Thirteenth Step - A Perfect Circle

Advantages: Excellent follow up to 'Mer De Noms'
Disadvantages: One or two tracks fall into the 'filler' category

...ground breaking 'Aenima' album. Thirteenth Step begins quite slowly in the shape of 'The Package', it gently simmers away with strangely timed drum beats throughout before a mini-eruption of sounds come the four minute mark and eventually fading out in a similar way to which it started. 'Weak & Powerless' is reminiscent of the bands previous release, the trademark sound of the band flowing through in a progressive rock style with gentle atmospheric ...
...lyrics with great aplomb. The opening two tracks are quite challenging to get into at first, and it is only when 'The Noose' starts that you realise the band have moved forward. In a similar vain to 'Stay' by Dave Gahan (of Depeche Mode fame), or something from the soundtrack to the movie 'Heat', track three starts melodic with gentle soundscapes and quiet choir-like moments coming in and out of the fray, the lyrics are stunning ("And not to pull ... Read review

Advantages: Lyrical/musical complexity, quality of production
Disadvantages: Not what fans of the band would have expected, copy protected (i.e. it's a lot of hassle to get it onto your iPod)

Thirteenth Step is a twelve-track album with no secret track. A Perfect Circle may well be familiar to you if you are a fan of Tool, although it is not, as many people think, the side-project of Tool-singer Maynard James Keenan. Maynard is, however, the lead singer in both bands. A Perfect Circle was founded by guitarist Billy Howerdel who also has worked with Tool. In their debut album, the similarities to Tool were obvious. Not so much with this ...
...very well be disappointed in Thirteenth Step. There are not a lot of distorted guitars, there is very little screaming and growling, and the drumming is not quite as impressive as what you'd expect from Tool. Although it in its exploration of the darker sides of the human psyche has its aggressive moments, you can forget head banging to this. It is a complicated album. I'm going to say straight away that it's not for everyone. Neither those who ... Read review

Advantages: 12 tracks of magic guitar work, fantsatic riffs and amazing vocals!
Disadvantages: Only 12 tracks lol!

The Album opens with 'The Package', which begins the journey into the album, a mellow beginning to the song, yet as we progress further as we've come to expect from APC song's, it kicks into over-drive, and we have a heavy song beginning. 'Weak and Powerless' (track 2) is one you should recognise along with 'The Oustider' (track 7) as they have both been released, and may I say a cracking video for both. 'The Noose' (track 3) is quite a sad track ...
...extends into amazing 'rocking-outness'. Vocals on this track are amazing once again. Blue (track 4) is one they could/should have released. At 4:12sec. it's the prefect length to put out there on MTV2 or Scuzz shall we say? Tracks like 'Vanishing' (track 5), 'Crimes' (track 8) and 'Lullaby' (track 11) deliver us some cracking musical work; very melodic and quite heavy at points (ref. to Vanishing). Keenan's vocal work on all are outstanding. 'The ... Read review

Advantages: Good Music
Disadvantages: Lot's of Covers

When I first discovered APC, i didn't think much of them...just another band to add to the collection... Then i got hold of this album...and I loved everyminute of it... The Best Songs. ----------------------- Imagine - When I first heard this song, i just thought it would be another bad cover of a great tune...but i was wrong...The style in which APC performed this song was very original...both the singing and the music suggested completley ...
...that, "This is how we want the world to be, and this is how I want the world to be. Just think about this...but grow up...the truth is that as long as we exist...it will never be like this," and i agree...the dull music suggests the same...a sence of depression but at the same time a distant echo of hope...This sing is art in its own right... The Nurse who loved me - Again a cover...but again a great cover...APC's affection echo's through in this ... Read review

Advantages: Nice songs
Disadvantages: none

The bands latest album couldn't be any more perfect. If you are feeling down about something, or are just trying to relax, this song will really help. I can say that A Perfect Circle is one of the best bands out there. WEAK AND POWERLESS - is the first single from the Album and a really good song. It’s has a really nice slow guitar intro which slowly fades in and gets going from there. THE OUTSIDER –is second single and many people, including me ...
...didn't like it at first, but after I heard it a few times, and I can identify myself to this song. VANISHING - this song starts out kind of weird, but then gets into some good guitar riffs from Billy. BLUE – This is their 3rd single. This song has a really catchy chorus and a very loud bass that you can't help but sing. The lyrics are very meaningful and full of raw emotion. THE NURSE WHO LOVED ME- is a cover song originally done by a band called ... Read review