"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.

"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

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

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References

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  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.