Kasey+Callahan

=__"Maynard" James Keenan__= ==

 A Tool of Society

 Throughout the years many artists have addressed social issues in their works whether they be paintings, songs, poetry, sculptures, or films. Maynard James Keenan is one such artist.

The lead singer and songwriter of the popular progressive metal bands Tool and A Perfect Circle has dealt in number of ways with thinking for one’s self by challenging social norms and questioning authority, particularly ones of a religious nature, throughout his many albums, frequently though mockery, hyperbole, or sarcasm. Most songs dealing with these issues are written from the point of view of the authority which Keenan is speaking out against and use an eerie overall sound, often with angry undertones especially in Tool whereas in A Perfect Circle he tends to favor more a slightly traditional alternative rock style.

Even his primary band’s name “Tool” is a way of addressing this issue. He is labeling his own band merely a tool of society as he believes the general populous is, as well as challenging expectations by being an innuendo for the tool in man’s pants as seen in one of the band’s early logos/promotional art. media type="custom" key="4600514" align="right"

 The band’s first EP (extended play, a name for record too short to qualify as a full album) __Opiate__’s flag-song was their first single to begin combating religious authorities. The title “Opiate” is actually derived from a quote from Karl Marx which stated “Religion is the opium of the masses.” The song is written from the perspective of a religious leader speaking down to prospective followers calling them “deaf, and blind, and dumb, and born to follow, / what you need is someone strong to follow; / like me.” Then proceeding to attempt to control said possible following telling them that “if you want to get your soul to heaven / trust in me. Don’t you judge or question. / You are broken now, but faith can heal you. / Just do everything I tell you to do,” and later claiming to be prophetic with the markedly uglier lyrics; “my god’s will becomes me, / when he speaks, he speaks through me, / he has needs, like I do, / we both want to rape you.” With this Keenan speaks out both against religious leader’s abusing their positions of power and trust to take advantage of people sexually as well as violating metaphorically by controlling them. At the end of the song Keenan appears to be pleading with God shouting “Jesus Christ, why don’t you come save my life. / Open my eyes and blind me with your light / and your lies.”

On the band’s debut album __Undertow__ the song “Disgustipated” also deals with religion as Keenan has a monologue as a prelude to the song. The song begins with a monotone beat on the bongos with long pauses between notes (which later becomes more complex and intense while reducing the rests), soon joined by the “baa”-ing of sheep which creates an incredibly creepy feeling. The sheep sounds is Keenan’s way of mocking religious followers, commonly referred to by pastors as “flocks,” which he first used at a show at the Church of Scientology’s Celerity Centre, where he did so for a fair portion of the act. Keenan soon begins his monologue where he plays the part of “Reverend Maynard” addressing his congregation. He claims to have been visited by an angel in his sleep who tells him that carrots have a soul and are as much of God’s creatures as mankind is.

The song “Rosetta Stoned” off of Tool’s most recent studio album __10,000 Days__, is a patient’s (presumably of a mental institution or a drug clinic) account of how he found out that he was the “chosen one” after having been visited by an alien. Many of the lyrics appear just to be psychotic babbling including the opening lines; “ten to two A.M., X, yogi D.M.T., and a box of Krispy Kremes, / in my ‘need to know’ pose, / just outside of Area 51 / contemplating the whole ‘chosen people’ thingy.” This feeling of madness is intensified by the vocals having been copied and layered with different effects on each layer giving the tract a very schizophrenic feeling. The account is meant to sound very farfetched and like the narrator is either insane or on drugs, as many often profits were when claiming to be communicating with their deities.

Maynard James Keenan’s side project A Perfect Circle debuted with the album __Mer De Noms__, which is French for “sea of names,” contained the song “Judith” which was for Keenan’s deceased mother Judith Marie Keenan who had been confined to a wheel chair for much of his life. He says in the song’s closing;

Oh so many many ways for me to show you how your dogma has abandoned you. Pray to your Christ, to your god Never taste of the fruit, never stray, never break, never  choke on a lie Even though he's the one who did this to you, you never thought to question why Not like you killed someone It's not like you drove a spiteful spear into his side Talk to Jesus Christ as if he knows the reasons why He did it all for you.

Here Keenan addresses his mother and seeks to confront her about her seemingly blind religious faith even after suffering her paralyzing stroke, even citing that she was in fact a good a good person.

Keenan also addresses authorities in general. One such instance of him doing so was in the __Salival__ version of the song “Third Eye” in which he opens with a speech. Here he addresses the audience, and hopefully the general populous as well although this dream is unlikely to come to fruition, telling them to “think for yourself” and to “question authority” two lines which he uses repeatedly throughout his discourse . Maynard James Keenan’s person quest for, as well as values of, individuality and rebellion has served him well throughout his life. Though his work he seeks to encourage others to do the same so that they might become free thinking, unique person, instead of just another tool of society.

__Bibliography__ Keenan, Maynard J. "Disgustipated." Rec. Fall 1992. //Undertow//. Tool. Zoo Entertainment, 1993. CD. Keenan, Maynard J. "Judith." //Mer De Noms//. A Perfect Circle. Virgin Records, 2000. CD. Keenan, Maynard J. "Opiate." Rec. Dec.-Jan. 1992. //Opiate//. Tool. Zoo Entertainment, 1992. CD. Keenan, Maynard J. "Rosetta Stoned." //10,000 Days//. Tool. Volcano Entertainment, 2006. CD. Keenan, Maynard J. "Third Eye." //Salival//. Tool. Volcano Entertainment II, 2000. CD. "The Tool Page: Lyrics." Ed. Kabir Akhtar. Web. http://toolshed.down.net/lyrics/