Lateralus - Tool
  • Band Name: Tool
  • Record Label: Volcano
  • Release Date: May 15, 2001
Lateralus Image
Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 453 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: The band's first album of new material in five years was produced by Tool with David Bottrill and features 13 tracks.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Dot Music
    90
    It is dense, it is long, it is complicated. It is also a magnificent triumph of artistry over blind anger.
  2. Sonicnet
    80
    The band continues to rock in the Rush/Metallica eight-minute flexathon tradition: it may impress you with individual lines, but in the end, it excels mainly at musical gymnastics.
  3. Blender
    60
    Lateralus sounds like Black Sabbath jamming with Genesis at the bottom of a coal shaft. [Jun/Jul 2001, p.115]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Pitchfork
    19
    Now, with the early new century demanding "opuses," Tool follows suit. The problem is, Tool defines "opus" as taking their "defining element" (wanking sludge) and stretching it out to the maximum digital capacity of a compact disc.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 290 out of 306
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 306
  3. Negative: 15 out of 306
  1. JoeH
    10
    This is the album I keep coming back to over and over and over again! My CD collection would never be complete without this album and to this day, it is the only album to which I continuously listen. Each and every song is a testament to how talented Tool is. Listen to this album!… Expand
  2. ChrisR.
    8
    Pitchfork Now, with the early new century demanding "opuses," Tool follows suit. The problem is, Tool defines "opus" as taking their "defining element" (wanking sludge) and stretching it out to the maximum digital capacity of a compact disc. Fuck Pitchfork and it's whiny little voice. If Pitchfork was a person he would be the geek from High School scampering through the hall with his ripped, shit stained underwear from all the wedgies he gets. No wonder he hates Tool. This is the bully's music.… Expand
  3. JSS
    7
    Often pretentious. Often beautiful. Often overrated. But...Maynard is quite the singer.
  4. C.NileD.
    0
    Good, now that I have your attention... This album is most definitely not a zero when it comes to scoring, but I cannot see this album being a perfect 10 on this scale. It is a decent album and I love the music, but it is not enough to be perfect.… Expand

See all 306 User Reviews

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