Disco de A Perfect Circle: “Emotive [PA]”

Nowadays, if you're a celebrity, there are really two ways you can protest a war or government. You can either do what one Fred Durst did, and make a holy fool of yourself by grabbing the mic at an awards show and saying to the crowd "I hope we're all in agreeance that this war should go away"; or plan b) you can make a protest album. Maynard James Keenan and his side project, A Perfect Circle, have a little intelligence on their side, so they chose the latter option. "Emotive," APC's third release, is a protest/covers album; it covers everything from John Lennon ("Imagine") to Depeche Mode ("People Are People") to Black Flag ("Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie"). Plus, there are two original songs (tracks which aren't covers). Track five, "Passive," is actually a remake of a song written by Keenan and Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor, and "Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums" (catchy title, huh?) is, contrary to popular belief, not a remix of the song "Pet" (which appeared on A Perfect Circle's last album, "13th Step"). Rather, this song is a continuation/second part of "Pet."

Some fans think that "Emotive" isn't an anti-war album, because of comments made by Maynard before the album's release. But, with lyrics like "war is not the answer" (in "What's Going On," a song originally done by Marvin Gaye), it's hard to believe there isn't an underlying political or anti-war message, here.

Almost every song on here is moving and touching. "Emotive," as a whole, is very depressing, but it's also very pretty. Plus, some of the songs (like "Imagine" and "Passive") are even kind of catchy.

The album begins with "Annihilation," which has very creepy, almost bonechilling whispers about power. The next song, "Imagine," is the single. It has some funeral-like piano playing, occasional string plucking, and a rhythmic drum beat; but it's mainly catchy because of Maynard's vocal style. Tracks three and eleven, ("What's So Funny `Bout) Peace Love and Understanding" and "When The Levee Breaks," find Maynard singing in a clear, limpid, feminine, almost falsetto tone. Plus, the former track is very atmospheric, with reverberating piano keys, a violin, and a resonating drum beat.

Elsewhere, "What's Going On" has very spacey singing with humming, almost static-y synthesizers; "Passive" is rather up-tempo and fast; and the album closer, "Fiddle and the Drum," is almost breathtaking (with nasal, a capella singing).

"Emotive" doesn't raise the bar for Maynard or A Perfect Circle, so it's understandable that some fans would be quite disappointed by this album. Plus, if you think a protest album should uplift the listener's spirits and give you a feeling of empowerment, you'll definitely not have any luck with this C.D.. But if you're an anti-war Maynard aficionado who's looking for some peace love and understanding, or if you just want a C.D. that's very calming and soothing, look no further.

I bought this CD today just on the strength of APC's first two albums. And while I can't say it was a total waste, the album has its share of problems. Let me explain.

Two things will mark this album as different in the APC canon: it is political and it consists of mostly covers. Neither of these characteristics is inherently problematic in a CD, but they do both set limitations that can narrow its appeal. APC has already done some excellent covers ("The Nurse Who Loved Me" and "Love Song"), so it's not necessarily a bad idea to try a few more. The band's opinions (heavily suggested by the selection of songs even if you missed the peace symbol on the front) are actually irrelevant; what matters here is the quality of the music in the first place. And even if the ideas within are probably in sync with most APC listeners, the songs are overall a disappointment.

Consider first the original material. "Passive" is of course the result of Maynard's project with Trent Reznor, so naturally the expectations should be high. But both artists have done much better than this. It's not unbearable, just rather bland. There is also "Counting Bodies Like Sheep..." which is essentially a reworking of "Pet" from Thirteenth Step. Not bad, but it sounded better the first time around. (Strangely, it bears a much greater resemblance to NIN than "Passive." Call it subconscious plagiarism.)

Four of the covers succeed in reinventing their respective originals. "When the Levee Breaks" is particularly beautiful, a mellow but thought-provoking rainy day of a song. Its closing piano riff brings to mind Massive Attack's "Heat Miser," which even if derivative is not necessarily a bad thing. "Annihilation" and "Peace Love and Understanding" both fare well as creepy anthems with a message. And finally, "Fiddle and the Drum" provides an opportunity for an eerie a capella rendition, and Maynard delivers. If there are any doubts regarding his abilities as a singer, they are put to rest here.

But the remaining covers are really quite miserable. For example, John Lennon's "Imagine" is a song of profound optimism, but here it has been robbed of its sunshine, as if Maynard knows communism is a dead end but doesn't really want to admit it to himself. Similarly unrecognizable and wretched is the rehash of Depeche Mode's "People Are People." The catchy tune from the original is gone, replaced by an ugly collection of sounds that may or may not pass for a song. And just skip "Let's Have a War," unless you're feeling masochistic.

Emotive is not one of those CDs that "grows on you." It lacks cohesion and ends up feeling like a very mixed bag of B-sides. Initiates to A Perfect Circle should start with either Mer de Noms or Thirteenth Step; leave this one to the die-hard fans (you know who you are). Let's look forward to the next album of genuine APC material, or, barring that, another complex and addictive Tool release.

Maynard used to be my absolute idol. Now he's just pissing me off. This album was so obviously thrown together as a last minute attempt to shove their political adgenda down everyone's throats in time for elections. I'm sorry if that's harsh, but the cd is just awful. But what can you expect? They put out 13th step, go on tour (which i went to see, frigging rocked) and somewhere in there had time to crap this out. Sorry to everyone who liked it, you are entitled to your opinions, but you all know mine. and what the hell is up with "counting bodies like sheep to the rhythm of a war drum"? can you say recycled crap? Pet was a great song, but there's no need to turn a Da Vinci into a finger painting. I'm sorry.

I usually read reviews from various sites before buying said cd because I don't want to get ripped off. Most reviews for Emotive were disappointing - had APC lost it's electrical charge and intensity? So I went out and bought it.

Yes, the songs are all themed. So what? Maynard's vocals are absolutely mesmerising and beautiful and intense. The instrumentals are amazing. The feeling put into this album is just as charged and electrifying as their previous albums. Make no mistake, APC has not lost its touch. Their cover on John Lennon's "Imagine" is phenomenal and strikes a cord in anyone who listens closely.

This is an album to listen to with headphones on by yourself if you want to get the full effect. I absolutely love it and find it to be a must have for any true APC fan. Peace out.

The first time I listened to this album I was disappointed because I was expecting heavy covers of songs about peace love and war. But by the third listen I was in love with it, all of the songs are beautiful, eerie, and moving. From the start of "Annihilation" to the last seconds of "Fiddle And The Drum". "Imagine" is amazing, Maynard's voice is mellow and depressing, he said he tried to sound like Lennon would sound if he sang it today, even more sad. "Peace Love And Understanding, and What's Going On" are covers of some pretty "un metal" songs and are incredibly well done by the circle. "Passive" and "Counting Bodies..." are the only new songs on the album and are two of their best, Passive is brutal and unmerciful, and Counting Bodies is VERY easy to get stuck in your head. These are some of my favorite songs on this masterpiece, other greats are "Let's Have A War", and "Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie". Don't listen to the closed minded "metalheads" and buy, burn, or steal this album NOW!!!