A Perfect Circle - Thirteenth Step
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Free Music Notes for Thirteenth Step
Free Music Review: The choice for "Best Album of the Year" is obvious.
Hit: 5 Stars
Keep in mind, that I listen to a lot of very heavy bands with the quick, destructive guitar riffs and pulse pounding drums. Seeing this, why would someone like me say that "Thirteenth Step" is the best CD of 2003? The music is, literally, heart stopping it is written so well. We all remember the prior effort "Mer De Noms", right? Much more alternative sounding, more written with a commercial flare, and that one catchy tune. Well, this one is better on so many levels.First, the music sounds like there was a lot of effort to grab a very artistic and technical sound. The atmospheric effects that were used in the background on this CD gave it such an ethereal feel that one couldn't help but become engrossed with each song from beginning to end. The one surprise track, that kind of snuck up on me, was "The Package". When you first hear it, it just sounds like this light-hearted tune that doesn't have much punch to it. Then, about four minutes into the track you get kicked in the face by these heavy guitars that just blast in out of nowhere. It left me shocked, to tell the truth.
Second, the artists have got to be some of the best in the world at the present time. Although Troy Van Leeuwen wasn't around for the whole recording, give him and his back-ups major credit for smoking this piece of creativity out along side band mate Billy Howerdel, whom I think is one of the most creative musicians on the planet for making this CD the way it is. I know, no Paz but give Jeordie his due because he was just a miracle on this effort. The bass lines were heard much clearer this time around, which means better sound balance (hmm...). Josh Freese, what can I say but he has immense talent and great flare to be able to do such magnificent work. Finally, what can I say about Maynard that hasn't already been said. Need I say more?
Better music and better musicians to put it out there for us, what other reasons do I need to stress? An awesome tracklist...YES!!! Although, this may end up the most underrated album this year it does boast one of the best lineups ever. The whole list stands out, with a few standing higher than others. Like "The Nurse Who Loved Me", "The Noose", "Weak and Powerless", "The Outsider", and "Pet". I list them in this order because they show the slow and light to heavier aspect of the CD. This album covers all bases and is well worth the money one will spend to hear it, regardless of what naysayers will try to say about it. Buy it now, or you will miss out on one of the best listening experiences of your life.
Free Music Review: A Perfect Circle Nouveau ... sort of...
Hit: 5 Stars
Yes, although I know eMOTIVe has been released, this was their last fully original composition of tracks.
A lot happened between the release of APC's first two albums. And The loss and addition of two members (although ex-Smahing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha does not actually play on this release) has certainly added to and subtlely changed the dynamic of this band. Suddenly drums and - especially - bass lines are more dominant in the mix, especially on such songs as The Package, Vanishing, Crimes and Gravity. This gives a darker, more atmospheric edge to this album that was not on their first.
The lyrics are generally intricate and well-thought-out, breaking through the rhythms with clean, melodic vocals. A couple of examples: 'Mistook their nods for an approval, just ignore the smoke and smile' from 'Blue' and 'Dizzy and clearly unable to let this go, High and surrendering to gravity and the unknown, Catch me, heal me, lift me back up to the sun' from 'Gravity'. Maynard is at his peak as a lyricist here.
It's not all dark, gothic ambience here though. There are a few 'louder' tracks intermingled throughout the disc. Notably, Weak & Powerless, Pet and the Outsider. The interesting thing is all these tracks also have their quieter moments. Dispersed throughout 'Pet', and in the introductions to 'Weak & Powerless' and 'The Outsider'. The heaviest track on here would have to be the latter, in which Keenen's voice crests towards the end, drawing on some good old-fashioned Tool-esque aggression.
Billy Howerdel puts in a solid performance on guitar, and perhaps some of his virtue can be attributed to knowing when to step back and let other members of the band take the floor. on repeated listen, it is amazing how much of his work has been placed into the background of the collective. Whether he is playing right up the front of the mix, or producing captivating atmospherics that require further listening, he is truely an asset to the unique sound that is A Perfect Circle.
The one track that really took me by surprise was 'the Nurse', a covered track originally done by Failure. Interesting sonics make this a beautiful listen, but not one you're likely to 'get' on the first listen. But this, my friends, is just the kind of album Thirteenth Step is.
Overall, top marks for Maynard, Billy, Jeordie and Josh.
Because that's what it is - a group effort. Definately no weak links here - every musician is a talented and skilled performer in their own right. Eagerly anticipating a follow-up.
Free Music Review: A Different Direction
Hit: 5 Stars
Since Tool's Aenima in 1997 I have been an avid fan, and Tool are probably the band I listen to the most (I won't say favourite, I have too many). When I found out that Maynard James Keenan was doing a new album I was thrilled, but almost disappointed that it wasn't with Tool. I refused to buy either of APC's records, until a few months ago, when I realised how naïve I was being. I didn't want to like them, I almost thought MJK was `cheating' on the rest of his band members by going off and making new recordings with other people, albeit very talented people. Billy Howardel's guitar playing is first-class, Jeordie Osbourne White is a great bassist and Josh Freese is solid on the drums (nowhere near Danny Carey though). So, I have to admit they make a good band, and I found out that the rest of Tool helped with production (sigh).So, we all know how wonderful MJK is, but how good is the new blend of musicians. Well, in a nutshell, very good. The opener, The Package, straight away throws you into the dark, disturbing world of drugs and possession. The gradual build up of texture using layering and dynamics is very subtle, but achieves a great deal for the song. After the slow, clever build up we finally hear the immense explosion of guitars and drums. The song contains some of the best vocals as MJK really stresses each syllable and adds to the haunting lyrics. The Noose carries over the same dark and eerie atmosphere made famous by Tool. The lyrics are anti religious, in typical absurd MJK style, imagining how a halo could become a noose. The song starts slowly and gradually builds to a very impressive climax, similar style to The Package. There are other Tool-esque songs, such as The Outsider and Pet which are both solid rock songs, but I think APC are at their best when they try something different. They have great ability to produce softer songs, reminiscent of Mer De Noms. Songs such as the closer Gravity and A Stranger, both have some wonderful singing and guitar playing.
The general feel to the album is different to Mer De Noms. Mer De Noms had a darker, sexual side to it, mostly about obsession and lust. Thirteenth Step has a more `social' side, MJK sings about drug addictions, religion, nightmares and a pet hate of swimming (Aenema represents it better). Both of APC's albums are different, and APC certainly have their own style, and I can honestly say they are among my favourite bands at the moment. I don't think Thirteenth Step has the general depth to match some of Tool's releases, but it is nonetheless a great CD for any rock fan.
Free Music Review: Different but Amazing
Hit: 5 Stars
APC has really moved forwards with this album. It is longer and more interesting than Mer De Noms.1. Package - Starts off slow but gradually turns into the heaviest song on the album. The lyrics are reminiscent of Flood from Tool's Undertow. 5/5.
2. Weak and Powerless - The first single from the album. Incredible lyrics and guitar but gets a little repetitive. 3.5/5.
3. The Noose - Beautiful song with great drums and vocals. It has an incredible ending that sounds a bit like 3 Libras, and it will likely be the second single. 4/5.
4. Blue - Interesting guitar effects, good beat in the chorus sections. There is a bit of strange-sounding reverb on the lyrics near the end. 4/5.
5. Vanishing - Below-average song, unmemorable. Lyrics about disappearing into the air. 2/5.
6. Stranger - Slow song with some VERY strange yelling noises in the middle. Lyrics about sex with tomatoes and what to do with silence. How about making some interesting songs to fill it? 2.5/5.
7. Outsider - Now THIS is more like it. My favorite song on the album, heavy and angry, awesome vocals and guitars. Lyrics are about fame and vanity. 5/5.
8. Crimes - Shortest song on the album, good drums but not much else. Total filler track. 1.5/5.
9. The Nurse who Loved Me - Total old-school orchestral rock song, sounds a bit like King Crimson. Violins and vocals make up most of it. It's a cover from a band called Failure, but i haven't heard that version yet. I love this song because it's so cheesy and classic sounding. 5/5.
10. Pet - Pretty heavy song with insane lyrics, and apparently with guest vocals by Devo, Maynard's son. A bit of great guitar solo makes this one of my favorite songs on the album. 5/5.
11. Lullabye - A continuation of Pet, with a girl with a nice voice singing softly. Very short song, basically filler. 1.5/5.
12. Gravity - The finale is a great song with amazing vocals, and a message to leave you with: "I choose to live." 4/5.
Overall, it's hard to say which is better, Mer De Noms or Thirteenth Step. They're both art-metal albums and they both kick some serious @$$. I give this one 5 stars simply because I LOVED the Nurse song, otherwise i might have given it a 4. The half-naked girl from the Weak and Powerless video appears in the liner notes and on the back of the cd as an added bonus ;). There are more codes to decipher in the liner notes, like there were in Mer De Noms. This is a great album, but do NOT mistake it for Tool. They are completely different bands, so try not to compare them too much. 5/5.
Free Music Review: A second helping of Perfection
Hit: 5 Stars
Fans of Maynard James Keenan are arguing over whether A Perfect Circle sounds too much like Tool. Fans of APC are trying to decide which album, "Mer Des Noms" or "Thirteenth Step", is better. In both cases, stop! APC is not Tool, this is why their name is not Tool! Yes, we hear the same voice, but if one is to actually LISTEN to the music of both bands, one would notice that this is where the similarity pretty much ends. As for the albums, for some people, the band simply can't win. To make a second "Mer Des Noms" would have been labeled "boring" and "non-progressive", but to do what they have done, creating a different sound, an album with a different feel, some are calling "unsatisfying". Both albums are seperate bodies of work and should be treated as such.
In "Thirteenth Step" APC have created an incredibly moving, not to mention unique, work of art. When you put on a record and are totally emotionally enveloped by it, making you want to hear it again, you have heard a good record. So it is with "Thirteenth Step", from the opening slow-burner that is "The Package" to the closing moment of the gloriously serene album-closer, "Gravity", that APC take us in and cause an effect that is heavenly and that, at times, cannot be described in words.
Seeing this band live is an experience I cannot recommend enough. The lineup change does not weaken the band one bit, if anything, in fact, it strengthens it. James Iha works wonderfully alongside Billy Howerdel on guitar and we see in Jeordie White a magnificent bassist who, in my own opinion, seems more comfortable (and more exciting) than he ever was in Marilyn Manson. Josh Freese is an extremely tight and innovative drummer and, alongside all this great musicianship, we get to enjoy the talent ot Maynard, whose voice is full of such intensity, it is difficult not to feel a chill run up your spine and your eyes glaze over with tears just at the sound of it. He doesn't just sing the words; he captures the emotion of the words in his voice perfectly.
So if you are reading these reviews out of curiosity, do yourself a favour; go out and buy "Thirteenth Step" and their debut "Mer Des Noms", two quite different, but equally as wonderful albums.
When you can write and perform songs such as "The Noose", "Pet" and "The Outsider", no comparisons should be necessary. Just enjoy all this band has to offer.