A Perfect Circle (2.5 stars)
Emotive
If you had to describe A Perfect Circle's music in one word, that word would probably be "creepy." The band, masterminded by guitarist-producer Billy Howerdel and Tool singer Maynard James Keenan, has put out two albums of dark songs that combine elements of industrial, prog-rock and heavy metal with Keenan's haunting, evocative voice to great sonic effect. Their new release, the pretentiously titled eMOTIVe, takes that darkness and creepiness and applies it to 10 ill-advised covers that sit alongside two new originals.
With the vague themes of political dissent and pacifism, the album runs through such staples as John Lennon's "Imagine" and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," as well as some lesser-known tunes. The problem is that Howerdel, Keenan and their various collaborators twist the originals into often unrecognizable arrangements that focus on plodding industrial sounds and sap them of whatever power they may have originally possessed. Hearing Keenan sing "Maybe someday you'll join us" on "Imagine" sounds more like a threat than a wish.
The original "Passive" and the Devo cover "Freedom of Choice" are the only high points, with the band rocking out as they do on their best material, and not sounding so deadly earnest. The intentions here are honorable, but the result sounds tossed-off and awkward.
Josh Bell
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (4.5 stars)
Abbatoir Blues, The Lyre of Orpheus
Around the time Ronald Reagan began his second term, Nick Cave started making discs with the Bad Seeds. A classic cult artist, Cave has followed his muse into odd corners over the years, yet he has developed a highly stylized and extremely distinctive sound that cushions his dark theatrical voice and lyrics drenched in irony and black humor.
A little of this goes a long way, though. What a surprise then that this double disc not only marks the high-water mark of Cave's career but is also filler-free. Everything comes together for him like never before. On the most simplistic level, the first disc, Abattoir Blues, is the Tom Waits half—twisted thought merged to raucously odd sound—and The Lyre of Orpheus—literary lyrical structures presented in sparse and stark arrangements—owes its allegiance to Leonard Cohen.
But those references are only touchstones to benefit those new to this artist. After all these years at his craft, as his fans already know, Cave long ago found his own voice. Highlights abound with equal abundance on both discs, including "Get Ready for Love," "Babe, You Turn Me On," "Spell," "There She Goes, My Beautiful World" and "Messiah Ward." These songs, and many others here, are the most appealing presentation Cave has ever made of his world that dwells on and delves into so many things so unappealing.
Richard Abowitz