Really awesome songs...

Best to keep things in the shallow end
Cause I never quite learned how to swim

Waiting for more....

Everything Maynard James Keenan puts out sounds the same. Sorry, can't get on the bandwagon with those who put their faith in APC.

I think this album spoiled me.

When Mer De Noms (2000) was released, I went to it with open arms because of its TOOL connection, but came out with folded arms, and an unsatisfied feeling. "3 Libras", "Judith", "Thinking of You", the production, the music and the playing had a fan in me, but to my ears it was all a little 'too' Tool. It felt like a thing to fill the gap between Tool albums. Not for Keenan. For me, as a listener. "3 Libras" I thought to be one of the best songs of that year, and hearing 'this side' of Keenan was refreshing and interesting. His vocal talents were never more appreciated until hearing A Perfect Circle's 1st album.

I bought "Thirteenth Step" on Vinyl LP, because I prefer vinyl. :).

"Thirteenth Step", to me, was miles beyond the first album. I was literally stunned, because here, A Perfect Circle had found their own sound, their own vision it seemed. A totally different album to their debut, with more textures and atmospheres, experimentation and depth. I sat back, only getting up to change the LP sides. When I got to "Pet" I had to listen to it 3 or 4 times in a row. Eyes lit up. Ears tingled. I have to say I have listened to this song at least 5 times a week since 2005, but not on Vinyl ;).

And in accordance, "Thirteenth Step" still regularly rotates as CD's do in my player to this day. The album is 5 years old, I've owned it for 3 of those years, and I still think this is an almost perfect album. It just has so much going for it in the songwriting, the sound and production, and the level of musicianship going into it. And A Perfect Circle had found their own sound. You would think because Keenan was singing it, it automatically would sound like Tool. But that wasn't the problem for me with Mer De Noms. To me, a lot of it sounded like Tool. Too much, but just 'lighter' in execution. Not a crime at all. Just left me waiting for another Tool album.

"Thirteenth Step" actually accomplished the reverse with me. When Tool's "10,000 Days" was released, I expected Tool to almost follow suit with A Perfect Circle, drastically changing their sound or how they do the things they do. And I have given "10,000 Days" multiple listens since its release. And I keep going back to "Thirteenth Step". It's not fair to compare the way different artists do the things they do, but at the same time, A Perfect Circle's second effort was leaps and bounds beyond their first. "10,000 Days" seemed like it was a step back to something before "Lateralus". And it left me feeling a little uneasy about the gaps in time between Tool albums, and .. well ... yeah. It's Tool, so you can't fault them truly. Constructively you can criticise the effort, but knowing full well that bands like Tool are completely rare and should be appreciated no matter what they do, because what they put into it is often miles beyond what is chosen 'acceptable' in music culture.

Favourites have to be "The Package", "Pet", and "The Noose". But it's an album worth buying for the piece as a whole, for the sum of its parts added together.

One of my favourite albums of recent years.

I first heard of A Perfect Circle when I listened to the song "Judith" of their 2000 album "Mer De Noms" about 5 years ago, then a year later I heard "Weak and Powerless" which was featured on the MTV2 Headbangers Ball Vol. 2 compilation, and I soon fell in love with A Perfect Circle. Afterwards, I went out and bought the band's second full length release "Thirteenth Step" and it was without question one of the best albums I've ever heard in my life, and it became one of my favorite albums as well. Please keep in mind, this is coming from a guy who listens to Pantera, Slayer, Fear Factory, Sepultura, Megadeth, Testament, Machine Head, Kreator, Anthrax, Exodus, Overkill, Suffocation, Death, Nile, Atheist, Behemoth, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, Krisiun, Opeth, Morbid Angel, Meshuggah, and other heavy bands like that, I've always been a sucker for good melodic rock, and these guys definately please my ears big time.

Now as far as this album goes, "Thirteenth Step" is an excellent work of art, and it's also a fantastic, beautiful follow up to "Mer De Noms". From the opening track "The Package", to the breathtaking, ethereal closer "Gravity", these twelve songs on here are full of beautiful, spacious, and ominous atmospheres. I've also learned that the album title was a reference to the Twelve Step program. According to frontman Maynard James Keenan on the commentary for the aMotion DVD, the album is a concept album with all of the songs dealing with the problem of addiction from a different perspective. The musicianship on here is very impressive in every way. Billy Howerdel's guitarwork on here is just excellent. Whether it's soft, majestic, addicting, atmospheric melodies or heavy cruching riffs, this guy definately hits his spots, and when it comes to great melodies, Billy's got the stuff, no doubt about it. Jeordie White (you may know him as Twiggy Ramirez, the ex-bassist of Marilyn Manson) is just fantastic on the bass. His bass lines are just pulsating, hypnotic, and commanding throughout. Josh Freese's drumming can range from nice, soft peaceful beats to steady yet heavy pounding beats, it's all good. And of course, Maynard James Keenan's vocals are just absolutely amazing and beautifully melodic throughout. There is no question that he is one of modern rock's greatest vocalists of all time, and believe me, this album prooves it.

"Thirteenth Step" opens up with "The Package" which starts off with some odd percussion noises, and soft, soothing guitar melodies, with Maynard's eerie yet majestic vocals slowly creeping in. I like when the song builds up momentum at the 4:08 mark with heavy, crunching riffs, and some roaring bass lines. From there, you know the album just grabs your attention, and it only gets better. The second track "Weak and Powerless" is a nice catchy chorus. Track three "The Noose" is very beautiful and majestic which features great melodic vocals from Maynard, and haunting yet relaxing guitar strings, and nice steady atmospheric drums, before gaining some momentum with heavier riffs at the 3:34 mark. Track four "Blue" is another favorite of mine which continues the journey with more hypnotic, addicting musicianship, while the next track and my personal favorite "Vanishing" is another soft, peaceful, and atmospheric song that brings Pink Floyd to my mind. This song features addicting, peaceful guitar melodies, soothing bass, nice steady drums, and eerie yet beautifully relaxing vocals from Maynard. The sixth track "A Stranger" is a nice, peaceful, and quiet ballad that features some marvelous accoustic strings that are quietly calming and peacefully embracing, and Maynard's singing is great as well, while track seven "The Outsider" is a more heavier song that features heavier riffage, and aggressive vocals especially during the chorus. Track nine is a cover of Failure's "The Nurse Who Loved Me" which is a pretty bizarre yet another good ballad, and track ten "Pet" which is another favorite of mine that includes crunchy heavy riffs, some nice melodic interludes, and there's even a nice catchy guitar solo as well. The soft, ethereal, and breathtaking closing track "Gravity" features some more quiet, soothing melodic guitar strings, and great vocals from Maynard as always, as well as a nice relaxing, and spacey sounding guitar solo around the 3:04 mark. A great beautiful song to end this beautiful musical journey.
Jeremy's song ratings:
1. The Package (7:40) - 5/5
2. Weak and Powerless (3:15) - 5/5
3. The Noose (4:53) - 5/5
4. Blue (4:13) - 5/5
5. Vanishing (4:51) - 5/5
6. A Stranger (3:12) - 5/5
7. The Outsider (4:06) - 5/5
8. Crimes (2:34) - 4/5
9. The Nurse Who Loved Me (4:04) - 5/5
10. Pet (4:34) - 5/5
11. Lullaby (2:01) - 4/5
12. Gravity (5:06) - 5/5

Bottom Line: A Perfect Circle's "Thirteenth Step" is a beautiful, spacious, breathtaking, atmospheric journey from beginning to end. I definately recommend this album to any fan of A Perfect Circle, Tool, The Cure, or even Dream Theater and Pink Floyd for that matter, and especially to anyone who has a good open mind for good music. Well enjoy!!

This album/CD is in my all-time top 20. This coming from a cat who also puts Led Zeppelin - 3, RHCP - Blood Sugar Sex Magic, Stones - Exile on Main St., etc... in that list.

This release is beautiful. From beginning to end, it takes you through an array of emotion. And thats what music is supposed to do. Make you feel.

As a whole, I like this CD more than Mer de Noms. It actually makes more sense. Yes, Noms is great. In fact it's the album that turned me on to Tool, of which I adore.

But this thing is more powerful. Even the "slow" cuts get to you. They're hard in a attitude sort of way. Meaning, John Bonham only used 5 drums to convey his nessage...and it was hard.

I've been listening to this album for years, and it still finds it's way back into "regular" rotation. The hit, Weak and Powerless, is acually one of my least favorite songs.

The album literally leads you through a venture. And here is where I differ from most who ridiccule this album...

My current girlfriend of 4 years was coming out of her H addiction around the time I got into this music. ( thanks to God, she's still clean ) And upon first listening, every single note made sense.

Talk about making you feel...

I know The Outsider is an instant favorite for most upon first listen, as well it was for me. It's hard and in your face. But to me, I was that "guy".

And that's why the whole recording is special.

One can garner their own personal interpretation as the lyrics offer this.

Favorites:

- The Package
- The Noose
- Blue
- The Outsider
- Pet

And that's not to put down the rest of the CD. It is truly one of my all-time favs.

Best listning.

The product was in great condition, as described. Delivery was quick. No complaints or problems with the transaction.

Instead of trying to come up with yet more accolades for this & Mer de Noms, I'll just say they are among my most-played favorites so far this Millennium. A young guy @ work turned me on to APC & boy am I grateful!



Although impossible to account for musical tastes, also like Alice in Chains, Blind Melon, Porno for Pyros, Days of the New and Live for some ideas.



But stay away from eMotive if you know whats good for you:)

I didn't buy any other album in 2004 because of Thirteenth Step. Hypnotic bass and drum rhythms mix with guitar that is alternately peaceful and aggressive. Add in Maynard's voice with dream-like lyrics on top and you get an all-around awesome record. Softer songs like "The Nurse Who Loved Me" help break up the aggressive, smash-your-head-through-a-brick-wall sounds that come out in songs like "The Outsider." The songs often build from foggy, dream-like moods to an inevitable critical mass where they explode out of the speakers. This is one of my top ten albums.

I wasn't disappointed and years later still listen all the time.

this cd is by far one of the greatest things i have ever heard, and this is coming from a guy who listens to slipknot, trivium, korn and stuff like that but i've always had a softer side to and this album pulls it right out of me.
right from the begining i knew that the slow drum tapping beat and low bass where gonna go somewhere and sure enough at 4:09 comes the first hard riff and it was so awsome how they led up to it though that the whole rest of the cd i could'nt switch or fast forword any of the other songs, i had to hear them all the way through. even when it came to "the nurse who loved me". at first i was like, huh , eeh, but after a couple times listening and hearing the lyrics i won't change it, even to the day if it comes on in my car my friends are listening to it, like it or not.
all the radio song where great, if you don't know them you must have been living under a rock. but when i got this cd i got it with "aMOTION" THE DVD-REMIX CD SET, and when i got home i watched the dvd first and saw the "counting bodys like sheep" video and loved it, then come to my suprise on "thirteenth step" number 10 "pet" has the same lyrics but is definently not the same song(if you've heard, you know what i mean)but it was'nt til later when i got "eMOTIVe" that my friend told me it was a complete cover album pretty much, then after i listened to it i saw that they covered their own song "pet"(who else has ideas like this) and ever since i figured that out "pet" has always been my favorite song on this album. and this album is a most have for ANYBODY!!! (DEATH METAL AND RAP FAN, OPEN YOUR F#*KING MINDS)

This is pretty nice laid back, enchanted music. I like all the songs but still enjoyed the music of tool better. Though I was always trying to find a more laid back version of tool with a darker, more melancholy mood. To me a very unknown english band more than fills in that void, a band called Anathena. I so happened to come by the album by a refrence from 10 years review. I cannot believe the album isn't very popular in the states, it amazing, layred, melody's flow from it and you become obsorbed in the etheral state it puts you in. If you like this 13th step, check out Anathemas judgement, or any other album, it smokes maynards side project, but is right up there with tool, just more laid back.

A Perfect Circle is a remarkable band -- heavy, gothic, great vocals. It's like the Cure meets, well ... Tool. "Blue" is perfect. "Pet" is heavy and creepy. And "The Nurse Who Loved Me" is the most curiously endearing song I've heard in a long time.

Let me just start by saying that I love A Perfect Circle, and I actually prefer them over Tool (love tool, just apc more). Mer De Noms was about as good as you can get for a debut album. And the fact that it sounded so much different than anything Tool had ever done made me just love it. Could this album reach the level of greatness that Mer De Noms had? Let me tell you that it does. In fact, dare I say it might just be a better album. Thirteenth Step is a powerful, moving and haunting piece of work. Maynard once again shows why he has to be one of the greatest frontmant in the history of music. His vocals on many of the more mellow and haunting songs just give you chills. The Noose, Blue, and Vanishing are examples of this. On the other hand you have songs that have more of a Tool feel to it, such as The Outsider, The Package, Weak and Powerless and Pet. So this album really has everything you could want if your a Maynard fan. But if your a Maynard fan than you already own this album. This album does take a while to understand, you simply just can't grasp everything on only a few listens. It really is a stunning accomplishment, and I hope APC gets to back togeather to record more music, because this my friends is music done right.

I cannot stop listening to this disc. I am waiting to get a little tired of it, but I've been waiting for 2 years now, and it hasn't happened. It is tough to put into words a good description of this disc. All the previous reviews did a much better job than I could ever hope to. But give this disc a chance. Don't listen to it once or twice and toss it aside. While there aren't too many similarities with Tool, one that stands out is the complexity of the melodies, and it takes your mind some time to adjust and pick them up, but once it does, these melodies are indellibly planted in your mind. Others have mentioned the diversity on this disc and they are absolutely correct. What I find truly amazing about this disc are the slow, melodic tunes, specifically "Gravity" and "The Noose" I actually made an iTunes playlist solely with these 2 songs, and I can listen to it for hours on end. I can't explain, but these songs take you somewhere.

I do not write very many reviews, unless it's something I wish the whole world could experience. Try it out with a little patience, and you will be pleasantly surprised at what you didn't hear the first 5-10 times you listened.

With this release A Perfect Circle really did show what they were capable of. This has to be my all time favorite release by the band. I love everything about this album because from start to finish it stays great. That is if we ignore the track "The Nurse Who Loved Me". I'm not quite sure what to make of this song. My guess is it's something to lighten the mood but it doesn't harm the album all that much anyway, just adds to its awesomeness. To think that it only took them 2 years to create such a masterpiece. My favorite tracks are probably "The Package", "The Noose", "The Outsider", and "Gravity". Anyway here's what I think of the whole album...

1. The Package - 10/10
2. Weak And Powerless - 10/10
3. The Noose - 10/10
4. Blue - 10/10
5. Vanishing - 10/10
6. A Stranger - 10/10
7. The Outsider - 10/10
8. Crimes - 10/10
9. The Nurse Who Loved Me - 6/10
10. Pet - 10/10
11. Lullaby - 9/10
12. Gravity - 10/10

Overall: 96% A

Everything on this album just flows. It just seems to make up what APC is about. The whole album is just a mixture of soft, hard, and sometimes even funny moments. "Thirteenth Step" is a prime example of why I love A Perfect Circle. It's APC at their finest.

APC along with Alice in Chains (among others)manage to convey the most mesmerizing display of human emotions within song structure. Thirteenth Step is, from top to bottom, one of the most amazing albums I have been fortunate enough to hear. Maynards voice is firm yet angelic, and the music almost attains perfection. I cannot say enough about this album, but of course, that means nothing. Go check it out, you'll be more than satisfied that you did.

I'll give this album 5 stars just for the package. Great follow up album although it took me 2 years to actually start to like the music..i actually gave this cd away after i bought it. All in all a good buy. Also i believe Maynard James Keenan gets too much credit, he is a great vocalist but it's all the band members that make a band not just the lead singer. Take billy howerdel out of perfect circle or Danny Carey out of tool and than tell me how awesome the bands are.

Let me get this out of the way first: A Perfect Cirlce is NOT Tool. They never were, and I hope they never will be.
With their second album, APC puts any Tool similarities far behind them. On Mer De Noms, yes, the similarities were there, especially with their single "Judith." However, here on Thirteenth Step, they have managed to step out of the Tool mold, and create a sound all their own. Maynard's vocals have never been better, and the instrumentation is incredible. The band often uses a bizarre arrangement of instruments, but they somehow manage to pull it off. Their songs range from epic (The Package), to dark (The Outsider), to melodic (The Nurse Who Loved Me [which is a cover]), to straight-up rock (Pet). There aren't very many albums you'll find anywhere with this kind of diversity, mostly because there aren't many bands who could pull it off.
The lyrics, voice, and music fit together seamlessly, and the album really works with a "concept" as opposed to just a bunch of singles stuck together. Some might say that there are a few "filler" tracks. This is not the case, as all the songs work towards creating a concept or story.
Really, this an exceptional album, and one that any fan of music will be happy to have in his/her collection.

I had to force myself to finish listening to the first track on this album. Of course, after the awesome 2nd track, "weak and powerless," I hoped that the first track was no indication of how the rest of the album would turn out, but to my dissapointment, the rest of the album really was kind of "boring." I'm sure there are all these 5 star ratings here on Amazon because of the creativity and talent of these guys, but the music, for me at least, was just plain not enjoyable. A Perfect Circle's first album was much more to my liking.

O.k. for starters, unless you just woke up from under a rock or have been living in a cave for the past 15 years, this is Tool's lead singer's (Maynard) side project and this is their sophomore album. Unlike most sophomore albums, this album does not fall flat anywhere. And if it does, I couldn't find it because to me the album is just an artistic masterpiece.

The album is very similar to their first ("Mer de Noms") in the way it sounds. All of the songs are very melodic, smooth and almost trance inducing at times. I'm not sure what it is but there is something so beautiful and eloquent even real heavy bang your head off metal heads will enjoy this album. Honestly, I'm not even sure if you could classify this music as metal because it stands out so much on it's own that calling it anything other than great music would almost be an insult.

Thirteenth Step is a little slower than Mer de Noms, however it doesn't really matter because songs like "Weak and Powerless", "Pet" and "The Outsider" make up for that and then the deliciously melodic songs like "The Noose", "Vanishing" and "The Nurse Who Loved Me" show the amount of talent this band has.

Personally, I already think that Mer de Noms is an essential album to any metal fans collection but this one has to be as well because again, I almost can't explain it but whatever it is, this album is so beautifully written even my metal hating wife loves this album. Plus it's a big breath of fresh air to some of the other bands that are played on rock stations these days. So really let's convert all of the metal hating wives in the world by getting this album and turning it up as loud as possible! 5 stars no question!

Hmmmm,I LOVE this C.D.!!!!It is Beautiful,Subtle,Heavy...and just thoroughly Enjoyable and Satisfying.TOOL people,I LOVE TOOL too!!!But I wasn't expecting this to sound like TOOL,and I don't think it does very Much.But it is Great in its own way!!!!My Favorite track is "Pet"Wonderful,Crunching Groove and Guitars!!!!!Every Track is Excellent though...Not a clunker on the Disc.I Love "Blue"also...Really,every TRACK is Fabulous....!!!!Great ROCK Music for People with Taste!!!!

A Perfect Circle, with their first album Mer De Noms, defined a whole new outlook on instrumentation and the romanticism of the vocalist and guitar driven rock songs. However, Thirteenth Step utterly encaptured an entirely new way of looking at how a rock record can be written. It [thirteenth step] is an album of extremes, from soft and sweet melodious malaise to crashing feats of distortion; from timid whimpers of surrender to barbaric screams of domination. It has the dynamic of progressive rock, but without the unnecessary "fat" usually encased in rather obese fits of grandeur displayed in most rock-with-a-point records. As usually the different from a band's first album to their second, where Mer De Noms is an amazing collection of songs, Thirteenth Step is definitely a better 'album'. (I hope that makes sense to somebody).

Much in the same light at Nine Inch Nails' The Fragile, this record capitalizes on the power of subtlety and quiet heaviness. Along with the rest of the band, mainly the vocals and lyrics capture Maynard at a terribly personal point in his life (I believe all art that is highly acclaimed is also deeply personal), so much so that it is easy to mistake his words for your own.

The first song on the album, "The Package" is a testament to the road traveled by the band and in and of itself screams, "this is different than last time". Timid and childlike at its beginnings it eventually thrusts the listener head first into a smashing fit of dominance, seeming to be more agitated and angry (a feat that could have only been accomplished by this distinguished frontman). At times it seems as though Maynard would've made a mark as an actor.

The whole album is amazing from front to back, not just in the songwriting and arrangement, but down to the very mixing and clarity of the instrumentation. "The Nurse Who Loved Me" is a brilliantly mixed and arranged track and if one gets a chance to listen to this album on a pair of high-end speakers, you will really experience a wonderful example of masterful arrangement.

Anyone who is still looking for a Tool album or another Mer De Noms will surely be disappointed. However, anyone looking for an amazing album and landmark title will find one in Thirteenth Step. Check it out if at least only once, but really it takes three times.

Not just this album but I have seen reviews on albums for A Perfect Circle that say that this band is a Tool ripoff......do you guys want to know why this sounds like it's ripping off tool? because it is ripping off tool. Do you wanna know the reason why A Perfect Circle has the right to rip off tool? because the lead singer of A Perfect Circle and the lead singer of Tool are both the same person =O (GASP!!) so stop posting crap and go do some more band research....A true fan of tool would have known that Maynard has Moved to A Perfect Circle......don't keep posting tool ripoff reviews and quit saying that Maynard should go back with Tool because he is back with Tool as I am typing this review.....Tool is coming out with a new album anyway so post on there and stop bashing this band. Don't getme wrong I love Tool, in fact Tool is the band that got me started with heavy metal and Ithink I speak for every Tool and A Perfect Circle fan when I say that Maynard is an extremely talented and creative vocalist and artist. He continues to show his talent in this band too including in this album. I think every song on this is great so Maynard if you are reading this don't listen to people who bash A Perfect Circle you can do whatever you want with your career and a true tool fan wil respect any decision you make. And I can't wait for Tool fo come out with their new album....I'm gonna buy it.



As far as this CD goes it is GREAT work and is deserving of every penny, the unique guitar riffs and lyrics is what really got me into this album.

great album. very mellow, unlike the more rock sounding mer de noms or the industrial feel of emotive. if you enjoy the mellow aspects of tool or a perfect circle you probably will enjoy this. if you only like the heavy, it may not necessarily be for you. it took a few listens for me to really appreciate it, but now i consider it to be a very solid release - probably i'd go as far to say as the best album from perfect circle (although it is difficult to pick between mers de noms and thirteenth step).

(As a side note - I AM over 13, but I didn't want to bother signing in)

Given the amount of reviews now on this album, it might seem a little pointless to submit this review. I got this album several years after it came out, but it's one of the best album's I have ever heard, certainly in a very long time, and I'd like to at least share my thoughts on this masterpeice.

Personally, I view this album as APC's best. Now, don't get me wrong, I adore Mer De Noms (I will not mention eMotive, because that may start me ranting, and I really want to review this without getting horrifically sidetracked) in so many ways, and for a long time I thought it one of the best albums I'd ever heard.
Only, when I heard Thirteenth Step, I was proved wrong. I like it more in that the songs seem to have more depth, more meaning, or perhaps the depth is just easier to grasp. It's atmospheric like Mer De Noms, but it's also disturbing and dark in a way APC's first album wasn't. I'm a fan of dark, moody, somewhat disturbing music, which is why it definately clicked for me. The whole concept of the album is taken from the 12 step program to help people come off addiction, and this theme seems to lurk all the way through it, popping up here and there, sometimes seeming to dissapear entirely only to surprise you again. And it's not an endless barrage of screaming, unlike some albums I've heard. True, they CAN be good albums, but recently I've definately liked a blend of mellow and heavy, rather than smashing and screaming and ranting all the way through. This is why this likely will NOT appeal to Tool fans. Let me straighten this out. APC is NOT Tool! They have different sounds and different approaches. Just because Maynard is in both doesn't make it the same band! If your not into slightly more mellow, if deeper, music, then I wouldn't recommend this. If you are, read on.
These are my general impressions of the tracks on this albums.

1. The Package. I... I'm sort of torn on this track. It's quite an interesting way to start the album, though perhaps not the best way. I like the track, in that I can't dislike any of the tracks on this album, and some of the lyrics, coupled with the music, makes it interesting, but I honestly never clicked with it like I did with the others. 3/5

2. Weak and Powerless. This is the other one I'm sort of... stuck on. A lot of people seem to like this track, but personally? I never really did. It'd fit in with Mer De Noms, but I just don't consider Mer De Noms and Thirteenth Step to be the same sound at all, and to me, this seems rather glaringly out of place. There's none of the atmosphere, and little of the depth. 2/5

3. The Noose. NOW we're talking! This is a haunting and beautiful track, plain and simple. I think the slow, almost muted sound to it is wonderful, and it's such a sad song, too. The opening line "So glad to see you well" sounds somewhat longing and nostalgic, and the entire sound just makes me want to burst into tears sometimes. It reminds me of failed attempts, and regressing back to one's old problems long after you thought you left them behind. The heavy part at the end is wonderful, and reminded me ever so faintly of 3 Libras from the first album. It's soft, it's beautiful, it's sad and it's frightening all at the same time. 5/5

4. Another very creepy song. It's not as sad as The Noose, indeed, it seems positively cheery at times, but there's just SOMETHING about the lyrics that makes this just the right edge of creepy. The lyrics "And she's turning blue, such a lovely colour for you." seems like a compliment, but it makes me wonder who is "turning blue" and why. It always reminded me of drowning and asphixiation, or, going with the theme of narcotic use, the way that heroin users stop breathing when they overdose, hense, "Turning blue". Such a very, very creepy song. 5/5

5. Vanishing. If you thought you couldn't get creepier... no, this is just the sort of thing that makes me look over my shoulder and get the creeps late at night. The harmonics with the voice is wonderful, and the slightly out of sync, distorted sound makes me feel a little dizzy at times, in a good way. There's not many lyrics to this, but it's still such a lovely track, and I think more lyrics might well have ruined it. Still, the song seems to tail off at the end, which is rather dissapointing. 4/5

6. A Stranger. I've never listened to this track much at all. It's a nice sounding peice of music, but personally, I don't like it so much. It seems a little out of place, a little strange considering the line up so far, but the lyrics are quite touching at times. 3/5

7. A heavier track, and one I instantly fell in love with. Now that the glamour has worn a little, I still find it a wonderful song. It's angry, but not in a screaming, flailing, discordant ear-bleeding way that just makes me want to cringe and turn the record off. It's contained just enough to give it proper form and and melody, but the lines "Medicated drama queen, picture perfect numb belligerance" give this a very furious feel to it. It's frustrated and angry without being ridiculous and impossible to listen to, and a very catchy tune to boot. 5/5

8. Crimes. Not a track I listen to that often, but creepy as all hell when listened to. The lyrics are hardly inspiring, true (1, 2, 3...) but they're not meant to be complex or deep meaning. The simplicity is what makes it a little creepy and unnerving. However, it still feels like more of a filler track than a proper contribution to the album. They could have done more with this, but they didn't. 3/5

9. The Nurse Who Loved Me. This is a very bizzare track, it has to be said. It's quite calm, not as disturbing as Blue nor as depressing as The Noose, but the strangeness of it makes it quite enjoyable. Musically, I wasn't too impressed, but it's quite a mellow little song, and enjoyable once in a while. 2.5/5

10. Pet. Which is deceptive, as it leads right up to the heaviest track on the album. Again, APC have managed to make this a furious and seriously disturbing track without losing any part of the melody. It alternates between soft and reassuring, almost sweet, but with an edge that is nothing less than dangerous. Then it throws you straight into the chorus. Despite what people say about political commentry, I really honestly don't think that's what it's trying to put across. This always reminded me of insanity and MPD, or an abusive relationship. Some lyrics sound quite normal, but the lines "I'll be the one to protect you from a will to survive and a voice of reason" shatter any pretence that this is anything but sinister. This song is excellent, no question about it. 5/5

11. Lullaby. I don't understand why people discredit this so much. This is more of an extension of Pet, and perhaps it would've been better to put it to the end of the track, rather than making it a new one. But still, it has the same general melody as Pet, sung high and with a heavy drum beat. It's the sort of thing that combines sinister with the sweet, much like Pet, and really quite a creepy addition to the previous song. 4/5

12. Gravity. This is a very nice ending to the album. The melody sounds a little more bright and upbeat than I would have preffered, but the lyrics are perfect. I admit, I don't listen to this track much, but listening to the album as a whole, this is a wonderful way to end it. Through all the darkness and despair, we finally come out of the dark and back into the light, with hope and a new beginning. I think more could have been done to make the melody deeper than it is, but lyrically, it's perfect. The final lyrics "Lift me back up to the sun, I chose to live." is poignant and sticks with the listener long after the song has finished, and makes one wonder if the entire album isn't based of a real life experience. One never knows. 4/5

All in all, this is a wonderful album. Although I found some tracks hit their mark better than others, as a whole, this is beautiful. It's not just the sound of the music one should listen to in order to appreciate it, but really THINK about the lyrics, the sound of the music. It's a very rewarding experience, and an excellent album for anyone who prefers their rock with a bit of mellow and creepy on the side.

I'm a long time TOOL fan... so there was a reason why I didn't and haven't bought any PERFECT CIRCLE albums, which is pretty much the exact opposite why so many people DID by APC albums. Well, I finally borrowed this from a friend and I was right, it's just a fat strip of jerky, when you really need the steak. Musically, it's not bad... but it ain't nuthin groundbreaking... And, by no means is this the greatest album of all time... To me, I just can't see how, when these guys are "Rockin' Out", they aren't sayin' to themselves, "yeah, this is just like TOOL... Heavy, Yeah... we rock!" Even if TOOL's guitar tech started the band, I don't care, too many Adam Jones elements in there to be considered original. And the lighter stuff is just nu-metalish wankery... And to top it all off, the whole "Supergroup" thing is just a little much. Maynard, please... round up the boys and blow our minds again...

Having been a long time Maynard fan from Tool, I didn't know what to think when I heard he was breaking off from the band to do his own side project. When I heard who would be joining him, including the Smashing Pumpkin's James Iha, I became extremely excited. However, with much excitement usually comes great dissapointment.. usually, but not in this case.

Thirteenth Step is quite simply one of the greatest albums of all time period. And I'm not exaggerating. Each song in the album is like a wonderfull psychidellic trip. The music is perfect, the lyrics are hypnotic, and how it all comes together is just unbelievable.

Just when I thought rock music was dying with so many flaky, untalented bands filling our air waves, out comes APC to resurrect the genre. I'll be counting down the days to their next album.

This cd is one of the deepest albums available out there. The entire cd is made of slow songs except for Pet.

The best songs on this cd are The Nurse Who Loved Me and The Noose.

By far the best cd from A Perfect Circle

Amazing. Similar to NIN, Marilyn Manson, Smashing Pumpkins (Adore era), Tool. Everything together.
Album takes you to the world you can't describe. Most people will say that the song The Outsider is the best on the album but it is not. The Outsider - just another radio song. Songs like The Package, Blue, The Noose, Vanishing will hit your imagination and will stay in your mind for a long time. Wherever... if you will listen whole album you will understand what i mean.

I loved the first cd from a perfect circle so I knew that when this cd was releasd i would love it too. The songs on this cd are just amazing. There is a perfect balance between heavy songs and more mellow songs. All of the songs on this cd are very mystrious with great lyrics and chords. The best songs are "the package", "the noose", "the outsider", and "pet"

Before anyone reads further, I would like to say that I am a hardcore fan of Tool, which was partly why I bought this CD. For everyone out there who says that there is a massive Schism (yes, the pun was intended) between Tool fans and A Perfect Circle fans, I suppose I am the rebel to the rule. I have read so many reviews by Tool fan's being let down by this album, it's sickening. So many Intolerant (once again, pun intended) Tool fans bash this because it's not Tool. My response is "Read the artists name! Does it say Tool?" Either way, I enjoy both bands immensely. As I stated before, I purchased Thirteenth Step mainly because I'm a fan of Maynard and Tool, so my expectations were completely defied. And I am so happy that they were.

Time for an in-depth dive to look at the songs:

1. The Package: It's a little slow at the beginning, but it gets better as it continues. There is some sweet guitar in this one and Maynard presents some nice vocals. Nearly the end, it gets rather heavy, too. 8 out of 10, simply because it lags in the beginning.

2. Weak and Powerless: A pretty cool beginning, nice chorus. From the title, you'd expect something depressing, but the music doesn't want to follow that trend. This is a very good song, too. 9 of 10

3. The Noose: It's a relatively slow song, but slowly becomes louder and heavier. It's another nice song with Maynard's touching vocals. There is a prefect fusion between the music and the vocals in this song, so I have to rate it nicely. 10 of 10

4. Blue: I absolutely fell in love with this song, probably because it reminded me a lot of my girlfriend. But that aside, it's an impressive song. It's as close to a love song as I've ever heard Maynard and he does an incredible job at it. It's a predominantly percussive song, which also forces me to give a biased rating. 10 of 10

5. Vanishing: Bass guitar Heaven, which is why I enjoyed this song very much. Not much to say in the area of lyrics, it's mostly devoid of them. There are short spats every once in a while. It's a song that must be appreciated for its music rather than its lyrics, though the few lyrics that arise are quite beautiful. 9 of 10

6. A Stranger: This song is... well... it just never clicked with me. The vocals are, as usual, outstanding, though. 7 of 10

7. The Outsider: As a Tool fan, I obviously loved this song. It is also the first song I heard from this band (or at least the first one I remember). This was what I expected all the other songs to be like. It's heavy, it's dark, and it's wonderful. The message is a very good one, too, so I have to give A Perfect Circle some credit for that. 10 of 10

8. Crimes: This reminded me of Tool's "spacer tracks" on Ænima. Very few vocals, very straightforward music. Not really worth listening to unless you need to teach someone how to count to ten. 5 of 10

9. The Nurse Who Loved Me: This is an odd song. It's funny yet thought-provoking, it's weird yet normal, it's interesting, and it's new yet old at the same time. It's Maynard in song form! I loved the music in the song; the lyrics were just a silly bonus. Very nice violins in it. 8 of 10

10. Pet: This one is similar to Track 7, thus I loved it. It's haunting and dark, but compelling. Maynard uses a myriad of different voices in this one, too. It's a Maynard sampler. It's got a very addictive beat, also. 10 of 10

11. Lullaby: Eh... this is almost like Crimes, except there is some impressive vocal manipulation that turns Maynard's voice into an instrument. It's still more like an extension of Pet than a different song. 6 of 10

12. Gravity: I like this song. It's slow, but catching. Makes you think, too. 9 of 10

13th Step: This stands for the album as a whole; it's not a song, so nobody freak out. The overall grade, excluding the "spacer tracks" comes out to a be 9, which equals 4.5 stars, which rounds up to the five stars you saw at the top of the review.

A Perfect Circle isn't anything like Tool, to my relief. I love Tool, but it's supposed to be a deviant. In this sense, the two bands are similar. A Perfect Circle isn't organic, commercial rock music. It's its own unique genre of music: usually quiet, astoundingly beautiful, relaxing and inspiring. Like Tool, it is for the thinking man, I belief. Most people probably can't draw many parallels, but there are countless ones. The music in A Perfect Circle is a being within itself, separate from the vocals, but both the vocals and music are made up of several layers. Everything flows together perfectly.

For any Tool fans out there: This is not Tool. This is a completely different band with a completely different style. If you want more Tool, wait until Spring 2006 (or so I'm told the new Tool album is coming out). If you want to experience more of Maynard's gorgeous vocals, more engaging musicianship, and more thought-provoking lyrics, I suggest you give this album a try. Don't expect them to be the same. I love both of them in different ways for different reasons. I'm not guaranteeing that you'll like this band, but it's worth a try.

as with their first album, it took a while before this one sank in. but once it did, what a trip A Perfect Circle takes you on!

this album is an emotional rollercoaster and it is vital to listen to the CD straight through, not on random tracks. "The Package" opens up slowly but builds up nicely to a heavy closing. "Weak and Powerless" keeps an upbeat pace and is somewhat positive, even if it is tempting sin. the strongest song is "The Noose." dark and smoldering, its build up is phenomenal and leads you to an abrupt end and awakening.

"Blue" is again "upbeat" and wonders if you really want to know where the trip that APC is taking you. the next two tracks -- "Vanishing" and "A Stranger" suspend things for a while and allows a calm to come over you leading into "The Outsider," where the listener is becoming "disconnected" from those not on the ride. "Crimes" is a countdown of sorts and leads to the oft-criticized, but beautiful "The Nurse Who Loved Me." "Pet" is an attempt to calm you while the song itself is not being calm (and somewhat unstable). heavy and emotional, it is as though they are trying to convince you that the "sins" or pains of the trip are not going to hurt you -- to "go back to sleep" and enjoy the ride.

One last interlude (perhaps the "echo of the solitary siren" that was mentioned in "Weak and Powerless") leads to the release of "Gravity" -- a calming end to APC rollercoaster.

so is it a drug trip? perhaps. but for argument sake, let's just say it is a trip that APC wants you to go on -- with or without mind-altering elements. perhaps it is all an attempt to get individuals to overcome the pains of letting go (whatever it is they are holding on to). APC gives you twelve steps to help you get started; taking the Thirteenth Step is up to you.

Definitely recommended to everyone. some may find the slow down on tracks five and six to be a turn off, but only if you listen to the album randomly. but listening to the album from track one through track twelve is definitely the best way to experience "Thirteenth Step."

Highlight tracks: "The Package" "The Noose" "Pet"

ONE WORD "PERFECT" THIS CD SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A LISTENING PIECE OF ART. THIS REVIEW IS FROM A PERSON THAT LISTENS TO ALL TYPES OF MUSIC FROM RAP TO HARD ROCK AND EVEN ALITTLE OLD TECHNO.
THIS CD IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE BEST MUSIC FOR LISTENING.

This is NOT a Tool CD. If you need Tool, buy a Tool CD. (They should have a new one out in about 4-5 years).
This is not Mer de Norms (Thank God). If you need Mer De Norms, buy it.
What this is is a work of art, a creation of a group of artists who clearly aren't interested in making the same album over and over. If that is what you want see "Boston." If you have an open mind and enjoy undefined rock, then you have found gold. At times this album rocks harder than anything I've heard. See "Outsider." Its one of those albums (like "The Fragile," that needs to be heard a number of times bfore the genius reveals itself. And with each listen it only gets better. Though I don't like waiting for Maynard-involved CD's they lately have been well worth the wait. If you don't like this album, perhaps you need recovery yourself.

I thought "what the hell?" when I first listened to this CD, mainly because the songs were just different. Like "The Noose" and "Blue". So at the first listen i thought the CD was "eh". But then i listened to it again. And again and then again and that's when i realized : WOW this is one AWESOME CD!!! "Weak and Powerless", "The Noose", "Blue", "Vanishing", "A Stranger", "The Outsider", "Pet" and "Gravity" all grew on me so much that I couldn't even go one day without listening to each of them. The songs ARE different, and that just makes the CD so interesting.
Knowing what the whole CD is about helped me to like it even more. Thanks to reading another review on this page, I learned about the 12-step recovery program of getting over an addiction. Knowing this really helped me to tie the songs together and know what they were about.
The only negative thing about A Thirteenth Step.... "Crimes" and "Lullaby". I wouldn't even consider them *songs*. Though they do add signifigance to the CD...they're really boring and dull to listen to. But that's really nothing to dwell about because the rest of the CD is SO GREAT : )