ABOUT THE MUSIC
~A Horse With No Name~
LJR
As promised, my second installment of reviews, sans Twilight references….except for the first one….which will be the last….in this edition of: Things I’m Obsessed About. Today, I’ve decided to delve into my obsession for my favorite band. I hadn’t decided they were my favorite until I heard a drum solo by Danny Carey. That’s right…..those of my fellow obsessees (I know that’s not a word…I just made it up….so…shut up) know I’m referring to the rock gods that are "Tool".
Formed in 1990, in Los Angeles, California (where dreams can come true!), the band consists of drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, vocalist Maynard James Keenan and current bassist is Justin Chancellor. Their sound has been described as heavy metal, thrash metal, alternative metal, progressive rock and finally; art rock. In my opinion, they are just old-fashioned head-banging rock. (And just what the hell is "art" rock?) Albums include: Undertow (1993), Ænima (1996), Lateralus (2001) and 10,000 Days (2006).
While some of their lyrics are slightly esoteric….(I fully admit that I don’t understand most of their meanings) I find myself in full air-guitar mode (à la Tom Cruise in Risky Business) and engaged in hardcore drumming on my steering wheel (despite perturbed looks from passing drivers……..Whatever….live a little…jeez) while listening to "Tool". For me, Tool is life-altering music. It makes my blood pound and my heart race. I cannot stop myself from singing aloud (at ear-splitting levels) when listening to Lateralus. Tool’s talent and artistry makes me long to feel a bass guitar hanging from my neck, or to be able to twirl those drum sticks like Danny Carey. (I listen to Lateralus as I write this, and my heart aches to be a rock goddess….*sigh*)
Back to Danny Carey. (I know some of the other Tool fans might argue that vocalist Maynard James Keenan is the glue that holds this band together….but I disagree.) Danny’s talent makes me realize how much I hate pop music. (The dancing prima donnas…not an instrument in sight….shouldn’t be allowed to gyrate across a stage or take up valuable recording studio time with their off-key whining…and their "agents" should be shot.) I cannot describe the feeling I have when I see Danny, eyes closed, taut muscles, straining to keep from losing control and taking a thirty minute solo. It makes me meloncholy with feelings of inadequacy and longing to be center-stage at a live show of just Danny Carey. I would pay any price. Sky’s the limit. Danny Carey puts Blue Man Group to shame (whom I also love….guess I have a thing for drummers…..or maybe it’s a thing for talent…) Let’s change the subject a bit…..and discuss the videos. I would give anything to see inside Adam Jone’s head for five minutes. (Adam Jones: the band manager and also video director.) What an absolute weirdo. How does he come up with that stuff? (Faceless, androgynous….beings?? Puking onto a table…in the shape of a circle? Oh my….somebody get that man a psychiatrist….and some meds…or perhaps less meds…I dunno…just do something for that poor guy) The "people" in the videos remind me of how a rotten apple looks…….I wonder if that’s where they got the idea for color-schemes and whatnot. In any case…………..I do find the videos comical in a disturbing way. One of their most startling videos is Prison Sex.
Yikes. (Can anyone say childhood trauma? Eek!) Unfortunately, only fan-made videos can be found for my favorite song; Lateralus. And now, I find myself at a loss for words to describe the glory that is Tool (if I continued, I wouldn’t do them justice, anyways). So I’ll end this article a little too soon and leave you with a few links so you can check out some of my favorite Tool songs. I’m posting one of Lateralus, even though it’s fan-based….it’s an interesting video. I’m also posting one of Danny Carey, drumming his sexy heart out. Until next time…..I recommend rocking out…with your…..well………..you know. ;)
(Please listen to the first two links in their entirety and if you don’t find yourself banging your head in rhythm to this music, you are dead inside.) Also – if you like Tool – check out A Perfect Circle which features Tool’s front man, Maynard James Keenan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDlC7oG_2W4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVbFrl9wLBA
**Next video not for the faint hearted** (You’ve been warned…)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiV_ue-PbL4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiNczmhgBZE%am987feature=relatedhttp://
I have an embarrassing confession to make. I have a terrible, dark secret. Late at night, while my kids are dreaming of sugar plum fairies (or Transformers, in the case of my boys) I am huddled under my covers, secretly reading for the 17th time, (honestly I’ve lost count) Twilight, of course. Yes, it’s true. I’m a 26 year old Twilightophile. I’m definitely Team Edward.
Ok, so I’m not as embarrassed as I thought I would be admitting my silly vice. It all began when my sister handed me the Holy Grail and whispered reverently: “You must read this. Keep an open mind. I’ll be waiting for your text.” And with a sheepish grin, I began reading book one: Twilight, by Stephanie Meyers. I read it cover-to-cover, in one night, sitting on my couch, eyes wide, falling deeply and irrevocably in love with Edward Cullen, head vamp.
I am the first to admit, being an avid and insatiable reader, that the Twilight Series is no masterpiece; it’s no East of Eden. But, it is an interesting and engrossing series to read. The basic storyline (for the few who haven’t delved into the series) is about Bella Swan, a 17 year old human girl who falls in love with Edward Cullen, one of the male members of the Cullen vampire coven.
Throughout the series, the pair must overcome many obstacles including bad vampires who want Bella dead, Edwards own vampire nature of wanting to kill Bella and of course, the ominous Volturi. Book one tells the tale of Bella and Edward’s love story, their love at first sight. Edward must learn to control himself and not kill Bella, all the while, falling in love with her. During a game of vampire baseball, a group of “bad” vampires catch a whiff of Bella’s blood and one decides then that he must hunt Bella. So off they go – tearing through cities to get to Bella. I won’t ruin the ending of the book, in case you are one who has yet been caught in the grips of the obsession that is Twilight.
In book two, Edward decides that he is not good enough for Bella and takes off with the rest of the Cullen family members. Enter: Jacob Black. (*Nervous giggle*) Jacob Black basically saves Bella from a near-suicide and they become best friends. Jacob falls hard for Bella and even though she makes it clear that she is “Team Edward” for life, Jacob assures her that he will be waiting for her should she decide she loves him too. Oh, and did I mention the werewolves? No? Oh, well in book two: New Moon, the werewolves suddenly spring from the forests of the Quileute Reservation. The Quileute boys (and one girl!) change into giant wolves due to the presence of vampires in the nearby areas. Luckily for the “Team Edward” members, Edward makes reappearance near the end of book two. (*Sigh of relief*) Coincidentally, book two is my least favorite book of the Twilight saga…mostly because Bella’s character decides to become a pathetic mess of gasping and sobbing throughout most of the book. And she takes advantage of Jacob Black, letting him fall deeper and deeper in love with her; all the while she nurses her love of Edward. It’s a little much for me, the gooey and mushy attitude of Bella. Plus, Edward is only in the beginning and the end of the book and I think I’ve mentioned I’m Team Edward….a few times.
Book three: Eclipse, is a happier theme for Bella and Edward. They have been reunited. This book also takes a twist and the narration changes from Bella to Jacob and lets us see his struggles, through his voice. Bella is forced to choose between Edward and Jacob and she also spends the entire book trying to convince Edward to change her to a vampire, so they can remain together forever in immortality. This book is far better than New Moon and Stephanie Meyer’s quality is improving through each book, although undeniably still not Pulitzer-prize winning material.
The final and fourth installment of Twilight is Breaking Dawn. The choice between Jacob and Edward is final and over when Bella and Edward get hitched. Edward and Bella getting married solves the abstinence theme that Meyers conveyed throughout the series and at long last, they can go forth and multiply (yes, a bit of overshadowing). If I continue with the synopsis of this book, it would be a major spoiler-alert. I’ll end it there.
Like I said, the books are not masterpieces. They are a fun read for women under 30. I know I will continue my late-night read-through of all four books. (Or at least until I have to admit to myself that my husband will never sparkle….*sigh*) My next review will be something other than Twilight, I promise. Maybe. Until next time, I’ll be under the covers with my worn-out copies of Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn.
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well, what do you think? comment here X
