Tool Want To ‘Outdo Themselves’ On New Album: ‘A Mediocre Album For Money Would Be Easy’

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Blair has posted the latest Tool newsletter, and has answered questions regarding why Tool still haven’t release their fifth album 10 years after the release of 10,000 Days. Blair said Tool want to outdo themselves on their new album, and that if it was just for money, it would be easy for them to release a mediocre album and tour it for years.

QUESTION:
“How much of the new Tool material have you actually heard?”

BMB:
Over the years I have mostly heard sections of what I believe will be the longest track on the album. Last spring, after Danny and Rynne’s wonderful baby shower, a few of us got to listen to parts of other arrangements in various stages of development. (Note: some of the time signatures are completely off the chart!) So, I would say that I’ve heard about 30 minutes of music altogether. I’m sure that I could hear some more if I really wanted to by sereptiously placing a digital voice recorder inside the taxidermy bird at the loft, or by flashing my Tool Web Content Manager badge and demanding to hear the latest riffs, but I would actually prefer to wait until the vocals are added because, for me, at least, that’s when everything really comes together. As I’ve said many times, the individual contributions of each band member is essential to creating the distinctive Tool sound. Therefore, it really doesn’t matter how much music I’ve heard thus far.

QUESTION:
“From your perspective, how has having financial success impacted the guy’s motivation to complete the new album? In comparison to the early to mid 90s, do you see the same hunger to get it done? Or has the amount of cash, lawsuits, and other ventures made a new album 4th or 5th on the priority scale? As a complete outsider, it really seems like TOOL touring every couple of years generates enough cash flow to keep everyone comfortable. Comfortable enough in their chosen lifestyle that — fuck it, why finish this album, let’s just ride the wave. If so, I don’t blame ‘em!”

BMB:
Personally, I don’t believe living a comfortable life-style from money generated by mini-tours, merch sales, etc. has much to do with things – if you are referring to the amount of time that it is taking to complete a new album. If it were just about money, it would be easy for Tool to crank out a mediocre album (that many fans would be happy with; some even considering it to be a great accomplishment!) and tour with it for years. Instead of just riding a wave, as you suggest, I would like to think that – even if they don’t have as much energy as they did when they were much younger (?) – they are trying their hardest to outdo themselves, wanting each new album to be better than the last one. If this wasn’t the case, it wouldn’t make sense for a couple of members to sit for hours in soul-crushing L.A. traffic four days a week in order to get to the loft where they work tirelessly writing/arranging new music. Why subject themselves to this – for years (plus having to listen to all the groaning) – unless they want their new album (which is the priority) to be the absolute best than it can possibly be?