What makes Tool of the Man by Poster Children notable?

Tool of the Man is notable for its critical reception, being featured in several prominent music publications that recognized the band's evolving sound. The album helped to further establish Poster Children as key players in the alternative rock movement of the early '90s, influencing subsequent artists and bands within the genre. Released in 1993, Tool of the Man was Poster Children's third studio album, following their breakthrough with 1991's Daisychain Reaction. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their place within the alternative rock scene, exploring more experimental sounds while maintaining their energetic roots.

How many songs are on Tool of the Man?

Tool of the Man has 10 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Tool of the Man

Poster Children · 1993

41 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock

A frenetic blend of punk energy and melodic hooks that encapsulates the spirit of early '90s alternative rock.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Dynamite Chair — The opening track sets a vigorous tone with its driving rhythm and catchy chorus, showcasing the band's energetic style right from the start.
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Idiots Show — This track combines introspective lyrics with a powerful instrumentation, reflecting on themes of societal critique that resonate throughout the album.
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Three Bullets — Closing the album, this song features a complex structure and dynamic shifts, encapsulating the band's artistic ambition and leaving a lasting impression.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases energetic compositions with strong hooks but lacks consistent cohesion across its runtime.

What we noticed

The first three tracks maintain a high-energy tempo with aggressive guitar riffs and driving drums, setting a frenetic pace.
Several tracks feature abrupt tempo changes, such as 'Redline,' which shifts from fast-paced sections to slower, more melodic interludes.
The album includes layered vocal harmonies that complement the instrumentation, particularly in tracks like 'Clock Street' and 'Outside In.'

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Dynamite Chair 3:01
2 Tommyhaus 3:27
3 In My Way 5:07
4 Clock Street 4:18
5 Redline 5:19
6 Shotguns & Pickups 2:31
7 Blatant Dis 3:56
8 Idiot Show 4:29
9 Outside In 3:31
10 Three Bullets 5:48

What to play next

Listen next

Junior Citizen

1995

Go back to

Flower Plower

1991

Full Poster Children discography Artists like Poster Children

alternative rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata