Tool != Emo?

[Razor Sharp]

I almost got into a fight yesterday with a guy when I said in passing that I thought Tool was EMO music. Dude damn near spit his drink out and wanted to take a swing at me. How dare I misinterpret his favorite band? Which I found really amusing, such an EMOtional reaction over this band. Maybe I was right?

Admittedly I am pretty ignorant when it comes to any type of rock music. Can't stand the stuff really. I'd almost listen to gangsta rap or even country music before rock (and I HATE both of those genres!)

I know quite a few of you are rock fans here so perhaps you can explain this fascination with Tool and what kind of audience it caters to. To my ears it just sounds like a bunch of whiny noise that I can't dance to

Picked a random song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiV_ue-PbL4

The dark imagery, the guy's voice that sounds like it's gonna cry at any given moment. Am I wrong to envision tons of goth and EMO kids doing that wrist-slitting dance to this?

Just trying to figure out how a simple comment almost led to physical altercation.

 

[Neon Owl]

lol Tool is anything but emo.

If I had to classify it I would call it psychedelic rock. Their lyrics are based on profound ideas about life and the reality in which we are all embedded.

I suppose I can see why someone such as yourself with no interest in this type of music would call it "emo", but if you look deeper into the meaning of their songs it is all based on the fact that we are all one consciousness and we are all connected to the source. It's actually positive music disguised as angry rock I suppose you could say.

Plus their music videos are always super bad ass lol

 

[5string]

Guy sounds like a dog with it's foot caught in a barb wire fence.

 

[Neon Owl]

Would you care to propose some music that you like for me to critique?
I'd be more than happy to give you my opinion of them.

 

[KingofHearts]

Tool is not for everybody. You said you don't like rock music. Tool is a rock band so you shouldn't be too surprised that its uninteresting to you. The music is pretty dark at times, but it also has its intellectual moments. Google "lateralus fibonacci" to see an example of how much thought goes into their music. Of course others like the bar-douche you ran into probably only connect with the emo-anger aspect of the band's music.

Tool attracts people that are... well, tools. There is also a deeper level to the music to attract the intellectual/cpu nerd. I suppose there is also a goth angle to it. All of which probably explains Tool's popularity, there's something for everyone.

As for me, Tool was the first band I heard that played a song over 4 minutes. A big deal to a 14 year old that's never heard real music before. Since then, I've found other music that I like way more than Tool, but it still carries some major nostalgia for me. I listen to it once every couple months.

Razor, you don't like rap, rock or country? You listen to Jazz? Classical? I'm guessing you're out of 20's... besides a drop in talent needed to sell records, there is also a generation gap between people old enough to see Led Zeppelin live and the kids that grew up listening to Kroq. Don't overthink it. Most people don't really know why they like particular types of music, that even goes for young musicians.

 

[Razor Sharp]

@5String, that's EXACTLY what he sounds like to me.

@NeonOwl, thanks for the genre tip. I actually found a group that I dig on the psychedelic rock tip, MGMT. These kids have real talent. Not feeling all their songs but quite a few are pretty funky, which is more of what I gravitate towards.

@KingofHearts, I dig Funk, Breakbeat, NuJazz, House and REAL hiphop. Some names for you

Quantic
Uptown Funk Empire
6th Borough Project
Mr Scruff
Orgone
Hot Toddy
Recloose
Crazy P
Nightmares on Wax
Mos Def
Immortal Technique
Poor Righteous Teachers
De La Soul
Quest

Mostly underground groups there but a few well known rappers too. I just like uplifting music with soul. To each his own though

 

[highconscienceness]

Tool is new age. Everything new age is EMO. The reason guy almost kicked your butt is because he's feminine brainwashed goyim. Check out the new age conspiracy.

 

[KingofHearts]

@5String, that's EXACTLY what he sounds like to me.

@NeonOwl, thanks for the genre tip. I actually found a group that I dig on the psychedelic rock tip, MGMT. These kids have real talent. Not feeling all their songs but quite a few are pretty funky, which is more of what I gravitate towards.

@KingofHearts, I dig Funk, Breakbeat, NuJazz, House and REAL hiphop. Some names for you

Quantic
Uptown Funk Empire
6th Borough Project
Mr Scruff
Orgone
Hot Toddy
Recloose
Crazy P
Nightmares on Wax
Mos Def
Immortal Technique
Poor Righteous Teachers
De La Soul
Quest

Mostly underground groups there but a few well known rappers too. I just like uplifting music with soul. To each his own though

Awesome. You should check out www.wefunkradio.com if you've never heard it before. They archive every 2 hr episode. Episode 600 is a great starting point. Hip hop, funk, jazz and everything in between including some underground stuff. If you're really into funk, then maybe you'll find the music selection to be too broad.

 

[Dust 2 Dust]

If some wigger in a bar came up to me claiming Tool was EMO I would have whooped his azz as well.

 

[Alle_Gory]

If some wigger in a bar came up to me claiming Tool was EMO I would have whooped his azz as well.

You're willing to risk getting your ass kicked, arrested, and possible assault charges because someone else has a different opinion in music.

Why? Because you're an idiot.

 

[Razor Sharp]

@King,

WeFunk is DOPE! Thank you for the awesome look my man. I'm blasting this sh*t like it's everybody's business!

@Dust 2 Dust

While you are being prejudiced dont forget your stereotypes, hiphop fans always carry guns - not the best idea to pick a fight, lol

What I find interesting about your comment is that I've never talked about my race or skin color. I guess I could be a straight n*gger too, huh? Now THAT is some sh*t that will get you f*cked up, and for much more deserved reasons than musical preferences. But even then I wouldn't waste my time.

Btw, you just added another EMO statistic to my hypothesis. Thanks for getting so EMOtional there. I'd expect nothing less from a tool.