Here's my review of APC's latest, 'Thirteenth Step'. Maynard and company from A Perfect Circle are back at it again. Their newest album, Thirteenth Step is a diverse semi-concept album that explores the human emotions, thoughts, and actions. Whether you are into TOOL --Maynard's famous and controversial prog-metal act-- or not, you should find this album is a thrilling musical journey from start to finish. The first song, 'The Package' is the longest on the album at 7:36. The beginning has great drum work by acclaimed drummer Josh Freese, and Maynard James Keenan shines here, lyrically and vocally, throughout the album. The song climaxes to some heavy riffage to it calms down to the first single, 'Weak And Powerless', the catchy 6/4 track that probably features the best lyrics ('Tilling my own grave to keep me level...So Desparate...and ravenous...So Weak and powerless over you), and former Marylin Manson bassist Jeordie White leads the instrumental bridge. 'The Noose' is another good songs with a catchy chorus, 'Blue' features some amazing bass riffs, and 'Vanishing' is probably most like the 'Orestes' on Mer de Noms, APC's debut. Now we get to 'A Stranger', which is just guitars, vocals, and a bit of bass. This is a really serene piece that is extremely beautiful. In my top 3 favourite songs on the album! Next is 'The Outsider', which will likely become the next single, as it was rumoured to be the first and I can see why...Starts off fairly slow, but turns out to be the most aggressive with the catchiest and 'screamiest' vocals which Maynard does to perfection! 'Crimes' is a short instrumental track after that leads to the (amazing) cover of 'The Nurse Who Loved Me'. Its some mock ballad with vocals and strings that is probably the wierdest (and one of the best) songs that they've ever done, not to mention lyrics like 'The rugs topography holds a lot of interest with your face down on it'. 'Pet' is another heavier track that most will really enjoy. 'Lullaby' is a fairly pointless instrumental track, but it leads to the cerebral closer, 'Gravity' which ends the album on a quiet but thoughtful note, with Maynard singing 'I Choose to live....'. Overall, this is one of the best albums of the year and Maynard James Keenan puts up his best vocal/lyrical performance I have heard in a while! HIGHLY reccommended to anyone who likes to hear something fresh and new!! RATING: *****
Awesome review. I might have to check this album out. By the way, Josh Freese did the drums on Evanescence's album, Fallen.
I didn't know he did the drumming for Evanescence! That explains why its so good! Anyways, anyone who gets the album should post their comments here, I would lilke to hear what you think. PS. it has a copy protection system on it :wth: ....but you can still d/l off Kazaa/Winmx, theres files on there!