Viruoso vocals, virtuoso guitars and virtuoso drums. However, this was sort of the unforeseen beginning of the end for Tool, in retrospect, mostly due to the time-period it was released (easily the peak for this style of music) and the compelling rock-alternative songcrafting - something that had never been entirely explored with Maynard's previous band which had always, even with their massive popularity, managed to stay on the fringe of alternative songwriting.

It's difficult to ignore this album or say that you don't like it. Even when it came out, for me it was more of a guilty pleasure than anything else, especially since it's highly rare for me to listen to a rock / metal album and appreciate it as I do this one.

At it's release, it was clear to everyone that this was the album to finally showcase Maynard's vocal capabilities. The singing is evocative and moving, as are the chord-progressions that back it. In a few of the tracks, for example "The Hollow", everything soars to operatic heights of intensity that disapate before coming off pretentious. I'm fond of the beats on these tracks, because they seem to be as complex as they are powerful.

The slower songs are many, and though some of them are occasionally great (ex. "3 Libras"), I think they created too much of a sentimental air about the album, and definitely stole a lot of the pace.

Fans of Tool were mixed about this CD from what I remember. Some really loved it for spotlighting Maynard, and some didn't like it much, if at all, as if they knew this would be the death-knell of the days Maynard turned down offers to capitalize on his pop-sensibilities.

My opinion is that if you're into nu-metal you can definitely do worse than this album and I would suggest picking it up if you don't already own it. Progressive metal fans would likely be more disappointed. Still, I'd feel good recommending it anyhow, only since the hype has all but faded away.