A Perfect Circle
Thirteenth Step
(Virgin Records)
By: Steve Paul - ModernRock.com
A Perfect Circle’s sophomore offering Thirteenth Step is an enigma of sorts. It is a good piece of work overall, but there is something missing. Being a Tool fan, I forced myself to get into APC’s first album because I wanted to believe that Maynard Keenan had not gone soft but given into the more delicate side of his craft. Thirteenth Step continues down that same strange path: a self-indulgent trip to the subconscious land of fairies and naiads.
This time out, guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen has been dropped from the line-up and bassist Paz Lenchantin has been replaced by ex-Marilyn Manson bassist Twiggy. James Iha of Smashing Pumpkins fame graces the stage for APC’s live shows. But the roster manipulation doesn’t really change the musical impact of this album. Guitarist Billy Howerdel finally achieves that Cure-ish sound he longs for and Mr. Keenan still has the most eerily beautiful voice in show business. Maynard singing his audience to sleep on the track “Lullaby” must not be missed. The song “Pet” seems to have bitter social/political overtones to it (interesting) and “Blue” is a nice little musical romp through Maynard’s psychological fields of nightmares/daydreams. This album also features a cover of Failure’s “The Nurse Who Loved Me,” but it is easily the most forgettable track on the album. Sporadic moments of “heavier” guitar work aside, there is never really enough power or emotion packed into one song to make the album work
All of this adds up to an album that is hard to put one’s finger on. I can’t tell whether I like it a lot or dislike it a little. In closing, I guess I must say that if you’re an APC or Tool fan, you should probably get this record because it is significantly better than most of the other fodder currently hitting music store shelves. But I must also say shame on you, Maynard Keenan. The band is very thoughtful and rockin’, but the lyrical work in a few songs contains either re-hashed Tool lyrics or just not enough depth. We know you’re a huge star now and you can have side projects galore, but your fans are still expecting you to take them on a ride to alien places they haven’t experienced before.
Oh Maynard, I can’t stay mad at you, with those big black scary puppy dog eyes.
Just give us all some more Tool soon and we might let this one slide.
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