Undertow

Lore & Background

The album art was designed by Adam Jones. Photos in the liner notes of a nude obese woman, a nude thin man, and the band members with pins in the sides of their heads generated controversy, resulting in the album being removed from stores such as Kmart and Walmart. The band reacted by releasing another version, which depicted a giant barcode on a white background. However, it is available to you at no extra cost. Love, Tool' In some versions of the album, when the black CD tray is removed from the case, a picture of a cow licking what appears to be its genital region is revealed. Adam Jones' pet pig, Moe, appears on the back cover amid an array of forks standing on end.

Reader's Guide

The message on the photographs of the band members reads 'Trust me trust me trust me trust me trust me I just want to start this over say you won't go this is love I'll make weapons out of my imperfections lay back and let me show you another way only this one holy medium brings me peace of mind cleanse and purge me in the water twice as loud as reason euphoria I've been far too sympathetic no one told you to come I hope it sucks you down life feeds on life this is necessary.'

The songs the lyrics contained in the passage are from appear in this order: 'Sober', 'Crawl Away', '4°', 'Prison Sex', 'Flood', 'Undertow', 'Intolerance', 'Swamp Song', 'Disgustipated'. The only quote missing from the album is 'I'll make weapons out of my imperfections', a line from Maynard's original lyrics for 'Bottom' before they were modified by guest Henry Rollins. 'Disgustipated' is track 69 on most pressings in North America (tracks 10–68 are silent; tracks 10–67 are one second each in length, and track 68 is two seconds).

It also appears as track 39, track 10 (mostly in Europe and Australia) or as a hidden track following 'Flood' on track nine. On certain Japanese imports, 'Disgustipated' is track 70 and the tracklist is removed from the back. In most cases, however, it is listed as track 10 on the album itself. The track is omitted entirely on vinyl releases.

Historical Context and Musical Identity

Produced collaboratively by the band members and Sylvia Massy at Grand Master Studios in Hollywood, this record distinguishes itself as the only full-length release to feature original bassist Paul D'Amour. The album stood apart from the Seattle grunge sound that dominated the era. AllMusic noted that despite the rising tide of pop punk and grunge, Undertow successfully kept heavy metal prominent in mainstream culture. Its success was attributed to striking, haunting visuals that perfectly complemented a mood described as both nihilistic and wistful. By proving that metal could be simultaneously intelligent, emotional, and brutal, the album paved the way for future acts to breach the mainstream adolescent demographic, establishing Tool as a formidable force separate from their alternative-metal contemporaries.

Avant-Garde Artwork and Controversy

The visual presentation of Undertow, designed by guitarist Adam Jones, became as legendary as the music itself, sparking significant controversy upon its release. The original liner notes featured provocative imagery, including photographs of a nude obese woman, a nude thin man, and band members depicted with pins inserted into their heads. These explicit images led major retailers like Kmart and Walmart to remove the album from their shelves. In response, Tool released another version showing a giant barcode on a white background. The packaging also included hidden elements, such as a cow licking its genital region revealed upon removing the CD tray and lyrics from various songs printed on band photos. Additionally, Jones' pet pig, Moe, appeared on the back cover surrounded by upright forks, cementing the album's reputation for surreal and boundary-pushing aesthetics.

Studio Experiments and Lyrical Inspirations

Behind the scenes at Grand Master Studios, the creation of Undertow involved chaotic and destructive experimentation that defined its unique sound. Liner notes credit Chris Haskett with a 'sledge hammer,' referencing an incident where the band purchased two second-hand pianos to blast them with shotguns in an indoor parking lot. Adam Jones recalls the band buying two second-hand pianos to blast with shotguns in the indoor parking lot of Grand Master Studio and recording the result; other bands later told Tool they had seen the shotgun holes in the carpark wall.

The album also serves as a tribute to comedian Bill Hicks, who is listed as an inspiration and was alive during its release, marking the last Tool album before his passing. Lyrically, the tracklist includes a cryptic message composed of lines from songs like 'Sober' and 'Prison Sex,' with one notable exception: a line originally written for 'Bottom' by Maynard James Keenan but later modified by guest Henry Rollins was omitted from this specific compilation.

Critical Reception and Enduring Legacy

While some critics felt it lacked the punk danger of the era's finest acts, others praised its technical brilliance and complex song structures. Entertainment Weekly noted that Tool surpassed peers like Alice in Chains through superior songwriting and vulnerability in Keenan's vocals. The album was later hailed as the 'Essential Tool Album,' described as a startling counterpoint to trendy sounds with waves of misery and dread seemingly from another planet. The hidden track "Disgustipated" sits at track 69 on most North American pressings, after a run of silent tracks, and at track 70 on some Japanese imports.