Thoughts on Lateralus (by Tool)

-I like their use of middle eastern soundiing scales, odd time signatures, and percussion

-They are not harmonically complex, but thhey are rhythmically complex

-They know how to contrast between loud annd soft . . . this makes their long songs easier to take
 in the absense of harmonic changes

-Lots of riffing! (It IS rock)

-Their use of sound effects is interestingg, it's reminiscent of Verese . . . I could do without
 them

-Loud and heavy, but not dense . . . the ddensity is usually made up for with distortion and
 other aural effects

-As for lyrics, I can't understand shit!   Maynard's a good singer, I just can't understand him
 (which is my own weakness)

-Danny Carey's the best rock drummer I've  heard so far

-My favorite tracks on Lateralus: 11 & 12  (the name's escape me)

-As with much of rock, the lyrics and the  mood come first