Tool - Ænema (Reaction)

[@chevand8]

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").

[@leethomas7659]

chevand8 just imagine his material now days.. I’m almost glad he didn’t get to see what the US has become..

[@ProfessorHubertFarnsworth]

@@leethomas7659 Honestly....I think if cancer had not killed him, he still may have died by now due to a massive heart attack/stroke/etc caused by the insanity of what we have become. I loved Hicks, and of course would want him to be alive if possible...I just am not sure how he could be.

[@leethomas7659]

@@ProfessorHubertFarnsworth I think sad as it may be you are spot on, but can you imagine the material if he was still here!! What’s even sadder is reguardless of how hard folks such as Bill, John Lennon etc tried to wake society from its slumber we seem to be falling into a deeper and deeper sleep as we go..

[@ProfessorHubertFarnsworth]

@@leethomas7659 Yeah I hear ya. At least we got some great comedic minds out there like Bill Burr. He is without a doubt my favorite comedian working today. I can actually see SOME similarities between him and Hicks (not a lot but some).

[@futurescrub1517]

That’s why there’s a picture piece of Hicks in the cover thingy in the cd case and I think Aenima is a medical term in a different language.

[@DarthFennec]

"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.

[@graymain]

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

[@ChaseVonnegut]

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

[@tomwiththeweather247]

Well done, chase

[@willie1062]

Chase Vonnegut power full line that explains the song. Hates to see so many die but the states are in tatters and needs to be flushed away in order for the states to be reborn.

[@dubyajayyo]

When you flush you’re left with a clean bowl.

[@BrendanDHara]

Pretty sure this is an ode to California, not a blanketed statement about the whole world.

[@killakaminski]

Two lines that change the entire song

[@leethomas7659]

RIP Bill Hicks. Gone but never forgotten..

[@dtrmbly6096]

Parabol/Parabola!!

[@nathanmessina192]

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).

[@benasay8279]

I couldn't have said it better man

[@rainonyourparade3045]

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

[@alicepleasance7664]

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

[@ZMB-on5ub]

Alice Pleasance I heard they call him that because one of his 8 arms can impregnate a woman. (Shoots ink and swims away.)

[@liamryan952]

@@ZMB-on5ub lmao 😂😂

[@Bryan-T]

Home Improvement is the show you're thinking of.

[@JimNewstead]

Yes! Thank you!!!

[@buckleybrau]

Tool Time was a show with in the show Home Improvement

[@rjg4851]

Err.. I don't think so Tim!

[@pasit1738]

Allen´s role person Tim had a TV-show called Tim ”Tool Man” Taylor.

[@zzxx6013]

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

[@markrichardson2512]

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

[@crfwannabe]

Mark Richardson not a cult, an army.

[@SIRHOOVER]

SPIRAL OUT

[@fcleffox]

@@SIRHOOVER KEEP GOING!

[@piratealeks6865]

We really are a cult, aren't we.

[@TheMacemen]

🤘🤘🤘right!?!

[@hyrum.kramer]

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)

[@jasonmagistro1053]

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. ✌🏽👉🏽👌🏽

[@Mandibles76]

Yes another Tool song! Thanks!

[@rjg4851]

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.

[@rjg4851]

By the way, Maynard's voice often turns into a harmonic instrument itself that gets lost in the song. You've gotta have lyrics up.

[@PK-on9vj]

Move to LA and you'll understand lol

[@kingadalou]

P K and this is 96 L.A. its a lot more jam packed and artificial than back then.

[@PK-on9vj]

TannerLewis yeah i blast this on repeat every time i take the 405. Its the only thing that stops me from a road rage breakdown tbh

[@kingadalou]

P K ive never been there but I could only imagine

[@ZMB-on5ub]

P K I got to Newport in 2004 and left from Costa Mesa in 2006. That's how much I loved the greater LA area. Thank God I wasnt chained to a desk down there.

[@jameslyddall]

P K Im from a nice part of Surrey in England and I meet up and go to my friends summer party in South Central every year lol. We met on xbox and a bunch of us went over and yeah good fun love LA. Its great getting reactions from people wondering why a group of white guys from England are in a rough part of south central.

[@triffle69]

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

[@deepbass8446]

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!!

[@SennyMarshall]

nice job once again jimmy. u a boss.

[@markrichardson2512]

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

[@dprob1985]

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.

[@spiral2012]

Fckgogle Pluss I think that he even commented on "not saying they're the greatest band ever" is the most telling about how he really feels about Tool. You really can't quantify music like that.

[@blakedavenport8012]

Yeah bro Tool is my all time favorite band hands down no questions. But no way you can start comparing and holding other bands out there to their standard because then they’ll be the only band worth listening too.

[@Mazzini11]

There are no "bests" in art. Only favorites.

[@cyberdemon1702]

Mazzini11 SAD BUT TRUUAAAHH

[@luvr381]

Rush

[@rainonyourparade3045]

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.

[@vinylbadger3841]

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

[@dekadenser]

Do Jambi next!

[@QueenBee-py3ks]

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

[@lightningwolf2460]

New Tool album soon! Good time to get into them

[@jasonmagistro1053]

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 ✌🏽👉🏽👌🏽

[@HarryWful]

Vicarious please! Personally my favourite Tool song

[@nitrousteca]

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

[@MrDuanepalmer]

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

[@estoy1001]

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.

[@ysteinstver8528]

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.

[@ianmitnick8245]

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!

[@MUN00K]

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.

[@jillakers6693]

This is definitely a fav!

[@jasonthompson869]

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.

[@JimNewstead]

Speculate no more, yes I'm a drummer, but haven't actually played on a few years. However, all that's going to change soon.... 😁

[@gregestep1669]

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

[@burningbeard9478]

Greg ESTEP ...I live in Oregon, speak for yourself...lol

[@sobo2001]

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

[@sharinglungs3226]

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.

[@SouthAustraliaDiscus]

Maybe not GOAT but maybe the greatest of a generation.

[@jiveprism1446]

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

[@bubblesthemonkey6615]

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.

[@JoeFishLewis]

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.

[@hughjahst765]

This is the quintessential Tool song.

[@JimNewstead]

Hugh Jass thanks for the recommendation/suggestion. Really really enjoying the Tool journey. Good stuff!

[@vinylbadger3841]

This track has abrasive comedic lyrics like early tool albums, combined with song structure from later ones. Tool is mostly variations on this. Textbook Tool.

[@ohWolffy]

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

[@JimNewstead]

Mr Jass, Mr Hugh Jass? Gah, you pesky kids.... If I ever find out who you are.....

[@sheri0082]

Totally agree about Carey and Pert

[@Mazzini11]

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

[@ktopaz]

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"

[@jasonthompson869]

ktopaz what you said !!!!👍👍👍

[@ktopaz]

it only sucked because of that specific live version - I agree it sucked but check out the studio version, its a really good one

[@merkab7154]

was reading through the replies looking for someone to suggest this one.. Easily one of my top Tool songs.

[@MrRubyscube]

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! 😂

[@LudvikM]

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!

[@danielelford6767]

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

[@nickawhite76]

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

[@litawells8803]

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

[@TheJudgementofDog]

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

[@cyberdemon1702]

“Fuck this fuck that fuck the other” 😂

[@ukboy8864]

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.

[@jacqf3583]

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

[@mattb2951]

Tool- Jambi!

[@dan.j.boydzkreationz]

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

[@TriptoCo]

Dan J. Boyd Bill will always be the best of the so called best. Hands down.... RIP Bill...

[@dstein111]

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

[@markrichardson2512]

David Kind of, but the anima is an idea thought up by Carl Jung. So it's kind of a play on words

[@dstein111]

Mark Richardson yup, but in the context of this song it’s a double meaning.

[@Generic_Man]

The album is Ænima, as in Carl Jung's theory of the collective unconsciousness. The song is Ænema, as in... well, an enema. Two different words, two different things, two different pronunciations, two different meanings, all brought together thanks to some clever play with the ash (Æ).

[@markrichardson2512]

So then we're all in agreement. Aenema has a double meaning, both for the destruction of LA, and Maynard's favorite boi, Carl Jung

[@markrichardson2512]

diabolic The title is, yes

[@BegToDiffah]

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

[@notimportant3686]

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"

[@Jrup2110]

Not Important I mean it’s got a whole album named after it🤷🏻‍♂️

[@tomtomthebear]

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

[@wowdoublerainbow]

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

[@louistremblay1218]

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

[@ToddFraud]

Tim The Toolman Taylor!!

[@davidsan9654]

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.

[@dtrmbly6096]

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

[@GoldTop57]

Dtr mbly Completely agree

[@Brandon-zn8rf]

Aenma would make my top five, no doubt. But I’m a drummer.

[@dtrmbly6096]

Brandon Hagler I take it Ticks and Leeches is up there too then? 😁

[@Brandon-zn8rf]

Dtr mbly - yep! That’s more physical drumming than mental for sure. Danny’s just a beast.

[@stevencollins6155]

Aenema is my favorite song to hear live it and opiate.

[@BrendanDHara]

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

[@JimNewstead]

That's a bit harsh, some of the best new world wine comes from California!

[@BrendanDHara]

Lol, I was being a tad bit facetious.

[@NotPulse613]

@@JimNewstead well Maynard makes his own wine in Arizona, lol

[@flyingardilla143]

@@JimNewstead California - 'the land of fruits and nuts'

[@SIRHOOVER]

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

[@thebatman1482]

Listen to Jambi by Tool, It's a banger

[@kreider1995]

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

[@JimNewstead]

What do you mean? Mr Jass is one of my closest, dearest friends....

[@crfwannabe]

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

[@stanleyhood2693]

I pronounce it ah-na-ma

[@crfwannabe]

grasseyeball same, just not good at the phonics thing. Your way is much clearer.

[@jeffjohnson9173]

I pronounced it wrong for years until I heard Danny say it in an interview.

[@OpusRuspee]

Jeff Johnson and how did he say it?

[@jeffjohnson9173]

Michael Opus John Campbell got it right.

[@IndustryLeech]

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

[@TriptoCo]

The Pot! Listen to it my friend!

[@kmoxley5524]

Have you ever listened to The Gits? If not, I highly recommend it.

[@JoeFishLewis]

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

[@tosh_is_me942]

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

[@docwells7]

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...

[@daviddevereaux7786]

Jambi

[@johnob7959]

Next tool song you do please= EULOGY

[@rainonyourparade3045]

john ob yes!

[@leethomas7659]

Still miss Bill everyday.

[@Jonwallachio]

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"

[@ddowell3178]

this song is the title track

[@ZMB-on5ub]

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.

[@srbaran]

Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor.

[@justinman114]

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

[@jamesgillam6478]

The guy he refers to in the the song, L.Ron Hubbard, is the guy who started Scientology haha so there's that

[@newdarkagenow]

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

[@syx3s]

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.

[@rjhong93]

Enema!!

[@ZMB-on5ub]

My top 3: Beatles, tool, Primus. In that order.

[@whittazhau]

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

[@danielselent502]

Ticks and Leeches next please! Octopus drums!

[@plethoraindia]

RIGHT IN TWO

[@TheErikBallew]

enema like cleaning out your butt-hole, The lyrics are all about flushing us away!

[@asiciliz46n22]

Erik Ballew i thought it was about bill hicks and his prostate cancer

[@TenTonNuke]

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

[@JimNewstead]

Ha! No you weren’t. He’s real (made up name obvs) and changes his name periodically!

[@natefontana617]

The Pot and The Patient

[@jamesfrazier4005]

The best drum performance by Danny was Ticks and Leeches.. it puts him in an entirely new category

[@BluRaykay]

"Right in Two"