Opiate (album)
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- For other uses, see Opiate (disambiguation).
Opiate features six tracks with seven songs (the seventh a hidden track entitled "The Gaping Lotus Experience"). Unlike their later releases, Opiate doesn't incorporate the progressive aspect of later recordings. Opiate does, however, immediately display the band's technical prowess. Much of the album uses problems of society as a focal point. Topics range from extreme censorship, ethical choices, and religion as a form of control.
The first track, "Sweat," is quite indicative of their future work, dealing with a slightly more complex topic and making use of metaphorical lyrics. The second, the "Hush", is about censorship and political correctness, and is accompanied by a video featuring the entire band wearing signs that read "Parental Advisory: Explicit Parts" over their genitalia. The song displays Tool's characteristic love of tongue-in-cheek satire, while also showcasing their willingness to express explicit ideas. Track three, "Part of Me", deals with a common Tool theme of identity and control. The song may, in fact be about the singer's penis, which is another common theme of Tool's. The next two tracks, "Cold and Ugly" and "Jerk-Off", were recorded live at the Jello Loft. The songs deal with fear and anger, respectively. "Opiate", the title track, is one of the band's most famous, and criticizes figures in organized religion who attempt to stand between the practitioner of a religion and his or her deity (the song specifically focuses on Christianity). Singer Maynard James Keenan has dedicated this song to Timothy Leary on multiple occasions and to Paul D'Amour on others, referring to him as "Paul of Love".
Opiate was certified platinum by the RIAA on April 1, 2005.
Track listing
- "Sweat" (3:46)
- "Hush" (2:48)
- "Part of Me" (3:17)
- "Cold and Ugly (Live)" (4:09)
- "Jerk-Off (Live)" (4:23)
- "Opiate" (8:28) ((5:22) on the vinyl printing. The hidden track is not tacked onto the end of the track, but is placed elsewhere)
- "The Gaping Lotus Experience" (Hidden track)
- On the vinyl pressings, side 2 is double grooved. Depending on where the needle falls, "The Gaping Lotus Experience" will play or "Cold And Ugly (Live)" will play. Both tracks are followed by some silence, then the record player will play the last two tracks.
- During the outro of "Opiate", a ringing telephone can be heard briefly.
Personnel
| Tool |
|---|
| Danny Carey | Justin Chancellor | Maynard James Keenan | Adam Jones |
| Discography |
| Opiate | Undertow | Ænima | Salival | Lateralus | 10,000 Days |
| Popular Songs |
| "Sober" | "Stinkfist" | "Forty Six & 2" | "Ænema" | "Schism" | "Parabola" | "Vicarious" |
| Related articles |
| Progressive rock | Bill Hicks | A Perfect Circle | Peach | Pigmy Love Circus | Lobal Orning |
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