Tool singer Maynard James Keenan‘s most prolific musical venture as of late, Puscifer, have premiered a stream of the title track to their new album “Money Shot” (out October 30th). You can hear it below via Rollingstone.com, who also have a lively conversation with Keenan posted. Speaking with them of the new album track “The Remedy“, Keenan explained:
“The Remedy” really is a borderline-extinction-level event where we’re worrying about food, clothing and shelter rather than worrying about whether or not you should use the word “retard” [laughs]. We’re so far away from the reality of what it means to survive, and buying into the polarized crap that goes on in the political arena, and also caught up in what you think you deserve. “I deserve free shipping!” You know?
It’s just so disconnected with real life, and what it takes to survive. And maybe because I grew up on a farm, and maybe because I’ve done that work and maybe because I live in Arizona, where everything will kill you if you’re not aware… maybe I just have a different perspective than most people. Kids that spend all the time on their phone have no idea that it’s raining — they have to wipe the water off of their screen to check and see if it’s raining on their fucking app!”
Of the song “Grand Canyon“:
“It’s a perfect metaphor for understanding how insignificant you are in the big picture. Once you can embrace your nothingness, you can move forward to a positive end. Standing at the edge of a thing like the Grand Canyon puts things literally and figuratively in perspective — you’re just a blip on the screen of what all happened here. I feel like, if that doesn’t move you, then something’s wrong with you. So literally the Grand Canyon, and figuratively the Grand Canyon, in reference to the track. It’s meant to bring perspective, in some way. And, you know, the video [for the song] can only do it so much justice. You have to get off your ass; you have to get out of the rut that you’re stuck in, and make the journey to some other place.
I feel like our school systems are just training people to be obedient for factory work. I feel like, if you really want people to learn, every kid at the high school level should travel. That should be part of the curriculum, going to other places — great places and awful places — to learn world perspective. Because if they have a wider perspective on what goes on in the world, they’re going to be better people for it.”
Keenan was also asked of the status of the new Tool album:
“I write lyrics and melodies to music. If I don’t have music, I can’t.”
The band will be touring on the album this fall with dates posted here.
