After this long, I consider this album nothing short of a major landmark in metal.  The drumming is precise and intricate, the bass is powerful, and the vocals are not only beautiful but the lyrics are often ingenius.  Adam Jones has been criticized alot for not seeming to add up as Tool's guitarist, but I think the problem is that Tool aren't interested in being a "jam" band.  They don't need guitar solos and catchy riffs, just APPROPRIATE riffs and metered excursions.  Tom Morello put it best when he said that Adam Jones is a great guitarist because he doesn't try to be- he knows how to drain all the B.S. out of the songs.