Book Review – Unleashed; The Story of Tool
Joel McIver Provides New Insight into the Mythic Metal Band Tool
Nov 15, 2009
You either get Tool, or you don't. This progressive rock band does not make music that appeals to the masses. Tool is not a group of typical rock stars. They would prefer that you wouldn't even know who they are, as they feel this takes away from the art they are trying to create. Despite Tool's disdain for the corporate world of music, they've sold millions of albums, and have won three Grammy Awards. So what makes them tick? Unleashed: The Story of Tool answers this question.
Tool consists of four master rock musicians: Maynard James Keenan, Danny Carey, Justin Chancellor, and Adam Jones. Unleashed: The Story of Tool gives relevant insight into the backgrounds of these musicians, namely, where they grew up, their early influences, and how their upbringing shaped the music. For anyone who has ever wondered where musicians like the guys from Tool come from, the answers contained within Unleashed will surprise you (I still can't believe Keenan used to manage a pet store).
Unleashed: The Story of Tool chronicles the band's rise to fame, and how they refused to bow to corporate pressure to create more accessible music. Tool has become known for their astounding live concerts, controversial videos, and an uncompromising style that defines definition. There has never been a band like them, and probably never will be. Joel McIver captures this perfectly in this book.
Unleashed Reveals the Truth Behind Tool
Tool doesn't make music about the mundane day to day realities of life, but rather, writes songs that are emotionally charged with metaphysical undertones. For this reason, many fans have begun trying to decipher Tool's lyrics like a religious fanatic does the bible. There are a plethora of interpretations of Tool's music, and many websites dedicated to deciphering their lyrics.
Rather than try to sift through the quagmire of interpretations and personifications that people have bestowed upon Tool, McIver focuses on what the band has to say about themselves. Basically, Tool is a group of guys who work together with the hopes of inspiring others to do things that they themselves are passionate about. Tool wants their listeners to use their music as a tool for inspiration (sorry for the pun). Listeners are free to take what they want from the music.
Maynard James Keenan Is Spotlighted in the Book
Though every member of Tool is a master of their craft, Unleashed, seems to focus on Keenan. He is no doubt an interesting character, as he was the lead singer of A Perfect Circle at the same time as Tool, and has become a very successful wine maker (Caduceus wines aren't cheap). It would have been nice to learn a little more about the other members of the band, instead of just Keenan, though. Lead singers always seem to overshadow their counterparts, and even though Tool is decidedly against this, Unleashed ends up being more about Keenan than the rest of the band.
Joel McIver is the Authority on Modern Rock Bands
Joel McIver has written a variety of books on rock bands, including the best seller, Justice for All: The Truth About Metallica. As with every band he has written about, he covers the subject matter thoroughly. McIver steers clear of the sensationalism behind the subject matter of his books, and seems to give a truthful account of what a band is all about. Unleashed: The Story of Tool is no exception.
The experimental and heavy music of Tool has captured the imaginations of their fans. Ethereal lyrics, ground-breaking videos, and astounding live performances have turned them into rock legends. Behind this mythical rock band are four normal guys who like the fact that people enjoy their music. Unleashed: The Story of Tool perfectly captures the humble side of the band, and gives the reader important insight into one of the most influential bands in recent history.
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