Rosetta Stoned

"Rosetta Stoned"
Song by Tool
from the album 10,000 Days
ReleasedApril 28, 2006
RecordedAugust–December 2005
Genre
Length11:12
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Tool
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"Rosetta Stoned" is a song by American rock band Tool. It was released on April 28, 2006, as the eighth track off their fourth studio album, 10,000 Days.

Structurally, the song contains complex fast-to-slow drum fills, performed by the band's drummer Danny Carey.[1] The song uses 4/4, 5/8, 5/4, 9/8, 11/8, 3/4, and 6/4 time signatures[2] and is characterised by its aggressive riffs.[3] The song also features unconventional percussion instruments[4] and polyrhythms.[5]

The name of the song is a reference to the Rosetta Stone.[3] Lyrically, the song deals with a man's encounter with aliens, spiritual realizations, and his state of a coma after a DMT trip.[6] The song is written in a stream of consciousness style.[3]

The preceding track on the album, "Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann)" serves as a conceptually synchronized prologue for the song. It depicts a conversation between a patient (Albert Hofmann), a nurse and a doctor (R. Gordon Wasson), which occurs after the event in "Rosetta Stoned".[6]

The song generally received positive reviews from critics. It was also praised for its arranging and performances,[3] especially due to Danny Carey's "multi-limbed" percussion skills and creative drumming.[1][7] Critics also likened the song to The Grateful Dead's works.[3] The similarities between this song and another Tool song, "Third Eye," also have been noted.[4] Nick Cowen from Drowned in Sound gave a positive review to the song, appreciating its narration, intense mood, and guitar work.[6] The song was also musically compared to an extensive jam.[7]

Personnel

References

  1. ^ a b Lachowski, Rich (2008). On the Beaten Path Progressive Rock: The Drummer's Guide to the Genre and the Legends Who Defined It. Alfred Music Publishing. p. 26. ISBN 978-0739056714. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  2. ^ Bennett, Dan (2008). The Total Rock Bassist: A Fun and Comprehensive Overview of Rock Bass Playing. Alfred Music Publishing. p. 105. ISBN 978-0739052693. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e McIver, Joel (2012). Unleashed: The Story of Tool. Music Sales Group. ISBN 978-0857120403. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  4. ^ a b Butler, Nick (May 3, 2006). "Tool 10,000 Days". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  5. ^ "Mojo, Issues 150-153" (150–153). the University of Virginia. EMAP Performance Limited (published 2006). 22 Jan 2010. Retrieved 1 Dec 2012. {cite journal}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. ^ a b c Cowen, Nick (May 12, 2006). "Tool - 10,000 Days". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  7. ^ a b Begrand, Adrien (May 5, 2012). "Tool: 10,000 Days". PopMatters. Retrieved December 1, 2012.