April 8 - Sober

It's time to get a little heavier again - and I am talking about the music. Today's song is from Tool's first full-length album, Undertow, from 1993. I wish I could say it is about sobriety, but the chorus actually goes "why can't we not be sober..." - so it's quite the opposite. However, the power of this song really punched me in the gut. The bass and the drums locks into a groove that keeps jabbing at you throughout the song and leaves space for Adam Jones' guitar to float over it, much in the school of Alex Lifeson of Rush. Danny Carey is a master drummer, and he showcases that fully here - and while Paul D'Amour doesn't have the technical chops of his successor Justin Chancellor, he can lay a very groovy foundation. And then there is Maynard. Maynard James Keenan goes from whispers to screams on this track, which showcases his strength and versatility as a singer. Turn it up, try to sit back, and enjoy this suckerpunch of a song!