A PERFECT CIRCLE - MER DE NOMS

Like Tool, A Perfect Circle is somewhat of a...unique...band. It features the vocals of Maynard James Keenan, and the lyrics of Maynard James Keenan, and even the somewhat creepy nature of Maynard James Keenan.

I don't know much about the guy, but I do know he knows who to write and sing a song. As I understand it, Keenan came into A Perfect Circle after all of the music had been written - he was then in charge of lyrics - and joined the band as a side project to Tool. Remember Tool? You should...

At any rate, Mer De Noms has enough innovations and unique traits to tickle your earhole for awhile, maybe even enough to warrant the purchase of the CD. I thought so, and I don't regret buying it. I thoroughly enjoy this album, and it's spent more than a little time in my CD player. Most of the tracks have a depressing and dark kind of sound, and the lyrics are kind of abstract (in Judith, for instance, as far as I can tell it's talking about the mixed bag that is religion...?), but very intriguing.

When it all comes down to it, I'd rather listen to Tool - but until their next album is released, A Perfect Circle may just tide you over...

ARTIST: A Perfect Circle

ALBUM TITLE: Mer De Noms

NUMBER OF TRACKS: 12

LENGTH OF ALBUM: 44 minutes, 27 seconds

FAVOURITE TRACKS: Magdalena, Judith, Thinking of You

QUALITY: 3.5/5