With its sophomore effort, THIRTEENTH STEP, A Perfect Circle permanently sheds any clinging notions of being a Tool side-project. Although Maynard James Keenan's plaintive vocals immediately conjure up thoughts of his other outfit, APC distinguishes itself by furthering the melodic elements present on the group's first outing, MER DE NOMS. "The Package" starts things off slowly, with a foreboding guitar line and minimal drum cadence that gradually build into a full-blown Sabbath-like dirge. Carried along by the fluid bass playing of Jeordie White (formerly known as Twiggy Ramirez of Marilyn Manson), "The Noose" gives a tip of the hat to the Cure's gloomiest work, while White and guitarist Billy Howerdel create an entrancingly chiming bass/guitar tapestry on "Blue."
Though many of the album's tracks surge with APC's powerful metal riffs, the folky "A Stranger" and the lush "The Nurse Who Loved Me" both feature Keenan's voice supported by a gorgeous bed of strings and little else. A cycle that touches on themes of corruption, despair, and redemption, THIRTEENTH STEP is brought to a fitting conclusion by "Gravity," a powerful song that captures both the dark and light aspects of this fascinating band.
Audio Mixer: Andy Wallace.
Photographers: Dean Karr; Billy Howerdel.
A Perfect Circle: Maynard James Keenan (vocals, gourd); Billy Howerdel (guitar, piano, bass, programming, background vocals); Troy Van Leeuwen (guitar); Jeordie White (bass); Josh Freese (drums, percussion).
Personnel: Billy Howerdel (vocals, guitar); Jarboe, Maynard James Keenan (vocals); Danny Lohner, Troy Van Leeuwen (guitar); Josh Freese (drums, background vocals); Devo Keenan, Jeordie White (background vocals).
Rolling Stone (10/2/03, p.116) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...The band's second album, THIRTEENTH STEP, sounds more like the dusky thrum of DISINTEGRATION-era Cure than it does any of the members' previous bands..." Entertainment Weekly (9/19/03, pp.86-7) - "...Frontman James Maynard Keenan sounds as elliptically tortured as ever....his band's winding, off-kilter rhythms and contrapunctal guitar riffs create an omnious atmosphere..." - Rating: B Q (11/03, p.105) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Keenan's voice is naked and clean....[The songs] affirm that Keenan is more than capable of writing bewitchingly unique songs..." Mojo (Publisher) (11/03, p.131) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...The frisson of anxiety crackles, brought to nervous pitch by fretful trash-can drumming, pomp rock guitar and disquieting and pervasive bass..."
Just keeps coming well when i heard first a perfect circle i thought that they should be given a medal for originality and creativity, if you're looking for music thats outside of the box and mellow and not to mention the most soothing voice you'll ever hear in your life! this album is for u! Submitted by neyr58 (Port-of-Spain, Trinidad) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 2 found this helpful.
Great CD, a must have!!! This is a great CD, a perfect circle is an awesome group and this album is no exception. It gets better and better each and every time I listen to it. Weak and Powerless is a great single off of this album. Submitted by a reviewer (Wakefield, NE) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Starts slow, but ends with a bang. Takes some getting used to, but it won't take you long to realize the genius of this album. Submitted by Chelsey (Jacksonville, NC) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
A PERFECT BAND This is an exellent album best songs are weak and powerless, the Package, pet,the noose and gravity you wont regret buying this album! Submitted by shauno_175 (Queensland) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Bears repeated listens-3.5 stars However, upon listening to this with 3 years retrospect, it doesn't seem as powerful as Tool albums. Perhaps because it lacks the unifying theme and atmosphere of aforesaid records. Still, it sounds great, same complex song structures and lulling sinister vocals from MJK as Tool. Their sound is equally psychedelic as Tool but less densely produced. Overall an engaging record-some tracks have some real sonic invention so keep those ears peeled! Submitted by Tighearnan O Floinn (Dublin, Ireland) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Just keeps coming
Bears repeated listens-3.5 stars
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