Bits and pieces of various bands make ‘A Perfect Circle’ better than the sum of its parts .
By Rich Mixsell
Staff Writer
The final nails have officially been driven into the coffin containing the artificially flavored ear-candy known as 90s pop and A Perfect Circle’s Billy Howerdel and Maynard James Keenan are holding the hammers.
“Thirteenth Step” was released Tuesday Sept. 16 as a welcome, 12-track, 50 minute follow-up to their first album, “Mer de Noms” (2000).
Jeordie Orsborne White (Marilyn Manson, bass), Josh Freese (The Vandals, drums), Howerdel (producer, guitar and vocals), and Maynard (Tool, vocals) comprise APC’s recording crew while James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) tours with them, offering his guitar expertise to their amazing live shows. I had the pleasure of experiencing this musical soul search at this year’s Lollapalooza in San Francisco, leaving the show extremely satisfied and highly anticipating this album release.
“Thirteenth Step” is masterfully written and executed with a subtle genius that fans have come to expect from any of Maynard’s projects.
“Weak and Powerless” is the first single from “Thirteenth Step” and represents an excellent demonstration of APC’s talent. While somewhat tame compared to “Judith” from “Mer de Noms,” this song’s dual-guitar intro leads to Billy and Maynard combining their vocal powers to create a strong chorus. A remixed version also appears on the “Underworld” soundtrack, a little beefed up and thicker version courtesy of Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit). However, you can sense that APC’s members are holding something back, much like a tiger on the prowl suppressing its viciousness.
With “The Outsider,” the tiger unleashes its fury upon an unsuspecting populace, ready to strike at whatever lies in its path. This song instantly became one of my favorites because it basically just rocks hardcore. Maynard’s Tool voice makes a brief cameo appearance, once again exhibiting his great range by transitioning from soothing to screaming almost effortlessly. Freese’s drumming skills control the fluctuating pace of this roller coaster, guiding listeners up hills only to launch them back down at lightning speeds.
By the time you reach the 10th song on the album, “Pet,” APC has locked its jaws onto an arm and shakes your body violently while you realize that is exactly what you want. “Pet” is probably the hardest track on the album, probably my absolute favorite, and probably the most likely to be regularly rocked out to.
APC’s components unite seamlessly here to create an all-around impressive piece of work that includes the aforementioned subtle genius heard in the lyrics.
Maynard whispers, “I’ll be the one to protect you from/ Your enemies and your choices son/ They’re one in the same.” It is a great couple of lines to mull over, thinking about the complexities and consequences of a pet-like, superior-inferior relationship, perhaps similar to you and your pet, or your parents and you, or even God and the world.
APC finally releases you from its grasp with its last song, “Gravity,” leaving you dazed, shaken, and wanting more. I have heard few songs more elegantly crafted and readily able to touch my soul than “Gravity.” Deceptively chill and utterly moving, Orsborne’s bass carries this track gracefully from beginning to end, allowing the other members to contribute to his line as they see fit. The song does get a little gritty towards the end, just to remind listeners of what could be set loose once again.
Other notable tracks are “The Noose,” where Iha’s guitar tech knowledge shines through with an excellent ending, and “Blue,” with its quite potent chorus that might inspire you to sing along – even if you don’t know the words – because it sounds so good.
Tool fans, A Perfect Circle fans, and anyone who dares to call himself or herself a fan of rock will be very pleased with this latest release. I encourage you to throw it on, sit or lie down, crank it up, and take some time to really listen to and appreciate “Thirteenth Step.” Just be careful because this stuff is as addictive.
September 25, 2003