ARTIST: A Perfect Circle
ALBUM: The Thirteenth Step
RELEASED: 2003

RATING: 10/10
STANDOUT TRACKS: "The Noose ", "The Nurse Who Loved Me", "Vanishing"

REVIEW: For the uninitiated, A Perfect Circle is the side-project of Maynard James Keenan, the frontman of the band Tool. Their debut album, Mer de Noms, was diverse and different sounding, but many still chided them for sounding too similar to Tool, especially on the track "Judith".

With this album it seems many of the detractors have been quieted as this album has distance itself significantly from Maynard''s other band. From the opening track "The Package", it just seems to scream "See? We''re not Tool, dammit.". Not that it''s a bad thing at all. Of course, this record does have it''s heavy moments, they''re heavy in a different sort of way. These songs are powerful. It''s a rare thing that a song can give me chills and I personally have to say that a few tracks did just that. Maynards voice is just haunting sometimes, especially coupled with the hypnotising basslines and sometimes-soothing-sometimes-heavy-guitars.

If you''re expecting something that sounds like Tool, you will be disappointed, but if you expect insightful, creative lyrics and expert musicianship, then you''ll love this. This is A Perfect Circle at their finest and it''s nothing short of beautiful.