A Perfect Circle

A Perfect Circle Is Coming Back

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I wrote a piece a while back about A Perfect Circle needing to come back. Well it seems like it is actually going to happen. During a recent stop along Maynard’s book tour in Los Angeles, A Perfect Circle guitarist was the moderator at this stop, and they both said that the band was going to get back together. Billy and Maynard both said they had been working on new music. Billy said that he has about 75% of an album completed musically. They also announced that they would be playing a show at the Hollywood Bowl, May 7, 2017.

This is very exciting news, especially since there doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel for a new Tool album any time soon. I don’t know about you all, but, I sure was getting tired of all the Puscifer releases.

There is one caveat I have about them getting back together and that is coming back with the right lineup. They people that replaced Josh Freese, Troy Van Leeuwen, Danny Lohner and Paz Lenchantin, are solid musicians but, they really don’t fit in the band. Let’s hope Josh and Danny come back with this reunion.

Welcome back A Perfect Circle!

 

Mer De Noms:

 

The Thirteenth Step:

Bands That Should Return: A Perfect Circle

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If there is one band that really should come back around and release a new album it’s A Perfect Circle. It’s been over thirteen years since they released an album of new material. Maynard has kept busy over the years with Puscifer, which is interesting and another outlet for him, but the fact that there are more Puscifer albums than A Perfect Circle albums, it’s just not right. A Perfect Circle guitarist Billy Howerdel has said that “there are fully developed songs without lyrics and melody…as far as the music end goes, I’ve got 75% of the foundation of [the next] A Perfect Circle record ready to go.” And that he is just waiting on Maynard. In March of 2016 Maynard was quoted as saying “I still hope to make and release new music with the band.” Well then get on it. It’s been over ten years since there was a new Tool record, and thirteen since there was a new APC record. I get the need and want to go off and do different things, explore new musical avenues, but what I don’t get is how you can just leave a band like A Perfect Circle behind. I still remember the day that Mer De Noms came out. I was so excited and pumped to own that album and I listened to it so much I had to get another copy. Then when The Thirteenth Step came out, it elevated their game so much more, and became one of those albums that you just can’t get enough of.

Enough with the wait. It’s time to get Maynard in a room with Billy Howerdel, Josh Freese, Paz Lenchantin, Troy Van Leeuwen, and Danny Lohner and make a great new album. The world needs a new album from A Perfect Circle, it’s been too long!

Cover Thursday: A Perfect Circle (Marvin Gaye)- What’s Going On

I woke up in the mood to listen to A Perfect Circle. While listening, I had the strange want to listen to their eMotive album. When I got to their version of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” I thought this is the one I’m posting for the week. The original is still amazing and will hold for generations to come. A Perfect Circle did a solid job with it. It’s quite interesting how much a song written in the 70’s still resonates with the world today.

 

A Perfect Circle- What’s Going On:

 

Marvin Gaye- What’s Going On:

 

 

Classic Soundtracks: Underworld

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Soundtracks are a tricky thing to make. Songs have to fit perfectly with each scene. Sometimes the music chosen fits perfectly and becomes the best part of watching certain scenes. One such movie and soundtrack is the first Underworld. The film’s soundtrack was produced by Danny Lohner (former Nine Inch Nails multi instrumentalist). Danny contributed several songs to the soundtrack under his pseudonym Renholder (A Perfect Circles’s song Renholder off Mer De Noms is in reference to Danny Lohner). In addition to contributions from The Dillinger Escape Plan, Puscifer, A Perfect Circle, Page Hamilton of Helmet, and Skinny Puppy, there was a group called The Damning Well, that provided a song for the soundtrack. The Damning Well was a supergroup comprised of Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit), Danny Lohner (Nine Inch Nails), Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle), and Richard Patrick (Filter). Their contribution “Awakening,” was a real highlight of the soundtrack, and left listeners wondering what could’ve become of such a collaboration had they continued. It’s been said that much of the music that they created wound up being used for the first Black Light Burns album. One other song featured on the soundtrack called “Bring Me The Head Of The Disco King” is also a huge highlight. This song features David Bowie, Maynard James Keenan and John Frusciante.

The movie itself wasn’t that great but, there were a couple highlights. Kate Beckinsale and this fantastic soundtrack.

 

The Damning Well: Awakening

 

David Bowie and friends: Bring Me The Head Of The Disco King

 

A Perfect Circle: Weak and Powerless (Tilling My Grave Mix)

 

Puscifer: Rev 22: 20 (Renholder Mix)

 

By: Brian Lacy

Worst Cover Songs

Instead of finding the best cover songs I thought it would be fun to make a list of the worst ones ever.

 

Limp Bizkit- Faith, Behind Blue Eyes
Korn- Word Up, Another Brick In The Wall
Nonpoint- In The Air Tonight
311- Love Song
Six Feet Under- their AC/DC album
Megadeth- Anarchy In The UK
Guns N Roses- Sympathy For The Devil
Rob Zombie- Brick House
Seether- Careless Whisper
Sevendust- Hurt
Alien Ant Farm- Smooth Criminal
A Perfect Circle- Gimme Gimme Gimme
Sheryl Crow- Sweet Child O’Mine
U2- Fortunate Son
The Ataris- Boys Of Summer
The Cure- Purple Haze
Celine Dion- You Shook Me All Night Long
Eric Clapton- I Shot The Sheriff
Madonna- American Pie
Five Finger Death Punch- House Of The Rising Sun, Bad Company
Asking Alexandria- Closer
Tori Amos- Raining Blood, Smells Like Teen Spirit

Album Debate: A Perfect Circle: Mer De Noms vs Thirteenth Step

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During the year 2000 the world was presented with A Perfect Circle. Their debut album Mer De Noms was released to great fanfare and critical acclaim. Mer De Noms also featured a rebirth of sorts to what had been missing for quite sometime, making a cohesive album. Songs such as “Judith,” “The Hollow,” “Magdalena,” “3 Libras,” “Rose,” and “Thinking Of You” all were such standout tracks that left a lasting impact. There were a couple songs (“Thomas” and “Over”) that were out of place on their own but in the context of the album as a whole they fit. The first half of the album really shines but tends to drift and fall away towards the end. Production wise it is above superb.

In 2003 A Perfect Circle released Thirteenth Step. This album marked a growth and departure from the more polished sound of their previous album. It seemed that Maynard’s time back in Tool in between albums gave him new perspective on the direction on which to write for A Perfect Circle. The thematic tone of the album provided quite a distinctive backdrop for how the music sounded, was produced and how the songs were placed in the album. Songs such as “Weak and Powerless,” The Noose (my personal favorite),” “Blue,” “The Outsider,” and “Pet” again can stand out on their own, but really hit home more in the album as a whole. Production wise there is a more raw feel to it. It almost helps get under your skin faster and sink in.

Both records are totally different but all the while great in their own right. I lean more towards Thirteenth Step.

Where do you stand?

 

By: Brian Lacy

Unsung Masterpieces Part 2: Failure- Fantastic Planet

The 90’s were such a great time for rock music. There had been a revolution of loud guitars, heavy bass, thundering drums and meaningful lyrics. There was also a lot of epic masterpieces that went unnoticed. One album in particular was Failure’s “Fantastic Planet.” Ken Andrews (Vocals/Guitar/Bass), Greg Edwards (Bass/Guitar/Percussion/Piano), and Kelli Scott (Drums) produced a very honest etherial album. Space-rock themes course through the album’s lyrics, as well as various indirect references to drug addiction, drug-related experiences, and prostitution. There are also lush textures that guide the listener on a seductive path throughout the listening of the album. Fantastic Planet features so many great songs that it makes it hard to pick just one stand out track. Songs such as Saturday Savior, Sergeant Politeness, Smoking Umbrellas, Pitiful, The Nurse Who Loved Me and Stuck On You are the most common. Though other songs such as Dirty Blue Balloons, Blank, Pillowhead and Daylight, compete at such a high level that it’s hard to skip any of the songs. The album was self produced by Failure and engineered by Ken Andrews at their own studio. During the touring cycle for Fantastic Planet, Troy VanLeeuwen was brought on to add more guitar to the live sound. After only 3 albums together Failure parted ways with each other. Ken Andrews went on to start the bands Year Of The Rabbit and ON, as well as become a well sought after producer/engineer. Greg Edwards formed Autolux, a very experimental yet rocking band. Kelli Scott went on to play with Veruca Salt and other bands. Troy VanLeeuwen went on to play with A Perfect Circle and now with Queens Of The Stone Age. The amount of influence Failure has had on today’s bands is very noticeable.  Failure seemed to be on to something way before “it” was time for it to come to the forefront of the masses. Luckily for everyone that has become a Failure fan over the years can rejoice. Failure are back and ready to claim their place!

 Fantastic Planet:

By: Brian Lacy