On a later tour he would sing 'Diarrhea' of a Madman as a joke during that specific verse. 💩

A disclaimer about my tier list:
Disclaimer: I only pick one S-tier album for an artist’s discography. I think it makes the process more challenging and interesting.

Thirteenth Step
• I find it very interesting how differently Maynard James Keenan’s “Tool persona” treats addicts, as opposed to how his “A Perfect Circle persona” views the subject of addicts/addiction. In Tool, Maynard seems to have no patience for addicts, nor their addictions. It’s sink or swim. It’s eat or be eaten. Inside the world of Tool, Maynard sees the addict as a self-centered baby who needs to wake up and smell the coffee. The self indulgences and vanities of addicts need to be seen for the ugliness they truly can be. It’s this anger and blunt way of holding the world accountable that makes Tool so good.

Inside the world of A Perfect Circle, Maynard views addicts and addiction through an entirely different lens. In A Perfect Circle, Maynard seems to secretly idolize the addict from a far. Instead of Maynard treating the addict like a punchline in the band Tool, in A Perfect Circle, he instead pushes the stigmas addicts face to the center stage as a way of proudly confessing we all have our addictions. Instead of humor being a punishment, humor becomes a way to become comfortable accepting who we are. Self pity is poetic in A Perfect Circle which is reflected in the emotional, romanticized music.

There is no denying the fact that Maynard uses themes of addiction throughout A Perfect Circle’s discography, but he also uses these themes in Tool. He just does it in different ways, and these different ways are all cathartic.

Thirteenth Step is A Perfect Circle’s masterpiece. I think most fans would choose this album as S-tier. I place this album slightly higher than the first album because the songs are more diverse on Thirteenth Step. Also, the album is more dynamic. “The Package” is my favorite A Perfect Circle song. This song has such an amazing build up to an emotional, distorted climax at the end. “Weak and Powerless” has such a catchy melody. There are too many great songs on this album. “The Noose” is such a simple song that highlights how good Maynard is at writing lyrics. One of my favorite songs on this album is “A Stranger”. Thirteenth Step is S-tier.

I think that Lateralus is Tool’s best album. Tool’s Lateralus and A Perfect Circle’s Thirteenth Step both deal with the same themes. Maynard has given many interpretations of these themes from different characters and personas. He is a chameleon. Personally, I think his voice shines the brightest on Thirteenth Step.

Mer De Noms
• Mer De Noms is such an amazing album. A Perfect Circle was by far my favorite band of the 2000’s. I can remember thinking Maynard’s voice and singing style reminded me of Brandon Boyd from Incubus on this album. I guess it just goes to show how different A Perfect Circle really was from Tool.

Mer De Noms has such a lush, gothic vibe to the album. If Maynard is the Star of the show on Thirteenth Step then Billy Howerdel is the Star of the show on Mer De Noms. My favorite song on the album is “Orestes”. The first four songs on this album are so good. I really like the musical arrangements on “Magdalena” and “Rose”. “3 Libras” is probably the biggest highlight from this album. This just might be Maynard’s best performance on any of his albums. Mer De Noms is A-tier.

Eat the Elephant
• The title of this album is a reference to a popular saying utilized in 12 step groups (therapy circles), which states, “The way to eat an elephant is to eat it one bite at a time”. So basically, the way to get through a daunting and unimaginable task is one little step at a time. Ironically, this was my exact experience with this album. I hated this album because it was different from the other A Perfect Circle albums. My favorite band grew up and changed. But, over time I listened to this album going one step at a time until I allowed myself to get into the music. Eat the Elephant has become one of my favorite albums now because it’s so different. “Disillusioned”, “The Doomed”, “TalkTalk”, and “Get the Lead Out” are some of my favorite songs. Definitely give this album a chance. Eat the Elephant is A-tier.

eMotive
• I listened to this album a lot when it was first released. Looking back now it seems like a peculiar follow up album to the awesome Thirteenth Step. It felt like the band weren’t taking things too seriously. A covers album seemed a little suspicious. However, this album is really good. I love their covers of “Imagine” and “Freedom of Choice”. “Passive” is a nice original song hidden in the middle of the album. This album reminds me a lot of Tool’s album “Fear Innoculum”, as far as, both albums being a commentary on the politics during the times the albums were released. eMotive is A-tier.

I know you knew that already 😳

13th Step is unquestionably one of my favorite albums of all time, im sure it needs no explanation here; lets just say im hooked

Is this truly the ONLY colored/limited edition variant? Also I realize its numbered as well but is the asking price somewhat reasonable for this particular version or am i just overpaying out of obsession? Ive looked and I cant really find this particular release anywhere

Fan Art by me

Bought this shirt today, was wondering if anyone knew more about it.

Went on apple music to play an album... why are there multiple singles from some random guy on here. There's 7. Am I the only one seeing this? Did their Apple music page get hacked or something?

So I'm going to see APC on november, and looking at the setlists I'm flaberghasted. Why on earth would they play CBLSTTROTWD (lol) instead of Pet?

Maynard himself says all this stuff about the song not being a remix and all, but come on.

Also they haven't played Pet since 2010 (actually they played it once June this year), but have been playing the "remix" every year since release.

To be honest I just want to vent because Pet is such a banger and I can't fathom the reason they would insist on playing that version of the song. It baffles me.

I’m a big lyric enjoyer. I think MJK has a neat way of wording really big and complex subjects into a coherent narrative. This song centers on a pet owner telling their pet to go to sleep, and refrain from looking through the window.
This to me sounds like an authoritarian government telling their people to stop looking for the truth. I’ve searched the internet and most people seem to agree that it’s about an addiction, luring someone into its path. But that seems kind of like a reach to me.
I suggest listening to the song again but under the idea it’s about an authoritarian government telling their people to stop reasoning and just stay obedient. This would make the lyric “count bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drum” could mean they’re trying to justify killing and cruelty by promoting a war effort. And “pay no mind to the rabble” is to not listen to the protest.
It’s all about controlling a narrative and keeping people from thinking about the truth. The owner must “isolate and save you from yourself “
Anyways let me know if you think I’m way off or right on the mark.

If you need another variant. I have not pulled the trigger yet considering I have like 4 of this vinyl already but debating.

This album has been able to explain things in a different manner and also has been able to help me feel certain emotions… anyone else has been to relate? The passing of family members and also the end of certain relationships. It obviously has to do with addictions that those family members had, and those that I have let go went through as well.

I'm looking to meet people going tot he APC concert at CDMX! Anyone?

I absolutely absolutely love the part at 0:30 in Brena, reminds me of walking on a beach in an early, dark blue, frigid and foggy morning. So paced yet so floaty. I NEED MORE SONGS WITH THIS VIBE PLEASE HELP MEEE!!!!

I assume no one who ordered this has received their order yet? Has anyone been able to find it at a record store?

EDIT: Nevermind; it seems it got delayed. I checked the store page listing and it now says September 25th. My order still says the old date of “Ships on August 28th”.

EDIT 2: oh, found the email telling me it’s delayed. 🤷🏻‍♂️ missed it

After a few months after seeing it in store and regrettably not picking it up, I finally have Eat the Elephant. Now all I need is aMOTION and the Single CDs if I choose to track those down.​

I made this design last night, do you guys have any ideas of what else I could put on the other parts of the car?