What's funny is people tend to lump NIN and TOOL together the same way people group the Stones and the Beatles together. And I love NIN but don't dig TOOL.
I think it's honestly just because of the failed
Tapeworm side project between Trent and Maynard years ago that people blindly assume "well, if they're trying to make a collaboration together, TOOL and NIN must sound similar," when in fact that's just not the case
Sometime I'll have to go over their catalogue again with an open mind and see if there is something I've been missing.
Don't worry Hillary; it took me years and years to get into Tool myself
But one day I found a copy of
Lateralus on sale, so I bought it, and the rest they say is history
If you have a 5.1 sound system, your already at an advantage since that's what the album was mastered in, but either way, as soon as you press play on that album Hill', you'll know your in for one helluva' ride
If
Lateralus eventually grows on you, Id check out their new album 1O,OOO Days since it's also a bit more accessible than ?nima, or Undertow.
Best of luck Hillary.
PS: If you approach Tool, as you said "with an open mind," I really don't think you can go wrong.
The one thing your sure to notice right away is "holy shit, their drummer, as GnFnR87 would say, is disgustingly good!"