TOOL Time with A Perfect Circle, starring

[J*E*Cole]

Maynard James Keenan... But seriously, if someone asked you to explain the differences between TOOL and APC, or better yet, the old college essay question, "compare and contrast" TOOL with A Perfect Circle, how might you answer? And do you think they belong to the same genre, and what are those genres? Also, are they solid, are they here to stay, can they keep producing the same caliber of material, and for how long etc? Like that...

Tanks!

[3-LockBox]

if someone asked you to explain the differences between TOOL and APC, or better yet, the old college essay question, "compare and contrast" TOOL with A Perfect Circle, how might you answer?

I think they're both related to the metal genre perse': tooL is a band that played very dark, edgy material (not unlike goth) at first and then started to morph into a prog-metal band on their last album; APC is a more straight-forward, alternative-rock approach (the style of music that was once termed as "alternative" has been around for 15 years now, so just how alternative is "alternative"?).

Besides, a wise man once said, "Genres are for sissies".

Also, are they solid, are they here to stay, can they keep producing the same caliber of material, and for how long etc?

Neither group has been what I'd call prolific: tooL produced only 3 albums over an 8 year span and their last album as a group was released in 2001; Maynard Keenan seemed to have ditched tooL for his next project-->APC's last release, a 'covers' album, doesn't exactly smack of the same creativity that spawned the first two albums...I think a band is better off dwelling in obscurity for a while, and letting the rumors fly about 'creative dry spells', than to put out a 'covers' album and remove all doubt.

So to answer your last question, "how long can they continue to keep producing the same calibre of material?". That seemed to have come to a screeching halt about 2 years ago.

[J*E*Cole]

I think they're both related to the metal genre perse': tooL is a band that played very dark, edgy material (not unlike goth) at first and then started to morph into a prog-metal band on their last album; APC is a more straight-forward, alternative-rock approach (the style of music that was once termed as "alternative" has been around for 15 years now, so just how alternative is "alternative"?).

Besides, a wise man once said, "Genres are for sissies".





Neither group has been what I'd call prolific: tooL produced only 3 albums over an 8 year span and their last album as a group was released in 2001; Maynard Keenan seemed to have ditched tooL for his next project-->APC's last release, a 'covers' album, doesn't exactly smack of the same creativity that spawned the first two albums...I think a band is better off dwelling in obscurity for a while, and letting the rumors fly about 'creative dry spells', than to put out a 'covers' album and remove all doubt.

So to answer your last question, "how long can they continue to keep producing the same calibre of material?". That seemed to have come to a screeching halt about 2 years ago.

Well that last paragraph is kinda the answer I knew was right, but wish it wasn't.

[Dusty Chalk]

I think 3lb's description of the compare/contrast is pretty spot on.

I disagree that the covers album was uncreative -- I loved that album. Every single song was a completely different version.

I also think that it needs to be treated differently -- don't treat it as an album "proper", it was more of a "Christmas present" than anything else. Sort of like Deftones' recent b-sides/rarities compilation.

I bet their next album will be slamming.

[caniac]

Little OT, but I saw APC in concert about a year ago in New Orleans.

Maynard went on a rant about politics, complaining about Schwarzenegger's governorship in California. He was like "I can't believe the people elected this guy, just because he's a celebrity. It would be like if you guys voted for Mystikal for governor of Lousiana".

[The Grudge]

Yes they can and will continue to produce stunning music. Regardless of your take on the newer direction Tool took with Lateralus, the album was a musical masterpiece with power, grace, texture, contrast and so on. Really it was stellar.

I love that they don't just release music for the sake of getting an album out, they wait until they have a body of music worth producing. That to me is far better than putting out sub-standard releases just to stay current and in the scene. I doubt Maynard has ditched Tool, if you listen to Lateralus you know they still click as musicians and the fact that they spend time apart is good, not bad. It was 6 years between their last two albums, I may have hated the wait, but from where I sit, it was well worth it.