A Perfect Circle - eMOTIVe

A Perfect Circle released a new CD today. It is a collection of songs about war, mostly covers, but some original material. Its not a typical music CD for them. It has extensive use of electronic drums, and a heavier use of textures to the music. It depends less on Maynards vocals, which are sub-standard for him. I am much more used to soaring, clean, powerful vocals from him. This album involves a lot of whispering and growling, which stray far from his normal vocal stylings. Its an average CD. Very mixed on my opinions. I tried to be acceptive of the much different stylings on the CD, but it was really, really hard to be objective, when some songs were far from what I expect out of the band. Here is my track by track rundown.

1. Annihilation (cover) - Not much of a song. The music behind it is a childs toy piano, then some strings, bass, and guitar. Maynard whispers the lyrics. Good lyrics and all, bad vocals. Not worth listening to. 1/5

2. Imagine (cover) - Good cover. Not done like the original John Lennon song. This one has a much creepier feel to it. The string part with the steady drum beat invokes the feeling of war drums. Maynard's vocals are acceptable, but not outstanding. They fit the feel of the song though. 4/5

3. Peace Love and Understanding (cover) - More of the textured musical background (think of a mellow Nine Inch Nails song). Maynard sings the song more so in this odd falcetto. 2/5

4. What's Going On (cover) - They took on a classic Marvin Gaye R&B song. I like the music, although once again, electronic drums, textured sounds. Vocally, its quiet, airy, half whispered vocals. I wanted to hear Maynard really sing on this one. Thing is, the more I listen to it, the more I like it. 3/5

5. Passive - This is a version of a song done as part of the "Tapeworm" project with Danny Lohner and Trent Reznor. Not only is this the best song on the cd, it is the most true to A Perfect Circles normal style. 5/5

6. Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie (cover) - Odd sounds. Horrid growl vocals at one point, with a Jonathan Davis wanna be whine. Very dissapointing. 0/5

7. People Are People (cover) - Musically, this one starts out with potential. Nothing worse than wasted potential though. It almost doesn't sound like Maynard singing. There are some horrid LaLaLaLa's thrown in. Yet another bad song on the CD. 2/5

8. Freedom of Choice (cover) - Maynard shows he still knows how to sing on this one. This song sounds like A Perfect Circle. It is vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and a little bit of additional instrumentation. Its not over-textured like so many of the other songs on the CD. 4/5

9. Let's Have a War (cover) - Bad falcetto, followed by horrid grumbly bass vocals that remind me of George Michael singing I Want Your Sex. More electronic drums. Just bad again. 2/5

10. Counting Bodies Like Sheep To the Rhythm of the War Drum - Should be called Pet (Counting Bodies Remix) because that is what the song is. It's a good song. Very well remixed from a quiet rock song, to a textured (yes, that word again) remix. I like the original a little bit better, but this song is one of the better songs on the album. 4/5

11. When the Levee Breaks (Public Domain?) - Piano, bass guitar, drums. Odd vocal effects add the the mystique of the song. I don't know if this song is supposed to be about war, or about porn. Seriously. I'm expecting Sade to kick in vocals for a verse. I like the song, although it sounds absolutely NOTHING like APC. 4/5

12. Fiddle and the Drum (cover) - A Capella. Yes. Maynard singing with himself 3-4 times. This song makes me think he should be wearing a kilt, and have some guy with bagpipes come out and start playing. In other words.... I dig it. Another good song. 4/5