A Perfect Circle
Emotive
Virgin Records, November 2004
Offensive Words: 5
Genre: Alternative Rock
Check out The
Awakening.
With “eMOTIVe,” A Perfect Circle restore rock ‘n’ roll to its
revolutionary roots by throwing a 12-megaton musical bomb in the face of
the ruling class. Described by APC’s Maynard James Keenan as “a
collection of songs about war, peace, love and greed,” the 
astonishing
set blends all-new original material with a provocative selection of
cover versions. The tracks chosen bridge three decades of protest songs,
spanning an array of genres – hardcore punk and heavy metal, new wave
and Delta blues, folk rock and rhythm & blues. Among the insurgent
classics reinterpreted on “eMOTIVe” are John Lennon’s
“Imagine,” Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” Memphis
Minnie’s blues stomper, “When The Levee Breaks” (made famous by
Led Zeppelin), Depeche Mode’s “People Are People,” Devo’s
“Freedom Of Choice,” Black Flag’s “Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie,”
Fear’s “Let’s Have A War,” Joni Mitchell’s “Fiddle And The
Drum,” and the Nick Lowe (by way of Elvis Costello) anti-anthem,
“(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding.” The
album kicks off with an explosive take on “Annihilation,” originally
recorded by Berkeley aggro-punk legends, Crucifix. The eMOTIVe release
is a limited edition special package that includes a lenticular cover. (www.aperfectcircle.com)
Musically
Musically, these guys continue own with a unique alternative rock
style that literally no one can imitate. Mixing almost creepy
styles with a modern rock tempo gives them another cutting edge musical
album. BUT, this cd is a cover album and in my opinion they have ruined
many a classic rock anthem songs. I like when the classics are left
alone. So in my opinion, APC has done a disservice not only to
their fans, but also to the fans of many great bands. For example,
"Gimmie GImmie Gimmie" originally by Black Flag now sounds
like a Marilyn Manson induced stupor. The best rack is their
remake of "Imagine." So sorry fans of APC, I wouldn't
like it if one of my favorite bands did this either.
Lyrically/Vocally
As in past APC cd's, Maynard's soothing and then at time eerie
vocals gives them a perfect fit for the fans. But, again just as I
said with the musical style. These are classic songs done by amazing
bands, I don't really care for the vocal styles used on this as a
"reenactment" of vocal perfection by the original.
Lyrically, the cd is full of hope filled anti-war anthems, that well,
just aren't possible. I would love to live in a world of peace and love
but it isn't going to happen until Christ returns. Also, on songs
like "Imagine", my views don't gel with the
agnostic/humanistic views portrayed in the lyrics. I applaud their
efforts in having the hope that they do but the fact remains we must
protect ourselves as a nation in an unstable world.
APC is just not my cup of tea,
as some would say. With 5 offensive words and classic songs ripped
apart by an alternative style are not for me. I pass on this cd
with a 'pg-13' rating.
"Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of The War
Drums"
Don't fret precious I'm here, step away from the window
Go back to sleep
Safe from pain and truth and choice and other poison devils,
See, they don't give a f*** about you, like I do.
Count the bodies like sheep
Count the bodies like sheep
Counting bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drums
"Let's Have A War"
There's so many opposites,
So many opposites,
So many, there's so many, there's so many
Let's have a war,
So you can go and die,
Let's have a war,
We could all use the money,
Let's have a war,
We need the space,
Let's have a war,
Clean out this place
It already started in the city,
Suburbia will be just as easy
Let's have a war,
Jack up the Dow Jones,
Let's have a war,
It can start in New Jersey,
Let's have a war,
Blame it on the middle-class,
Let's have a war,
We're like rats in a cage