to carve my own path and will always be in my heart and mind, not as a guide, but as a light that helps me understand life by my own. And for that I am forever grateful to him.
PS: sorry for the long post
The first time I've had the chance to really listen to Tool was when Aenima came out. My cousin had just came from Canada, and brought with him several cd's as he knew I was a big fan of music, especially the so-called alternative stuff. Back then I was more into Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains, as most teenagers. Anyway, he brought one that immediately caught my attention, because of the lenticular case and all the cool artwork (I just love when an album has good artwork, especially if it seems strange to most people). He said to me that this band named Tool was one of the most proeminent at the time, and that the album was simply amazing. I still remember him saying "this one will test your english skills to the max, as well as your patience". I didn't quite figured out what he meant by that at the time, but I would soon find out.
To be honest, I hated it at first. It was so strange and different from what I had heard till then, and the lyrics were so cryptic (hence my cousin's warning) that I could barely make any sense out of it. It took weeks and dozens of full listenings to get at least a glimpse of how brilliant this album is. I eventually managed to get some info on the band and about the album itself, as well as the lyrics. It may sound strange, but I used to study all of it when I came back from classes, and the more I thought I was getting it right, I would notice a line that completely ruined the whole process. My girlfriend also complained about me wasting my time with a "stupid album", but I kept on.
One of the songs that surprised me, when I looked up others' opinions about it on the web (at the time, at the local library) was Stinkfist. At the time I didn't know what fisting meant, and when I found out, I was so surprised, because it wasn't what I thought was the core of the song, AT ALL. ;D And this happened with pretty much all the other songs. But one thing that I immediately decided to do was to not let that affect my judgement of the songs. They have the meaning that I give them, the meaning that I think it's best for me, that helps me and heals me everytime I listen to them. Well, after that I bought Opiate and Undertow, had to do the same research for them, and loved them (many people don't like Opiate, but I dig it).
Around 2000 a friend of mine came to me with some mp3's from a band called A Perfect Circle. He said I would probably like it cuz "it sounds like Tool, especially this song Judith, man it's so c00l". The songs he gave me were Judith, Magdalena and 3 Libras. After I listened to them, I immediately figured out Maynard had to be the lead singer, I never heard a voice as individual as his. I was kind of worried then that he had left Tool, because of all those rumors about the band's problems with their label or something, which fortunately was confirmed to be a false alarm later on. One of APC's songs that I cherish with all my heart is 3 Libras. I remember me and my gf (now ex-gf ) used to spend whole afternoons listening to it. I know the song is not really romantic, but the sheer beauty of it, and maynard's voice transported both of us to a fantasy world, it almost seemed the whole world would stop each time we heard it together. She was petrified when I told her APC had the same lead singer as Tool
Everytime I hear APC, I remember those good times, sometimes I cry, sometimes I feel happy, for at least having had the chance to live them. In 2003 we broke up and 13th Step was very important in my "healing". Of course, before that, Lateralus came out, a magnificent piece of musical art and definitely one of the best albums EVER. It completely redefined the way I see things and life itself.
Well, I could say SO much about how mjk and his fellas changed my life, but it would take so many pages, that I think it's better to stop here. I just want to add that I was flamed for being a fan and an admirer of his art so many times, I have been called all sorts of names, and been tossed around so much... "but I'm still right here", and I'm happy for having the chance to meet people like you guys and girls, people that don't judge me harshly for loving music with all my heart, that don't call me gay just because "the guy wears stupid wigs, and does strange things on stage", or that think this is satanic music (believe me, you can't imagine how many times people say this to me ).
Life isn't easy for anyone, but mjk has surely helped me to carve my own path and will always be in my heart and mind, not as a guide, but as a light that helps me understand life by my own. And for that I am forever grateful to him.
PS: sorry for the long post