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Product Details
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| 1. Third Eye (Live) |
| 2. Part Of Me (Live) |
| 3. Pushit (Live) |
| 4. Message To Harry Manback II |
| 5. Merkaba (Live) |
| 6. You Lied (Live) |
| 7. No Quarter |
| 8. Lame |
And so starts yet another successful outing from one of history's greatest bands. Tool's "Salival" (the name being derived from the diehards' nervous anticipation for the release of what would be "Lateralus" the next year) is much different than most band's live CD's or B-sides albums. And for that matter, much MUCH different than any other band's video catalogue; but therein lies the band's appeal and mysticism that has been attracting fans for ten fascinating years. But "Salival's" diversity and strangeness also make it more of a fan commodity than something that would appeal to the world at large (argueably because the world simply doesn't "get it"). This is not the disc that you will be handing your friend to introduce him or her to Tool. But for the faithful followers, this is quite a rewarding box set.
The DVD includes the four grotesque and symbolic Tool videos, something that hasn't been available to buy prior. The videos are mostly the brain-child of the multi-talented guitarist of the band, Adam Jones, who directed and created most of the scenes. "Prison Sex" puts to animation the painful story of Maynard's childhood abuse in chilling detail, while "Aenema" demonstrates symbols of God, psychological circumstances, and self-rigor. None of the videos displays Tools overall theme of realization better than the "Sober" video. Even though this was the eventual breakthrough for the band back in 1993, few stuck around to read into the message. The video showcases an old man in a desperate search for something the turns out to be sheerly imagined. And finally, "Stinkfist" is probably the most bizarre, revolting, unsettling, but insightful videos ever made. Lots of symbolism here as well, while "Hush" is a simple visualization to the anthematic singing of the Maynard-penned "I can't say what I want to."
The live CD is stunning, though most of the fans here are right about it not being long enough. Ever the optimist, I think it's great they released anything at ALL before the classic "Lateralus," so the 8 songs are not disappointing. Aenima's "Third Eye," recorded in Salt Lake, kicks off the set, starting with some good insight by Timothy Leary. The song is much different than the studio version, but so goes the band's music on tour. The obvious climax is the toned-down, but still insanely beautiful and classic "Push-it," which is presented by the band "at a different angle and under a different light." "Merkaba" and the hidden track (dubbed "Lame" by fans) represent the previously unreleased Tool material, both being pretty good. Covers are also part of the arsenal; a breathtaking version of Zeppelin's "No Quarter" and Peach's "You Lied" (Peach is Justin Chancellor's old band). Don't expect to get an in-depth look at a Tool tour on the CD, or any "never before seen" surprises from the DVD. This was just a very pleasant way to bide time before the next studio album. But if you're a big Tool fan, you understand that the consumer wins. Overall: 7 out of 10.
The music videos themselves are just as haunting and thought-provoking as any of Tool's music. It's interesting that Tool can make a video with so much brilliance and depth, but also, noticeably, that the band never appears in the videos. (Except for a brief flash during "Sober".) It's also a shame that the producers of the video didn't feel it necessary to include any live footage, interviews with the band, fans, or anything of the like, on either the VHS or DVD. Nonetheless, they are both worth well over what you paid for them.
As for the CD, it just puts the final touches on the whole set. The majority of the album is live, and the usual explosive and amazing sound of Tool's live performance skill is captured, all without losing the sound quality due to crowd screams, as is done on some live albums. All the live performances on the album have the sound quality of a studio recording, but have a very live feel to them. "Third Eye" and the newly experimental "Pushit" are some of the most intense and captivating tracks you will hear, with their crunching instrumental performance and Maynard's emotional vocals. Although "Part Of Me" is also intense and breathtaking, it was included as a live track on "Opiate", so the band could have replaced it with something different. "Stinkfist", "AEnema", or "46 & 2" might have done the trick. "You Lied", the cover of the Peach song, which Justin, the bass player, used to be in, is also a great live song.
The more experimental tracks are brilliant as well. "L.A. Municipal Court", or "L.A.M.C" for short, is strange and draws you in, but the pounding in the foreground of the song becomes rather redundant. Also, "Message To Harry Manback II" brings back that old "AEnima" feeling. "Merkaba" is purely electrifying and deserves a place on a studio album sometime in the future. As for the last 2 studio tracks, "No Quarter", which is a Led Zeppelin cover, and the hidden song after "L.A.M.C.", they top the CD off. Both have amazing sound quality and show that Tool's talent has yet to even dim the slightest.
The packaging on the whole product is nice. A black box with the picture from the video is on the back. Once opened, the CD and video rest inside a velvet, perfectly fit case, all of which slides into a plastic sleeve. Don't miss this if you're a Tool fan or are curious to be one.
