Customer Reviews

Tool: Vicarious

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

First, I don't see how people can complain that there is nothing new about a video that is being released for the first time! Where is the logic in that?

Now, to the actual review. The video for Vicarious is Tool's first entirely CG music video, running just a little longer than the length of the song of the same title on the 2006 album 10,000 Days [the extra length consists of ambient noise or silence, in terms of the audio track--the song has not been lengthened]. The video is very conceptual and well thought out by all counts, living up to Adam Jones' lofty legacy of directing and shaping Tool's surreal videos into deeply philosophical experiences. I won't take your time up here with any sort of analysis, but I will say that I recommend viewing the video repeatedly. For myself, the first time through I was aware of only a small fraction of what was going on in the video. Again, this is characteristic of most all Tool videos. One subtle thing that took me a long time to notice is the startling differences between the specters, and what their behavior is symbolic of. There are many such hidden gems in the video.

The extras on this DVD put the DVD singles for Parabola and Schism to shame. Foremost is "The Vicarious Documentary", directed by Camella Grace, documenting the creation of the video and revealing a lot of its hidden meanings. Some of the interviewees includes Alex Grey, Chet Zar, Kevin Willis, and many others, including much of the CG animation team from Hydraulx, who worked on the video. Alex Grey's comments are particularly revealing and it is great to see him make as long of an appearance as he does here. Pay attention to his comment about our culture.

Also included are two tracks of audio commentary set to the video, recorded by David Cross of Mr. Show fame (anyone remember where Puscifer got its start?). While they are worth not much more than a few good laughs, I have to say they are a step up in the comedy department from the commentaries on the previous two DVDs. That Cross goes to the liberty of naming the various characters in the video is pretty hilarious in itself. Take it all, of course, with a grain of salt.

Storyboards by Adam Jones and Alex Grey are included, as well as a brief segment on Alex and Allyson Grey's Chapel of Sacred Mirrors in New York City. Both are worth at least one watch; some of the shots of CoSM are particularly impressive, displaying some of Alex Grey's greatest art.

In all, I don't think anyone has a right to complain about this DVD. Tool never purported that live material was going to be included, so there was no reason to expect it. In addition, it is not right to think of this as paying ten dollars for "just a music video". Adam Jones' work really transcends the whole concept of a music video. It's more like a short film, set to a great song. If it were treated like "just a music video", it would be hard for Mr. Jones to get the kind of recognition he deserves, seeing edited cuts of the film on MTV every few hours. This kind of art doesn't deserve to be treated that way, and if you understand that and appreciate the work of Adam Jones and Tool, you have no reason not to pick this up.

Just so people aren't mislead by 2 other reviews here, THERE IS NO LIVE FOOTAGE (like they would include Swamp Song on the Vicarious dvd!)...

BUT, this dvd is definitely worth buying. Apart from the Vicarious clip which is excellent, you get more bonus stuff than their previous dvd releases for Schism and Parabola. The "making of" runs for 40 minutes and is informative with lots of interviews with people that made Vicarious. It also helps explain why it has taken so long for this clip to be made. The commentary with David Cross is suitably silly and I enjoyed watching Alex Grey's COSM section.

If you're a fan of Tool's you no doubt would have bought this by now anyway, but for anyone who has seen a low quality copy on youtube do yourselves (and the band) a favour and do it justice by buying the dvd.

Oh one more thing - there is no live footage.

Well to start off I was thinking they were gonna show the vicarious video that is already been shown online. I was wrong, very wrong, the new video is a step up from previous Tool videos in technology and visual art. As in all Tool videos it makes unnerving visuals seem normal in Adam Jones's view of art. The extras are fantastic, their is a biography of the video and a nice background of Adam Jones's previous work on his art in some visuals for film and Tool albums. Also the feature CoSm is a display of a museum in New York inspired by Tool and art for 10,000 Days. The commentary for the video is by comedian David Cross, which is pretty funny as he pokes fun at himself and the visuals of the vicarious video. The packaging of the DVD comes with stereo scopic lenses to make Jones's art three dimensional as it was in 10,000 Days. All in all Tool has provided a great piece of work for fans to speculate and put on the shelves next to 10,000 Days.

As a loyal long-time Tool fan, I was excited to see they had released a new DVD. The video on the disc was awesome and exciting to watch. I have always been impressed by the visual stylings the band chooses to accompany their music. What I was disappointed with, though, was the lack of other material on the disc. Specifically, I was expecting more videos. Instead, there was the actual music video and some making-of-type documentary footage. Very disappointing. I am not a person who objects to spending money on good quality items, but I must say I was angry with myself for spending $10 for a single video. How many times am I really going to break out this DVD to watch a single video? Tool has been known to add hidden footage to their DVDs and CDs, but do not expect to find anything here. For the die-hard Tool fan out there, I suppose this is a worthy purchase to add to one's collection. For most people, though, find a die-hard Tool fan and make friends.

I Purchased my copy yesterday and can confirm the video is in 3D, for those who say it isn't get your eyes checked. The music is presented in standard 2.0, and sounds clearer with more bass then the previous 2 music DVD's Tool released.
The packaging is similar to 10,000 days, it's presented in a thick cardboard 3 panel digipak with the 3D glasses attached to view the 4 separate art cards that are included, the inside panel has the skeleton from the video in 3D.
The features include a Documentary on people who know Adam and what work they have done with him, a Doco on Alex Gray' art Studio, and a 2 very funny commentary's.
Now the video itself, if you haven't seen it your missing out, it is absolutely stunning, the visuals are breathtaking in 3D, the colours and images jump out of your TV, (just wait until you see the 2 creatures slowly coming out of the mans eyes to see what I'm talking about) I was glued to the screen for the entire clip & with the Vicarious soundtrack it will just blow you away, this is what Tool fans have been waiting for... not worthy of a 5 star review id give it 100 if possible, this is a work of art!
BTW I haven't found any "live footage"

A complete CGI video, co-directed by Adam Jones and Alex Grey (Tool fans surely know who they are). The aestethic for Vicarious is the same of Tool previous videos, multiplied by 10,000. If you understand the story of the video, please, write it in a review. If you don't understand it, don't worry. The images are so spectacular, that it wouldn't mind at all.

The packaging of the DVD has incorporated the same glasses that 10,000 days, with some 3D still photos from the video. Really cool

The extras, well: A 40min documentary of how the video was made, how complicated it was and why it took so long. Kinda silly audio commentary by David Cross. A short preview of Alex Grey's "Chapel of Sacred Mirrors", and a buch of the storyboards for the video.

Not so much music as you would expect, but it worth the price. And the quality of the product, certainly meets the Tool standards

Once again Mr. Jones and Mr. Grey have created a masterpiece. The dvd is worth the price for the packaging alone. The video is excellent as well. In a day of downloading, we all should support artist who actually give you something interesting to explore in the packaging...

For reasons I'm not going to go into, I had to buy this DVD of Tool's video. The video itself is amazing, of course, and the extras are nice too. The commentaries with David Cross are hilarious and I think it's great that Tool has a sense of humor even over a serious piece of work like the video. The documentary about the video is great too. The creation of the video itself is very interesting to see and the interviews with Alex Grey and others are a real bonus. The only think it's really lacking is interviews from the band members themselves. I guess this was done for a reason, but it would be nice to see what they thought about the video too.

I just bought this DVD about an hour ago. I was amazed at the quality of the video content wise. That is what i have expected with every other video of Tool since 2000 when a friend told me about them and i gave Aenima a listen. Every since then i have been hooked. Adam Jones is truly a one of a kind sculptor and musician. Anyways back on to the video. If you aren't into bizarre stuff this isn't the DVD for you. Although i would have to say if you are open minded and a big Tool fan it is worth the money.The visuals are just acid trip like and so amazing you will be blown away. Best TOOL video to date in my book.

My only complaint about the video is there is no sound set up for 5.1 surround nor is the video presented in 16:9 Widescreen format. Aside from that i can live with it.

I would recommend that everyone buy this DVD for a mind opening experience, and to support support deserving art and artists in music and video today. Adam Jones works again with Alex Grey (Gray, damn alternate spellings) this time in CGI. I admit that this is not my favorite video, but the new medium allows for some more unique and surreal images to experience with such an amazing track, truly mind bending stuff.

The extras on this DVD are the best on any Tool DVD yet, with featurettes about the art of Adam Jones and making of Tool videos and a short special on Alex and his wife's project CoSM in NY. Cool artwork, I really want to visit it some day. Widescreen format is a step forward for this video too.

Think for yourself. This is my tool of a review.
Beardo