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A
Perfect Circle � eMotive & aMotion
By Zane Ewton
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A Perfect
Circle � eMotive & aMotion
The track record of A Perfect Circle has
been just about perfect. They have released two fantastic albums
despite being the side project of lead singer Maynard James Keenan.
Between this band and Tool, Keenan has been continually exciting and groundbreaking.
That may be why eMOTIVe is such a disappointment.
It is very difficult to put down an album
that is honestly from the heart and made to promote love and compassion.
Released in time for the November election, this was a protest album.
The first misstep may have been in the
choices for songs. A covers album is a difficult thing to pull off,
but A Perfect Circle took on some of the most well-known and beloved songs
in popular music.
John Lennon�s �Imagine� is a song with
a life of its own. Many have tried to cover it, but nobody, with
maybe the exception of Neil Young, have been able to replicate the original.
On eMOTIVe, the song becomes a slow dirge which loses the grace
of the original. A version of Elvis Costello�s �Peace Love and Understanding�
meets the same fate as �Imagine�.
Marvin Gaye�s �What�s Going On� is another
song that is too well known and loved to be redone effectively. Nobody
has been able to meet the incredible passion of Gaye�s original.
The remainder of the album tackles some
lesser known material to a stronger effect. �When the Levee Breaks�,
a Led Zeppelin song bears zero resemblance to the original is pretty, if
not long-winded. Keenan�s a-cappella version of �Fiddle and the Drum�
demonstrates how interesting his voice is. Without the bombast of
a band behind him, he is still very captivating.
An argument may be made that the album
is simply difficult to get into. The problem here is that we are
already into these songs. New versions would have to offer
something strikingly different from the original. Unfortunately,
the slower dirge-like compositions don�t provide the melody and feeling
that made songs like �Imagine� so great to begin with.
The band will rebound with a stronger
album of original music and the promise of new Tool is always a welcomed
message. It is definitely appreciated that the band found an important
time to make a statement and put themselves out on the line. That
in itself is never disappointing.
Along with eMOTIVe, A Perfect Circle
has taken the opportunity to release a DVD/CD combination titled aMOTION.
The DVD portion includes all of the band�s music videos; both edited and
uncut, commentaries by Keenan and Billy Howerdel and behind-the-scenes
footage. The CD includes remixes of previous songs.
The DVD is excellent and will please fans
of the band. A Perfect Circle has been able to develop an outstanding
visual aesthetic along with their music. Not as ground breaking as
any Tool videos but a different band requires a different vibe. The
remix CD can be taken either way. Fans of remixes will enjoy different
versions of �The Outsider� and �Weak and Powerless�.
We need more bands like A Perfect Circle
who are willing to take chances and stay concerned about all aspects of
being a rock and roll band in the 2000�s. The potential of what is
to come is so great that this band could be the most exciting thing in
music.
CD Info and Links
Listen
to samples and Purchase the CD eMOTIVe online
Purchase
the CD/DVD aMOTION online
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