I'm surprised nobody has mentioned it yet, but this song is actually heavily inspired by a stand-up comedy routine by the late great Bill Hicks. Hicks opened for Tool during some of their shows, and when he passed away in 1994 of pancreatic cancer, Tool dedicated their entire Ænima album to his memory, even including samples of some of his routines on the final track, "Third Eye". Hicks was an extraordinarily influential comedian despite dying at only 32-- his comedy often tackled subjects like drug usage, religion and politics in a way that was jarring to American audiences at the time. If you're interested in learning a bit more about the background behind this song, I would recommend you check out Hicks' stand-up album Arizona Bay (and specifically, the track titled "Goodbye You Lizard Scum").

"He's a very angry man" Let me tell you, this was my reaction when I first heard this song. Then I moved to a California metropolis. Now this song resonates with me like nothing else.

Don't just call him a pessimist... Try and read between the lines.

I must say though, you've accidentally stumbled into a cult, we tool lovers

This song is the title track of the album by the same name, except the spelling is slightly different (album name is Aenima, song name is Aenema). It's a double entendre dealing with a psychological concept of the Anima, which was the name Carl Jung gave to the concept of a person's soul or spirit, and we all obviously know what an enema is. Thus the combination of the two words equates to something like "the cleansing of the soul". The whole album deals conceptually with working through one's inner demons on a spiritual level (he evokes Jungian psychological concepts in several other songs). This song in particular uses the metaphor of LA (a bastion of despair, vanity, and falseness) being flushed into the sea (which could conceivably happen, given a strong enough earthquake) as a metaphor for the spiritual cleansing of mankind. Hence, "Arizona bay". So the song isn't just him saying he hates everything and is waiting for the apocalypse. He even says in the song "don't just call me pessimist. Try and read between the lines." Maynard just has a way of using rather crude metaphors in subtle ways (see also Stinkfist).

Parabol/Parabola!!

Home Improvement is the show you're thinking of.

They don't call Danny the "Octopus" for nothin

Notable selections: Pushit (original and Salival versions); 3rd Eye; No Quarter (Zep cover); Wings and 10,000 Days; Stinkfist; Reflection. No two tool songs sound the same, their catalog is tremendous, even though they only have 4 albums and an EP. Salival is a compilation of live songs. Be mindful, TOOL is a wormhole and us fans are like a cult following lol. ✌🏽👉🏽👌🏽

He has a lot to say (here are songs and prefaces): Eulogy (to understand my little joke there) Ticks and Leeches (Amazing drumming) Disposition/Reflection/Triad (They are all meant to be listened to together. VERY VERY long, like 20 min.) Parabol/Parabola (Both meant to be listened to together) Pushit and then Pushit [LIVE] from their Salival record/DVD (To see that Tool as a band basically covers their own songs and improves upon them) Jambi (Just a good song) Right in Two (Good progression and, once again, phenomenal drumming) Third Eye (An almost psychedelic sonic experience) Wings for Marie/10,000 Days (Research a lot before, an amazing musical progression that also contains one of the most heartfelt messages I've ever heard)

Well i understand your feeling about other bands. There is alot of great bands nowadays. But u have barely touched their catalog as of now lol. I personally think they are the greatest. But that doesnt mean at all i hold other bands to their standard. There really is no other bands that have their style of music.

Well said on Danny.. and the comparisons. Thanks for doing this!

Move to LA and you'll understand lol

Do Jambi next!

As far as i'm concerned TOOl are on a pedestal . Nothing compares .

RIP Bill Hicks. Gone but never forgotten..

I love that you mention Neil Peart because you’re right on. Rush is another one of my favorite bands.

You have to make sure to find the high quality videos when watching these. It makes it so much better

You may consider pulling up the lyrics or finding a lyric video. Some of Maynard's vocals are a bit indistinct, however once you get the hang of the way he sounds, it becomes a lot easier.

Just to be in the conversation of being the greatest band of all time is the best one could strive for. For me they are the best of my generation and im 40. I put them in the conversation with Zeppelin, Beatles and Floyd. U must try 46 & 2. View the video with the lyrics and meaning for a more enlightened experience. CHEERS

If you can, I’d say to have their songs play w/ the lyrics bc the lyrics are half of what makes their songs so amazing. & I agree with doing Tool videos not too often to not go through them all too quickly. But the singer of Tool is also the singer in A Perfect Circle if you’re interested (I recommend “Outsider” but whichever interests you). Next Tool video I would say “Vicarious” w/ the lyrics especially! Lovin the videos!

Good channel here ! Well said about Danny’s drumming , also a great percussionist and he is so tribal .

Vicarious please! Personally my favourite Tool song

All Tool songs are great, but this one has to be my fav.

if you do another song by tool again, "Right in Two" will give you a nice change of pace. Its still heavy, but pretty chill at the same time.

Tool started out with more venom. Even in those songs the lyrics take on topics in what they establish as a Tool way. It progresses from songs like Bottom and Prison Sex to a meta view of problems and life in Vicarious, Lateralus, 46&2, Reflections and Parabol & Parabola in later albums. Take a look at their album covers and how they change. It sums up what I'm talking about pretty accurately haha.

Yes another Tool song! Thanks!

You owe it to yourself to do "46&2" as for the next Tool reaction. Look for the specific lyric video that has some fan-added meaning along with the lyrics. (v = Tja6_h4lT6A) it has the following in its description: "The Shadow as defined by Carl Jung 46 & 2 chromosomes explained by Drunvalo Melchizadek Art by Alex Grey" Also, AFTER you've done reacting to 46&2 - Look up "Kids Cover 46 and 2 by Tool / O'Keefe Music Foundation" It makes me so happy to see kids covering such songs, affirming your thoughts about how this music is eternal. Love your reactions! Do some more Karnivool as well please! "Sky machine" "New Day" "Aeons" "Simple Boy" "All i know" "Coté" "Themata" "Shutterspeed" "Fear of the Sky" "Roquefort" "L1FEL1KE"

I would be speculating but anticipate that you would be a drummer... great to see someone else pulling it apart and analysing it, that being said all four musicians bring such a wide sweeping soundscape that has amazing interplay that with any one of them kissing wouldn’t be the audible magic it otherwise is. Please do yourself ( and us )a huge favour and wrap your ears around 46&2 by Tool.. One of Danny’s many masterpieces as far as the drum breakdown section or one of my absolute all time favourites, Pushit from their Salival album which is an audible form of magick as far as I’m concerned.

Fantastic mate!! Thanks for the shout out, that's a first for me. There is a slightly deeper level to these lyrics that may have been missed, basically talking about a change in human consciousness. 46 & 2 is a good choice for the next one, whenever that may be. As you say there's a shed load of other great music out there, I look forward to finding some new stuff through your channel. Maximum The Hormone is worth a look, just sayin. All the best, keep up the good work!!

Wow, you really got Moe'd with the Hugh Jass name

Dude you gotta check out the pot by tool. 2nd favourite tool song behind ticks and leaches

New Tool album soon! Good time to get into them

This song is based on a Bill Hicks album called Arizona Bay. That puts ot in perspective. Maynard is referencing LA specifically.

So one thing to know about them, when trying to understand their lyrics specifically, is that they studied Jungian psychology. They incorporate a lot of philosophical, spiritual and psychological constructs. Maynard isn’t as pissed off as he comes off. In fact he wrote for three different bands, and uses each band to exercise a different emotional release. Their more recent music is much more spiritually and psychologically evolved, though their musicianship is a power house from their conception. I won’t say they are the best band, though they are my personal favorite. I feel comfortable saying they are the most precise band. Nothing is unintentional. They are so calculated in their music, lyrics and meaning. Truly phenomenal when you begin digging deeper into them. I hope you continue to review more of their work. It’s always a pleasure watching people, especially musically educated and gifted individuals, discover tool for the first time ✌🏽👉🏽👌🏽

Dig your reaction video's Jim.. keep on keeping on.. the Pacific Northwest thanks you!

The vocals on this song is perfectly balanced. Maynard is the god of weird lyrics with time signatures. No doubt. Hits you everywhere. Like good wine.

It’s about flushing away Los Angeles. Kinda like an enema, get it?

nice job once again jimmy. u a boss.

I can relate to this song so much being from a small town in the country, then moving to a big city. Sometimes you just can’t stand the stupid shit people worry about, it just seems so fucking fake and superficial. The line about mom fixing everything and flushing away all the bullshit so we can go back to focusing on what matters is so cathartic.

Good review! Something you should know about Tool that will maybe make you appreciate them even more is that they are rather fun and sarcastic guys. This song was a tongue in cheek way of lashing out at the fake "MTV" culture in espescially LA in the 90's. In the Ænima cd booklet you even have a map of the US with California removed (sunk into the ocean) presenting the beautiful Arizona Bay. 😂 Bak in the day they were a central part of the alternative crowd that tried to make meaningful art in a sea of fame-obsessed crap. For more insight watch some comedy like Bill Hicks and Mr. Show. Both bloody brilliant and much closer to "british" humor than anything else around at that time. He even hints at it in the lyrics btw: "Don't just call me pessimist. Try and read between the lines." And you called him negative! 😂

Key line you missed: "Don't just call me a pessimist, try to read between the lines." Some food for thought.

This is the quintessential Tool song.

Then listen to the song H by Tool it is on the lighter side it is about how his son changed his life for the better just BEAUTIFUL

It should be noted, he isn't talking about flushing the whole world down the drain... just California. And honestly, who can really disagree?

I highly encourage you have the lyrics for first time listens. His words are a crucial instrument

great reviews! gotta consider 46 & 2, Ticks & Leeches, Vicarious....Either way, it will be fun to watch your progression through!

I always think of this song like going through a hurricane. It’s chaos and then there’s a part where it’s very calm and quiet then back to chaos.

tool is having a "reactiion Renascence" and i'm always puzzled why aenema gets completely overlooked... it's literally on the level of 46and 2, and Sober, but it NEVER gets reacted to stinkfist, eulogy... that rounds out their top 5... then all the later stuff starting with "the pot"

Hi Jim!! My name is ian!! This is amazing!! I was just talking with someone I know about an earthquake I hope won't happen in California just an hour ago and how people don't leave the area and refuse to leave like as the volcano eruption in Hawaii i heard some people won't leave ---because they think they won't be affected or in danger and the person I spoke with an hour ago is named Daniel - and I play drums and Danny Carey is Tool's drummer - not only that but rock music retired drummer Neil Peart might live in California maybe..... and Neil Peart of the rock band RUSH has a brother - named Danny!! from ian - also at karaoke they all got mad at me when I sang this song cause it has "curse" or profanity words in it! or a guy there got upset - why would they allow people to sing it on the TV screen with the so called bad words if it is there! so the guy didn't get that - anyhow i think i apologized after the guy was pretty much a jerk to me!!! anyhow its amazing Jim! from ian!

At 7:48 that "Ooo" you gave, lol hahaha love it

This is definitely a fav!

The fact u said Hugh Jass like it's not a joke name had me rolling 😂😂😂

It’s my opinion that the title Aenema is a blend of Animus and Enema. The first meaning hostility towards something or someone and Enema...well that word is self-explanatory. This album is full of layered meanings that go from sophomoric humor to very profound. Stinkfist is a perfect example.

A Bill Hicks tribute; his dark, brutal comedy routines informed the lyrics Ahnimma

He doesnt hate everyone. Just Los Angeles. And yeah... Its that bad.

And now you're falling down the MJK rabbit hole, there's all of A Perfect Circle & Puscifer to enjoy too!

Maybe not GOAT but maybe the greatest of a generation.

Next tool song you do please= EULOGY

It IS true... all other bands fall short.

Totally agree about Carey and Pert

Another vote for Ticks & Leeches. Danny at his (arguably) finest.

Not sure if anyone already caught this. The ae (Greek I believe?) sounds somewhere between ‘ar’ and ‘O’ as in the word ‘on’. Pronunciation comes off as “on-ima”. ‘Anima’ is the name of a godess, roughly equivalent to Mother Earth. Hence, “mom’s gonna fix it all soon” in the lyrics.

Pushit. It’s a great tune. Off the same Aenima(awe-ni-ma) album.

Tim The Toolman Taylor!!

this song is the title track

Some of the attitude of metal is about swiping at the prevailing culture and about giving a voice to the often downtrodden, bullied and repressed counter culture. I think many of us would be lying if we said we didn't get annoyed by that prevailing hipster culture from time to time. Really it's not all that different from the punk ethos and I think that's how you have to view it. Would you watch a Sex Pistols performance and say they were 'too angry'? Of course not because that's sort of the point and I think sometimes, metal shares that distain for popular culture too. It's part of what it's about.

Please for your next tool song, do Eulogy, an absolute masterpiece of music.

Listen to Jambi by Tool, It's a banger

try stinkfist, vicarious, jambi, parabol/a, one of my personal favorite is jimmy. lesser known song, but its for sure one of their best and most underated

Please do another one with a lyrics display for you - this song is AMAZING.

Gotta get a video with the lyrics. There is a message in every song. All up too your interpretation

You need to do the pot..!!! Awesome track

Hey! Don't criticize Maynard! If he was a happy chap, what music would he produce (IF he produced any at all)? :D Would you also go "hey Kafka, cheer up!"? Misery and anger are great motivations!

While Ænema is a fantastic song, like ALL of their songs... If I had to make a "top 15 favorite Tool songs" I don't think it would make the cut. There's sooo much better stuff from them

I'm late to the Tool party, but I can't imagine how mentally wrecked these guys are after a live performance keeping up with the odd time signatures. I've decided Tool is the love child of Metallica and Pink Floyd. Amazing attention to detail. MJK's lyrics are complex and thought provoking, but above all is the amazing musicianship of the whole band. Love your reviews. I hope some day you add more reviews to you classical music playlist... Mozart Symphony #25 would be great. Toodles...

It's a reference to a Bill Burr joke. Arizona bay, google it. He also says "don't just call me pessimistic, try and read between the lines"

Please do check out Zeal and Ardor. Gravediggers Chant or Built on Ashes. Really interesting and challenging mix of gospel and bleak experimental rock

“Fuck this fuck that fuck the other” 😂

Am I the only one who noticed that one of the people he thanked for requesting this video was named Hugh Jass?

Also, 100% agree with your pedestal comments. Try partying to tool the way you do electric six

I absolutely love Tool, but you are so right when you mention how too many people (including myself at times) will put this band on such a high pedestal.

Listen to Arizona Bay by Bill Hicks to understand the lyrics to this song :-) legendary comedian ..

Request: Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks (something a little different)

Loving these reactions. Any plans for The Mars Volta? Edit: Check out their song 'Day of the Baphomets' if you're up for something a bit crazy...

Haha well Maynard is not so positive but his lyrics are really deep . Please react Talk Talk by A Perfect Circle

there's a reason ol' jimmy(keenan, not newstead) likes living in the country to wind down after his tours. I feel where he's coming from. I grew up in the country and hate my life right now living in the city. can't wait to get the fuck out of this shit.

Jambi

Tool- Jambi!

Ticks and Leeches next please! Octopus drums!

Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor.

The Pot! Listen to it my friend!

For the record, it is pronounced "Ahh-nimma" as said by Adam Jones himself.

"Don't just call me pessimist... Try to read between the lines"

Intermission into Jimmy (off of Ænema [on-i-ma]). 10/4 you'll like it! Bit slower but this one has more vocal production on it. Rest is great too but the delay on vox is pretty perfect.

Bill hicks

Maynard is right, i live out here.

That's "mastery"!

Maynard's mother was paralyzed when he was young, his parents divorced, and he was abused by his stepfather. So he has some issues. He's grown a lot over the years and leveled out some.

The Pot and The Patient