A Perfect Circle’s Thirteenth Step is a masterpiece. Poet/frontman Maynard James Keenan has turned another album into gold. Take your time and listen to this whole album-it’s a devilish journey that will knock you down with its power.
“The Package” begins the album with a drum solo. It intrigues the listener at the beginning and climbs into the style that A Perfect Circle is known for.
The first radio single is next. “Weak and Powerless” expresses just that-desperation. Although it may not have much variation on lyrics, it is a very intense song about the power others have over us.
A Perfect Circle lets composer and guitar player Billy Howerdel bring out the acoustic for the first time on “Stranger.” It is a beautiful change from this electrically intense album.
If you’re a fan of Tool, Maynard’s other project, you’ll definitely enjoy the familiar scream that you hear in the album’s highlight, “The Stranger.” This suicide song builds throughout, ending with wicked lyrics that tell of what happens “if you choose to pull the trigger.”
“The Nurse Who Loved Me” is a ballad that will keep you up at night. It speaks of the topography of the carpet in a hospital, and has many references to pills and other pharmaceuticals. It will leave you pondering the lyrics while being haunted by the stretching sound of the violin solo behind the madness the other instruments create. After this disturbing yet peaceful track, rock ‘n’ roll sets in.
“Pet” is an incredible song, staying rapid throughout. The band backs off for a very short period, to add a new dimension, and reminds you that they are incredible. The lyrics speak of dreams and sleeping.
“Go back to sleep, go back to sleep,” is whispered by Maynard to start off the next track, “Lullaby.” It is a short creepy track leading into the last.
“Gravity” uses the ex-bass player, Paz Lenchantin to add vocals and finish up this incredible album. WOW.