blindsider's Full Review: Mer de Noms [PA] by A Perfect Circle
I threw you the obvious to see what occurs
Behind the eyes of a fallen angel
Eyes of a tragedy...
So I'm sitting here, staring at my computer screen mindlessly. My eyes are beginning to get watery. I'm starting to zone out. Mer De Noms, most commonly known as A Perfect Circle's debut album, is lightly playing in the background. It has been playing for quite some time now. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this is my tenth consecutive listen of the disc today.
I'm chomping on some Lay's Potato Chips, and...well... I'm at a loss for words. Some artists just tend to get me that way. Attempting to describe the appeal of some albums is like trying to convince your U.S. Government professor that you really did study for that test, but your mind was just somewhere else that day...hence that ugly, circled 66 scrawled across your exam in red ink.
I doubt that Maynard James Keenan, the incredible vocalist of Tool and A Perfect Circle, has ever had to deal with such a low grade on an exam. Obviously, the guy is brilliant -- besides, if he actually did mess up a bit, he'd probably be creative enough to conjure up a completely believable excuse explaining why. With just one listen of Mer De Noms (which is French for 'Sea of Names'), I'm sure most people would wholeheartedly agree with me. Very few artists in modern rock/metal have been able to match Maynard's raw emotion and pure, unrestricted vocal intensity.
This brilliance and intensity shines through immediately in the album's opening track, "The Hollow". This song sets the solemn atmosphere of Mer De Noms quite well. Maynard's melodic, dramatic vocal delivery is undeniably intriguing as it hovers over a haunting, midtempo blend of swirling guitars. "Magdalena" only continues the greatness. It is a slow-builder, with an introduction that is just as haunting as it is soothing. It later builds up to an exciting flurry of crashing drums and Maynard's ferocious wails of "I'd sell...my soul / my self-esteem a dollar at a time!"
"Rose" is a pensive, defiant masterpiece. Maynard steals the show once again, with his absolutely chilling cries of "No longer will I lay down!" As always, Josh Freese's drumming is first-rate -- the clicky, whirry rhythms add an undeniable energy to the band's sound. "Judith" is the album's most aggressive song, boasting a high-octane sound complete with squawking guitars and a blaring bassline.
The pinnacle of Mer De Noms, without hesitation, is the sincerely wounded, painstakingly gorgeous gem, "3 Libras". Maynard's plaintive shouts of "You don't, you don't, you don't see me," are exquisite and chilling -- occasionally, the instrumentation is so effectively bare . . . Maynard's voice is up front-and-center. It's a beautiful thing. "Renholdėr" has this untouchable lush, tribal aura, and even though it's rather brief, it serves as one of the album's darkest and most eerie moments.
Moody, unpredictable songs like "Thomas" and "Breńa" show that A Perfect Circle isn't a one-trick pony. The album's theme, clearly, is not one of butterflies and tulips -- but these songs have a soaring hint of optimism and passion. I must say, though, that "Thinking Of You" is easily the most unique song on Mer De Noms. That infectious, pounding rhythm is nearly dance-able. The slithering bassline and thumpy drumwork are effortlessly paired with some of Maynard's most captivating vocal work yet, and the result is absolutely perfect.
My point? Believe the hype. Mer De Noms is a remarkable rock album. There are so many compact discs out there that are so bland, emotionless, and dry. The musical experience becomes much richer when it can truly be felt. Mer De Noms is a haunting, compelling journey -- there is nothing about this album that screams "12-random-tracks-thrown-together". It's wonderful in all aspects. No fan of rock music should be without it.
...oh, well. oh, well.
Apparently nothing.
Apparently nothing at all.
A Perfect Circle is a new rock band formed by Tool s Maynard James Keenan and Billy Howardel. Also, in the band are Troy Van Leeuwen, Paz Lenchantin, ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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