10,000 Days
by Tool
  • Record Label: Volcano
  • Release Date: May 2, 2006
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 517 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 440 out of 517
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 517
  3. Negative: 43 out of 517

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  1. MattO
    May 1, 2008
    10
    It's safe to say that most of these critics probably spend too much time judging the "quality" and "ability" of several genres; in doing so, I think they somewhat lose their perception on what is inspirational. Songs aren't meant to be a "ballad of the moment." Songs are supposed to move people, motivating them to become something more than themselves. If you ask me, the critics It's safe to say that most of these critics probably spend too much time judging the "quality" and "ability" of several genres; in doing so, I think they somewhat lose their perception on what is inspirational. Songs aren't meant to be a "ballad of the moment." Songs are supposed to move people, motivating them to become something more than themselves. If you ask me, the critics are all on pot, not the listeners. They are on something else entirely. One of my favorite albums of all time, and I've listened to far too many different genres, from Kenny Rogers' "First Edition" to "all the damn Li'l's in rap music today."… Expand
  2. PM
    May 2, 2006
    3
    I have been a huge tool fan for years and have seen them perform several times. But, unfortunately, Pitchfork nailed it. They did make an A Perfect Circle album, with one improvement, Danny Carey on drums. The hole point of A Perfect Circle, in my opinion, was for Maynard to show a different side of himself. But it sounds like he's become confused which band he is singing in. The I have been a huge tool fan for years and have seen them perform several times. But, unfortunately, Pitchfork nailed it. They did make an A Perfect Circle album, with one improvement, Danny Carey on drums. The hole point of A Perfect Circle, in my opinion, was for Maynard to show a different side of himself. But it sounds like he's become confused which band he is singing in. The band is OK at the best of times, on this record, but Maynards vocals are mearly half as powerful or intense as before. The droaning soundscapes were easily ignorable in the past, becaue they were followed by epic, hard hitting rock songs that knocked you on your a**. Now, Tool fans have to sit through eleven minutes of ambient guitar noise, to here another eleven minute tune that never really takes off or delivers. Which is the problem with songs like Vicarious and Jambi, they are so close to exploding and being the glorious rock tunes Tool once made, but instead they hold back, and you feel like you've just wasted ten minutes waiting for something that was never going to happen. Truely Disapointing.… Expand
  3. JHanks
    May 3, 2006
    7
    I gave this a 7 because I expected more from Tool especially after their last album. This deserves a 7, no need to really expound on it. Any Tool fan should agree on the 7.
  4. MikeP
    Apr 21, 2008
    5
    Your comments are meaningless ..beware the new world order.
  5. RichardG
    Oct 21, 2006
    3
    I find it laughable that people clamour to tool, like a flock of mindless sheep.
  6. rottencabbage
    Aug 1, 2006
    1
    One of the most bland, lyrically daft offerings in ages. Experimental? Hardly. Oh goody, they can switch time signatures; can they record a memorable song? The answer is, of course, an emphatic "NO." Tool ape Pink Floyd and the countless other (talentless) metal bands out there, but end up sounding like caustic tripe. I'd rather listen to gifted musicians and lyricists who can One of the most bland, lyrically daft offerings in ages. Experimental? Hardly. Oh goody, they can switch time signatures; can they record a memorable song? The answer is, of course, an emphatic "NO." Tool ape Pink Floyd and the countless other (talentless) metal bands out there, but end up sounding like caustic tripe. I'd rather listen to gifted musicians and lyricists who can actually turn a phrase, thank you very much. There's a reason certain artists are critically acclaimed: did The Arcade Fire, The White Stripes, or Franz Ferdinand ever feel the need to record an album full of meandering, bland, overlong, pretentious twaddle? I didn't think so; they've actually got something worth saying. Of course, Tool fans will devour this like manna from the Heavens, or at least like Maynard James Keenan's constantly regurgitated, consistently meaningless, self-important feces. Another stinker from a band that believes it has Something Important to say; the only ones who pay it any heed, though, are Tool's daft, stoned fanbase.… Expand
  7. KeytonE
    May 3, 2006
    9
    If you can't take long songs just go back to your Fall Out Boy and Simple Plan. If you're a fan of Tool you'll love this album. The one review is correct, this is exactly what a Tool album should sound like, but it is definitely unique.
  8. ME
    May 3, 2006
    0
    Okay, I don't normally do this (Put a review here without hearing the album) but I've got to. Listen, I hate Tool, and their fans (Pretentious internet nerds, thanks guy). But something I hate more is the fan that raves, thinks that tool is a fucking blessing from God and doesnt capitolize his "I's" or spell gotten "Gotton". Cool guys.
  9. DougC
    Nov 25, 2006
    3
    All the pomp and pretention of Pink Floyd's classic Atom Heart Mother - minus the strings, horns, chorus, and interesting musical ideas. High concept with the emphasis on the HIGH. The CD package (featuring Alex Grey's hypercool psychedelic artwork) with 3D viewer and all, is way more fun than the sonic silliness it contains.
  10. qee
    Oct 6, 2006
    8
    I seriously don't see why people give Zeros...very few albums are worth that low of a score.
  11. JakeH
    May 8, 2006
    10
    Tool again reaches a new level of musicality! Tool has put AEnima and Lateralus in a blender, sprinkled in angst from the war and president and added power to create thIs progressive masterpiece!
  12. helloWaVe
    Jun 20, 2006
    2
    The Tool fans, of course, are going to say this album is great and if you don't think it's great you're not intelligent or perceptive enough to tell. Tool over the years has managed to narrow down their fans to an island of people that live and die by their name. This is a far cry from the 90's when the bands were so infectious they simply dragged you into their sound. The Tool fans, of course, are going to say this album is great and if you don't think it's great you're not intelligent or perceptive enough to tell. Tool over the years has managed to narrow down their fans to an island of people that live and die by their name. This is a far cry from the 90's when the bands were so infectious they simply dragged you into their sound. You were a fan because you wanted to be (or couldn't help but be one), not because you took an oath. Now, 99% of the surviving 90's bands are shells of their former selves and left us all dreaming about what it used to be like. Tool is a prime example. Ask any die-hard Tool fan to go off to a desert island and choose between 10,000 Days and Undertow--I think a lot of these perfect 10! reviews would disappear in a hurry. So Tool fans, have some guts, this thing sucks.… Expand
  13. ShastaMcNasty.
    May 2, 2006
    8
    Well, the wait is finally over. Another Tool album comes over the horizon to plunge our lives into darkness once again and the results are great, for the most part. Songs like Vicarious and Jambi kick the album off to a rocking start with vintage Tool riffing, more predominant bass playing by Justin Chancellor and Danny Carey is completely on his game (like always!). The 17 minute long Well, the wait is finally over. Another Tool album comes over the horizon to plunge our lives into darkness once again and the results are great, for the most part. Songs like Vicarious and Jambi kick the album off to a rocking start with vintage Tool riffing, more predominant bass playing by Justin Chancellor and Danny Carey is completely on his game (like always!). The 17 minute long Wings/10,000 days epic is haunting, to say the least, with a thunderstorm building in the background while the song builds to a crescendo. I must say that I was taken by surprise by The Pot, with it's Shannon Hoon-esque vocals, and it is definitely one of the highlights on the album for me. However, I was taken aback by Rosetta Stoned (is Maynard rapping at the beginning? hard to tell by the gravelly vox going at 200wpm) and I swear I almost fell asleep by the time Right in Two finally kicked in, but overall I would have to give the album an 8/10. Remniscent of their previous albums, but in a good way - hints of Third Eye splash about while the soundscape rolls into Lateralus-style riffing as touches of Undertow and Opiate abound. So remember that while 8/10 might not seem like the greatest score for a Tool album, it is essentially the same as a 4-star score and certainly better than the critics have given the band so far. 10,000 days must definitely be seen to be heard, especially with the awesome cd packaging and the nifty 3D goggles. Right on! Two thumbs up (sort of)… Expand
  14. Systool
    May 3, 2006
    8
    I'm a big TOOL fan and I have to say, like others voters here, that I've been quite surprised of reading some reviews, e.g. the Stylus magazine's... I would say that "10'000 Days" is probably not the best album Tool has ever made (I prefer Lateralus and most of all Aenima) but the band introduced some great parts, especially Justin (bass) who really drives the musical I'm a big TOOL fan and I have to say, like others voters here, that I've been quite surprised of reading some reviews, e.g. the Stylus magazine's... I would say that "10'000 Days" is probably not the best album Tool has ever made (I prefer Lateralus and most of all Aenima) but the band introduced some great parts, especially Justin (bass) who really drives the musical process. Some tracks like "Vicarious" are classic stuff, and "Jambi" and "The Pot" express heavy structures... but songs like "10 000 Days" and "Intension" expose more "psychedelic-like" atmospheres. The main negative point for me is that there are only 11 tracks and intermissions like "Lost Keys" and "Viginti Tres" are quite useless... I would have given a "9" if there was another solid track… Expand
  15. Nick
    May 5, 2006
    9
    Better after every listen. Though the album lacks the anthemic, driving sound found on earlier releases, the complexity and movement of the songs really make this a great record. Some may think it's pretentious, but if you sit down and let yourself completely engage in the musical movements, it stands out as Tool's finest work since Aenima.
  16. bobbyf
    May 5, 2006
    10
    Everyone who gave this albulm a negative rating did so because they expected something else of the band .. AND that is not the bands fault .. thats the listeners .. you should not prepare yourself to listen to this cd expecting it to sound like something you have already heard .. open your mind alittle , and make room for something new .. TOOL is one of the only bands out ther being true Everyone who gave this albulm a negative rating did so because they expected something else of the band .. AND that is not the bands fault .. thats the listeners .. you should not prepare yourself to listen to this cd expecting it to sound like something you have already heard .. open your mind alittle , and make room for something new .. TOOL is one of the only bands out ther being true to ther music , its clearly music thats inspired by four diffierent talented personalities meeting and conversing... and as for the guy who refered to cow bells and such .. " every goddamn skin, tom-tom, and cowbell on your drum set" your an idiot , from a succesfull drummers stance - danny is the first drummer doing anything creative for rock since john bonham .. everything he does is tastefull .. and juxtaposed to such idiot iconic prog-rock drummers such as mike portnoy , danny keeps his use of drums and toys to a minimum.. ... BF… Expand
  17. StevenG
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    TOOL is far and away the best hard rock band in the world, and 10,000 Days is the best heavy rock album since TOOL's Lateralus. This is just my opinion, for which I will not apologize.
  18. OsamaBinLadin
    Oct 4, 2006
    3
    You can rate that is if it where just any other bands first CD, or you can rate this from the vantage point of knowing their previous work. From the perspective of the later (alus?) this is a weak record. It has a couple standouts, but are those really standouts, or are they lateralus knee jerks? There truly is nothing new to be found. It seems that Maynard really isn
  19. KatM
    May 3, 2006
    9
    Hello people, every good band has an album like this in their career. Where they try something new and pepper it with their old sound. I see this as a transition album. Only bad thing is, we have to wait another 4-5 years to see what they're transitioning to, But if any experiment is worth hearing, it's Tool's.
  20. MagicWindow
    May 3, 2006
    2
    Terrible. Stagnant riffs, awfully ham-fisted lyrics and the production seems to have taken a step back to the Undertow era. This is not a career highlight. The packaging is digusting, too.
  21. RussellA
    May 4, 2006
    9
    After giving this one several spins, I have decided: it's pretty dang good. It most certainly is not just a cheap rehash of Lateralus; the band moves in an odd new direction, as should be expected. It's probably not as good as Lateralus, but they have definitely broken new ground. Most impressive was Maynard's vastly expanded range, Jones' mind-bending solos, and After giving this one several spins, I have decided: it's pretty dang good. It most certainly is not just a cheap rehash of Lateralus; the band moves in an odd new direction, as should be expected. It's probably not as good as Lateralus, but they have definitely broken new ground. Most impressive was Maynard's vastly expanded range, Jones' mind-bending solos, and especially Chancellor's absolutely superb bass work. Chancellor really stands out here, especially on the track "The Pot."… Expand
  22. JohnH
    May 4, 2006
    10
    Best Tool album (so far).
  23. GaborA
    May 5, 2006
    10
    With 10,000 Days despite it being one of their favorite themes Tool does not evolve. They merely age and with mixed results. The effects on quality is a lack of the consistency which blessed their other albums. With that said the summit pieces of this album are so good they're tear inducing, and i mean that literally. You guys dont have to write another note to retain your spot at With 10,000 Days despite it being one of their favorite themes Tool does not evolve. They merely age and with mixed results. The effects on quality is a lack of the consistency which blessed their other albums. With that said the summit pieces of this album are so good they're tear inducing, and i mean that literally. You guys dont have to write another note to retain your spot at the top for all my lifetime, but please do.… Expand
  24. DavidM
    May 5, 2006
    10
    I think that when people start realizing that the 10,000 days album is the begining of something great, and not an extension of APC or previous Tool albums they will realize that this is a great album. Did anybody ever thin that APC sounds like Tool instead of the other way. If I am now mistaken, Tool was around long before APC. Also, in reading the critics reviews, it sounds like they I think that when people start realizing that the 10,000 days album is the begining of something great, and not an extension of APC or previous Tool albums they will realize that this is a great album. Did anybody ever thin that APC sounds like Tool instead of the other way. If I am now mistaken, Tool was around long before APC. Also, in reading the critics reviews, it sounds like they listend to it once and wrote their review. A word of advice to anyone reading this: Listen to the new album 4-6 times AT LEAST, before forming an opinion. 10, 10, 10.… Expand
  25. JeffQ
    May 5, 2006
    0
    Horrible album of recycled riffs, cliche lyrics, and formulated songs. What happened to Tool?
  26. frankie
    May 5, 2006
    10
    another chapter in the Book Of Tool...not one to pass up. Filled with hair raising breakdowns emotional lyrics. Better then any crap band could even dream about, these guys are gonna be in history books if you don't listen with an open mind then you don't deserve to listen at all. Tool is the best hands down.
  27. DanK
    May 5, 2006
    9
    Not as accessible as aenima but fantastic all the same. Similar to Lateralus in that it only has five 'songs' to speak of - but oh! they are as good as anything else they have ever done. Since this is prog metal this amounts to about 35-40mins of audio gold-dust and another 30 of 'interesting' filler. And not in the slightest bit like perfect circle save for the guys Not as accessible as aenima but fantastic all the same. Similar to Lateralus in that it only has five 'songs' to speak of - but oh! they are as good as anything else they have ever done. Since this is prog metal this amounts to about 35-40mins of audio gold-dust and another 30 of 'interesting' filler. And not in the slightest bit like perfect circle save for the guys voice. Off you go! Buy it :) !… Expand
  28. Raz
    May 7, 2006
    3
    If you've listened to Aenima or Lateralus, then you know the members of Tool are all spectacular musicians. And that being the case, why do they spend their time constantly trying to prove how awesome they are? Most of this album sounds like wanking for wanking sake, with Maynard mostly buried in the mix. Soloing & jamming is only good if you bookend it with songwriting. There are no If you've listened to Aenima or Lateralus, then you know the members of Tool are all spectacular musicians. And that being the case, why do they spend their time constantly trying to prove how awesome they are? Most of this album sounds like wanking for wanking sake, with Maynard mostly buried in the mix. Soloing & jamming is only good if you bookend it with songwriting. There are no tunes here!! ...at least none that measure up anywhere near their last album, and measuring up to the perfect synchronicity of music & message on Aenima may now be past their reach. You can't even properly rock to it, because the band's too busy with stop-starts & time changes to find a riff or groove & ride it. If there's no rhythm to the rock, then it's just useless pummeling. So disappointed.… Expand
  29. ErwinK
    May 8, 2006
    7
    Like a lot people have said, it does take quite a few listens before you start reaping the benefits of this Tool album. It tends to be a fair bit more mellow compared to their previous albums, with a lot of filler, that at times is pretentious and other times (like in Lipan Conjuring) is completely creepy. Also a lot of the tracks feel more like A Perfect Circle tracks, like Right in Two, Like a lot people have said, it does take quite a few listens before you start reaping the benefits of this Tool album. It tends to be a fair bit more mellow compared to their previous albums, with a lot of filler, that at times is pretentious and other times (like in Lipan Conjuring) is completely creepy. Also a lot of the tracks feel more like A Perfect Circle tracks, like Right in Two, which is completely gorgeous. The Pot is a standard by the numbers Tool track which smacks you in the face with pure rage - probably the best track. The first single Vicarious is OK - it's all about schadenfreude, but nothing new or interesting about it. Rossetta Stoned is probably the most interesting song, with a weird array of tempo changes, strange singing styles, odd lyrics and the most petulant scream I have ever heard from Maynard. Yes like all Tool albums it has unusual rhythm signatures 5/4 7/8 9/8 etc, and a lot of songs go on forever like Wings/10,000 days. It's OK, but not up there with Aenema or Lateralus.… Expand
  30. SusanS
    May 9, 2006
    10
    I Love It...it's the best yet!
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Most Discussed Album of 2006
18
#18 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. AllMusic
    80
    It's not only a step forward for the band, but a re-embracing of the epic-length rock songs found at the roots of early heavy metal.
    Read full review
  2. Amazon.com
    60
    When Tool sounds as good as it does on ["Jambi" and "The Pot"] it's hard to get enough. Which makes it all the more baffling that a surprisingly large chunk of the disc is given over to mood-enhancing soundscapes like "Lost Keys" and "Vigniti Tres."
    Read full review
  3. E! Online
    75
    Sounds exactly like you would expect a Tool album to sound.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »