Customer Reviews
Tool- "Undertow" (1993) 
2008-01-29
This is arguably my favorite Tool album. It still holds the anger and heaviness of "Opiate" but the songs are structured much better, not to mention they're longer too (the songs on "Opiate" were pretty much short and to the point). The production is top notch. The music itself is nothing short of amazing. Same with Maynard's lyrics. Absolutly, hands down the best lyrics he's ever written. If your a Tool fan obviously you already own this. If you don't, pick it up. I have owned this album since I was a sophomore in high school and it still holds its own.
Second best Tool album 2008-01-29
This CD is like taking a journey forward in time. Tool has the creative ability that lacks in the music Industry. Maynard plays his role well in this awesome CD by Tool.
Excellent follow-up album 2008-01-15
Tool's debut album was good, but this follow-up is great. What genre of music does Tool fall into? Nu-metal? Metal? Does it matter? Nope.
It's thick, heavy, primitive rhythms and drums. It's African beats on meth meets modern music technology in the form of distorted guitars, with angry yet controlled vocals.
Where speed metal and hardcore metal often goes wrong, Tool goes right - which evidently puts them into the nu-metal category. Guitar and drum parts that are played too fast make a song sound tinny and weak, which is what most speed metal suffers from. Tool finds a balance between speed and tone which makes the music sound so much heavier and potent. Secondly, the vocals are not cookie-monster type growls or noises; they're clearly a human voice enraged and full of venom. Death metal and the like often sound silly because singing over a really sweet riff is a guy howling like a barnyard animal. It's just ridiculous because it makes a parody of itself by pushing stupidity to the max. Tool once again stays on track here with human vocals that sound good, are audible, and deliver sometimes disturbing themes.
This album is thicker than their debut album but it's more sparse than the albums that came later. One could make the case for one of the albums to come to be their best, but it's a matter of taste. Quite frankly, this album is A+ material from start to finish.
Art Punk 
2007-12-16
I miss this sound. These were the scariest punk rockers around at the time. Maynerd Keenan meant every word of what he said, and the lyrics are still more visceral than most anything you'll hear on the radio today. Adam Jones' guitars were scary, strange, and felt like the groan of human body parts. This whole album sounded like the bottom of a soul being scraped; we need more of it.
Undertow review 2007-11-12
The Cd came in a timely fashion, which was great because I got it for my boyfriend's birthday. The CD case did come to us cracked though, this was probably a mistake of the postal service, but the CD could have been wrapped better. The crack didn't effect the CD though, and we didn't feel a need to return the item.
A different meaning every time!?! 2008-05-30
Undertow begs for the listener to see, hear and especially FEEL what it is all about. From the lyrics, art and the music itself you receive an explaination on what Tool thinks about life, isolation, love disguised as sex, sex disguised as an oulet to understanding oneself, politics and disorder.
In the begining of the album you hear what sounds like someone hitting a bong (hookah for our eastern friends) ironic huh, the first track is intolerance and you hear that sound when in actuality it is a scuba divers lungs filling up with water and suffocating. But I digress eveyone has an opinion on Tools music and regardless if I agree with what people think or not opinions are useful. I happen to have a tatoo of the minds eylet from aenema on my forarm... and I could go on and on about how it represents a minds eye and not a "regular" eye.
That's the thing about Tool you think you know what your getting from them and they surpass expectations in a vast majority.
Tool - Feel The Undertow 2008-05-22
It took me a while to warm up to Tool. Being a long time fan of progressive rock tool seemed to fit that mold so I picked up "Aenmia" but it did not do that much for me. Then when "Lateralus" came out I kept seeing glowing reviews for it on progressive rock web sites to I decided to give Tool another shot. This time it clicked and I "got it". Since that time I have become a big fan and went back and picked up "Undertow" from their back catalogue. I don't think this one is quite as strong as some of the albums that came later, and the production is a bit on the muddy side compared to the later discs, but this is still a great album that introduced the band to the masses with the song "Sober" which is still a fan favorite. "Prison Sex", "Bottom", "Swamp Song", "Undertow" and "Flood" are all great grinding metal / prog that still sound unique. Maynard Keenan's vocals soar over it all like a roaring engine. I have grown to really appreciate this band and finally got the chance to see them live last year. "Undertow" is not their best, but it is certainly worth checking out.
There's no choice but to confront you, to engage you, to erase you.. 2008-05-07
My soul must be iron... This record was so refreshing in 93. A band of true artists. The music is everything. This record rocks. Weird, arty videos that don't show the band at all. A frontman who is not a typical frontman. Performing Live, he is a shadow. Again, because it is the music, not the personalities or looks. I love that about this band. Buy it.
Serious, Powerful, Intense and Insightful 2008-04-09
Tool formed in Los Angeles in the early '90's and in a very short amount of time got a record deal with Zoo Entertainment. They released an EP then this full-length "Undertow". They achieved great success as soon as their single "Sober" hit the air waves and nu-metal/progressive rock fans ate Tool up QUICKLY.
Singer Maynard James Keenan writes serious, powerful, intense, insightful lyrics and that, put with Danny Carey's bruising drumming riffs and Adam Jones's grinding ultra-loud bass riffs, sets "Undertow" as one of the best albums of the decade. The songs are long at times and in a way go off into their own world, but that's one side people love about Tool. They set the standard high and are known for doing things their own way and in their own time. They have much voice in the production, so it's done on Tool's time and sense.
Caught in the Undertow 2008-03-18
i have loved this album since it debuted way back in the 90's. The combination of severe guitar and prophetic lyrics allows for you to totally get lost in the music and prevents it from being just background static during your casual day. Download it to your iPod/MP3 and commence with your days events!!
