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. 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.
  2. WayneB.
    Aug 29, 2002
    10
    I'm not a Tool fan. Never heard any of Tool's songs. I'm a rapidly-approaching-middle-age Pink Floyd fan and I had given up all hope for the future of music. But I kept reading good things about Lateralus and one day on an impulse I clicked the "Add to cart" button. Oh my God. This is amazing stuff. It's on the fringe of my style of music but I recognize good I'm not a Tool fan. Never heard any of Tool's songs. I'm a rapidly-approaching-middle-age Pink Floyd fan and I had given up all hope for the future of music. But I kept reading good things about Lateralus and one day on an impulse I clicked the "Add to cart" button. Oh my God. This is amazing stuff. It's on the fringe of my style of music but I recognize good songwriting and skilled, polished, high-precision musicianship when I hear it, and regardless of the genre that's what earns my highest admiration. Beyond that the quality of the recording takes it to the next level. These guys are smart enough to keep their hands off the dynamic range compression knob that has sucked the life out of just about every CD released in the past ten years. Listen to it on a big stereo system with big speakers and a big subwoofer, and let the bass (on tracks 9, 11, 12 especially) kick your ass!… Expand
  3. RobertN.
    Aug 9, 2002
    10
    With Pink Floyd and TOOL CDs, what more could one ask for . . . perhaps to be enlightened (the next best thing).
  4. DavidO.
    Nov 22, 2003
    10
    This album is a cornerstone of musical creation, an absolutely marvolouse journey of mesmeric brillience. Its poetry.
  5. EricH
    Jan 18, 2003
    10
    Lateralus ranks among the greatest albums in the history of Rock music. I'm speaking along the lines of Dark Side of the Moon, Houses of the Holy, Paranoid, Master of Puppets, OK Computer, Dirt, .... Where the hell is Dream Theater these days anyways? I wonder if they ever cleaned all of the hornets out of their heads? Guitar solos are so so very a thing of the past. And thank god Lateralus ranks among the greatest albums in the history of Rock music. I'm speaking along the lines of Dark Side of the Moon, Houses of the Holy, Paranoid, Master of Puppets, OK Computer, Dirt, .... Where the hell is Dream Theater these days anyways? I wonder if they ever cleaned all of the hornets out of their heads? Guitar solos are so so very a thing of the past. And thank god for that! I hope and pray that Tool will have a legacy of many good albums to appreciate over the years like the greats before them.… Expand
  6. jimbob
    Dec 15, 2003
    10
    very good can't see much improvement
  7. FatachiW
    Oct 22, 2003
    8
    Let's face it: Tool is one of the weirdest bands on the face of the earth, but, boy, do they know how to rock! (much better than most of the bands on the radio these days......)
  8. JoelG
    Dec 2, 2003
    10
    it puts you in a difrent state of mind
  9. carriec
    Oct 5, 2003
    10
    It is amazing! They are true geniuses.. the elaboration is flawless and perfect
  10. JasonE
    Mar 12, 2003
    10
    Tool's ludicrous amount of talent has led them to get better and better with each album. Danny Carey is simply the best drummer. Period. He is by no means a rhythm section, and has given rise to the wonderful concept of "lead drummer". They have surpassed all of their influences and predecessors to rise to the forefront of music as the most talented and intellectaully stimulating Tool's ludicrous amount of talent has led them to get better and better with each album. Danny Carey is simply the best drummer. Period. He is by no means a rhythm section, and has given rise to the wonderful concept of "lead drummer". They have surpassed all of their influences and predecessors to rise to the forefront of music as the most talented and intellectaully stimulating musiciansof the modern era. Dream Theater, while possessing a great deal of technical proficiency, is far too concerned with the Berkley-induced obsession with "the 95th note" to produce music with anything like Tool's feeling. In short, they have no souls. … Expand
  11. AdamS
    Apr 9, 2003
    10
    Tool is all that is significant, only seen with patience...it's an inner process, listen with the ears of an artist...you shall become one as well...sure of course it's not some blarring blahahhahaaaaaaaaa kind of band, where's the musical head within that..where's the real face behind that now..? c'mon now, pull your head out of your asses if you can't even Tool is all that is significant, only seen with patience...it's an inner process, listen with the ears of an artist...you shall become one as well...sure of course it's not some blarring blahahhahaaaaaaaaa kind of band, where's the musical head within that..where's the real face behind that now..? c'mon now, pull your head out of your asses if you can't even recognize Tool as one of the most phenominal bands alive yet...no other will match them, sure you could say that about every lame ass band such as P.O.D. but who's going to be remembered... … Expand
  12. jareds
    Jul 21, 2003
    10
    pitchfork sounds like he's wanking sludge! whens the next album? where are they going to go with it? i want it!
  13. GaborA
    Feb 20, 2004
    10
    Some critics say that tool is some kind of dark angry death march. The truth is that Tool has dug so far down into the darkness that they have errupted from the otherside into the brightest of light. Lateralus reaches that deepest part of your brain where the light lives but at the same time never stops pleasing the ears. Perfect in every way.
  14. Chimp
    May 22, 2004
    10
    Lateralus is the type of album that could redifine music if corporations like clear channel didnt exist. No, you wont see these songs on TRL. But this is truly original music, geniusly composed. The reviewers say that tool decides to do "show-offy" displays instead of how it should be done. No, it is not show-offy. Yes, the basic minimum of all the songs is about 6 minutes, and the album Lateralus is the type of album that could redifine music if corporations like clear channel didnt exist. No, you wont see these songs on TRL. But this is truly original music, geniusly composed. The reviewers say that tool decides to do "show-offy" displays instead of how it should be done. No, it is not show-offy. Yes, the basic minimum of all the songs is about 6 minutes, and the album is 1 minute short of the maximum for a disc, compared to other groups that will do 30-40 minute albums. The basic message is: Tool does not conform to society in any way. … Expand
  15. StevieJ
    Jun 12, 2004
    10
    absolutley mindblowingly awesome
  16. HarryN
    Jul 11, 2004
    10
    Es una masterpiece, es imposible escuchar Lateralus y no sentir un escalofrío constante, a cada palabra, a cada percusión, cada cuerda, cada sonido vaya. Y las letras, son mas que poemas, es como si la tierra en su centro estuviera llena de palabras, se sacaran unas cuantas de las mejores y se hicieran canciones con ellas.
  17. bend
    Sep 20, 2004
    10
    not as good as aenima but has the same impact. dannys drums stay magnificent
  18. HutchC
    Oct 13, 2005
    10
    To truly understand this album you need to understand just how difficult it is to bring symphonic melodies, great lyrics and explosive talent together - and make it sound as utterly implosive as Lateralus. I pity folks who probably dont play any instruments (particularly drums!), have never attempted to compose and play a song of their own - and set out to rate albums that are act as To truly understand this album you need to understand just how difficult it is to bring symphonic melodies, great lyrics and explosive talent together - and make it sound as utterly implosive as Lateralus. I pity folks who probably dont play any instruments (particularly drums!), have never attempted to compose and play a song of their own - and set out to rate albums that are act as cornerstones of metal. Albums like Megadeths "Rust in Peace" and Tools "Lateralus". I disagree with Elusive Cat completely.… Expand
  19. AbdulM
    Oct 15, 2005
    10
    Maybe not perfect, but as close to perfect as possible.
  20. CharlieP
    Jan 24, 2005
    10
    One of the greatest albums of my generation. A skillful and emotional journey into oneself, a true artists album without succumbing to the record industries wants and promotions. There is no other band out there today like tool because Maynard James Keenan, Daney Carey, Adam Jones and Justin Chancellor and the most skillful and creative force in music today. If there is ANY evidence One of the greatest albums of my generation. A skillful and emotional journey into oneself, a true artists album without succumbing to the record industries wants and promotions. There is no other band out there today like tool because Maynard James Keenan, Daney Carey, Adam Jones and Justin Chancellor and the most skillful and creative force in music today. If there is ANY evidence whatsoever that the music of our generation can move forward away from the crap its become, Tool is that evidence. My personal favorite songs are "Lateralus" "Parabola" and "Disposition." Buy this album.… Expand
  21. TonyS
    Oct 27, 2005
    10
    Tool is the most godly band of all time. People who don't like tool don't listen to them enough. One of my friends gave me a recommendation of tool 5 years ago. I went to the store and bought Aenima and lateralus and I drove to for 10 hours listening to them. It was one of the most boring experiences I have ever had. I had also bought a slipknot albumn that I listened to for the Tool is the most godly band of all time. People who don't like tool don't listen to them enough. One of my friends gave me a recommendation of tool 5 years ago. I went to the store and bought Aenima and lateralus and I drove to for 10 hours listening to them. It was one of the most boring experiences I have ever had. I had also bought a slipknot albumn that I listened to for the rest of the trip. So I thought I had just wasted $20. I went home and gave them a second chance...better a third...good and ect. Now "Schism" "the grudge" "Lateralus" "Ticks and leeches" and "parabola" all have over 1000 play counts on my ipod. I started to enjoy these songs seperatley. But then I decided to try the cd as a whole, and it is remarkable. I do homework to it, I turn on tool when I am going to bed. It is soothing and angry at the same time. I think that they are a true depiction of skill. They don't waste their time with loud music, it is all well thought out and used in a good manner. So if you hate tool then I encourage you to put down you stupid fall out boy cd and burn you beatles cd and buy lateralus and force yourself to listen to it 10 times in a row. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me. No joke.… Expand
  22. ColinB
    Feb 24, 2005
    10
    jaw dropping amazing.
  23. stiNKfist..
    Apr 27, 2005
    10
    One of the greatest albums i've heard.. amazing.
  24. DanielP
    May 13, 2005
    9
    One of the best cds. Tool is the best when it comes to unique timing. They are so different from every other band it's awesome. Maybard has a very unique voice, but it's really nice. This cd and band are musical geniuses. It really inspires me to be better at everthing I do.
  25. samb
    May 17, 2005
    10
    if the rating on this site could go any higher then the only album that would be above a 10 would be lateralus. the members of this band must be dieties because no mere mortal could create something as spectacular, beautiful, and mind-blowing as this album!!!
  26. Jay
    May 3, 2005
    10
    Absolutely outstanding. Anyone who gave this a bad review is definately kidding themselves, they can't actually be serious, they must just want to be different. TOOL are the most amazing band I have ever had the privalage of hearing. Noone else can/has inspired me so much. LONG LIVE TOOL!!!!
  27. Corey
    Jun 1, 2005
    10
    It's just great!
  28. ryans
    Jun 2, 2005
    10
    no words can describe this cd.
  29. MikeN
    Jul 23, 2005
    10
    Lateralus is beautiful!!
  30. eemisj
    Aug 2, 2005
    10
    Can't say what is better.. Lateralus or Aenima but both of them deserves full 10. I love this.
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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 »