A Perfect Circle - Mer De Noms
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Free Music Notes for Mer De Noms
Free Music Review: Great CD no matter what mood you're in.
Hit: 5 Stars
I initially bought this CD because of its beautiful cover. But after just one listen I learned that the cover accurrately depicts what they go for, beautiful music. Whether it is heavy or melodic, they create some of the best music that's out today. A Perfect Circle has the gift of being able to conjure up images through their music. Very few bands have that ability these days, nor does anyone really try.
Maynard writes some of the best, most eccentric lyrics out these days and he does it with little problem. His voice is your guide through this epic journey that just doesn't stop. After the last note of the last song you feel that you have just finished the journey of your life. Every song on here pulls out all stops and flows perfectly. A lot of bands these days hit a rough spot or two during a song, but this band, no matter what tempo of music they're playing, just glides through every song with ease. The texture created blends utterly amazingly with Maynard's voice.
This CD starts off with The Hollow. Possibly one of my favorite songs on here. The lyrics are great and the instrumentation is absolutely perfect for the mood of this song. 3 Libras is one of the slower songs on here, but don't let that drive you away from it. This song is so thick with emotion that you can feel where he's coming from. The band keeps it down on here, and in doing so put Maynard's lyrics proudly on display. Thinking Of You is a song with a bridge so catchy that it'll be in your head for days. I love the beginning of this song, simply because they use an unusual mix of instruments that create some good ear candy. The CD ends with the appropriately named Over. This CD couldn't be ended with a better song. There's nothing complicated to this song, just Maynard reciting some lyrics with a light background beat.
Some stand-outs on this disc are The Hollow, Judith, 3 Libras, Thinking Of You, and Over. This is one of those records that you can listen straight through and love every single song. Although I like their new CDs, I strongly doubt that they will ever top this CD (I know that there are going to be a ton of people who will disagree with me though). This is a CD that you can listen to no matter what mood you're in, and that's something only a select few bands can accomplish.
Free Music Review: One of the best ever made
Hit: 5 Stars
Ok, there is no need for a Tool comparison here. Ok, saying Mer de Noms is a beautiful album would sell it short. Heavy and melodic, deep and experimental, all delivered in songs that range from barely two minutes in length, to 6 minute epics like (possibly a candidate for greatest song ever) Orestes.
I'm getting a great urge to do a Tool comparison, so I'll just do it. I'm a fan of Tool, but I don't worship them. In fact, only Aenima and Lateralus can I listen to many many times over. But Mer de Noms outshines all of them. I know it sounds, retarded, but take the best parts of Tool songs (which are more often than not the electric solos and awesome endings) and make an entire song out of them. The Hollow is a song, that yes is hollow. Do you ever listen to something and a sorta feeling or place comes to mind? Like you're going somewhere. Thats how Mer de Noms is. Drugs without the messy hangover. Magdalena is an awesome song, with a soft drum beat, and the now legendary lyrics "i would sell my soul a dollar at a time." Rose, in all its glory, is next. Gothic and almost scary. It's finely plucked guitar make a candidate for best intro ever. It's drum-roll ending and some really great lyrics make this awesome. Judith is next, pretty good. However, it's straightforward, and MJK is in MJK mood, hard and heavy with religous issues. Now, Orestes is my favorite song off this album, and is seriously probably about my 3rd or 4th favorite song ever. I really love the abortion lyrics, and its calming guitars. Even the solos and a tad heavy ending seem in slo-mo, which is good. I always think of a fetus when I hear this song, which is weird, but an example of her MDN can transform you. 3 Libras is probably the best single from 2000, it's beautiful strings and hum of a voice. Sleeping Beauty is like Hollow, simple but good, never letting down. Thomas is the only song I dont really like. Reinholder is an excellent instrumental, take all 4 basic instruments, add piano, cello, numerous other things-all good stuff here. Thinking of You is a good one, great bass and a good pre-chorus. Brena is a simple love song, while the almost silent Over is great in its simplicity. MDN is a beautiful record, taking the clearness and sharpness of the music to a well-crafted lyrics. Highest recommendation.
Free Music Review: Billy Howerdel rocks, but does anyone notice?
Hit: 5 Stars
This debut album is more than likely one of the most well thought out and intelligent debut albums released in the last ten years. Songwriter, guitarist and backing vocalist Billy Howerdel provides all of the sparks and ideas a young, new artist should show in an album. This album however, loses the "debut" feel by communicating with it's audience at a more personal level than just an introduction to the band. The musicality of the album is quite thought provoking. Although key and time changes are basically non-existant, chordal structure and synthetic guitar sounds are predominant. There are some interesting uses of secondary dominants, as well as the straightforward, soothing vocal lines and lack of pop downfalls. Josh Freese, drummer with the Vandals, and also with Poe on her album "Haunted" allows a strong backing drive for the band, proving that he is one of the most talented drummers in rock music today. Musicians Paz Lenchantin and Troy Van Leeuwen also appear, however Howerdel takes care of most in-album instrumentation.
The only big problem with the band is their selection of Tool's Maynard James Keenan as the lead vocalist. While Keenan has one of the most distinctive styles and indescribably awesome vocal capabilities of this generation, APC's Howerdel-driven ideals are discarded as nothing more than a Tool side project. Due to that, it is unfortunate that A Perfect Circle's fan base is strongly consistant of Tool fans following Keenan wherever he decides to go. Tool fans also are often dissapointed by the results of this album, stating it is "too soft" among other things. It is by this mindset that if Keenan were to ever leave the band, most of the Tool fans would leave with him, taking APC from a radio "one hit wonder" (Judith received very good air time) to music obscurity, forever to be known as "That one band Maynard was in." All this also seems to be a loss as well, as Howerdel sings back-up on some tracks and does not appear to need much help in the vocals department. Granted, he's no Maynard, but that's like saying "The Rolling Stones were good, but they were no Beatles."
If Keenan leaves, God speed Billy Howerdel. I know you can make it on your own, but will anyone else?
Free Music Review: Beautiful Debut
Hit: 5 Stars
I hadn't heard much of Tool before Mer De Noms. When I bought it and listened to the whole thing, I was literally stunned. Maynard James Keenan is one of the best vocalists that's ever lived. For many people, Tool turned them on to APC. For me, it was the exact opposite. I'm glad I bought this album and I wouldn't trade it for anything except my Nirvana cds. I'll rate each song out of 1-5 stars:1. The Hollow: 3.5 stars- it is a great way to start the album, but, there are better songs. 2. Magdalena: 5 stars- as far as I'm concerned, one of the best songs on the cd. The right amount of hard rock and mellowness. 3. Rose: 2 stars- I kind of don't care for this track. It's ok for a couple listens i guess. 4. Judith: 3 stars- i loved it when i heard it on the radio the first time, but, then the lyrics on the album version disappointed me and it got old after a while. 5. Orestes: 5 stars- I love this song so much. It has so much emotion put into it. The guitars are perfect,the drums are perfect, vocals are amazing, it's just all around perfect! 6. 3 Libras: 4 stars- this song had to grow on me for a while. When i first heard it, it reminded me of the smashing pumpkins. There is alot of great vocal work in this song and the music is great. Another awesome song. 7. Sleeping Beauty: 3 stars- I wouldn't call it the best song, but, it's pretty good. Average at best. Great vocals. 8. Thomas: 2 stars- this songs to boring and weird. It's ok for one listen at most, in my opinion. 9. Renholder: 4.5 stars- Some people put this song down because it's instrumental, but it's actually a great song. It's kind of eerie and mystical and spiritual. I dare you to listen to it with the lights out and the door closed completely. 10. Thinking Of You: 4 stars- this song is good over all. There are noticeable flaws in it, but it's a moving song if you can get around them. 11. Brena: 4 stars- this is a real love song. I think Maynard puts alot of loving and caring into his vocals for this song and that's why I like it. He wrote it for someone he loved. 12. Over: 2- completely pointless. This song is dumb. I advise you to skip it unless you're falling asleep with the cd on.
So there you go. You might think something else. This is one of my favorite cds though. Buy it and i guarantee satisfaction.
Free Music Review: One of THE most gorgeous rock albums ever
Hit: 5 Stars
The music is both ethereal and hard, and Maynard's voice becomes one of the instruments in each song. I loved Tool and APC's single "Judith." If you listen to Judith, don't expect the rest of the album to mirror it-it's much less dark, and none of the other songs helped earn the Explicit Lyrics warnings. All of the songs have it's own beauty, and no matter how dark and cryptic the subject of them, it's all strangely sympathetic and lulling. Here is a review of each song:1. The Hollow - Builds up both quickly and slowly... the climax of the song is amazing.
2. Magdalena - Dark and sexual sounding, with a hint of desperation.
3. Rose - Angry and powerful, with some of the most amazing lyrics I've ever heard- Maynard's singing of them is perfect.
4. Judith - People argue this is the hardest song on the album, but I disagree- it's the best Toolesque song, and therefore made a great single. Don't think I dislike the song, it's one of my favorites, and it's cynical sound is raw.
5. Orestes - ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. That is all.
6. 3 Libras - It's like a typical unrequited love ballad, but more mature and understanding. The violins in this song is great- this used to be one of my favorites, but I listened to it way too much. Don't do that and nearly ruin this song. :)
7. Sleeping Beauty - One of the most lacking songs, but this album is so good that... well, lacking for Mer De Noms is like a really amazing song. The music fits the lyrics wonderfully.
8. Thomas - I think this is the hardest song- it's deep and... textured. No other way to describe it. The beginning is almost frightening.
9. Renholder - I wish it wasn't so short. A very tribal, heavy and magical sounding tract with hard to understand lyrics.
10. Thinking of You - Maynard's style of singing in this song is GREAT. The lyrics are sexy and dark, but I think the music could've fit it better.
11. Brena - It DOES feel like a bath. The music and Maynard's voice drags you in and submerges you.
12. Over - The "filler track", but the whispered words and subtle noises are intriguing to still make it good.
If you like beautiful music of any kind, get this album. It's worth your money, if not only for Orestes. :) Even the lesser tracks are grand.