A Perfect Circle - Thirteenth Step
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Free Music Notes for Thirteenth Step
Free Music Review: The band who loved me.
Hit: 5 Stars
Since Tool exploded onto the scene in 1992, Maynard James Keenan has been a powerful force in the fieldof challenging and expressive music. To call A Perfect Circle his 'side-project' would be to commit a grave fallacy though, as A Perfect Circle can only be viewed as a band in the classical sense of the word. Despite this, Maynard and Billy Howerdrel certainly emerged as the creative force behind the unit on their debut, 'Mer des Noms' which was a perfectly compact selection of biting and at times beautiful music, which pushed the band into a small genre of their own, with their transecndental melodies and spacious instrumentation. Since Tool's 2001 masterpiece 'Lateralus'my expectations for 'Thirteenth Step' have been running at fever pitch, and now its finally here it delivers in style. Many people seem to look on A Perfect Circle as a kind of second rate tool,or a mellower alternative to switch to as mood dictates. This is most certainly not so. On 'Thirteenth Step' the band moves even farther toward carving a musical niche entirely their own. Indeed, much of the material here is drastically original, and the album holds together as a sprawling statement rather than a disparate collection of songs.
At first I was rather taken aback by the fact that thealbum seemed to abandon the ruthless consistency of quality that characterised 'Mer Des Noms'. the band have progressed to a musical space that is extremely dreamy and elegant, with heaviness used very sparingly, and each instrument contributing in almost equal measure to the whole. Opener 'The Package' is over seven minutes long, which I certainly did not expect, and it epitomises the album extremely well, combining ethereal lyrics and delicate guitars with Maynard's powerful vocals caressing us gently, then exploding into life as the song jumps in a heavy direction. The lead single 'Weak and Powerless' is actually one of the weaker full songs here, which is saying something, as its a very accomplished track, with a deceptively catchy vocal hook.
My standout tracks are 'The Noose', which seems to see Maynard attack organised religion yet again, and 'The Outsider' whose lyrics are violent and impulsive, with Maynard intoning 'disconnect and self distruct one moment at a time.....everyone will have his day to die'. As one of the heaviest songs present here, 'Pet' is also a definite highlight, with crunching guitars and somewhat worrying lyrics.
At the risk of undermining my authoritarian stance when it comes to music, I'd never heard of Failure before tracking down the original authors of 'The Nurse who Loved me', but I must admit the version on'Thirteenth Step' is superb, and is something of a departure for the band, being a quirky and almost comic number which is jam packed with hooks .I like it a lot, and will investigate failure as a result (which islikely what Maynard and Billy intended).
This review has become gargantuan, So I should round up by saying that Josh Freeses' drums are absolutely killer throughout this record, Billy's guitars are sweepingly original and tasteful, and the production as a whole is stunning, with incredible textures and vivid soundscapes combining effortlessly. My only gripe with the record is that songs like 'Crimes', 'Lullaby' and 'Vanishing' feel underdeveloped, despite being beautiful and dreamy. I do believe they add to the album's overall impact though.
A Perfect Circle are one of the most relevant, original and vital bands on planet earth right now, and this opus only serves to consolidate their postition as forerunners in a movement of intelligent and techical rock music that transcends the demands of the mainstream.
Hugely recommended.
Free Music Review: A little filler doesn't kill the whole thing
Hit: 5 Stars
The great thing about a band like A Perfect Circle is that it gives talented and successful musicians carte blanche to put whatever kind of music they want to create out on the market and have it be accepted as experimental and progressive, yet still sell some records. While APC isn't as complex as Tool, there is a thicker sense of atmosphere exuded from Tool/APC voacalist Maynard James Keenan, and the songwriting is much more coherent and focused, mainly due to the fine composing and arranging skills of guitarist/writer Billy Howerdel. Track by track, here's how it breaks down:
"The Package", 4/5 - The sludgy, murky tug and pull of the song kicks off a feeling of dread from the first note. The rolling drums, clean electric guitars, and a shaman-like wail from Maynard slowly buildup to the breaking point. Only problem with it is that near the end, it tends to drag on.
"Weak And Powerless", 3/5 - Starts with a pretty bass line in 12/8, and then kinda disappoints. The vocals and lyrics are good but not great, and the song is pretty straightforward and bland, with no real intense emotions. Listen to it once in a while.
"The Noose", 5/5 - A lot of people go on and on about what an amazing song this is, and they couldn't be more right. This is true progressive music, not in the sense of solos and time changes, but in just a completely different approach to songwriting, dynamics, instrumentation, and melody. If this song lasted forever, I truly wouldn't care.
"Blue", 4/5 - A VERY Tool-sounding track, this sounds like the lost track from Lateralus. A slow, cathartic build into a great melodic chorus that comes across as both angry and yearning.
"Vanishing", 2/5 - The first bad song on the record, it's just boring and redundant, and never really goes anywhere. Skip it.
"A Stranger", 5/5 - There is no way in hell that Tool could get away with writing something like this. A beautiful ballad consisting of acoustic guitar, strings, and an emotional yet reserved Maynard. The last little vocal part ("...shy away, shy away, phantom...") is undoubtedly one of the high points of Maynard's career.
"The Outsider", 4/5 - Very similar to "Blue", this is a heavy tune with suicide-laced lyrics which Maynard delivers in his patented Tool bark and his high-octave cry. The emotion in this song has to be heard to be believed.
"Crimes", 1/5 - Well, this is pointless. A drum beat and Maynard counting to ten. No thanks.
"The Nurse Who Loved Me", 6/5 - Gorgeous. The beautiful arranging and etheral instrumentation goes wonderfully with Maynard crooning the first downright love song in years. Had it been released in the fifties it would have been a great song, but the fact that APC not only tries, but succeeds in pulling it off today deserves a tremendous amount of respect. A Perfect Circle, thank you for giving me and the woman I love a song which we both connect to so heavily.
"Pet", 2/5 - Sadly, after the above song, the album goes pretty downhill. It's heavy and kind of sounds like Tool, but once again, the song just doesn't really go anywhere, and never really gets anything across.
"Lullaby", 2/5 - Not a song, but a drum beat and Swans vocalist Jarboe crooning. Not great, but as far as filler goes, it's a hell of a lot better than "Crimes".
"Gravity", 3/5 - A lot of people say this song is fantastic, but I think it's just alright. It's in 7/4 with a good performance by Maynard, but it's still not one of the best songs on here.
Worth the price of admission.
Free Music Review: Nothing short of amazing.
Hit: 5 Stars
A brilliant, beautiful album on all counts, and it shows natural progression from Lateralus and Mer de Noms. Best album of the last 2 years. This is Maynard's fifth album, although it is only his 2nd with APC. His experience shows. I love all the songs, except "The Nurse Who Loved Me" (which isn't bad for a cover, but it's not my style) and "Lullaby" (Just the riff of "Pet" hummed by some girl). This is more Toolesque than "Mer de Noms", but then I can almost picture doing anything (except become mainstream) because their albums are so different. It's also a lot more mellow, but so what? The songs are all wonderfully constructed and the lyrics are great. Here's what I think of the tracks...1) The Package (10/10) A PERFECT OPENER. A nearly 8 minute song about Maynard's heroin addiction. I suppose that makes it the most intelligent drug song ever written. I saw them play this live at Lollapalooza and it was SO AWESOME. It's even longer in concert. I like the way it builds up.
2) Weak and Powerless (10/10) The single. Very good anyway. It might be about addiction too, don't know. They played this when I saw them. You've probably heard this if you know about the band.
3) The Noose (10/10) Another song that builds up. Beautiful arrangement. I think it's about how religion can trap you.
4) Blue (10/10) Lyrics are slightly weak, but the chorus kicks! I love this song so much! Mellow all the way through.
5) Vanishing (10/10) When I first heard this, I thought it was just too weird. It's almost creepy. Lost of whispering and chant-like vocals. Not many words. Mostly instrumental.
6) A Stranger (10/10) A "ballad". Mellow guitar playing with Maynard singing and strings. Great lyrics, so great I don't know what they mean. I love it when he says "Shy away, shy away phantom".
7) The Outsider (10/10) Seemed like Tool at first, but then I realized that this wouldn't fit on any of Tool's albums. I think it would more fit on "Mer de Noms". Lyrics in the first verse are weak, but they're good in the rest of the song. I think it's about someone who's wasting their life on useless, hollow things ("Medicated drama queen"). Pretty heavy compared to the rest of the album. It is so Tool when he says "they were right about you". You better like this (I DO).
8) Crimes (9/10) Some drums with a little guitar and Maynard whispering numbers. Perfect concert opener (they opened with it when I saw them), but I don't know if they should've put it on the album. Interesting he repeated 9 four times as well as 10, but he says all the numbers below that only once.
9) The Nurse who Loved me (7/10) Weird, happy cover. Talking about some nurse who whoever wrote the song was in love with. If Maynard ever recorded a weed song, this is too HAPPY!
10) Pet (10/10) Arguably the best and heaviest on the album. At the concert after "Crimes", they went straight into this, and if you've heard the song, you know how that would be. Song about someone being sheltered from the world, and the one in charge of them is trying to keep it that way and control their life. The sheltered person is the "pet". OHHHHHHH, THIS IS SO Lullaby (8/10) I suppose this is a cool interlude, but if they wanted to put this on the album, they should've given it more REAL songs.
12) Gravity (9/10) This song didn't quite have the same effect on me as the other songs, but it's still a very good piece of mellow music.
Maynard has a wonderful voice, Billy's guitar is great and there's still strings even though Paz it gone, so go BUY THIS Music Review: Beautiful..
Hit: 5 Stars
Absolutely beautiul. A Perfect Circle's sophomore album proves that creativity, originality, and intrigue can still be found in today's music. This album is not like Mer De Noms, although that CD is definitely as praise-worthy as 13th Step. 13th Step is more refined and introspective. It shows a vast range of human emotion, going from desperation to hope and optimism. The songs are prime examples of how it is possible for the human being to suffer and figuratively die, only to renew himself and emerge into enlightenment. Here is my breakdown of the CD:
The Package (10/10) - This song is a masterpiece. It starts out simple, with an eerie, haunting aura and gradually grows into a powerful performance that will blow you away. Maynard's vocals in this song are very sincere and compelling.
Weak and Powerless (9/10) - First song I heard from this album. The drums and bass blend perfectly. The whole sound of this song captures its title to a T. You can definitely feel the sadness and helplessness within.
The Noose (9/10) - Like The Package, this song starts out quiet and simple and grows into a work of art. It is captivating and the lyrics are extremely thoughtful.
Blue (10/10) - Wow. Can you say AMAZING?! The guitars in this song are unbelievably intricate and skillfully put together. I love the vocals, drums, bass line, EVERYTHING.
Vanishing - Definitely my favorite song on the album. Actually, this is my favorite song out of every song I've ever heard in my entire life. The lyrics are strange but that is not what makes this song. I can't even describe it..just the feeling of this song is amazing and so incredibly relaxing. To get the full effect of "Vanishing" you MUST see it performed live. Totally captivated me.
A Stranger (7/10) - Nice song. It's slow and thoughtful, with its unhurried guitar and smooth vocals.
The Outsider (10/10) - One of the harder songs on the album. Amazing lyrics go well with intimidating music - Maynard makes his point with this song.
Crimes (7/10) - Not sure what to make of this song. Frankly, it almost scares the hell out of me when I really listen to it. The vocals are creepy and the music is even creepier. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 , 9, 9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10 ....
The Nurse Who Loved Me (6/10) - This is a cover song. I don't particularly like it, but I listen to it just because Maynard's voice is gorgeous and makes the song worth listening to at least a few times.
Pet (10/10) - What a way to break away from the slower songs in this album! When "Pet" starts, it's almost startling. It's the hardest song on the album and done so well. The deep, angry guitar riffs along with the powerful drums and the evocative vocals bring out the meaning behind the song. Really pay attention to the lyrics, they can really teach you something.
Lullaby (7/10) - Creepy follow up to Pet. It's short and sort of like Crimes in that it scares me.
Gravity (10/10) - What a beautiful way to end this album. Mellow and enthralling, this song shows the optimism on 13th Step. Remember the closing lyrics to this - "I choose to live..."
All in all, if you're searching for music so brilliantly put together it'll take your breath away, look no further. A Perfect Circle knows how to incorporate the ideal mixture of remarkable music with thought-provoking lyrics to prove just how deep the mind can go..
Free Music Review: Agonizingly beautiful is good
Hit: 5 Stars
Well, I guess I'd better get my TooL comparison over with.
Unless you've been living in a bomb shelter for the past decade or so, chances are you HAVE heard the music of TooL. This band has absolutely transformed metal into a form of art, and has completely changed the face of rock music in general. Regardless of your feelings about them, you can't deny their talent or influence on modern rock.
Perhaps the driving force of TooL is the lead vocalist, who is, of course, Maynard James Keenan. His talent and style make him, without a doubt, the most original and downright breath-taking vocalist of ALL modern music, and is greatly recognized for his abilities around the world.
So when news came of a new band with Keenan's name on the roster, it's safe to say the world went nuts. Although it was Billy Howerdell who formed the group and wrote the songs, it's pretty obvious that A PERFECT CIRCLE's immediate popularity came from Keenan.
Although this band's music is a tad bit calmer then the normal crushing complexity of TooL's roaring instruments, A PERFECT CIRCLE is no less extravagantly beautiful and precise, and Maynard's voice is no less blatantly gorgeous. And even if Maynard's style is different here than with TooL, it's remains unmistakably Maynard, and that's enough please anyone.
What's even better is that Maynard isn't the only thing to like about A PERFECT CIRCLE. Billy Howerdell REALLY knows his frickin stuff, and his conviction and talent, as well as the rest of the band's contributions, is what makes this album such a gem. The album opener `the Package' is the absolute perfect song for realization of this fact. Each instrument is easily defined throughout the 7-minute track, and each artist displays their abilities with dazzling style. The lead single `Weak and Powerless', even with it's somber and quiet melodies, remains a compelling and ridiculously brilliant song. The soft acoustic number "a Stranger" is probably the most beautiful track on the album musically, and it's beauty is realized once again with Maynard's riveting vocals.
The only two existing heavy pieces here(`the Outsider' and `Pet') are not to be ignored, as each is sung INCREDIBLY, each played MAGNIFICENTLY, they are easily among the greatest of all the hard rock songs that I have personally heard. Which, in all sincerity, ain't much.
The lyrics on this album are, again, something special. Maynard, I believe, also took on responsibilities for lyric-writing, and he remains a steadfastly potent and able writer. The song `Pet' deals with deception and lies from the point of view of the deceiver, bent on leading his prey to destruction with lines like:
"put your head down child, I won't let the boogyman come/count bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums/pay no mind to the rabble, pay no mind . . . stay with me/safe from pain, and truth, and choice--and other poison devils, saying `they don`t give a f**k about you', like I do . . ."
It's chilling and downright COOL CRAP. At least to me.
"Thirteenth Step" is an elegant contribution to any record collection, and should certainly please any fan of Maynard's past works. Though, if you ARE a fan of Maynard's past works, then you probably already have this album, which makes this review absolutely pretentious and useless, so now I feel like a complete retard. Thanks alot, jerks.