The Favorites Series: Band

If there were no reward to reap
No loving embrace to see me through
This tedious path I've chosen here
I certainly would've walked away
By now 

The Patient

I was not into Tool when I first heard them. In fact, I was kinda scared of their videos. There were creatures, creepy, crawly things, non-humans, aliens...and their music seemed just odd to me. One day in college, an old high school friend played Eulogy and I was completely blown away at the intro and the way the song unfolds. After I heard that song, there was no turning back.

Aemina is and will always be my favorite Tool album. I can listen to it all the way through and each song is unique and takes me on a spiritual adventure. My favorites are Stinkfist, Eulogy, H., Forty Six & 2 (JJ's favorite), Jimmy, Aenema and my all-time favorite Tool song Pushit. My sis JJ had the Salival box set with an alternate version of Pushit that is absolute beautiful. I never got to hear them perform this song live but I hope to one day.

On the album 10,000 days Wings for Marie Part 1 & 2 will always be the songs I turn to for comfort during loss. They are dedicated to the lead singer Maynard's mom who was paralyzed for twenty-seven years. They honor her undying faith and how if there was anyone who deserved to knock on the pearly gates and receive wings, it was her. After they played this song in concert, they hugged and I always thought that was completely beautiful and a powerful sign of the love and respect they have for each other.

The Patient (chorus lyrics above) is one of my absolute favorite songs from the album Lateralus because I feel that in life, we endure it with the hope that there is something greater when we leave it. I am not religious but I like to think that a beautiful sunset awaits me in the next life and my loved ones who have ascended will meet me there. I love how it's in 5/4 and the refrain "I must keep reminding myself of this". I have my moments of impatience but I recognize that in the end being patient really is a virtue. Whenever Schism comes on, I laugh because I am S Chism aka schism, ah yeah.

Another song I love on Lateralus is Reflection. The intro reminds me a little of basketballs bouncing and I love the chords and melody. When I was a crazy college student, my mom had some congos in her car and I totally broke them out in her apartment parking lot to play them to this song while my friend Stacey laughed at the top of her lungs. If only YouTube was around back then.

I've always felt that Tool is an experience. Yes, they make songs, albums and play shows but there is something magical happening when I listen to them or see them live. Their artistry is beyond - the way they release very few albums, have unique artwork and album packages and how every single band member is vital and plays a part of the collective. It isn't just about the lead singer, the bassist or the drummer (who is soooo badass by the way) it's about them all. I always wanted to be a part of something like that.

High is the way, but all eyes are upon the ground
You are the light and the way that they'll only read about
I only pray Heaven knows when to lift you out
Ten thousand days in the fire is long enough
You're going home

You're the only one who can hold your head up high
Shake your fist at the gates saying
"I have come home now
Fetch me the Spirit, the Son, and the Father
Tell them their pillar of faith has ascended
It's time now
My time now
Give me my
Give me my wings”

10,000 Days (Wings, Part, 2)