(rock) A Perfect Circle--Mer de Noms

[robnathanson]

This is the debut album from A Perfect Circle. the cd's title "Mer de Noms" is translated into english to mean "Sea of Names". This cd contains the bands original lineup of

Maynard James Keenan--vocals
Billy Howerdell--Guitars/backing vocals
Paz Lenchantin--Bass/violin
Josh Freese--Percussion and drums
Troy Van Leeuwen--Guitars

The band generated a lot of attention with Maynard, because of his involvment in the high profile band Tool. THis resulted in a high profile release, and many album sales.

The album doesn't disappoint. It is a powerfully driven, easily listenable cd, with (in my opinion) now bad tracks. Everything fits perfectly.

now for my track by track analysis:


1. The Hollow--a powerful, high energy track. Sometimes gives the listener the impression that the band is just another heavy, band, and nothing special. until Maynards voice comes in that is. Maynard always has very meaningful lyrics and a powerful voice, and he shows it off here. This song makesthe band sound like "Tool Lite" but I guarentee you'll be hooked after the first listen!
5/5

2. Magdalena--This song slows down considderably from The Hollow, but it is just as mind capturing. Maynard sings about the most beautiful woman imaginable, and what he would do to have her.
"I'd sell my soul, my self esteem, a Dollar at a time, for one chance, one kiss, One taste of you my Magdalena"
calling the woman an "earthly goddess" also adds to this. a beautiful track, simple, yet effective lyrics, a nice beat.
5/5

3. Rose--My personal favourite track on the album. very catchy, well put together lyrics and music. Altogether another beautiful track.Maynards lyrics describe, how he is refusing to lay down and give away his free will to others. AS I sadi, my favourite track...
5/5

4. Judith--The most Tool-esque song on the album. very heavy, very fast. Maynard at a vocal high. The songs theme is blind faith (following religion with no ambition) This was the First single from "Mer de Noms" and it was with good reason that Maynard didn't originally want it to be released--it sounds nothing like the rest of the album--for all of those who are easily offended by comments regarding religion (I'm not one) I'd say stay away. (Billy shouting out "**** your God" is a good example why)...for the rest of you, it is a highly enjoyable song, but not what APC is al about.
4.5/5

5. Orestes--slowing down considderably from "Judith" this is a much quieter, slower, and all around different song. If you enjoyed THirteenth Step (APC's second album) you'll enjoy this song, it sounds a lot like that album. Lyrically, I think this songs is about separating, and becoming more independant. The opening guitar riff/lick thing sends chills up and down my spine every time I hear it. It is an amazing song!
5/5

6. Three Libras--The best orgasm inducing somg on the album. it sounds like nothing I've heard before. amazing guitar work, excellent musicianship on all accounts, lyrically, one of Maynard's greatest works...and all around AWESOME song. Paz's violin on this song just adds to the extravagence.
6/5 -- 6 stars!!! The song is just that good!!!

7. Sleeping Beauty--Returning to the heavier edge of the music (although not reaching the peaks of The Hollow, or the more intense Judith) this is another Musically solid song. combining a perfect mix of the music, vocals, and rhythm. maynard (although never yelling) holds notes for long periods of time, without rest. another great song
5/5

8. Thomas--another slower song, not my favourite on the album, but well done indeed. I'm getting tired of typing, but trust me by my ratings.....they are high, but not easily earned. (I look at all aspects of the music, and these ratings are VERY well deserved indeed)
4/5

9. Renholder--read backwards as RE: D. Lohner (Danny Lohner) who briefly became APC's guitarist after Troy left. he recorded a number of songs on Thirteenth step, before quitting and being replaced by James Iha. There are no lyrics in this song.
3.5/5

10. Thinking of You--Maynards voice is amazing on this track (again) musically, it is NOT sloppy, but other songs sound tighter. an excellent track nonetheless, my third overall favourite on the album. (1-Rose, 2-Three Libras)
4/5

11. Brena--slowing down again, and another tight track, musically. Lyrically, I don't find this song the best, however that is just personal opinion. It's about Maynard's wife (girlfriend?).
3.5/5

12. Over--the final track. it's nothing special.Maynard is just repeating "been over, been over this before" and such stuff through the whole song.
1/5 (for the simple reason that it has a tune/words to it)

---MY OVERALL IMPRESSION---

This is an amazing record. If you are buying it basing it on Tool's music, you may be disappointed. This is NOT Tool. This band has a completely different sound. In fact, each song seems to have a different sound. This record may take some time to get into, although not as much as Thirteenth Step, but it is well worth the time spent listening to it. For me, I got into it the first time. It was, in fact, the first cd that I listened to, start to finish. It is an amazing album, and it's definatley worth $15 (or however much it costs)

OVERALL SCORE--
5/5 Musically
5/5 lyrically

you be the judge.

[PeEpHoLe_10]

great reveiw dude. i love that album.

[TheAxeslinger]

mmmmmm yummy yummy, this album is delicious. i could study these lyrics for the rest of my life. what an amazing breakthrough album

[Hababi]

I only liked a few songs off that one. I loved Oresta's and 3 Libra's, the rest I didn't like.

[sliver]

Cool review maybe a little bit too high IMO for some of the songs, but APC rocks anyway

I'm pretty sure some of you're song meanings are off, I read in an interview that all of the songs off Mer De Noms were written to like religious leaders of the world--most of them are big metaphors

[robnathanson]

Maynard wrote all the songs...he ALWAYS uses big metaphors and hidden meanings and the like...I just went with how the songs spoke to me personally.

(and I'm 100% sure that Judith is about blind faith--Maynard and the rest of the band have stated this several times)

[Mekkalayakay]

I only have Thirteenth Step, but I might check out Mer de Noms.

and great review by the way.

[Ecu]

I think Mer de noms is less perfect than 13th step, but it's already great music !

[Anti-Bush]

Great review! major .

[Prodigal_Suns_Rock]

GREAT ALBUM! 5/5

[Frodo]

Great review.

Very enjoyable album. 3 Libras is just amazing, such an original song. Overall though I think I prefer Thirteenth Step.

[robnathanson]

I'm not sure which I prefer. I like Mer de Noms for the harder edge, and when I feel like doing something productive.
I much prefer Thirteenth Step to sit back and relax to though.

Overall I think I like Mer de Noms more (even if just for 3 Libras/Rose though.)

MOst of the album is drowned in a sickeningly lush sound that have been mixed too much.

Judith is the only stand out song. It benefits from a proper riff and a directness that is acking from the other tracks.

I think you are giving the album a little too much credit, it isn't 5/5 material. Probably 4.5/5 or 4/5. 5/5 means it is perfect, which it simply isn't, 5/5 is like Lateralus.

[robnathanson]

actually, the only track that isn't perfect is over....and too a lesser extent renholder (although I love that too)

The CD is definatley Mindblowingly good, adn I challenge you to tell me why it isn't.

Originally posted by brero
MOst of the album is drowned in a sickeningly lush sound that have been mixed too much.

Judith is the only stand out song. It benefits from a proper riff and a directness that is acking from the other tracks.

You are thinking on a different level. Judith is definatley a stand-alone track...in the sense that it has a totally different sound than the rest of the album. every other song benefits from different areas--odd time signatures, violin work, orgasmic guitar work etc etc etc.

Judith is completely different from the album as a whole, and in my opinion is the only blemish on the CD....(even though it still rocks)


I stand by my 5/5 review

[chrisl84pia]

Originally posted by GraveCross
I think you are giving the album a little too much credit, it isn't 5/5 material. Probably 4.5/5 or 4/5. 5/5 means it is perfect, which it simply isn't, 5/5 is like Lateralus.

i love maynard, he is by far the most versatile and powerful singer. His singing style has so many faces, its beautiful. As for Lateralus, yea i agree. Schism from Lateralus is so good... it's like artwork.

Challenege me, well it's technically impossible to prove someone right or wrong in this argument, because these are pure opinions with no facts behind them. You can't really prove anything, but I will state my opinion on the matter.

For an album to get a 5/5, it needs to be near perfect. Which means that it needs to be one of the greatest albums of its genre/time/or whatever.

Comparing Mer De Noms to something like Aenima, or Lateralus for that matter, which are vastly better, shows that Mer De Noms is not near perfect. It is still a good album in all respects, but there are a lot of things out there that are better. Which means that it can't be at the top of the heap with a 5/5 rating.

It's a very good album, don't get me wrong, but it isn't 5/5. A 5/5 is a classic album, better then most everything out there. Mer De Noms is just not that good.

And none of the tracks are perfect. Saying that is simply ignorant. Nothing is ever perfect, even though they can be excellent. You do seem to give a couple tracks scores that they don't deserve though. Orestes and Sleeping Beauty are hardly at the same level of lets say Judith, 3 Libras, or Magdalena.

Plus, you gave something a 6/5. Not only is that unprofessional and immature, but it reminds me of pure stupidity a la Spinal Tap.

Remember the Amp that goes to 11? Well, it should be going to 10, and the same is true here.

3 Libra's should be a 5/5, and all your other 5/5s should be 4/5s. You have proven this by saying that 3 Libras is a 6/5, your scale is faulty, just like the Amp in Spinal Tap.

[robnathanson]

Originally posted by GraveCross
Challenege me, well it's technically impossible to prove someone right or wrong in this argument, because these are pure opinions with no facts behind them. You can't really prove anything, but I will state my opinion on the matter.

For an album to get a 5/5, it needs to be near perfect. Which means that it needs to be one of the greatest albums of its genre/time/or whatever.

Comparing Mer De Noms to something like Aenima, or Lateralus for that matter, which are vastly better, shows that Mer De Noms is not near perfect. It is still a good album in all respects, but there are a lot of things out there that are better. Which means that it can't be at the top of the heap with a 5/5 rating.

It's a very good album, don't get me wrong, but it isn't 5/5. A 5/5 is a classic album, better then most everything out there. Mer De Noms is just not that good.

And none of the tracks are perfect. Saying that is simply igno

rant. Nothing is ever perfect, even though they can be excellent. You do seem to give a couple tracks scores that they don't deserve though. Orestes and Sleeping Beauty are hardly at the same level of lets say Judith, 3 Libras, or Magdalena.

Plus, you gave something a 6/5. Not only is that unprofessional and immature, but it reminds me of pure stupidity a la Spinal Tap.

Remember the Amp that goes to 11? Well, it should be going to 10, and the same is true here.

3 Libra's should be a 5/5, and all your other 5/5s should be 4/5s. You have proven this by saying that 3 Libras is a 6/5, your scale is faulty, just like the Amp in Spinal Tap.

whats your damn problem with me?

get a life and quit your bitching. I am not the first person to do the 6/5 thing. 3 Libras is definatley the most amazing song in a long time, and merits top scores. who cares about professionalism? It's a friggin internet forum. we're here to have fun!

on to other things--Mer de Noms is in a different Genre than Tool, therefore, comparing this album to Ænema or Lateralus is useless. this album may not be you're cup of tea, but I know people who've changed their whole musical outlook because of this cd (among others)

quit being so condescending toward me and my reviews.

and I still stand by my 5/5 review.

I don't have any problem with you, I stated my opinion, and you challenged me. If anyone has a problem, it would be you.

Don't tell me to "quit my bitching" I will bitch as much as I want, thank you very much. Sure, you might not be the only one to do a 6/5 rating, but that doesn't make it alright. It is still stupid for the reasons I posted above.

You are right, this is an internet forum, but this is also a review forum, where people review CDs. There should be some standard of professionalism used when reviewing a CD. I fail to see how using an accurate scale is depriving you of fun on the forum.

Regardless, stop with the personal stuff. I never wanted it, I just want to discuss the album. You are the one who has to go and challenge people and whatnot. I don't want Sting to come in and have to intervene here again.

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Just because Mer de Noms is in a different genre then Aenema (which is debatable), doesn't mean you can't compare them. Furthermore, that is irrelevant for the points I made. Aenema is a CD that is just awsome, truely deserving of the 5/5 rating. Whereas Mer De Noms is not as good as Aenema, regardless of the genre, it just isn't as good (my opinion of course). I didn't have to use Aenema, I could use any awsome CD in any genre, and my point still stands.

And I obviously stated that I liked the CD, and it was my cup of tea. However, it isn't as good as you are making it out to be, which is my main point.

I'm not being condescencing to you or your reviews. I am critiquing what you are doing because it has several fatal flaws in it, and you are blowing a roid over the slightest disagreement someone has with your rating.

You need to calm down and learn that people will have other opinions on CDs then you do, and they will voice them when you post a review. You need to learn to live with and tolerate those opinions, and not try to challenge them because you think they are some kind of threat to your review.

And Sting-Ray, I'm sorry this had to be posted here, but it does. I'll refrain from getting into any longwinded arguments with rob in the future. However, I feel that it is important that posters be allowed to voice their opinions about CD reviews, even when they don't agree with the main poster, without being challenged and attacked, like I was.

[BirdsOfFires]

To both of you whiny spatulas:


EVERYONE HAS OPINIONS. NOW SHUT UP AND AGREE TO DISAGREE. YOU BOTH HAVE COMPLETELY VALIDATED OPINIONS.


TO sting ray:

Dude, please change the rating system to x/10 because it will stop these fruitless arguments. Then you could easily say that 10/10's are only for genre-gappers, i.e., albums that will get a person into a genre, or perfect albums within the genre.


To EVERYONE:

JUST REMEMBER, OPINIONS ARE LIKE BODY ODOR; EVERYONE HAS SOME, AND NOBODY LIKES ANYONE ELSE'S.