Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 12:48 am
Nothing's Matter is a really interesting record.  It's sometimes catchy, sometimes challenging and sometimes unexpected.  It's traks are what I would called experimental rock, though probably more in the vein of Tomahawk style experimentation rather than the more out there stuff.  Here's a track by track rundown:
Dear Eric is a segue of sorts, in which a PC reads out some kind of letter/email from Justin to someone called Eric. Â I feel like I should know who Eric is but for the life of me can't. Â Can't help but feel this is a message meant for listeners as much as for this Eric dude.
Black Day is a slow track, and like many on the album revolves around a bassline from Justin. Â Polish lyrics, so I have no idea what is going on here. Â Moves into a slightly rockier chorus, where I presume he is singing "Black Day something something". Â Winds up with a nice guitar solo, not sure who's though, but it kinda sounds Mastodonish so I'll go with Brett Hinds (who is mentioned as a contributor in the liner notes).
Nothing's Matter Jungle Drums and more Polish vocals on the title track.  Good groove in parts, and a interesting chorus but ultimately a little forgettable for me.
Dub Set One of the better songs on the album.  Not really a dub track by any means, but has a nice chorus (once again in Polish).
Toothbrush A short segue which is really just an intro to Toad
Toad Justin takes care of vocal delivery on this track.  He has a strong accept as you may imagine, and he sings about dreaming.  Then the Polish vocals start up once more.
Wendell Some electronic noise and then a distorted bass riff make up most of this song.  It the features more Polish growling over the top.  Largely an instrumental track.
Dzein I Noc Almost dancey beat with a nice bassline over the top.  Definitely one of the best tracks on the album.Â
Future A hip-hop-ish bass line melded with some Polish rapping.  Not as terrible as that sounds.  Moves into a more rocky chorus with some mad screaming.
78_Hardshell An electronic almost dancey tune with Justin taking care of vocals. Â Quite unique compared to the rest of the album, and compared to what is "expected" from Justin. Â Definitely the highlight of the album for me. You can listen to this track via Youtube.
White Face Kiss Another Justin song with a strong electronic beat and samples.  Almost spoken word.
Lanimal Session Tabla dominates this instrumental track, which also mixes in some of the message from Dear Eric.
Neo Another rock track, not dissimilar to Black Day, Polish vocals and another noodly bass line.
A sound a little negative in those track comments.  Really this isn't a bad album.  It sounds excellent, and has some really interesting ideas.  I like the tone of Peter's voice for the most part, but being in Polish makes is impenetrable, (a lyrics sheet probably would have helped) and I tend to prefer Justin's songs just because I can understand what he's saying, even though his singing and lyrics are nothing spectacular.  Justin's vocals do have a nice honest feel to them though, which is something I can respect in these days where autotune is so accessible.
I can't see myself listening to this album on a regular basis, but I think it is worth taking them time to listen to for most Tool fans.
Dear Eric is a segue of sorts, in which a PC reads out some kind of letter/email from Justin to someone called Eric. Â I feel like I should know who Eric is but for the life of me can't. Â Can't help but feel this is a message meant for listeners as much as for this Eric dude.
Black Day is a slow track, and like many on the album revolves around a bassline from Justin. Â Polish lyrics, so I have no idea what is going on here. Â Moves into a slightly rockier chorus, where I presume he is singing "Black Day something something". Â Winds up with a nice guitar solo, not sure who's though, but it kinda sounds Mastodonish so I'll go with Brett Hinds (who is mentioned as a contributor in the liner notes).
Nothing's Matter Jungle Drums and more Polish vocals on the title track.  Good groove in parts, and a interesting chorus but ultimately a little forgettable for me.
Dub Set One of the better songs on the album.  Not really a dub track by any means, but has a nice chorus (once again in Polish).
Toothbrush A short segue which is really just an intro to Toad
Toad Justin takes care of vocal delivery on this track.  He has a strong accept as you may imagine, and he sings about dreaming.  Then the Polish vocals start up once more.
Wendell Some electronic noise and then a distorted bass riff make up most of this song.  It the features more Polish growling over the top.  Largely an instrumental track.
Dzein I Noc Almost dancey beat with a nice bassline over the top.  Definitely one of the best tracks on the album.Â
Future A hip-hop-ish bass line melded with some Polish rapping.  Not as terrible as that sounds.  Moves into a more rocky chorus with some mad screaming.
78_Hardshell An electronic almost dancey tune with Justin taking care of vocals. Â Quite unique compared to the rest of the album, and compared to what is "expected" from Justin. Â Definitely the highlight of the album for me. You can listen to this track via Youtube.
White Face Kiss Another Justin song with a strong electronic beat and samples.  Almost spoken word.
Lanimal Session Tabla dominates this instrumental track, which also mixes in some of the message from Dear Eric.
Neo Another rock track, not dissimilar to Black Day, Polish vocals and another noodly bass line.
A sound a little negative in those track comments.  Really this isn't a bad album.  It sounds excellent, and has some really interesting ideas.  I like the tone of Peter's voice for the most part, but being in Polish makes is impenetrable, (a lyrics sheet probably would have helped) and I tend to prefer Justin's songs just because I can understand what he's saying, even though his singing and lyrics are nothing spectacular.  Justin's vocals do have a nice honest feel to them though, which is something I can respect in these days where autotune is so accessible.
I can't see myself listening to this album on a regular basis, but I think it is worth taking them time to listen to for most Tool fans.