i thought the noose was the best song on the cd. very atmospheric and i like that.

[QUOTE=ieatalotoftacos]Is Maynard doing the soft humming at the end of Lullaby? It sort of sounds like him. Anyway, this cd is a straight listen through, almost perfect without the fillers. Very underrated, probably my favorite cd of the year.[/QUOTE]
I think it might be his son. I heard he sings something on it

[QUOTE=GraveCross]I agree that the review is fairly accurate. My only gripe would be that I disagree with the poster about Blue. I personally think Blue is a beautiful song, and probably the 4th best on the album (after Pet, Stranger, Gravity).[/QUOTE]

I would agree with all this person said. Blue is awesome.

[QUOTE=HydrusGemini][img]http://www.aperfectcircle.com/images/album_13th.gif[/img]

For a little misc. information, APC is currently composed of Billy Howerdel (composer and guitar) Maynard James Keenan (words and vocals) Josh Freese (drums) Jeordie White (bass guitar) and James Iha (guitar). "Thirteenth Step" is their follow up album to "Mer De Noms (French for "Sea of Names"). For more biographical information checkout--
http://www.aperfectcircle.com
http://www.aperfectcircle.org
http://www.toolband.com

Ok, now here is my breakdown of A Perfect Circle's newest album, "Thirteenth Step" song by song:


"The Package": The lyrics, like most of Maynards, are fairly vague. On the surface, it seems to be about a character (Maynard?) who is struggling (or embracing/justifing) an addiction by "Feeding the monster". The addiction in this case is likely sex or simply taking advantage of others. The song starts off slow with a clean guitar and simple but deep bassline. At the chorus, the song get substancially heavier. Great Song 9/10

"Weak and Poweless": Unless you've been living under a rock for the last month, you've heard this single off the album. Nice bassline, catchy chorus, but also fairly repetetive. One of the least impressive songs on the album. 5/10

"The Noose": Beautiful, relaxing "meditative" intro. This song is nearly entirely driven by Maynard's voice and Josh Freeses drumming. The lyrics (again interpretable) are about someones "rightousness" being lost. People expect so much from this "character" that he/she is unable to follow up their current
deeds, and they are being (figuratively) crucified for it. Pretty song, but not up to "3 Libras" standard. 8/10

"Blue": Probably the worst real song on the album. Other than the chorus, the song is pretty boring. As for lyrics, I've yet to decide whether it's a love song, or about deceiving yourself about a loved one. It could also be about asphyxiating someone you loved/trusted. A very "meh" song. 4/10

"Vanishing": Very vague lyrics. It could be about anything from missed opportunities to death. It's kind of a "Chill-out, relax" type song. Musically, it's very diverse. There are an abundance of sounds, with no leading instrument. Average song. 7/10

"A Stranger": Nice, beautiful, mellow song. Simple guitar picking leads the way with Maynard backing them up. I'm not convinced, but the lyrics could be about someone who is deceived by addictive drugs and "formulate[ing] Denials of your [their] affect on me [him/her]". It could also be about someone is severely antisocial and their thoughts are eating them away emotionally. Another good song. 9/10

"The Outsider": The song that most fits the definition of "rock". Not to say it's generic, but it uses the average rock formula. Lyrically it's about someone who is either falsly suicidal for attention, or just a general anti-sucide song; "Why do wanna throw it away like this, Such a mess, I don't wanna watch you, Disconnect and self-destruct, one bullet at a time. What's your rush now everyone will have his day to die." Another above average song. 8/10

"Crimes": Pretty much filler material, barely even a song. The only lyrics are Maynard counting under his breath. He counts up to eight, then says nine 4 times and then ten 4 times. There's probably a meaning to it, but I leave it up to you to find it (if there is one). 2/10

"The Nurse Who Loved Me": A cover song from the band "Failure". Definitely the most unique (weird) song on the album. No guitar, no drums, just Maynard, a choir, and various orchastral instruments. I'm guessing most wont like it (though it has grown on me), but bonus points for having the balls to put this on the album. 7/10

"Pet": The "Judith" of Thirteenth Step. Heavy and Rhythmic. The lyrics come across corny at first ("Lay your head down child, I won't let the boogeyman come"), but a child fearing imaginary creatures is a good analogy for the likely subject, deception by organized religion. 10/10

"Lullaby": Another filler track. The song is basically Maynard whispering "Go back to sleep." and woman singing "oooh oh oh ooooh oh" over and over. 1/10

"Gravity": Personally, my favorite song on the album. Lyrics touch on the subject of drugs (or possibly deep meditation) giving a depressed/outcasted person a reason to live through a altered consciousness and spiritual awareness. Maynard really shows how beautiful his voice can be in this one, and the instruments emphasize the emotion tenfold. 10/10

I give the album as a whole, 9/10. It's definitely another Maynard masterpiece, though it did take a while for the album to sink in. Whether it's better than Mer De Noms is debatable, but it is worth hearing none-the-less. The above are just my lyrical and musical interpretations of each song. Likely they are absolutely wrong, but I tried.[/QUOTE]


Yeah, I know, it's an old thread, but I'm new here.

I'll give my 2 cents about the meaning of some of the songs.

I think The Package is about sex, pure and simple.

The Noose seems to be an anti-Christian song. "With Heaven's help, you cast your demons out" and "You stand reborn before us all". He says "How you plan to go about making your amends to the dead", which I think refers to the people who have been murdered in the name of Christianity.

I think Pet does refer to Bush, but I could be wrong. I can definately hear Twiggy's influence in this song. Powerful tune, it is...

Blue is very reminiscent of a Duran Duran song. Scoff if you like, but it has lots of synth, and the backgroung vocals are very simular to lots of Duran Duran songs. The song is like the afore meantioned band crossed with The Cure. Speaking of which, I saw lots of goth people at the APC concert.

Vanishing seems to have a Pink Floyd influence.

Gravity is probably my favorite song on the album. It's the equivelent of "A Warm Place" on The Downward Spiral.

^ Best first post I've seen since I've been here

[QUOTE=br3ad_man]^ Best first post I've seen since I've been here[/QUOTE]

Thanks! I did forget to meantion how the synth in the beginning of A Stanger reminds me of the sounds or "glossolalia" I heard years ago during mushroom experiences. I wonder if that's what inspired them?

This CD is great. Blue is about a drug overdose. Most of the CD is about drugs, 13th step is supposed to represent a relapse. I'm not a fan of Lullabye or Crimes though, and I'm pretty sure its Maynard son humming "Lullabye..". Buy this CD if you havent already.

Album Rating: 2.0

With exception of "A Stranger" I find this album 'weak and powerless'.

[QUOTE=OrbDragon]With exception of "A Stranger" I find this album 'weak and powerless'.[/QUOTE]

Haha, nice use of titles there.

I love this album. Everything about it is great, but for some reason "Crimes" and "Lullabye" strike me as time-fillers. While the album is still a favorite of mine, it receives an 8/10.

Great review though.

[QUOTE=3074326]
I love this album. Everything about it is great, but for some reason "Crimes" and "Lullabye" strike me as time-fillers.[/QUOTE]

Probably because they are.

OrbDragon - did you like Mer De Noms?

[QUOTE=Bartender]Probably because they are.[/QUOTE]

Yes, and I hate time-fillers.

I'm going to see APC on the 12th...can't wait...yeah, this doesn't really have much to do with the CD, but I loved 13th Step quite a bit after listening to it a few times...so I think it promises to be a good show

I can't believe how both of you rated the Nurse who Loved Me! That song is twenty times better than anything else on this cd (not that the rest of the songs are bad, just that the Nurse Who Loved Me rules so much).

^^^ It is awesome. It still doesn't beat The Noose though.

[QUOTE=3074326]Yes, and I hate time-fillers.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, but I don't think the album should be marked down for them. I'm not sure if "time-fillers" is really an appropriate name for them, as the album would have been a good enough length without them, and I think it's a very good album, as I gather you do, ignoring Crimes and Lullaby.

JoZ - enjoy it, I thought they were really good live. Opened with Vanishing, and hearing it live made me like it a lot more than I used to. Same with The Package.

I'm going to see APC on the 12th...can't wait...

What bands would you suggest to APC fans? I'd say Tool and Radiohead.

Blue and the Noose are probably my two favorites off this album. Blue has that loving sound but the lyrics suggest otherwise, a nice ironic song. The Noose has a very melancholy feel to it without being emofied.

What bands would you suggest to APC fans? I'd say Tool and Radiohead.

GREAT review man! :thumb:
I've got this album but it doesn't do too much for me. The Noose is probably my favourite song.

Thirteenth Step is a very good CD. i personally like it more than Mer De Noms. Maynard has one of the greatest voices out there and it really shows on this album. All of the songs are great, especially The Package, the intro is purely mind blowing. it starts off slow and quiet, and the bass roaring through the speakers and progressively gets harder and harder until it "explodes" for lack of a better term. great CD. go buy it. 9/10