Ænima

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This article is about Tool album. For the Portuguese band, see Aenima.
Ænima
Studio album by Tool
Released September 17, 1996[1][2]
Recorded September 1995 – March 1996 at Ocean Way, Hollywood, California and The Hook, North Hollywood, California
Genre Alternative metal, progressive metal
Length 77:23
Label Zoo Entertainment
Producer David Bottrill
Tool chronology
Undertow
(1993)		 Ænima
(1996)		 Salival
(2000)
Singles from Ænima
  1. "Stinkfist"
    Released: October 11, 1996
  2. "H."
    Released: March 19, 1997
  3. "Ænema"
    Released: August 9, 1997
  4. "Eulogy"
    Released: December 22, 1997
  5. "Forty Six & 2"
    Released: January 5, 1998
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 4.5/5 stars[3]
Entertainment Weekly A−[4]
Robert Christgau (dud)[5]
Rolling Stone average[6]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide 2.5/5 stars[7]
Piero Scaruffi 7/10[8]

Ænima (pron.: /ˈɒnɪmə/[9]) is the second studio album by American rock band Tool. The album was released on September 17, 1996 in vinyl format and on October 1, 1996 in Compact Disc format.[1][2][10] The album was recorded and cut at Ocean Way, Hollywood and The Hook, North Hollywood from 1995 to 1996. On its initial release, the album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, and has since been certified triple platinum by the RIAA on March 4, 2003.[11] As of July 7, 2010, Ænima has sold 3,429,000 copies in the US.

The album appeared on several lists of the best albums of 1996,[12] including that of Kerrang![13] and Terrorizer.[14] The title track won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1998.[15] In 2003, Ænima was ranked the 6th most influential album of all time by Kerrang![16] In 2006, it placed 14th on a Guitar World readers poll that attempted to find the best 100 guitar albums.[17]

Contents

Background [edit]

The title Ænima is a combination of the words 'anima' (Latin for 'soul' associated with the ideas of "life force" and a term often used by psychologist Carl Jung) and 'enema', the medical procedure.[18]

Music videos were made for "Stinkfist" and "Ænema". Promotional singles were issued for "H." and "Forty Six & 2".[19] Several of the songs are short segues or interludes that connect to longer songs,[20] pushing the total duration of the CD towards the maximum of around 80 minutes. These segues are "Useful Idiot", "Message to Harry Manback", "Intermission", "Die Eier Von Satan", "Cesaro Summability", and "(-) Ions".

Themes of the album include Egyptian mythology in a seven-pointed star symbolizing Babalon, and sacred geometry in dividing the planet into grids related to chromosomes. The band dedicated the album to Bill Hicks (a comedian who the band felt was going in the same direction as them) and claimed this album to be partly inspired by him.[21] The inside cover displays art featuring a painting of a disabled patient that shows a resemblance to singer Maynard James Keenan and Bill Hicks depicted as a doctor or "healer" with the line, "Another Dead Hero". Lines from Bill Hicks' standup set, "One Good Drug Story" and "The War on Drugs" are sampled before the song "Third Eye".

Track information [edit]

Demo versions of the songs "Pushit", "Stinkfist", "Ænema", and "Eulogy" were recorded with Paul D'Amour on bass, before he left the band. These appeared online in early 2007. D'Amour also worked on "H.", as he is credited as a co-songwriter on ASCAP's website.

Danny Carey labeled L. Ron Hubbard as the subject of "Eulogy".[22]

Speculation has surrounded the song "H." The "meaning" of this song has seldom been detailed by the band, as they do not regularly comment on such things. However on several occasions, specifically on November 23, 1996 during a show at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, Maynard did grant some insight into the meaning of the song. Speaking to the audience he said, "Any of you ever seen those old Warner Bros. cartoons? Sometimes there's that one where the guy is trying to make a decision and he's got an angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other. Seems pretty obvious, right? The angel is trying to give him good advice while the devil is trying to get him to do what's bad for him. It's not always that simple though. A lot of times they're not really angels or devils but friends giving you advice, looking out for your best interest but not really understanding what's going to be best for you. So it kind of comes down to you. You have to make the decision yourself. This song is called H." The song was discussed live during a few other shows around this time, one example being on February 23, 1997, when Maynard introduced this song by referring to the shoulder angel and devil, and also said it's about a hurtful yet dependent relationship.[23] In an interview Keenan gave in December 1996, he commented, "My son's name is Devo H. That's all I'll say." It is also of note that the song's working title was "Half Empty", as it was introduced during a mini-tour of California by the band in December 1995. In the book, "Teachings of Don Juan, a Yaqui Way of Knowledge", the author refers to a character named H. Keenan.

The track "Useful Idiot" features the sound of the needle skipping at the end of a gramophone record growing louder as the track progresses. The track was set at the end of side 1 of the vinyl versions of Ænima as a joke to fool those who owned the version. The song (on vinyl) not only ends in a locked groove, which requires manual lifting of the needle to end playback, but also continues on the run-in groove of side 2.

"Hooker with a Penis" refers to a fan who accused the band of selling out after their first EP.[24][25] "OGT" is taken to stand for "Original Gangster Tool".[26] Keenan whispers in the left channel throughout the song. At 1:41, "consume, be fruitful, and multiply" may be alluding to Genesis, which contains the phrase "be fruitful and multiply" six times.[27] During Lollapalooza 1997, a version of "Hooker with a Penis" remixed by Billy Howerdel in the form of lounge music played over the public address system between sets.[28]

During 1996 concerts, Maynard told audiences that the song "jimmy" is the sequel to "Prison Sex", and how it's about getting through the abuse.[29] It is preceded by "Intermission", a short organ adaptation of the opening riff of "jimmy".

The segue "Die Eier von Satan" has a heavy industrial guitar played over a reversed drum beat with an irregular time signature (9/8). The lyrical component of the song is in German, performed by Marko Fox, a member of ZAUM. He is backed by a sound that resembles a hydraulic press,[30] and crowd cheering and applause that increase in volume as the lyrics are read with increasing ferocity. These combined effects make the song sound like a militant[31] German rant[32] or Nazi rally.[33] While the sound and the word "Satan" in the title may suggest to listeners that the lyrics feature aggressive or even violent content, the speaker is merely reciting a cookie recipe,[33] for hashish or Mexican cookies.[20] The song was originally translated by Gudrun Fox. According to Blair McKenzie Blake, the maintainer of the official Tool website, "Die Eier von Satan" originally were cookies that "Marko Fox's grandmother used to bake for him as a child, without using eggs as an ingredient. The substitution for eggs is a magical incantation from the worm-eaten pages of some moldering grimoire."[34] This magical incantation ("sim salabim bam ba saladu saladim") is taken from the German children's song "Auf einem Baum ein Kuckuck saß".[35] According to the lyrics, the special ingredient besides this "incantation" is actually "a knife-tip of Turkish hashish". The title literally translates to "The Eggs of Satan"[31] or "The Balls of Satan", due to a German double entendre of "Eier", which means "eggs" and also serves as a slang word for "testicles". The experimentation in this song has been compared to that of Einstürzende Neubauten.[20][30][36][37]

A slow version of "Pushit" was performed live and appears on Salival.[38]

The song "Third Eye" contains samples of comedian Bill Hicks.[39] The title may be a reference to Hicks' assertions that psilocybe mushrooms could be used to "squeegee [one's] third eye clean."[40] A goal of the album as a whole was to "open people up in some way and help open their third eye and help them on a path."[41]

"Ænema" makes lyrical references to Bill Hicks' set Arizona Bay, in which the San Andreas fault collapses, purging the continent of Southern California and the Baja Peninsula which would give Arizona its own oceanfront. This is further illustrated in the lenticular map under the cd tray. "Ænema" is technically not the title track making this the first and only Tool album without such a track.

Many regional versions stated the track times for tracks 3 and 4 in reverse. This is noted on all pressings from Australia, UK, and Europe.

Album artwork [edit]

Alternate version of the Ænima artwork shows a dedication to comedian Bill Hicks as "another dead hero".

The packaging for Ænima was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Recording Package.[42] North American pressings of the album were packaged in a custom lenticular jewel case (called a "Multi-Image CD case" in the liner notes) for the cover and interior disc tray. The cover art and other images in the liner notes can be set behind the lenticular "lens" to create an effect of sequential animation. European pressings of the CD featured a standard case, and the insert contained the covers of fictional Tool releases.

The special images used for the lenticular effect are:

  • Cam de Leon's painting Smoke Box,[43] with animated smoke and encompassing eyes.
  • A touched-up version of Cam de Leon's painting Ocular Orifice,[44] with the pupil of the eye animated to rotate completely around.
  • A photo of contortionist Alana Cain, legs wrapped behind head.[45] Shown sitting on a couch to the right are Danny Carey, Justin Chancellor, Adam Jones and Maynard James Keenan while Danny and Maynard are both nude covering themselves. Maynard stands up whilst covering himself and is shown throwing a single rose to the ground in front of the contortionist. Another photo of the contortionist is also on the disc itself.
  • An image of California before and after a major earthquake is shown in the tray behind where the disc lies – a reference to the song "Ænema" and the Arizona Bay sketch by Bill Hicks. The inlay image of the US incorrectly depicts Oklahoma's panhandle. It is unknown whether or not this was intentional.

Track listing [edit]

All songs written by Maynard James Keenan, Adam Jones, Justin Chancellor and Danny Carey, except where indicated.[46]

No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Stinkfist"     5:09
2. "Eulogy"     8:29
3. "H."     6:07
4. "Useful Idiot"     0:39
5. "Forty Six & 2"     6:02
6. "Message to Harry Manback"     1:59
7. "Hooker with a Penis"     4:33
8. "Intermission"     0:56
9. "jimmy"     5:29
10. "Die Eier von Satan"     2:17
11. "Pushit"     9:55
12. "Cesaro Summability"     1:26
13. "Ænema"     6:39
14. "(-) Ions"     3:58
15. "Third Eye" (About this sound listen (help·info))   13:47
Total length:
 77:55

Personnel [edit]

Tool
Additional musicians
  • Marko Fox – vocals on "Die Eier von Satan"
  • Eban Schletter – organ on "Intermission"
  • Chris Pitman – additional synthesizer on "Third Eye"
Production
  • David Bottrill – keyboards, producer, engineer, mixing
  • Alana Cain – model (contortionist)
  • Cam de Leon – artwork, computer illustration
  • Fabrico DiSanto – photography, photo assistance
  • Gudrun Fox – translation of "Die Eier von Satan"
  • Adam Jones – production, artwork direction
  • Jeremy Glasgow – assistant percussionist
  • Concetta Halstead – producer, design
  • Bill Hicks – audio sampled on "Third Eye"
  • Billy Howerdel – guitar tech, 'Pro Tools' technician
  • Joel Larson
  • Karen Mason
  • Jeff Novack – photography
  • Mark Rappaport – effects consultant
  • Keith Willis – artwork
  • Kevin Willis – producer, art direction, paintings

Charting [edit]

Album [edit]

Year Chart Position
1996 Billboard 200 2 (140,000 Copies Sold)

Singles [edit]

Year Single Chart Position
1996 "Stinkfist" Mainstream Rock Tracks (U.S.) 17
Modern Rock Tracks (U.S.) 19
1997 "H." Mainstream Rock Tracks (U.S.) 23
"Ænema" Mainstream Rock Tracks (U.S.) 25
"Forty Six & 2" Mainstream Rock Tracks (U.S.) 22

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b Toolshed.down.net
  2. ^ a b Toolshead.down.net
  3. ^ Allmusic Review
  4. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (October 4, 1996). "Aenima Review". Entertainment Weekly. p. 62. Retrieved 2012-04-23. 
  5. ^ Christgau, Robert. "CG: Tool". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved 2012-04-24. 
  6. ^ Fricke, David (December 5, 1996). "Aenima". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2012-04-24. 
  7. ^ "Tool: Album Guide". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2012-04-24. 
  8. ^ Scaruffi, Piero (1999). "Tool". pieroscaruffi.com. Retrieved April 26, 2013. 
  9. ^ The Tool FAQ, G2.
  10. ^ Toolshed.down.net
  11. ^ Theiner, Manny (September 28, 2006). "Concert Review: Tool's prog pleases populace". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "...from its triple-platinum 1996 release, "Ænima."" 
  12. ^ "Tool – Ænima". acclaimedmusic.net. Retrieved June 25, 2007. 
  13. ^ "Kerrang! End of Year Lists". Kerrang!. Retrieved July 27, 2007. 
  14. ^ "Terrorizer End of Year Lists". Terrorizer. Retrieved July 27, 2007. 
  15. ^ "40th Annual Grammy Awards – 1998". Rock on the Net. Retrieved May 14, 2007. 
  16. ^ "The Kerrang! 50 Most Influential Albums Of All Time". Retrieved February 21, 2011. 
  17. ^ "100 Greatest Guitar Albums". Guitar World. October 2006.  A copy can be found at "Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Albums Of All Time – Rate Your Music". rateyourmusic.com. Retrieved October 12, 2011. 
  18. ^ Radio interview which can be downloaded from the band's website.
  19. ^ The Tool FAQ, G25.
  20. ^ a b c Craig Joyce (October 1, 1999). "Rough Guides Music: TOOL". Rough Guides, KeepMedia. Retrieved May 21, 2007. "...“Die Eier Von Satan” being an interesting attempt at Einstürzende Neubauten-type experimentation, and the lyrics being a recitation in German of a Mexican wedding cookie recipe." 
  21. ^ Joel McIver (2002). Nu-Metal: The Next Generation of Rock & Punk. Omnibus. p. 137. ISBN 0-7119-9209-6. Retrieved January 27, 2008. 
  22. ^ The Tool FAQ, G27.
  23. ^ The Tool FAQ, G31.
  24. ^ Fruchtman, Edward (August 1997). "Never Wanted To Be Rock Stars But They Are". Circus 8. Retrieved June 25, 2006. 
  25. ^ Jon Pareles (November 5, 1996). "Mad at Everybody, Including Themselves". The New York Times. Retrieved January 27, 2008. 
  26. ^ The Tool FAQ, G43.
  27. ^ Macrone, Michael (September 1993). "Be Fruitful and Multiply". Brush Up Your Bible. Retrieved March 8, 2007. 
  28. ^ The Tool FAQ, D7.
  29. ^ Toolshed.down.net
  30. ^ a b David Andrews (October 25, 1996). "Tool's Ænima: More songs about paranoia and death". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved May 21, 2007. "...rhythms of "Die Eier Von Satan," which sounds like a hydraulic press. The song diverges briefly from the usual Tool sound, showing experimentation in an apparent homage to Einstürzende Neubauten, a German prototype to similarly revolutionary music." 
  31. ^ a b "Tool: A Trip to Rock's Darker Side" (fee required). The Columbian. August 20, 1998. Retrieved May 21, 2007. "..."Die Eier Von Satan, or "The Egg of Satan," which sounds like A militant German speech." 
  32. ^ Mark Jenkins (November 29, 1996). "Tool Could Use Some Retooling" (fee required). The Washington Post. Retrieved May 21, 2007. "...a German rant on "Die Eier von Satan," ..." 
  33. ^ a b "Tool of the devil or tuneful psychonauts?" (fee required). Anchorage Daily News. September 27, 2002. Retrieved May 21, 2007. "Die Eier von Satan from 1996's Aenima sounds like a Nazi pep rally But is really a megaphone recitation of a cookie recipe in German..." 
  34. ^ Blair MacKenzie Blake. "Tool Newsletter, September, 2005 e.v.". Tool. Retrieved May 21, 2007. 
  35. ^ Frank Petersohn. "Auf einem Baum ein Kuckuck saß" (in German). ingeb.org. Retrieved May 21, 2007. 
  36. ^ "Aenima: Tool" (fee required). What Magazine. November 1, 1996. Retrieved May 21, 2007. ""Die Eier Von Satan" and is as hokee lokee as any Tom Waits or Einsterzende Neubaten tip of the ice pick could ever be." 
  37. ^ Rick de Yampert (December 13, 1996). "Tool hammers 'prog metal'" (fee required). The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved January 27, 2008. ""Pushit" is a chilling bad-love song in which we don't know if the narrator is victim..." 
  38. ^ Troy J. Augusto (April 2, 1998). "Tool Review". Variety. Retrieved January 27, 2008. ""Pushit" was slowed and bent into a somber mood piece..." 
  39. ^ Don Waller (November 25, 2004). "Pix Mix Hicks Licks". Los Angeles CityBeat. Archived from the original on September 26, 2007. Retrieved May 21, 2007. 
  40. ^ Bart Blasengame. "Matthew McConaughey". Style.com. p. 1. Retrieved May 21, 2007. 
  41. ^ "Is anyone listening?". The Age (Australia). May 5, 2006. p. 1. Retrieved January 18, 2008. 
  42. ^ The Tool FAQ, D11.
  43. ^ Cam de Leon. "Smoke Box – digital composite". Happy Pencil. Retrieved May 21, 2007. 
  44. ^ Cam de Leon. "Ocular Orifice – Photoshop". Happy Pencil. Retrieved May 21, 2007. 
  45. ^ The Tool FAQ G8
  46. ^ The Tool FAQ, G13.

External links [edit]

  • Kabir Akhtar (July 16, 2001). "The Tool FAQ". The Tool Page. Retrieved May 13, 2007. 
Tool
Studio albums
Extended plays
Box sets
Singles
Other songs
Related articles
Tours
Related bands
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ænima&oldid=554087711"