Classical Composer Reacts to Undertow (Tool) | The Daily Doug (Episode 108)

[@syx3s]

i popped out of full screen a couple times to thumb up this reaction. awesome. thanks doug.

[@linusfotograf]

If you click thumbs up twice then that means no thumbs up, no? :-)

[@syx3s]

@@linusfotograf luckily i cli(c)ked it five times XD (c)=edit

[@linusfotograf]

@@syx3s Great news!

[@ColonelJ1]

You can scroll down in full screen!!

[@syx3s]

or you can double click and not bother with that!!

[@ghost_walker]

Tool Tuesday's are an excellent idea. You should do that.

[@FroscoToppings]

Rappers React already do Tool Tuesday

[@entropy2100]

Lol, you know this is a triple jjj joke from Australia?

[@Godlobber]

I just can't believe that I have been listening to Tool for nearly 30 years. When all is said and done Undertow is my favorite Tool album.

[@awakenedtarot7306]

Tool without Justin Chancellor? wow.

[@petedog9581]

I love Tool but everything after Lateralus sounds like 1 long album that took 15 years to create.

[@Nicatlotus]

same undertow followed closely by Lateralus

[@mixedmeter]

Undertow has always been my favorite too. \^^/

[@billymuellerTikTok]

@@petedog9581 Lateralus was their peak

[@sammccoy3944]

Undertow is so overlooked by casual Tool fans. One of my many favorites. Although re reading my message I do not think you can be a casual Tool fan. Any one song can pull you in to the rabbit hole. Awesome reaction. Thankyou so much.

[@EiriUesugiKun]

OGT, from '92, the first EP? ;D Yeah, that "casual Tool fans" inspired me a bit to poke you. :)

[@billymuellerTikTok]

Undertow was the first one to get attention because of the great music videos... only overlooked because a lot of Tool fans weren't even born yet.

[@Alix777.]

It's overlloked beacause it's way less complex and bloated than Lateralus, Tool fans love those things.

[@LegitRavven]

Ik it’s been 3+ years but I recommended a few songs to my friend who only listens to rap. He wanted more songs similar to 46 and 2 lol

[@MostlyCloudy]

Finally someone sees the way the music and the words come together to tell a story and build a movie in your head.

[@nickdanger108]

Vintage Maynard! He is so good at painting pictures with music

[@petejung3122]

@@nickdanger108 Vinyard Maynard ! But age has served him well in his art and passions.

[@esehn6972]

This era of Tool's music is my favorite. Still so raw and aggressive, yet intelligent and heavy. I also love their ep Opiate

[@saragarland1270]

The lyrics remind me of struggles I’ve had with drug addiction and relapses. It would drag me under over and over again and at first it was a beautiful escape but then it was like a nightmare but I kept using even tho I knew that was destroying me.

[@lionsword9184]

Sheeeesh keep doing tool my big homie

[@jessicamcbee8702]

The "undertow" part of this songs gives me goosebumps every. time.

[@mmmegameat]

As you dissect metal, I really appreciate your trained musical ear and knowledge of theory. For me, as a guitarist, your vids enthrall and inform. Keep analyzing!

[@increase9896]

Ive been listening to tool for 25+ years and at this point i know all the lyrics but sometimes I never stop to really appreciate them. Like, I have heard this song a bunch of times since I was a teenager but hearing you really focusing on the actual writing made me realize how good lyrics really are.

[@syx3s]

aenima, lateralus, and ten thousand days, are easily my favorite tool albums, but any tool reaction video by someone that i respect will be watched instantly by me.

[@TheVeronicamitch]

❤️!! This is great! I rarely see Tool reviews that cover the technical aspects alongside the lyrics. Thank you for that! I think the lyrics are glossed over too often.

[@BillBuckBeats]

This whole album was just fricking masterful! Some of Tools best stuff for sure and definitely my favorite album of theirs

[@jimmyggs91]

I'm not a Tool fan, but as an observer it seems their success comes from the deep lyrics plus the complex compositional tools (heh) they use on their songs. Maynard said that he doesn't like to explain the lyrics, that each one should have their own interpretation. And somewhat those songs feel relatable to a lot of people. Like this song, I read the lyrics and I'm not sure if it's talking about drug addiction, or how society tries to dictate your life, or depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or something else. The point is, they've won 4 Grammy's. That's really impressive.

[@jmc7676]

Bravo...as a fan from day one you have a good idea of what Tool is...lol. Use their music as a Tool for whatever you need it for 😉. That's how I have interpret their music. MJK has his personal meanings for his lyrics but leaves it open for interpretation. Maynard is the lead singer in 3 different bands but his genius spills over in all 3. The musicians he plays with in all three bands are equally talented in their own light. The pure energy and emotion he puts out in his music is amazing. Maynard's life story is in his lyrics in all 3 bands....Tool, A Perfect Circle ⭕, and Puscifer 😈. MJK's music has saved me in so many ways throughout my life I couldn't begin to count. Please enjoy... it's part of the song track of our lives.

[@HamBown]

If you look into the lyrics of most Tool songs you will tend to find that they can be interpreted in multiple ways. Many are intentionally written to have layers of meaning or dualistic meanings and cannot be simply explained in any reasonable terms. In addition to Maynard's vocal prowess, the incomprehensible talent that is Danny Carey, and the way they all come together as a band this lyrical depth is one of my most favourite things about Tool.

[@Sinistar8u]

Still one of my favorite albums of all time, Paul D'Amour is such a monster on bass. I've always loved everything about this song. so underrated.

[@eyemoeba]

i got into Tool in '97 (Aenima - album 2; as intense, engulfing and addictive a sonic experience as i'd ever had). Undertow had passed me by, so i was stoked when i got hold of a copy of it. the difference in production levels going backwards are quite remarkable, as are the levels of composition, performance and imagination. NOW, a good 24 years later, i know the album track to track. the point i'm making is EYE never used to be into 'metal' because of what you describe. after Undertow Tool took their metal into brand new territories, eradicating the parts that tend to grind on your senses. Opiate (EP1) and Undertow definitely have that brash harshness that comes from the budget, anger and rawness of a young new band. but beyond that their albums are just great trips interspersed with interludes and breathing holes. Fear Inoculum is the ultimate sounding rock album for me (though Aenima will probably always be my favourite). it is heavy, progressive and intense, but beautiful at the same time. you'd be hard pushed to call it metal though, as Maynard's vocal performances and the whole intelligence and ethos of the project have dragged their sound into a different realm. i'd recommend starting with FI and working back. in fact, i recommend EVERYONE does that right now!

[@13christbane]

Undertow is still my fav cd front to back

[@Danimal77]

Mine as well.

[@HamBown]

"The poetry that comes from the squaring off between, and the circling is worth it. Finding beauty in the dissonance."

[@MBP208]

“Just when I think I have it Danny Carey switches it.” I feel you

[@erdio21]

Another great reaction. Watching these videos gives me a better appreciation for the songs I’ve heard a hundred times.

[@RoadRage55]

Doug…. Listen, please, about the “outro”. As you eloquently stated, this song is a cycle of progression. Every time the Undertow gets darker and stronger. After the “wind down” as he “struggles” with the last EU-PHOR-I-A (again, which you perfectly described) the strain is suddenly GONE during the beginning of the outro. The cycle has been defeated (maybe), and then the last bars of the outro you can feel the heaviness creeping back in. The outro is a brilliant foreshadowing of the cycle that seems to have no ending.

[@trevorburnett825]

That tom fill near the end during that Euphoria part where Danny rolls down and then back up to the snare hit is just soooooooooooo tasty. The hi-hat rhythm during the "chorus" sections is so good too. This album is finally growing on me after many years of listening to Tool.

[@matthewplace6359]

I just heard a song from my absolute favorite band, that I've been listening to since my early high school years and have appreciated more than ever with every new album into my mid 40's, broken down to it's purist form and without stopping the song to make it about you! Bravo! What an excellent job of being a reactor with clear musical intelligence. I will be watching you closely. Thank you for sharing!

[@Adoogin]

Me too man, same thing. Thanks Doug. It's like hearing a Tool song with fresh ears. I've always loved this song, one of my favorite Tool songs (there are a lot) but the lyrical and musical analysis is forcing something new to the surface and I really appreciate that.

[@neobliviscarisa650]

You must hear the live Tool Salival 'Push it' Track... (very Led Zeppelin in style e.g. Song Remains the Same live album).. The band are so talented, they change the verses musically from the original to make it more emotional. Has a great journey too... You will love it!!!!

[@bradleymadoff5536]

The alternate version of pushit is tremendous and haunting. To those who haven’t heard it you are in for a real treat. You Lied is amazing. And of course maynards dick. Sounds like they wrote it as a joke and it’s miles ahead of anything their contemporaries could ever write.

[@billymuellerTikTok]

@@bradleymadoff5536 the cover of 'No Quarter' is amazing too - I like it more than Led Zeppelin's original... I wish Maynard had gotten Tool to cover 'When The Levee Breaks' instead of A Perfect Circle - it would have been so heavy.

[@jgjayhawk]

Great song and video analyzing this song! There are so many great songs (musically and lyrically). Looking forward to more Tool reactions and analysis!

[@jimofthenorth8090]

Going to keep asking for it :) Mastodon - Jaguar God great modern prog

[@bluecollarjedi7600]

Bought this album a month after I graduated in 93, purely based off of the album cover peeking my curiosity and Tool has been my favorite band ever since.

[@AlFaroBeer]

You got it Doug, TOOL are freaking cool! spiral out, keep going

[@ExploreNC]

More TOOL Tuesdays my good sir, Thank you !

[@steventargus1879]

Thanks for helping me hear music I’ve listened to for decades in a new way. Like “rediscovering” these songs for the first time.

[@floridabelle]

Love this. It's probably my favorite track on the album, but then there's Flood, Swamp Song, 4°, Crawl Away... nevermind. 😁The whole album is great! I really enjoyed your breakdown of this one, and Tool Tuesday sure sounds good. 👍

[@Ogt92]

Please keep doing Tool!!!

[@chimpinaneckbrace]

The last song on this album “Flood” is sort of the lyrical partner to this one. Theme wise it’s: “The ground is crumbling under me and I’m going to drown.” Flood also bleeds over into a hidden track called Disgustipated that I think, as a composer, you’ll appreciate for its weird, creepy atmosphere.

[@plantdesigns7889]

Sound City was a great documentary. It was awesome that Dave bought the equipment to put in his own home studio. Another good music documentary to check out is In The Shadow Of Motown.

[@nowwithdave]

I was in high-school too. It came out on my birthday junior year. Blew my mind, great bday present.

[@MrGreendayzed]

I agree with the cutting off the end of the song if it was by itself but when put in a album setting it helps the flow into the next song.

[@zaclovesschool2273]

When you said "That was RAD" I totally felt that, this song is simultaneously so hard sonically, while also extremely sad and angry and desperate...and you feel every single aspect of it. masterpiece, and you tackled it perfectly thank you

[@malin9314]

What a wonderful treat to stumble upon, thank you for sharing your thoughts-truly exceptional analysis!

[@jaycenthomas3746]

T00L.....🤘🙌🤘🙌🤘🔥 Awesome reaction to a one of a kind Legend of a band

[@deprivedoftrance]

One of my favorite Tool songs of all time, thank you for this!

[@cris_j]

Loved this. Lots of love for Tool, and congrats for digging deeper on a great band, Doug. Loving watching your vids! P.S. Nothing says, "This music is great" better than the stink-face!

[@alpur214]

Love your reactions! Especially with Tool! Personally, I always loved that 23 second outro. It's the only real uptempo part of the piece and just adds a little flavor after that heavy Euphoria part. Thanks so much for your dedication to these songs!

[@adamclark6756]

I like hearing your reactions as they always highlight something new or different for me. How about every so often you sit at the piano and play us a piece of your favourite music, whatever style you like. I think it would be a nice change for you and for us too, just a thought!

[@terryoneil7128]

This song is really INCREDIBLE!!! Not really a Tool fan, but mad fan of this album. Brilliant lyrics metaphor for addiction

[@73av8r5]

Damn you Doug! Making me feel old....I was at University in ‘93. Been a Tool fan ever since 🤘🏻.

[@edcummings2379]

More tool please the grudge, Jambi, descending

[@bikesandbeans]

@11:40 you talk about the ending , in my take .. the conclusion makes me see the person in a splashing struggle of death in the water before silence. i will always love this album.. bought it at Sam the Record man in Winnipeg in '95. fan ever since.. no one i knew back then "got them" but i loved it. thanks for the throw back!

[@RedLP5000S]

Aenima is my fav Tool album, but Undertow is right up there. Sober got me into this masterful band.

[@PowderedToastMan420]

Great analysis. You get it. Yeah all in for TOOL TUESDAY. Just subscribed. 🤞✌

[@ahtoxa137]

Dear Doug, I stumbled upon you a couple of days ago and I must say I never enjoyed watching a music reaction video more, than when I watch you react to bands like Malmsteen, Iron Maiden, Nightwish, Tool etc... You are just amazing! Most reactions are like "Yeah, I like it - cool sound" or something like this. But you have such a great knowledge of music and you share it with us while listening to the songs - it is such a pleasure to watch you doing this. Especially when you analyze and comment on musically complex songs... I just wanted to say thank you for your videos! ...oh and: it would be great if you could do a video on Tool - The Pot :) Thank you so much and God bless you!

[@dragnasty540]

Great reaction! You made me feel as if I were hearing it again for the first time! TooL rules!!!!!

[@Ando2k10]

I have a good bit of Tool on the USB drive for my "truck music", put it on shuffle so it's mixed in with everything else...love it.

[@Carl-gj4ed]

Great reaction. I love this album. Got me through high school when it came out. They've evolved so much from this point but what a point to evolve from! You mentioned Soundcity. David Grohl actually bought the soundboard when it shut down and uses it at his home studio. I made sure to go visit the location when I visited Seattle.

[@pwph8361]

I love how I have been listening to this song since 1993 ( and it has always been a favorite ) and never knew Maynard was saying 'euphoria' anywhere, never mind several times :) :) We didn't have lyrics or internet back then, so you just made up your own - I always sang/screamed 'you..... brought......... me........... up / here'. Peace.

[@jannishessel9918]

the meter is a 5-7 subdivision of a 12 count , which is very popular in prog (a 5-3 subdivision of a 8 count is the other "off rhythm" that gets often used).

[@Doug.Helvering]

great tip...thanks.

[@billbergeron634]

im so happy you understand this

[@PoliticallyAffiliated]

You should hear 3 libras by a perfect circle it’s maynards (tool singer) other band. Very easy on the ears and shows his versatility. AmaZing song

[@TomPark1986]

Other Tool songs you may want to check out: Reflections, Invincible, Vicarious....

[@Danimal77]

Vicarious, The Patient, Schism, Right In Two, Forty Six & 2, Third Eye, 7empest.

[@dukeoholik]

Gotta do some of their Fear Inoculum album, interesting to see your thoughts on the album as a whole!

[@kijkbuis8575]

The songs on that album are smoother and so perhaps less of a barrage against the ears.

[@Danimal77]

@@kijkbuis8575 Same can be said for 10,000 Days and even Lateralus.

[@RyanMovingViolationz]

Outstanding!!! Other KZbin channels also have Tool Tuesdays...DJ Dan is proud of you!!!

[@RoadRage55]

You know how the TOOL Army is. If there is a reaction video, we’re watching it. That said, your reaction to Undertow is the most complete and attentive on the internet. 10/10

[@sugheroatletico8166]

although their last album isn't my fav, "descending" it's my fav tool song, check it out

[@slantz49]

I sincerely appreciate your input on in my opinion the best band ever ..MAYNARD is among the best LYRICIST ..performer. Poet of the last 100 years his message is deep like the river bed

[@chrisfloresqueirolo3949]

Thanks for remind me of this song, Doug. If you want to listen more about Maynard, you should try A perfect circle - Orestes

[@leonid7785]

I can recommend this in every video man, just so good. Adagio-Niflheim

[@Bryman1970]

Sound City. Excellent documentary.

[@NBLP7001]

Check out Tony MacAlpine, guitarist and pianist extraordinaire. Good one to start off with is Porcelain Doll. It's a guitar instrumental, but it's based off of a theme from Chopin's Sonata #3, Opus # 58, 3rd Movement (largo)

[@breakdancinfool]

I think the fast outtro represents the last fight, last panic before drowning - letting the water in and succumbing to the deep

[@lucasmasciotra44]

awesome reaction, learn alot watching your videos!

[@dubbelkagge]

You're awesome! If you wanna get blown away by something you never been close to hearing is Heilung - Krigsgaldr (Live). I promise you REALLY wanna analyze that! 🙂

[@210Deek]

I was also in HS and it was my first Tool CD!

[@dn734]

Loved your take on where it could have ended. Still love how they did end it, but you are absolutely right!

[@echoplexstudios8249]

Love what you're doin.

[@jeffjdt]

I haven't heard this one in a few years! So great

[@dustinpribble1546]

I really like how u understand the archetypal meaning and hidden meanings The end after euphoria... Imagine pulling u down and then as u circle the drain and how it speeds towards the end of the drain emptying the last little but from the drain

[@MrGreendayzed]

To me this song is about getting high or something bad that give you endorphins. At first it's uplifting and enjoyable but then when you get addicted it turns black then you get sucked up by the undertow and not fighting because it feels "good"

[@breakdancinfool]

Its adorable when Doug calls it "rewinding"

[@thanospat6400]

Shout out to Sylvia Massey! Back when you only knew the lyrics..syncopated musical time signatures by pausing & rewinding your cassette tape. Tool...milk & butter music of the 90s✌

[@2giantmonsters]

This song brings back memories. I'd LOVE to hear an analysis of The Real Thing or Zombie Eaters from Faith No More. Bring high school back!

[@dan.j.boydzkreationz]

Went to the beach yesterday, for a mid-Autumn (fall) swim. Undertow was very strong

[@jamesbekurs4683]

In many of the live performances of this he also yells during that instrumental outro and it’s a REALLY nice touch! Edit to add: Check this live performance out! Song begins at 20:38, and 25:44 is where the instrumental outro begins. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6O6gqJvmJd9mZIsi=q7_rO4G0_9bODqfe

[@scounter72]

That was cool Doug. Tool is one of those bands that I really ought to love given my general tastes but just don't quite get it. I have a couple of their albums - Undertow being one of em - and also find I can only take it in smaller chunks. That fatigue sets in for me too. However, this is a really good track and I may just have to revisit this album. The way the music and lyrics match up is really something. Great musical metaphors.

[@matheusmota1741]

I totally get where you're coming from about the heavy sounds, Dr. Doug. I got into Tool and metal in general as a forever angry and raging teenager and I listened to their albums for hours on end, but now as I get older and feel less anger towards the world I con't make it to the end of an album without some pauses.

[@rattfink9]

This album and the Opiate ep with the original bassist and Sylvia Massy producing are, in my view, their best work by far. Genuine and raw perfection.

[@harrygorrod4463]

Will keep asking haha but would love a reaction to Failure by Devin Townsend from his live in Plovdiv show with an Orchestra

[@killinbildvow80]

Some answers are death to questions. Meaning of this song to me.

[@strikercompact2847]

Thanks to let me rediscover this song

[@unicorngirl6058]

Yes ! TOOL Tuesday!! # TOOLARMY 😍

[@justinw2232]

Great breakdown by you.👏⭐

[@maxlove5383]

\m/TOOL\m/ Best sounding recorded artists since the beginning. Wish all bands sounded as good.

[@craigschaffer828]

The Sound City doc is fucking amazing!

[@samunden]

This is such a great album.

[@2giantmonsters]

Haven't listen to in years but amazing still!

[@bazierk5175]

Outside of rock I’d love your analysis of Gillian Welch - The Way It Will Be. Such a beautiful song with haunting melodies and I’d love some more insight on why it makes my skin crawl.

[@hermitprime]

Doug, another interesting band to listen to is Atomship. I think they only have one album Crash of '47. But it is one of my favorites because it is so different and unique.

[@GobiPup]

I forgot how bad ass this song is! Brings back memories.

[@justindarnell3788]

"This is D minor pentatonic power." Yeah, 97% of TOOL songs.

[@jmc7676]

I was skeptical at first of your reaction...but as you picked up on the lyrics...I began to smile 😁. Yes to Tool Tuesday and enjoy the ride. May I add you should check out the other 2 bands Maynard is in ....A Perfect Circle ⭕ and Puscifer 😈. Use the Tool 🛠️ to dig deeper...Spiral out my friends 🌀...

[@meattooth1303]

Any highly intricate crazy musicianship music is hard for me to listen to for more than 2-3 songs. However, I can listen to 4/4 acoustic smoothness for hours. Saying that, I will listen to a full Tool album when on a long driving trip and when the album is over, I am exhausted.

[@Elezium]

The Undertow album is still one of my favourite albums ever - got to see them on the tour for it too! You should check out Eulogy, 46+2, Schism, Aenima...

[@Elezium]

Oh, and if you haven't already, the Danny Carey drum cam for Pneuma live :)