unflinchingly brilliant. its artistic and auditory delicacies may be lost on many, but its not their fault that they can't comprehend or appreciate greatness. they're just not that bright and Tool too sophisticated for them

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.

I couldn't stop listening to Tool for an entire year. This album is a favourite. The poly-rhythms, intense guitars yet a far mellower-than-before sounding Maynard, give you a life long's worth of spine chilling, introspective, life-changing music.

this Cd kicks ass, those who dont think so can suck it

Tool's music follows its own evolutionary path. The new paths are diverse and magical, eerie and enlightening. If you only own one album in your life, this should be it.

In one word: perfect. The music performs circles around any other contemporary band, and the lyrics are poetry rather than just words that rhyme.

I love Alien Ant Farm's new album "ANThology". It's like Michael Jackson joined a punk rock band! I love it! Rock on!!!

Nothing short of absoltely INCREDIBLE. Finally a group has created an album that has surpassed the likes of Zeppelin and Floyd, this music isnt just amazing in its structure, it actually makes you see spirals and geometric shapes at parts of the album, and makes muscles in your legs twitch in rythm to the music, not main big muslec, but tiny intricate movements, feels like a wave of moving muscles. So much for music being so powerfull that you hairs on your arms can stand up, they have taken music to a new level.… Expand

agree with Aaron W - this album is more of a soundtrack to your personal spiritual awakening. It will be with me forever... food for the soul and delivered with love

Easily the best album I've heard in at least 5 years!

parabl(A) rocks... a little slow at times..... over all--GREAT!

In your face rock, yet melodic at times. the only thing songs are extended unnecesarily.As a Whole the cd is the best thing out there at the moment.

Simply amazing. So much deeper than all the lousy music (i.e. Staind, Limp Bizkit, Korn) that's out there. This album is actually deep and shows infinite talent. A ray of hope for the music world.

open your mind

Tool cannot possibly go wrong with their sound and intricate artistry. Keep up the good work and get in gear on the next albulm :)

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

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!!!!

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

The greatest album ever!

Lateralus makes me question everything, because I understand nothing about it.

This album blew me away. One of the contemporary albums best i own, right up there w/ Aenima and Radiohead's OK Computer. It maybe hard to get into if u don't listen to tool on a regular basis, but hearing the amazing ax work and drum solos will turn any musician on. Maynard, as always, proves to be one of the best frontmen alive.

this cd is the greatest thing that has ever happened. TOOL is the greatest thing that has ever happened.

Lateralus is a cornecopea of incredible sound taking electric guitars and percussion to a level equal to early classical music, innovative all in its own, years and years ahead of it's time.

this has to be one of the best cds ive ever gotten. tool certainly doesn't conform to the formulated music that is so common today. you hardly find a good band with songs longer than 4 and a half minutes. tool goes beyond 11 minutes, and the drummer is definitely the best drummer ive ever heard. the drum and guitar coordination to make perfect sounds is unbelievable, like in Schism and The Grudge. I could go on and on about the perfection of every song on this cd, but it'd take too long. so basically, tool kicks every band of the 90's and 2000's ass. all the pitiful bands with a lack of creativity and originality, and to all you that say tool makes boring and "overlong" songs, you can f*ck yourselves, because you obviously dont know the first thing about a good song, you dumbasses.… Expand

one of my faves!

I own over 300 albums, and this is my favourite. It takes a few listens at first, but persevere, listen the whole way through and enjoy the journey

This album is an amzing display of talent, passion, and artistry in an amalgam of beauty. The user flew spends more time assailing things he does not understand. bassists who use picks are not good? He is a moron. Tool does not know their instruments? time shifts in precision lay that idiotic statement to rest.

es lo mejor la verdad q se podria decir q mi mentalidad ambio radicalmente despues de escuchar esta banda simplemente son una leyenda viva

best album ever.

This is one of the most accomplished albums in rock music history. Lyrically poignant, instrumentally perfect, with haunting vocals, numerous gooseflesh producing choruses, and impeccable musical timing this album is one to cherish.

Amazing. One of the best rock records ever made. Simply puts other bands to shame. P.S. Fuck you Pitchfork..most of your reviews just take the piss and put the artist/s to shame and you clearly have no idea what your talking about.

Far and away my favorite overall album. That is not to say that it began there. It took time and many cycles through my audio receptors to get there. I remember a time, after its initial release, that I thought "uh-ok. This is not what I expected". Then one day, I was listening. My mind was in the proper place and the pieces all came together. There was an alignment and it made sense. If you don't get it, no problem. It's not for you. On a side note, I have noticed that INTP's (myself included) seem to be predisposed to this album in particular.… Expand

Greatest rock album of all time, Tool appeals to all senses. Don't believe critics, believe users. Critics rate Lateralus like chicken mcnuggets, I rate it as music and art. When it comes to that, it's a 10.

Great album..... I have no idea how pitchfork does there reviews (some are good, some are wayyyy off). This is one of the greatest albums I've heard.

Best album of 2001. Note the flaw in metacritic...1 bad review and the score drops significantly...

shit i did something wrong oh well like i said i dont know this cd but i will soon enough ^-~chibizarbon^-^

This album kicks ass, The bass and drums are tight and Maynard is as haunting as ever.

Phenomenal and mesmerizing!

Maynard James Keenan is demanding you sorry ass to listen to his album.

They always evolve, from excellent to phenomenal....

This album is one of the most mind expanding I have heard in a long time. You hear it in a different way every time you listen to it. Incredable, monumental..one for the ages.

amazing art work, from the cover to the music, it's just amazing

Lateralus is nothing short of a stellar effort that builds upon and (if such a thing is possible) transcends Tool's earlier works. Though I have been a Tool fan since the Opiate EP, I must admit that I was a bit disappointed with the overall pace of Ænima, their previous release. A part of me feared a repeat with Lateralus, and I had my finger poised over the scan button on my CD player to skip the indecipherable sonic filler that was all too prevalent on their last album. After experiencing Lateralus in it's entirety, I easily came to the conclusion that skipping tracks on this CD is not only stupid, but also completely unnecessary. It's rock-solid from start to finish. This is the first album I have owned in a LONG time that I can say that about. Truth be told, it's probably safe to say that it takes a more thoughtful sort of music fan to really appreciate the depth and intricacy of Tool's art. I challenge anyone who enjoys music to set aside some time, listen to this album with headphones, and not be gripped (and at times groped) by the sounds of this amazing band. Tool is the great "anti-hype", the mystery wrapped in an enigma that continues to defy the expectations of a capitalist recording industry, continues to garner the support of new fans without overmarketing themselves, and continues to provide the die-hard ones with sounds that are unmistakably TOOL. They are truly one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and Lateralus proves it beyond a shadow of a doubt. If they don't go down in rock history for this album, then something is really, really wrong with this world.… Expand

I feel Tool has made a album that surpasses anything out there right now. There music is'nt just thrown together like the new music out there. (respect tool for that)

We wouldnt expect anything more beautiful and haunting at the same time than this album. The way it builds up from the 1 minute intro to maynard to the crushing blows of dannys drum at the end. The album is just clever, very clever. Everything you could ever want from music is here, beauty, anger, fluidness, anticipation. An awakening experience, as every Tool album has been.

Tool is pimp shit, and i wanna fuck maynrd!!! bad

no other band has their musical talent in rock. the songs should be called compositions instead of songs. this is truly one great cd if you have musical apreceation

10...why?...have you listened to it?

This album is awesome. It adds into a large collection of great songs.

I try my best to be origional . I feel perplexed by comitting my feelings about my favourite band because I dont want to sound like everyone else . Tool is a band that is eternal , both musically and spiritually . Top ten of all time . You see it is very hard to sound origional , its an art . Therefor since I have not perfected by own personal origionality I will reframe from further rating this CD .… Expand

I myself am a musician and I would like to say the Tool is one of the greates group of musicians around. They write beautiful music and beautiful lyrics that put my mind in a state of serenity (when I am sober or intoxicated). I reall yhope Tool wil continue their carees as musicians unitl they are no longer able to play, because when they are gone, it will be a sad day for the world of music.

I think this is one of Tool's best works, they combine hard rock with slow melodies and not one second of the CD is not worth listening to a thousand times

the epitimy of a perfect album. Undeniably the most fluidly moving ablum I've ever heard.

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.

my rating for this album says it all!! for all u faggots that rate tool's music with a low from 1-7, can go $#%@ themselves!!

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!!!

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

well,the best album since years...tool is the only creative band now!NiN too..

Just great! The best album since aenima

I would give it a 10, but it doesn't seem possible. Honestly I should give it a 5 or 6, but that wouldn't seem right. Lateralus is the best CD I have ever heard. The reason I say 5 or 6 is because I know they have a few more GREAT CDs left in them, and if they keep doing what they are doing then they will only get better. I just cannot give this CD the best vote because that would mean their next CD would only be either equal to or less than in quality, when I KNOW that it is going to be better!!!!!!!… Expand

A fine example of what rock should be about. EXCELLENT!!!

Best mainstream album I've heard yet. And John L., there is an assload of bands that blow Tool away in terms of talent...check out Dream Theater, who probably influenced Tool quite a bit...

best album ever.

Deep, great music.

Intricate arrangements and spiritual meaning too difficult for today's lame "musicians" to match or even understand. This band is definitely the best around.

This is the best Tool ALBUM so far. While Aenima might have a better group of individual songs, the flow, pacing, and collective experience that Lateralus provides is amazing.

tool has to be one of the most self indulgent bands in the world today

An absolutely amazing album from start to finish. A must have for any self respecting fan.

So, perhaps I have just never been "stoned out of my gourd" enough to appreciate this, but as it is, it feels extremely distanced, entirely unwelcoming. It's also the most atrociously overproduced, pretentious album in a long, long while. Tool hasn't released a decent album since Undertow.

Boring, slow, tuneless, unremarkable, lame, pretentious, behind the times, completely categorical. Tool proves that a lot of people have no idea what makes a good, creative, palatable band. As for them being metal, Hall and Oates are more metal than they are. That whiny lead singer can't get enough of himself and obviously has a messiah complex. They know they've got control of Tool freaks' minds so they can make any lame nonsensical noises or lyrics and have them be revered to a quasi-religious degree. This shows the condition this country is in. It feels good to blend in with the congregation of Tool worshippers , doesn't it? Like religion, Tool's greatness is not to be questioned according to some posts. Like the TV preachers, Tool loves your money and is building up its own church. Don't be fooled by the anti-Christian stance, they have got their own religion with their own religious nuts who have been posting all over the internet. The music is bland and muddy, the drums uninteresting and plodding, the singer whining and self-righteous, the one-idea songs are moronic, and they are all lazy posers who have never learned to correctly play their instruments. It is a slap in the face that people will idolize Tool as the greatest band ever when there are thousands of better bands that deserve our attention and money. People are too lazy to find their own favorite group and do not like to search for interesting music. Better to fit in with all your Tool loving friends. For a real taste of metal, try Megadeth's new album. Forget Tool, they suck.… Expand

incredible music, incredible live act, incredible

UN-BE-LIEVABLE!!!

this cd is quite possibly the most amazing cd ever created. maynard continues to craft lyrics that are very origional, intelligent and satisfyingly heartfelt. the album seems to just grab at you and take you on a very unchartered journey leaving you amazingly blown away from the music you had just experienced. the sound is origional with alot of depth and texture while at the same time being created with an extremely high level of skill. incredible album, my favorite and my highest praise to Tool.… Expand

Best... Album... Evar...

Ah... The first album by Tool that i was introduced to... The beginning of a new life I tell you. Tool are masterminded people and I love this album in all its glory! All their albums are outstanding and unique. For my favorite band in the world and their best album - Lateralus- I tell all you that aren't Tool fans and understand much: Learn to swim! ...UND KEINE EIER! Believe in nothing and question authority! To the understanding and great tool fans out there: Great Listening and over thinkning over analyzing seperates the body from the mind... (oh great now i got the song stuck in my head)… Expand

This is an amazing album, so complex and emotional. It takes a bit for the music to sink in but once it does, you'll know this is the best Tool abum yet.

Maynard has one of the greatest voices of all time, along with some of most ingenius lyrics. If you rate the music on mere talent and think silly guitar tricks is the only real music out there your a fucking idiot. These guys play exactly what they here in their heads. Every riff on that album sounds exactly as it should. The idea of "sloppy" should never come into the picture. The album is driven by such a spiritual and musical force its unbelievable.… Expand

this is an amazin piece of art work man, one of the most innovative and insiring pieces of music ive ever heard.

Lateralus Is a true inspiration to all who take the time to soak in the meaning of its lyrics.

the best peice of music ever created by mortal man. well, actualy, the best peice of music ever created by any being. God couldnt make music this good.

This was great when it was released, and it has also aged very well. This is one of the few albums I have ever experienced that I can listen to years after its release (and not to mention for the thousandth time) and it still feels just so good. And I'm sure it will 10 years from now. These guys are amazing.

Amzing very weird and original! mitical and calming! simply good for the soul!

Undeniably perfect!

Often pretentious. Often beautiful. Often overrated. But...Maynard is quite the singer.

An album that fits into a category of it's own. Unlike any other form of music, T o o l has blended so many techniques and sounds that no category or label of music does them justice. Lateralus is T o o l 's piece de resistance as it is an album that will make you rethink what good music is.

one of the best cd's I,ve ever owned

Fantastic Album. In my top 5.

I can't comprehend how anyone can love this music.

This is definitely one of the most relevant and introspective rock albums released in the last decade - if it weren't for Tool, there would be no hope for the evolution of modern rock past the year 2000. I find it hard to believe anyone could miss the value and beauty flowing from this record.

I love Tool as a band, so I'll have to explain the bad score. Tool have always had songs that were long and slipped in and out of harder lyrics and riffs, but this album just gets it all wrong. Even the good songs will have you bored out of your mind half of the time. Example: "Schism" is a great song.....during the parts of the song where they actually sing and play more music than an almost silent chord or two. The rest of the 7 minute song will just have you going to sleep. So much of the album is filler space (even within songs like mentioned before) that I just cant recommend it over the obviously better put together Aenema or Undertow.… Expand

One of the best albums I've ever listened to. Every time you listen to it you hear or experience something new.

Musically complex and yet simplistic all the same, and with lyrics involving many mysteries and esoteric beliefs, Lateralus will stupify you and amaze you all at the same time. Tool's fourth studio release, and their most accomplished, is rife with intricate time signatures and deft drumming at its finest. The bass and guitar work complement eachother and fit well with the drums. The vocalist Maynard James Keenan has one of the most beautiful voices in music and weaves in mysterious and spiritual lyrics about freeing yourself from restraints, thinking for yourself, and living life to its fullest. They are not devil worshippers as a lot of people would like to say. Their music may be heavy as all heck, but their message is about healing and being one with the universe. Amazing album.… Expand

Most impressive. Let down in places by some meandering which acts like a speed bump to the album's overall flow, but it's rare to listen to a metal project where the silences can be as potent as the sound.

I don't know who these revieweres are or what album they listened to for this mid 70 overall score. Oviously not lateralus. Perfectly written, flawlessly mixed, with deep, awe inspiring lyrics. Music at it's greatest.

Critics suck.

Faultless album. Astounded (but not disappointed) as to it's lack of official acclaim.

Pure genius.

I cannot describe how amazing this album is. Keenan's vocal range, style and songwriting are all first rate and Carey is one of the best drummers in rock music, period. Jones and Chancellor are most than solid but do tend to get outshined by Keenan and Carey. Anyway, every song on this album is simply perfect in their own way, from The Grudge all the way to Reflection. How this record could be rated below a 90 is just beyond me, the beauty within this 79 minute album is the best 79 minutes you could ever spend listening to music. As you can see, my praise for this album is unrelenting, and I just hope that these so called "critics" will eventually learn why Tool is the best band out there right now. I've lost what little respect I have for these critics in their ratings for this one album alone.… Expand