re: Better Album: Lateralus or Aenima?

I listened to all 4 today.

Lateralus is just slightly ahead of Undertow - full disclosure, I typically listen to the Holy Gift playlist order of Lateralus and it is a superior album in that format, IMHO.

Ænima is just slightly behind Undertow as well (ETA: Again, though, really strong at the top - Eulogy, 46 and 2, the title track, H.)

10,000 Days is an outstanding album, but just not at the level of the other 3. Right in Two is the real masterpiece track and is arguably a Top 4 or 5 Tool track.

When you do this - listen to the 4 full albums, the similarity to Pink Floyd on structure (if nothing else) is all the more apparent.

Every speck of sound on a Tool album is on purpose. Doesn't always work, but it always fits and is with purpose. "Painting" with music. I don't know if there is a better band working over the past 25 years.