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Ænima

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Untitled

Ænima (Template:PronEng)[3] is the second studio album by progressive metal band Tool. The album was released on October 1, 1996 in Compact Disc format and in vinyl format on September 17, 1996. The album was recorded and cut at Ocean Way, Hollywood, California and The Hook, North Hollywood, California from 1995 to 1996. It was certified triple platinum by the RIAA on March 4, 2003.[4] The album won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1998.[5]

Overview

The title Ænima, (pronounced 'Enemuh') according to guitarist Adam Jones, 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. [6] Besides being an interesting juxtaposition of words (as with the singer Maynard James Keenan juxtaposition of the words merkin and caduceus in the names of his wine businesses, Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards), it implies an ironic translation of Soul Cleansing, as an enema is an anal cleanser. This translation relates to the song meaning of the song "Third Eye" (listed below), as the third eye awakens the "life force" or anima. It is also related to the entire album as a whole as the lyrical symbolism and mathematical complexity of the music require increased awareness to understand[citation needed], and are very progressive, a term associated with evolution[citation needed]. Another fan theory is that it relates to Ægypt, a novel recommended by the band to fans.[7]

Music videos were made for "Stinkfist" and "Ænema". Promotional singles were issued for "H.", "Eulogy", and "Forty-Six & 2".[8] Several of the songs are short segues or interludes that connect to longer songs,[9] 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 Babylon, and sacred geometry in dividing the planet into grids related to chromosomes. The band dedicated the album to the late 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. [7] The inside cover displays art featuring a painting of a medical patient with a third eye 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" are sampled before the song "Third Eye" and the title track "Ænema" makes lyrical references to Bill Hicks' set Arizona Bay, which is about the San Andreas fault collapsing. The title track's lyrics suggest the only way to fix L.A. is to flush it all away and advises to "Learn to swim, I'll see you down in Arizona Bay", which is a name made up by Hicks for a theoretical bay created if the San Andreas fault collapsed, leaving parts of Arizona on the coast. The song lyrics suggest a desire for the collapse to "flush" away California, along with all of it's associations with L. Ron Hubbard and the Church of Scientology, Hollywood, heroin junkies, and gang violence. The inside jewel case underneath the c.d. shows a picture of the west coast of the United States. With the "Multi-Image" lenticular design of the jewel case, as the case is moved up and down it shows alternate images, one with the San Andreas fault connected, another with only island remnants left after its collapse.

Track information

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".[10] However, Maynard has also said that his lyrics are always interpretations of the music, and it's therefore important to find your own meaning to songs [11]. There has also been speculation that the lyrics could have referred to Bill Hicks, with whom the band had a close friendship [12], and also to whom much of the album is dedicated, in artwork and quotes on the song "Third Eye".

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 does grant some insight into the meaning of the song. Speaking to the audience he says, "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.[13] 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.

"Hooker with a Penis" refers to a fan who accused the band of selling out after their first EP.[14][15] "OGT" is taken to stand for "Original Gangster Tool".[16] 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.[17] 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.[18]

During 1996 concerts, Maynard told audiences that "jimmy" was the sequel to Prison Sex, and how it's about getting through the abuse. [19],


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,[20] 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[21] German rant[22] or Nazi rally.[23] 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,[23] for hashish or Mexican cookies.[9] 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."[24] This magical incantation ("sim salabim bam ba saladu saladim") is taken from the German children's song "Auf einem Baum ein Kuckuck saß".[25] 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"[21] 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.[9][20][26]

[27] A slow version of 'Pushit' was performed live and appears on Salival.[28]

The song "Third Eye" contains samples of comedian Bill Hicks.[29] The title may be a reference to Hicks' assertions that psilocybe mushrooms could be used to "squeegee [one's] third eye clean."[30] The third eye is a metaphysical concept that implies the awakening of the spiritual self, through the activation of the chakras which initiates the kundalini awakening to do with evolution of the human brain.[31] 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."[32]

Album artwork

The packaging for Ænima was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Recording Package.[33] 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. In addition, there are no lyrics in the liner notes.

The special images used for the lenticular effect are:

  • Cam de Leon's painting Smoke Box,[34] with animated smoke and encompassing eyes.
  • A touched-up version of Cam de Leon's painting Ocular Orifice,[35] with the pupil of the eye animated to rotate completely around.
  • A photo of a nude contortionist sitting on the floor performing autofellatio, with Alana Cain credited for this in the liner notes. [36] In the background is the band (left to right, Danny, Justin, Adam) seated on a couch, with a nude Maynard throwing a single rose to the ground in front of the contortionist. Another photo of the contortionist is also on the CD itself.
  • An image of California before and after a major earthquake is in the jewel case tray — a nod to the lyrics of "Ænema" and the Arizona Bay Bill Hicks sketch. Additionally, a painting of Bill Hicks is in the liner notes, with the caption "Another Dead Hero".
  • The inlay image of the US incorrectly depicts Oklahoma's panhandle. It is unknown whether or not this was intentional.

Reception

Ænima appeared on several lists of the best albums of 1996,[37] including that of Kerrang![38] and Terrorizer.[39]

Track listing

All songs written by Keenan/Jones/Chancellor/Carey, except where indicated. Although five songs were worked on before Paul D'Amour had left, he is not listed in the liner notes.[40]

  1. "Stinkfist" (Keenan/Jones/Carey/D'Amour) – 5:11
  2. "Eulogy" (Keenan/Jones/Carey/D'Amour) – 8:28
  3. "H." (Keenan/Jones/Carey/D'Amour) – 6:03
  4. "Useful Idiot" – 0:39
  5. "Forty-Six & 2" – 6:04
  6. "Message to Harry Manback" – 1:53
  7. "Hooker with a Penis" – 4:33
  8. "Intermission" – 0:56
  9. "jimmy" – 5:24
  10. "Die Eier Von Satan" – 2:17
  11. "Pushit" (Keenan/Jones/Carey/D'Amour) – 9:55
  12. "Cesaro Summability" – 1:26
  13. "Ænema" (Keenan/Jones/Carey/D'Amour) – 6:39
  14. "(-) Ions" – 4:00
  15. "Third Eye" (Tool/Hicks) – 13:47 Audio file "3rd eye.ogg" not found

Many regional versions stated the track times for tracks 3 and 4 in reverse. This is noted on all pressings from the following regions:

  • Australia
  • UK
  • Europe

Personnel

Additional staff

  • 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"
  • Marko Fox - vocals on "Die Eier von Satan"
  • 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
  • Chris Pitman – synthesizer
  • Mark Rappaport – effects Consultant
  • Eban Schletter – organ
  • Keith Willis – artwork
  • Kevin Willis – producer, art direction, paintings

Charting

Album

Year Chart Position
1996 Billboard 200 #2

Singles

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

Notes

  1. ^ http://toolshed.down.net/news/oldnews/old96b.html
  2. ^ http://toolshed.down.net/news/tales/aenimainfo.html
  3. ^ The Tool FAQ, G2.
  4. ^ Theiner, Manny (2006-09-28). "Concert Review: Tool's prog pleases populace". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. ...from its triple-platinum 1996 release, "Aenima."{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. ^ "40th Annual Grammy Awards - 1998". Rock On The Net. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
  6. ^ Radio interview which can be downloaded from the band's website.
  7. ^ a b Joel McIver (2002). Nu-Metal: The Next Generation of Rock & Punk. Omnibus. p. 137. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
  8. ^ The Tool FAQ, G25.
  9. ^ a b c Craig Joyce (1999-10-01). "Rough Guides Music: TOOL". Rough Guides, KeepMedia. Retrieved 2007-05-21. ..."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. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ The Tool FAQ, G27.
  11. ^ http://www.nyrock.com/interviews/2002/tool_int.asp
  12. ^ http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=2500
  13. ^ The Tool FAQ, G31.
  14. ^ Fruchtman, Edward (August 1997). "Never Wanted To Be Rock Stars But They Are". Circus. 8. Retrieved 2006-06-25.
  15. ^ Jon Pareles (1996-11-05). "Mad at Everybody, Including Themselves". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ The Tool FAQ, G43.
  17. ^ Macrone, Michael (1993). "Be Fruitful and Multiply". Brush Up Your Bible. Retrieved 2007-03-08. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  18. ^ The Tool FAQ, D7.
  19. ^ http://toolshed.down.net/tour/fall96/9611112.html
  20. ^ a b David Andrews (1996-10-25). "Tool's Ænima: More songs about paranoia and death". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 2007-05-21. ...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. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ a b "Tool: A Trip to Rock's Darker Side" (fee required). The Columbian. 1998-08-20. Retrieved 2007-05-21. ..."Die Eier Von Satan, or "The Egg of Satan," which sounds like A militant German speech. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ Mark Jenkins (1996-11-29). "Tool Could Use Some Retooling" (fee required). The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-05-21. ...a German rant on "Die Eier von Satan," ... {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ a b "Tool of the devil or tuneful psychonauts?" (fee required). Anchorage Daily News. 2002-09-27. Retrieved 2007-05-21. 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... {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ Blair MacKenzie Blake. "Tool Newsletter, September, 2005 e.v." Tool. Retrieved 2007-05-21.
  25. ^ Frank Petersohn. "Auf einem Baum ein Kuckuck saß" (in German). ingeb.org. Retrieved 2007-05-21.
  26. ^ "Aenima: Tool" (fee required). What Magazine. 1996-11-01. Retrieved 2007-05-21. "Die Eier Von Satan" and is as hokee lokee as any Tom Waits or Einsterzende Neubaten tip of the ice pick could ever be. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ Rick de Yampert (1996-12-13). "Tool hammers 'prog metal'" (fee required). The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved 2008-01-27. "Pushit" is a chilling bad-love song in which we don't know if the narrator is victim... {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ Troy J. Augusto (1998-04-02). "Tool Review". Variety. Retrieved 2008-01-27. "Pushit" was slowed and bent into a somber mood piece... {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ Don Waller (2004-11-25). "Pix Mix Hicks Licks". Los Angeles CityBeat. Retrieved 2007-05-21. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ Bart Blasengame. "Matthew McConaughey". Style.com. p. 1. Retrieved 2007-05-21.
  31. ^ Lewis Goldberg (2006-06-01). "Finnegans Shake". New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Retrieved 2008-01-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ "Is anyone listening?". The Age. 2006-05-05. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-01-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ The Tool FAQ, D11.
  34. ^ Cam de Leon. "Smoke Box - digital composite". Happy Pencil. Retrieved 2007-05-21.
  35. ^ Cam de Leon. "Ocular Orifice - Photoshop". Happy Pencil. Retrieved 2007-05-21.
  36. ^ The Tool FAQ G8
  37. ^ "Tool - Aenima". acclaimedmusic.net. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
  38. ^ "Kerrang! End of Year Lists". Kerrang!. Retrieved 2007-07-27.
  39. ^ "Terrorizer End of Year Lists". Terrorizer. Retrieved 2007-07-27.
  40. ^ The Tool FAQ, G13.

References

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