Thirteen Steps down from APC's flawless debut
Written: May 10 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A few songs that range from 'decent' to simply amazing.
Cons: Too boring too often. Doesn't even begin to scrape the brilliance of Mer De Noms.
The Bottom Line: The bottom line is counting bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums
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| blindsider's Full Review: Thirteenth Step by A Perfect Circle |
In the past, I've struggled with the concept of incredible bands releasing unimpressive albums. It's almost like I was once in denial that such a thing could be possible, so I adapted the theory of "If most of [insert band name here]'s music is genius, it all is." But this state of mind didn't really get along with reality. Over the years, I've learned that even the most talented musicians can leave me feeling...bored.
Such is the case with rock band A Perfect Circle's sophomore album, Thirteenth Step. I'm just as much of a Maynard admirer as the next person, but time after time, this album fails to thoroughly entertain me. The weird thing about it all? I am, and always have been, absolutely in love with the band's debut, Mer De Noms. It is one of the most consistently enjoyable, intense, beautiful albums in my entire CD collection. So I'm left wondering...what exactly went wrong here?
Well, nothing much.
See, it's not that Thirteenth Step is filled with unbearably horrible songs -- a much more accurate statement would be that its impressive moments are too few and too far between. And the album's opening track "The Package" is certainly one of its most redeeming moments: this eerie song swims in the mystique that has always allured me to A Perfect Circle's sound, and even though it's well over seven minutes long, it never once loses me. Vocalist Maynard James Keenan (also of Tool fame) has a knack for sounding so soothing, yet so eerie, as his hushed whispers hover over the tribal drumming.
"Weak and Powerless," which received a great amount of radio play, comes next. It's slow-paced and fairly short (barely over three minutes). Honestly, it leaves me going 'eh' overall, mostly due to the chorus' flat delivery. It's too bad, because that creepy bass intro rocks, and the lyrics ("Little angel, go away / the devil has my ear today") are intriguing, to say the least. Quiet and slow-building, "The Noose" is another one I'm not too wild about. Its sound isn't a particularly inoffensive one -- it just bores me to no end.
Of much more value are "Blue," which uses awesome, energetic guitar melodies to excellently contrast Maynard's somber vocals, and the maniacal overtones of the aggressive "The Outsider," which may just have one of the coolest choruses in recent rock music history: "Dis-connect! and self-destruct / one bul! let at a time / What's! your! rush-now? / Ev-ery-one will / have his day-to-DIE!" Then there's the moody strains of "The Nurse Who Loved Me," a relaxed song, simple in its delivery -- but don't be fooled -- give this a few good listens and try telling me that it doesn't conjure up some seriously creepy visual images.
Unfortunately, the remainder of the album isn't much to write home about. Aside from the startling heaviness of the satisfyingly crunchy "Pet" (which actually is almost like "Thinking Of You" from Mer De Noms's little brother, especially in that slinky introduction), there aren't too many other noteworthy moments on Thirteenth Step. Even Maynard's impressively tender performance on "A Stranger" doesn't save it from its dreariness. The interlude "Lullaby," which quietly attaches itself to the aforementioned "Pet," comes off as entirely unnecessary, while the dullness and excess repetition of closing track "Gravity" make the album's ending feel rather incomplete to me.
Even though I will casually recommend this album to fans of rock music, my feelings for A Perfect Circle's flawless debut are a million times stronger. Of course hardcore fans of all things Maynard will need this (and probably already have it) -- and there are several nice moments, don't get me wrong. But all in all, Thirteenth Step is neither horrible nor excellent. A major disappointment in comparison to Mer De Noms? I'd say so. A major disappointment, period? No. It just isn't something I can fully immerse myself into, because I find myself skipping tracks here and there, but it's fine enough and worth giving at least a few listens. Those unfamiliar with APC should DEFINITELY hunt down Mer De Noms first.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
blindsider
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 in Music |
 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Sheila Doki
Location: Sherman, TX, USA
Reviews written: 343
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About Me:
Somebody check my brain.
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