Lateralus
by Tool
  • Record Label: Volcano
  • Release Date: May 15, 2001
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 641 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 580 out of 641
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 641
  3. Negative: 58 out of 641

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  1. AnthonyR.
    May 29, 2002
    10
    The Led Zeppelin IV of the 21st Century.
  2. AlexK.
    May 15, 2002
    10
    Just great! The best album since aenima
  3. RamiF.
    May 14, 2002
    10
    You dont find such an album in stores everyday. This is a master artwork by maynard. Its more than just songs. Its more like a religion or a science.
  4. BarrR.
    Apr 29, 2002
    10
    Auditory brilliance. Nothing short of a masterpiece. I have spun this disk a few thousand times and it still manages to raise the hairs on the back of my neck.
  5. DavidB.
    Apr 18, 2002
    10
    It speaks for itself, and it speaks numbers. Tool is unlike anything else the world has ever seen or heard.
  6. AytekynA.
    Apr 13, 2002
    10
    The greatest album ever!
  7. JamesP.
    Feb 8, 2002
    10
    In Lateralus, Tool have created a truly mindblowing musical vision - as thought-provoking as the monolith's in '2001: a space oddysey' yet just as intriguing, offering it's listeners the bands opinions about the meaning of life and our position in the cosmos. The inlay acting as a step-by-step guide through the album containing eye opening hidden messages for those In Lateralus, Tool have created a truly mindblowing musical vision - as thought-provoking as the monolith's in '2001: a space oddysey' yet just as intriguing, offering it's listeners the bands opinions about the meaning of life and our position in the cosmos. The inlay acting as a step-by-step guide through the album containing eye opening hidden messages for those that understand them. The music itself is complexing, twisting, psychological and epic - a true modern masterpiece that will inspire for years to come.… Expand
  8. MikeR.
    Feb 6, 2002
    10
    This album is by far the album of the year. Although, not for the MTV mainstream rock crowd. You know the ones that actually like the modern day accurance such as every record label grabbing a band that sound exactly like the ONE band that made it big. I mean how many Creed's do we need? Exceptional album!!!
  9. DaveR.
    Feb 4, 2002
    10
    It is, the type of music that demands that you listen to the things you didn't hear the first 10 times. It is over the top on talent, and sound production is perfect. To those who hear it once or twice and say "yeah it's ok but it's bla, bla, etc.", failed to listen at all and are not connected with the depth of thought it takes to understand the musical arraignments. Or It is, the type of music that demands that you listen to the things you didn't hear the first 10 times. It is over the top on talent, and sound production is perfect. To those who hear it once or twice and say "yeah it's ok but it's bla, bla, etc.", failed to listen at all and are not connected with the depth of thought it takes to understand the musical arraignments. Or possibly too tied up with the "popular" instant gratification entertainment available to take some time to listen to one of the greatest compositions of sound ever created. … Expand
  10. kris
    Jan 28, 2002
    10
    the epitimy of a perfect album. Undeniably the most fluidly moving ablum I've ever heard.
  11. DavidT.
    Jan 24, 2002
    10
    un-fucking-believable
  12. ScottZ.
    Jan 22, 2002
    10
    Good Music
  13. MarkC.
    Jan 21, 2002
    10
    When you breathe you breathe for the moment, yet you breathe to stay alive the entire day as well
  14. DevinT.
    Jan 12, 2002
    10
    out of site into mind
  15. BryantR.
    Jan 7, 2002
    10
    Lateralus is an emotional aray of musical and lyrical dimentions of Maynard's intelect in words w/adam's guitar melodies is a perfect match.
  16. JaepilS.
    Jan 7, 2002
    10
    No need to ramble on about how I feel about this masterpiece. Just buy it or you're missing a chance to develop a possible brand new view on music. If Dream Theater is on the light side(heaven), Tool and this CD is right from the core of hell.
  17. DeanJ.
    Jan 3, 2002
    10
    Album of 2001 without a doubt. Listen to it once and you won't get it, listen to it more and the more you get out of it. There is no other band like Tool and there never will be, so glad they got over the legal crap. Very happy to see all the good reviews here, guess I will never understand the retard that gave it a 3!!!!
  18. BomarF.
    Jan 3, 2002
    10
    this is *real* music... uncompromising, brilliant, stunning, dark, iridescent, powerful, triumphant, original, intense, precise, vibrant, dynamic, and beautiful beyond words. Primal and cerebral all at once (no, that's not a contradiction!), with no compromises and zero waffling. Impeccable sense of sonic "space." And not one bit more technical than necessary--absolutely no filler this is *real* music... uncompromising, brilliant, stunning, dark, iridescent, powerful, triumphant, original, intense, precise, vibrant, dynamic, and beautiful beyond words. Primal and cerebral all at once (no, that's not a contradiction!), with no compromises and zero waffling. Impeccable sense of sonic "space." And not one bit more technical than necessary--absolutely no filler notes or filler songs. Tool made this latest offering WAY better than anyone would have ever asked them to...a labor of love... a 12-gauge shotgun blast through the heart of stagnation; a triumph of brilliance over blandness, of inspiration over asinine posturing; of creative vision over A&R guesswork; of artistry over sludgy, bloated, commercialized poodling-around. Buy it.… Expand
  19. JimG.
    Nov 28, 2001
    10
    As late 30s, long-time Rush and Pink Floyd fan, its been awhile since I've heard new music to get excited about. Not any more. Lateralus opened the door for me to find Aenima, Undertow, Opiate and Salival. Where was Tool when I was 21?
  20. ShareefS.
    Nov 12, 2001
    10
    could not have been better -- takes a minute to get use to -- but when you listen to the words and zone out makes so much sense and it pulls you into the world of tool -- all you can do is let go and be free and just let it take hold of you ...
  21. ThomasG.
    Nov 9, 2001
    10
    the evolution of tools music can not go unnoticed with every album you can undeniably notice how much each individual of the band has matured each song is like a different ride at an amusement park you can eather get on and hang on or throw your hands in the air and enjoy the ride there is no other band in the world that can make an album and tell a story from beginning to end tool is the evolution of tools music can not go unnoticed with every album you can undeniably notice how much each individual of the band has matured each song is like a different ride at an amusement park you can eather get on and hang on or throw your hands in the air and enjoy the ride there is no other band in the world that can make an album and tell a story from beginning to end tool is what there name says they are (a tool) that can be used for a never ending quest for knowledge all four of there albumes are telling us a story its up to us to put it together. … Expand
  22. JeanineG
    Nov 9, 2001
    10
    The braindead critic who rated this album a 2 really should find a new line of work. This album has amazed and enlightened my musical mind as only TOOL can do.
  23. AdamJ.
    Oct 28, 2001
    10
    Yet more proof that Tool has more straight-up, individual talent (on all instruments/vocals) than any other band around today, hands down. And the way they blend and time that talent into the songs on Lateralus is nothing short of amazing.
  24. MattS.
    Oct 25, 2001
    10
    This album kicks ass, The bass and drums are tight and Maynard is as haunting as ever.
  25. ^-~chibizarbon^-^rahardjo
    Oct 20, 2001
    9
    shit i did something wrong oh well like i said i dont know this cd but i will soon enough ^-~chibizarbon^-^
  26. AlexT.
    Oct 19, 2001
    10
    If you can listen to this album all the way through and feel nothing, you have no soul.
  27. grug
    Oct 13, 2001
    10
    Best album of 2001. Note the flaw in metacritic...1 bad review and the score drops significantly...
  28. DavidF.
    Oct 10, 2001
    10
    this Cd kicks ass, those who dont think so can suck it
  29. JasonD.
    Oct 5, 2001
    10
    i really enjoy this musical masterpiece!Maynard and company have done it again.I think this is the best album of2001.
  30. JessieC.
    Oct 3, 2001
    10
    Phenomenal and mesmerizing!
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Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Best Album of 2001
1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2001
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Wall of Sound
    83
    A 79-minute sonic sojourn of hard rock delivered with an arty, fusion-conscious sensibility rooted most obviously from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Jane's Addiction.
    Read full review
  2. Q Magazine
    80
    Ultimately, it's Tool's experimental, borderline progressive, edge that proves most rewarding. [Aug 2001, p.141]
  3. Dot Music
    90
    It is dense, it is long, it is complicated. It is also a magnificent triumph of artistry over blind anger.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »