Three years after the release of the maddeningly inconsistent Mer de Noms, A Perfect Circle returned with a more polished and determined album that blends all of the performers’ talents together with stunning regularity. It’s not quite Heaven on Earth, but Thirteenth Step surpasses its predecessor by amping up the potent harmonies and furious riffs, and should keep devoted rock music fans smiling.

As a whole, Thirteenth Step is an organic, cohesive work that utilizes Maynard James Keenan’s melody-infected vocals to the greatest effect. When Keenan focuses his voice and doesn’t wander off into languid territory, he shows why he is one of the better vocalists of his generation. No small praise, but that statement is warranted based on his work here. Not to be outdone, the remaining performers create more explosive riffs and whimsical melodies than I would have thought possible in a single album. There is concern, however, as the album teeters back and forth on the brink of disaster in the second half. Luckily the band learned from their mistakes on Mer de Noms and it ends on a positive note. Keenan fans and rock fans alike should embrace this intelligent, visionary exercise in music creation.

The band abandons conventional wisdom by kicking things off with the nearly eight-minute epic, The Package. The first half is a slow-burning build up, with a dancing guitar rhythm and Keenan’s calm vocals. The second half launches forward on the strength of Billy Howerdel’s propulsive guitar hooks and Josh Freese’s crackling drumming. While it lingers a bit longer than necessary, this is still an equally silky-smooth and voracious monster of a song. Following it is the lead single, Weak and Powerless. Employing a more straightforward verse/chorus structure, it’s a fine showcase for Keenan’s soaring melodies. The bridge is downright haunting, with Keenan intoning, “Little angel, go away/ Come again some other day/ The devil has my ear today/ I’ll never hear a word you say.” over Howerdel’s crisp rhythms.

The album’s energetic opening turns to atmospheric intensity as it moves along. The Noose is infected with an eerie vibe, brought on by the peaceful vocals and distant drumming. Blue quickens the pace, with a resounding chorus driving it forward. My favorite track, Vanishing emerges next. Keenan’s emotive voice punctuates the soft melodies for a song that begs for repeated listens. A Stranger is a warm ballad, with simple guitar plucking and strong vocals. The second single, The Outsider possesses a guttural roar that would spook a grizzly bear. The hammering intensity and spiteful lyrics are a dynamic mixture. Thus far, APC has efficiently combined fist-shaking riffs and peaceful rhythms with ease, but problems begin to surface soon after.

The album stumbles briefly with two back-to-back misfires, starting with Crimes. Not only is it musically redundant, but it’s about as compelling as sticking your hand in a jet engine and observing the results. The Nurse Who Loved Me is an indolent and sappy blunder, with none of the atmospheric edge or punishing delivery we expect from APC. The menacing Pet quickly re-focuses the album, propelled by a gashing guitar hook and chilling lyrics of a child’s lullaby. It’s very reminiscent of Metallica’s Enter Sandman in this respect, but stands on its own as a hard-hitting track with energy to spare. After slogging through the vapid Lullaby, we arrive at the album’s concluding track. Gravity uses Keenan’s sweeping vocals and a moody bass sound to close out the proceedings with style and confidence.

Given Keenan’s notoriously sporadic work, it would be a shame if this were the last original album by A Perfect Circle. Thirteenth Step is catapulted forward on strength of the performances, chiefly among them being Keenan and Howerdel. Despite some sluggish material near the end, APC shows they have the versatility to churn out feverish rockers and harmonious marvels without compromising either sound. Above all, Thirteenth Step is a melodious, emotional wonder that is not to be missed.

Further Reading:
A Perfect Circle - Emotive (2 stars)
A Perfect Circle - Mer de Noms (2 stars)

Recommended: Yes