Tool – Undertow (CD)
Product Details
Released in 1993, Undertow broke Tool out of the heavy underground and into genuine mainstream consciousness, eventually going platinum twice over on the strength of relentless touring and word-of-mouth among a generation of rock fans hungry for something with real weight behind it. Maynard James Keenan, Adam Jones, Paul D'Amour, and Danny Carey arrived here as a fully formed creative force, not a band still finding its footing.
Arguably their finest album, this follow-up to Opiate showcases Tool at their best, assisted by clean, crisp production, without the muddiness of Aenima. Edgy guitar riffs are complemented by spitting, heavy bass, especially on "Sober" and "Crawl Away". Lyrically, Tool are at their vitriolic best, targeting religious hypocrisy ("Intolerance," "Sober"; always a popular theme), the loss of innocence and it's consequences ("Prison Sex"), and deliberate ignorance ("Swamp Song"). Henry Rollins makes a guest appearance on "Bottom," which, along with "4 Degrees," deals with questions of identity. Undertow is also Tool's most musically adventurous album, lacking the occasionally numbing sameness of Aenima, and with considerably more sophistication than their previous work.
Tracklist
UPC: 614223105222
Label: Volcano
Release Date: 4.6.93
Format: CD