2002.07.26 - Austin, TX, USA @ Frank Erwin Center

Source A: Mini Disc --- Reactive Audio Stereo Spider Binaurals > Sony MZ-N505 (LP4 mode)
Taper:      Rattonious
Gen:         1st from Master

Notes:  Little bit of crowd noise, not tapers fault, is evident but not bad at all, really. Maybe it's just me but Maynard seems a little bit tired. Now, do not get me wrong, Tool will, no matter what, put on one hell of show no matter what they play; no matter if the same setlist has been done 20X exactly the same before. It will still be a good listen. But, I think Tool are quite a bit more talented as musicians and entertainers to limit what they play every night to the same songs...repetition may bring perfection but does not necessarilly heed honesty. Playing fresh songs is important so experimentation can occur. Although the case could be argued otherwise as well. .....If any of what I said makes sense you then that is how I feel about this part of the tour. This recording was taped in LP4 mode. If you pay attention more than I did when I listened to this then you would hear swirling & compression issues that are not very cool. I don't think its a big deal, really. Still sounds better than a lot of other recordings. This is the 2nd mastered version as well.

   CD 1
Time: 78:25                                                                               

CD 2
Time: 41:51

Sober
Flood
The Grudge
(-) Ions
Stinkfist
(White Lines)
H.
Schism
Parabol
Parabola
Eon Blue Apocalypse
The Patient
Ænema
Intermission
Disposition
Reflection
Triad
Lateralus

Source B: Mini Disc --- Core Sound Binaurals > Sharp MT-77

Notes:  This particular recording source is quite nice, well balanced and is a standard CSB>MD recording. Not spectacular but nonetheless the standard of good MD recordings, in my book. The taper moved a bit throughout or adjusted the mics as there is a bit of phasing that is common but not sure how many people would actually notice it. Sounds to me as if the taper was standing still, maybe, and people were either walking in front of him, shoving him or something else. Really, not too much to say I think. Pretty standard setlist, pretty standard performance and a pretty standard recording. The only addition that, in my mind, makes this show different than the rest of this leg of the tour is Flood.

 CD 1
Time: 76:26                                                                           

CD 2
Time: 46:53

Source C: Mini Disc --- Audio Technica AT853a > Sony MZ-R900

Notes:  This show most likely originated from the taper or someone who received this show from the taper as it is not split-up re: tracks. This is one big track per disc which means there may very well be split-track versions in the trade circle(s) so take note of that fact. The bass is very... what am I looking for... crunchy. Instead of rolling into your ears in a nice fluid motion, it sort of crunches. This is not a criticism. In fact, some Schoeps recordings do this as well. Vocals are clean, guitars are clear & the cymbals clash. Hard to really have an issue with this recording in fact. This may be as good as the other sources for this show if not better. Sort of depends on what you are looking for in a recording I suppose. The end of Sober has a very interesting picking pattern by Adam which this source picks up very, very well. 

CD 1
Time: 69:22                                                                                  

CD 2
Time: 49:31

Source D: Digital 8mm --- Sony DCR-TRV330 w/Sony ECM-MS908C microphones
Source D: Master > DVD > DVD Decryptor > .VB > Nero > My Copy
Taper:      Pr1ck
Gen:         1st from Master

Notes:  Although some people felt Tool let them down via this particular show, watching it years later (4) gives but an indication of what, exactly Tool was trying to do. What were they trying to do you may ask? Galen, you have mentioned quite a few times of your disdain for this portion of the tour but yet this recording has some meaning for you? Sure. Sometimes, a good AUD video of the band is enough to make a "standard show" a special show. The video has been referred to as grainy by some folks - I think this is rather clear in my opinion. There are a few instances where the camera moves, jerks & otherwise is rather annoying. I've talked with the filmer a few times about his taping Tool. He did not consider it anything life changing, was simply very careful & may of those random camera movements are quasi related to possible issues with security. Hey, he completed the rather stressful & arduous task of filming a Tool show - not too bad. The audio is certainly better than you would originally think. Fact is, the audio on this is better than at least one of the audio sources available - but you can be the judge of that. All in all, definitely worth your while to watch, enjoy, retain & spiral out too... yes, a very cheesy way to end this review. But oh well. Stop reading this and pop in the DVD!

Maynardism: "Austin. Supposedly, we are in Austin. It doesn't sound like Austin. Sounds more like Corpus Christi. So what is it...Austin?”                                                                                

Time: 2:01:02