A Perfect Circle "Mer De Noms" Musical Deep Dive: Part 1 (The Hollow, Magdalena, Rose)

[@iximusic]

Who else loves ROSE? 🌹

[@TheBuckAK]

🙌

[@beguile302]

I do! This entire album is amazing (which of course includes Rose!) :)

[@jonmtifa]

🌹 I do now! This was one of my favorite albums from my years right after highschool, I haven't listened to it in years. I'm hyped to listen to it again, your analysis has given me a lot more to appreciate and look forward to!

[@JoseSanchez-lk1ic]

A few days ago I thought, wouldn't it be nice if ixi analysed rose. Personal favorite.

[@14yeartwitch14]

It still is up there with my favorite APC songs. The bass line is so powerful and drives that song.

[@Atomsk484]

The first time I heard a perfect circle was live, opening for nine inch nails before they even had an album out. I literally fell in love with music because of that performance. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced and all of a sudden everything else felt alien. They made a huge impact on my life. Their first album is perfect.

[@night_speed]

I had the same experience. I had heard Judith but that was it, the album wasn't out yet like you said. I was definitely blown away by how good they sounded live. NIN opening acts can be hit or miss in my opinion. Prick, TV on the Radio and Peaches were some of my favorites but there were definitely some duds in there over the years.

[@mrjacob8836]

Yes same. It was the fragile tour iirc and had no idea who they were, no album yet out and was blown away.

[@unclegumbald989]

Saw them live opening for NIN, too! Had to be dragged out of the pit by my friend during “Thinking of You” cuz I was dehydrated and overstimulated lol

[@evitative462]

@@unclegumbald989 given the subject matter of that song, that's a hilarious description

[@jamessullenriot]

Yes, same here, saw them April 28, 2000 in Toronto. Drove up for NIN saw A Perfect Circle on the ticket stub and had no idea who they were. They came out and I instantly liked it and while I was 2nd row standing in front of the stage I didn't realize it was Maynard until like 3 or 4 songs in because of the wig he was wearing.

[@michaelcomazzi5047]

The album "Mer de Noms" was just a masterpiece. Talk about a super unique magnum opus! When I heard this live, it was almost a spiritual experience. It was during Lollapalooza. 2003 in Sunnyvale. I had been preparing for this concert for months. Queens of the Stone Age, Incubus, Audioslave, A Perfect Circle, Janes Addiction, to name a few! I was 19 years old, I had eaten at least 20 valium by the time A Perfect Circle came on! It was amazing. They played the first 3 songs, in the same order as the CD. The Hollow, Magdalena, and Rose! It was amazing. I also saw APC the next year in SF when 13th Step came out! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and love of APC with us!

[@humzakhalid7902]

im a musically illiterate drummer n i just love this gibberish u are speaking:) i love apc n tool n all the beautiful things in which u miss are a recent addition:)

[@darkalman]

Fun facts about this album: 1. TIL Ixi and I are apparently the same age, because I bought this CD in highschool as well 2. Magdalena was a stripper Maynard was infatuated with, possibly 'Mary' Magdalena a well known suicide girl model. Legend goes he wrote the lyrics on a napkin at a strip club. Brena is the middle name of Maynard's first wife and long time fiance. RENHOLDER spelled backwards is RE: D Lohner a reference to Danny Lohner from Bassist of NIN and a close friend of Maynards. The song is apparently some indecipherable tongue and cheek message to him. Danny was apparently flattered by this and has since started using Renholder as his moniker on his producer and soundtrack work like the soundtrack for Underworld. The remaining three songs Judith, Thomas, and Orestes are about Maynard's relationship with his mother. Maynard frequently writes songs about growing up with a Mother who couldn't care for him, and the abuse he suffered as a child due to his step father. Judith is Maynard's mother who was paralyzed due to a stroke at a young age which effectively crippled her for the rest of her life. She remained a devout Christian throughout while Maynard sings about a supposedly all loving God that would allow this to happen to his Mother. Thomas is the doubting Thomas from the bible who doubted Jesus until he met him, likely again a reference to Maynard's doubts to his own faith after seeing that horrible thing happen to his Mother. In the Greek Drama Orestes, he is forced by the Gods to kill his mother, and this deed tortures him. This song is likely about the pain Maynard feels about having to let his Mother go as he realizes that some day he'll have to pull the plug on her life support. Judith Keenan died in 2003, 3 years after this album was released. Maynard had her cremated and spread the ashes at his home a vineyard in Arizona. 3. If you watch the NIN live performance at Woodstock '94, Billy Howerdel can be seen on stage several times handing and retrieving guitars from Trent 4. The first track 'The Hollow' is the only one featuring Tim Alexander of Primus on Drums. Tim had to leave the band during recording to be replaced by prolific session drummer Josh Freese who recorded the rest of the album. But if you want to hear what the band sounded like with Tim there's a bootleg on the internet called 'Perfect Angels' of one of the early performances with Tim on Drums with many early versions of the songs sounding quite different, having slightly different lyrics, and Maynard apparently reading lyrics out of a notebook while singing because he hadn't memorized them yet.

[@iximusic]

These are so great, thank you! Found a quote from Billy about his time with Trent that made me smile: "I don't know if I ever told this [story] publicly - I was a guitar tech for many years for other bands, and Nine Inch Nails was one of them; so I worked for Trent Reznor. "On 'The Downward Spiral' tour - I think it was 1994 or 1995 - there was a part in the show where things got crazy and broken, and the screen came down. We had some time before the next song started, but not much, and there was a digital clock over there, and I could see the countdown. "So I came out with a guitar to give to Trent, but he's lying on the floor, bleeding, because he just destroyed a bunch of keyboards, and I think he had knocked himself in the head. "I was like, 'Alright, we've got 40 seconds, let's go.' Then it counted down to 20 seconds and then I said, '12 seconds, come on, let's go. Do you want me to play this or what?' "Side story: I had always done all his sound checks, if he was busy or something like that, so I knew how to play the songs. "I was kidding when I said that ['Do you want me to play this or what?'], but he kind of moaned, 'Yes...' So I stepped out into the spotlight and started the song 'Eraser.' I continued to play the rest of the song, and it was bizarre. "I had that moment where I could hear the gasp of the stage manager on the side, thinking did I go crazy and knock Trent out, had delusions of grandeur and grabbed the guitar and went onstage. "So I played the song that night, he [Trent] pulled me back in to sing the vocal with him at the end. We kept doing it, he said, 'Let's keep doing that.' We did that for the next week or so."

[@darkalman]

@@iximusic That's an awesome story It reminds me James Hettfield after his pyro accident in Montreal saying something like: "This isn't Guns and Roses, if something goes wrong we don't want to piss off the fans and storm off stage. So if you're a guitar tech you'd better know the set list backwards and forwards because like it or not you're the backup"

[@DrBonely]

The hero we all need. This is great!

[@DrSkeff]

@@darkalman I saw Metallica on the “Master of Puppets” tour in the U.K. (with Cliff just before they went to Scandinavia for the tragic bus crash) and their guitar tech played rhythm guitar as James had broken his arm skateboarding.

[@hamsandwichson]

Once I saw APC at a place called PPAC which is a beautiful opera style venue. When Josh Freese hit the drums at the beginning of the set for the song Vanishing it was so loud and powerful it actually scared me a little.

[@Sbolla81]

Mer De Noms is the album i will never stop listening to. AMAZING and ENDLESS 🌹

[@NotIfICU1st_]

Despite rarely touring I have seen apc live more than any other band. Huge emotional connection to their sound.

[@iximusic]

That's awesome, I'm jelly!!

[@billyalarie929]

i saw them twice. and the first time was like a week or something after i saw Primus (who until that point hadn't been on tour for 7 years -- so, pretty incredible week for music). and then i saw them on the Thirteenth Step tour.

[@lndndr18]

These deconstructions are so precise, you're such a gift for all of us 🌹

[@maxnorton4893]

So glad you're tackling APC! Billy Howerdel is a genius. Mer De Noms was recorded with early primitive digital amp modeling technology. Billy would layer up to 20 separately EQd guitar tracks. It's like a guitar orchestra. His use of otherwise cheesy 80s effects like chorus is beautiful, especially the ring mod in The Hollow's arpeggio is really awesome.

[@marshalsea000]

Line 6 Pod. The cheese of any fx is all in how you use. Album still sounds fresh nearly 22 years later... insane, a lifetime old already. Was an instantly recognisable as a classic on release.

[@hollis68]

53 years on this blue marble and I've never been so entranced with someone's analysis about anything, coinciding with the same APC reaction/impact that's consumed me for 23 years. These compositions transcend Tool in such a different way.

[@charlesblasini2134]

I know it sounds cliche, but Mer De Noms was one of those albums that unironically saved my life.

[@Sociotarian]

I'll tell you what's pure and rare: Witnessing an Earthly goddess simultaneously dissecting art dutifully while describing lyrics about herself...speaking as an adequate judge.

[@Sociotarian]

🌹@iximusic I was searching for this song the other day after listening to some self help books because it made me reinterpret the lyrics of laying down like a doe in front of headlights. Seems to me that it's about self-empowerment. The follow-up album, 13th Step, on which Stranger, The Noose, and Gravity are noteworthy, is also about empowerment.

[@magusking9215]

Magdalena, maybe the most poetic song about a peep show booth experience that you could find

[@bensonallenalexander3252]

I've always considered Rose as a climb up a thorny stem of pain only to rest easily in the petals.

[@lydia5649]

Mer de Noms stays one of the few album I keep on listening with same pleasure even today

[@Duater]

Rose! Rose was the one that first immediately jumped out of the album for me (after the banger of an intro with The Hollow). Rose was the one I kept going back to over and over, even listening to it on repeat (which is something I never ever do). While people were going nuts for 3 Libras (no shade on 3 Libras, it's also amazing), I was just baffled that nobody was talking about Rose. It still gives me goosebumps all over my body and tears to my eyes even after all this time.

[@Arakiel9]

Rose doesn't do for me what it does for you. I enjoy it. I cry. Frequently. But the intense moment of connection, which I think you have, I don't typically experience that so much with this song, at least not like I do with other songs, even other APC songs. I'm posting this comment, not to be contrarian or irrelevant, but to tell you how much I love that you shared how special this song is for you. Thank you for that, it's nice to know things that are special to people, especially when you share an interest, or dare I say, passion for an artist, art form, or really, anything. It's a little window into you, and that is entirely pleasant. :)

[@drpoomanchu]

I vividly remember as a young man with my portable CD player discovering A Perfect Circle Mer de Noms on a long trip from Ohio to florida in the backseat of a sedan with two younger siblings on memorial day weekend of 2000. I can remember the smell of the ocean air, the sunset, and the anticipation of an amazing weekend with my grandparents. It was such an awesome time in my life and I knew at the time just how special Mer de Noms was going to be. It really is incredible how music can be so emotionally connected with moments and memories in life. My favorite and most listened to album of all time.

[@castle07dw]

The Hollow and Magdalena. Amazing, blew my mind first time I heard them

[@christianhelvie3539]

Rose is one of my favorite songs because of its vivid story. You can picture the beast and the jungle while trying to move around it. Although after reading Maynard's book I think its more internalized struggle dealing with a heavy choice or personal demon. Music is a huge influence in my life and this CD helped me get through some ruff times.

[@chriszewski]

Rose is a rollercoaster. EDIT: commented before watching ;) Rose doesn't get the recognition it deserves, afaic because this album is full of fuckin BANGERS. And they're all different! Always favored the front-half of this album. Besides just driving around and listening to this album i would attempt to sing it in the shower... Probably poorly. This was during a time where it was a chore to either burn a CD with the tracks perfectly laid out how you wanted em, OR use the program feature on CD players to play songs out of order. This was one of the few albums i started at track 1 and ran til the water turned cold. Was the second half of my senior year right around graduation and i had been jamming Aenima for about a year already., so i was pretty damn angsty (any and all things Maynard welcome) and Judith was absolutely the highlight during that time. The vocals, the riffs, the *emotion* that really persist throughout the entire album... This album was a daily listen for a lil over a year til Lateralu(i)s so i was able to appreciate it as my tastes rapidly changed which went with this album, really. I don't think two tracks sound all that similar compared to other bands at the time. Not gonna name names. Wound up seeing em live at The Taft theater in Cincy 2004 (not a rock n roll venue, more concert in the orchestral sense or live plays.2500 seats) and Tool 2009 at the Pavillion. both among the Top Three shows i've saw, and both only behind July 27th 2001 at Bogart's. Drowning Pool, Taproot, and Nonpoint. Stephen Richards of Taproot did a stage-dive off the upper balcony. Drowning Pool still had Dave Williams (RIP) in all his shovel slamming glory. I was there for Nonpont and secondarily Taproot (Gift was/is a masterpiece). I wasn't even that big of a fan of DP, but that show was *fucking* amazing. I'll never forget it.

[@matthewstayancho3454]

⚘ Rose is great. Always hear it in colors, like dark red or orange blooming against black...

[@AprilSV83]

Mer de Noms is absolutely amazing front to back.

[@iximusic]

If you enjoyed this and you'd like to hear my thoughts on Thirteenth Step, there's a live listening party recording of it on my Patreon! www.patreon.com/posts/59493734. AND. As per usual there are so many more things about these songs that are worth mentioning, but I had to keep the video to a "reasonable" length. So let's talk about more great moments in these songs in the comments!

[@ABCbweman]

I love your in-depth-ful-ness. So much detail to unpack.... thank you for your time. This is amazing. Outstanding

[@CrazyKoenie]

Thirteenth step is their ultimate album

[@MostlyCloudy]

I'm totally signing up for your Patreon. I don't know why I've waited so long. ♥️♥️♥️

[@iximusic]

@@MostlyCloudy Excited to have you!

[@lydia5649]

@@iximusic glad you discover this gem

[@etvid331]

I learn so much from you! I’ve heard these songs thousands of times and you show me the inner beauty and complexity that I didn’t know was there. Thank you ixi!

[@familiarsting4108]

Rose has such an uplifting story lyrically and the arrangement is so unique and powerful, and Maynard’s doing what he does best. 🥀

[@ianglass9426]

I was probably about 17 or 18 when I bought this Cd on it's release. Differently though, I was a Tool fan beforehand. This was a very strong album. I saw A Perfect Circle in Birmingham shortly after. Maynard sang with his back to the crowd and sported a funny long-haired wig. All I remember was his back tattoo that ran down his spine. The guitar player was insane. I forced myself to the front row and almost got into a few fights. But I had to be up there. I think the opener was switchblade symphony or something like that, a Gothic hard rock outfit with a girl singer. This album shaped a lot of my musical endeavors at that time and even to this day.Thank You for this video. I've never had an in depth discussion about why this album is so great. But you've covered so much here. I will keep my eyes out for all of this series and, I have been going through all of your NiN stuff too. I love what you are doing with this channel. Your uploads make me happy. P.s. I've really been getting into Peter Gabriel and realizing how much he inspired Trent's earlier work. There's a sample on further down the spiral of Gabriel's intruder off of melt. It's crazy hearing samples that you just thought were synths or guitar effects. It adds another layer to the story. Be easy, IXi. Happy Newyear.

[@NobodyNewsNetwork]

4:40 Billy still cannot recreate that effect that was on that arpeggio part. It was some comb filter effect he had in an old multi effects unit that eventually broke. Fun fact: The main guitar Billy used to record Mer De Noms, and all APC records was one of about 2 dozen Les Paul's in various states of destruction from when he teched the NIN tour. There is something about the way they incorrectly reattached the broken neck that makes it play, and sound special.

[@UpspoonOneTwo]

My brother and I in high school when this came out slipped out of class to go pick this up from HMV. The rest of the day was lost getting lost in this masterpiece.

[@hardermusic]

That ascending/descending bit in the Hollow sounds like a ring modulator - that would be doubly cool, because then the arpeggio is both rising and falling at the same time in that part.

[@HungryForTastyFoodAndComicArt]

As the ring modulator was integral to the legendary "texture" of the Dalek Voice (and to a lesser extent, the 1960's Cybermen), I thank you for this comment!

[@marundertow8812]

It's so uplifting how you beautifully described my favorite APC song (The Hollow)

[@billymuellerTikTok]

Billy Howerdel plays guitar like a painter - creating an atmosphere and a different landscape for each song and Maynard is just my favorite singer ever

[@astrolopitekos]

My first concert was APC in a very cold January. Melissa Auf der Maur opened with great style. Their lineup was crazy good. What a band!

[@guitaristssuck8979]

Same, it was 2004

[@Quarker]

I genuinely love how the technical explanations about music theory are backed with the story and narrative aspect of why they chose that, simply amazing. It's so great to hear your interpretations on the meanings

[@nindestruct]

I never used to pay too much attention to "Rose", but after your analysis I have a whole new appreciation for it.

[@unclegumbald989]

It’s definitely off-putting in the beginning, listening to it for the first time, but it definitely grows on you (heh heh)! Also appreciative of Ixi’s breakdown of the evolution of the melodic themes during the song, showing the subject growing resolve in real-time! 🥰

[@astrolopitekos]

Same until I saw them live. Twiggy on bass really made it roar. Especially because they played it after doing a short Backstreet Boys cover 😂

[@buzzfunk]

Judith is my all time fav rock tune. It’s perfect.

[@TheSmeltork]

I absolutely love Rose 🌹. They finally played it the third time I saw them live and I wept.

[@eggstu]

👏👏👏 I love this album. I got to see them live on their first tour. simply amazing

[@roberttweten]

APC is beautiful and powerful….instantly fell in love in them. Billy’s new album is good too

[@brandoncrow3741]

This album is a masterpiece. My favorite song of these three is The Hollow, by far. I personally think Maynard was going through a, how shall I say it, promiscuous phase in his life at this time. The first two songs clearly deal with using sex to fill some emotional void in his life. The bridge lyrics in The Hollow are some of my favorites. "It's time to bring the fire down" - I think he's saying "chill out, Maynard. You're too hot and bothered" "Bridle all this indiscretion"- he's literally saying "pull the reigns, control your urges better" "Long enough to edify"- he needs to learn how to control his urges and not let them take over his life. "And permanently fill this hollow" I think he realizes what he's doing by being so promiscuous, and it's not working. He needs to find another way to fill that void. Just genius level lyric writing. I love this album. Great video. I'm looking forward to next week's instalment with my two favorite songs on the album! 🌹

[@guitaristssuck8979]

Songs aren't always autobiographic

[@bosettastoned]

@@guitaristssuck8979 but Maynard's are

[@maggsvamp]

Songs you pick are all the bands I listen too. I find that interesting that people that listen to these bands also listen to the same bands

[@rollwithdynamite]

probably my favorite album of all time.

[@el_meanderer]

Brilliant Album and they did it again with 13 Steps

[@TheEternalElir]

Best album ever! Maynard's voice was untouchable in his prime.

[@kaicanyonellis]

We're all over here waiting for which APC song ixi will analyze and then she drops an entire album on us. There are no words ❤️

[@bobbydee30g]

I still remember hearing this album as a baby musician way back when. Just getting the lid of my mind blown. It was a full on clinic in song writing and and superior lyricism.

[@avedic]

I love the lead guitar in the chorus of the hollow. So shoegazey!

[@billyalarie929]

I’m back and because I’m an idiot I forgot to leave this one right here for one of my favorite songs I’ve ever heard, possibly one of the great underrated masterpieces ever written 🌹

[@CedricJustice]

@ixi: I just want to say you're amazing. Your analysis put all these songs in a new light for me. Songs I have loved for a long time, but the matching of chord progressions with the lyrical content or the movement of the song is a level of depth in music I have not really thought about or encountered before. You are like an Art History major, bringing a new dimension of thought into a painting I have never considered before. I appreciate your work! Because of you, I now know I like 7ths, 9ths, and Dorian mode. These aren't things I'd ever know about myself #drummerProblems. 🌹 I can't wait until you dive into the Cure.

[@dustinwhiteside]

One of my favourite albums

[@MikeHarinen]

Rose had always been one of the songs I most frequently passed over on the album until I heard your analysis. Now I'm in love with it like I was with 3 Libras and The Hallow my first listen-through long, long ago. The strain. The struggle. The trimphant and bold declaration of self. God, there's something so primally and collectively attractive about that yet at the same time deeply moving on a personal level. Deep respect for APC and for the time and effort you put into this breakdown. For that, three roses: 🌹 🌹 🌹

[@beguile302]

Looks like we're starting off 2022 on the right foot! This is easily one of my favorite albums of all time! Thanks so much ixi!

[@kevinberg4948]

Yes I loved Rose from the first time I heard it

[@macroshibby6]

As a violist I appreciate and agree with the comparison of his vocals!

[@iximusic]

yesss! Even his melismas sound like strings. Like the very last flourish of Rose! What is that called when you play a bunch of notes on one bow? Slur?

[@macroshibby6]

@@iximusic that is indeed a slur!

[@TRIUMVIRATEMEDIA]

🌹 rose is also my favorite apc song and now even more so.

[@13lueBerryBluntz]

I could listen to you play this entire album on piano and absolutely love it. Can’t wait for the next one!!

[@marcusrietmann3339]

I thank you a thousand times from the bottom of my heart for your videos.

[@karf0]

Rose is my go-to shower song. It's so powerful to sing. Once you reach the end, you feel like you've taken that journey. 🌹

[@aldeayeah]

Magdalena is one of my favorite songs ever, and the way everything snaps into place for that last climactic section is a big part of it. Thanks for breaking it down!

[@The_Essential_Light]

Your knowledge of music is amazing.

[@grunthostheflatulent9649]

It just shows how powerful music is. Merely changing the music of Magdalena could've changed the theme from unhealthy obsession to great love story. Amazing power is contained in music.

[@MartinGonzalez-uy1uz]

A love story about a stripper? I don't think the music is going to change the inherent unhealthiness of the line "My self-esteem a dollar at a time" it's still pretty obessive.

[@CheshireJesterX]

Rose has always been one of my favorite APC songs.

[@the-patient-987]

I love the band and Rose is also one of my favorite songs. 🌷

[@madmac66]

Astonishing work Ixi. You are unmatched and unparalleled. Thank you

[@jonathanfrieze8497]

ive only seen them live once but it was when they first released this album what an amazing show billy howedell had wrote alot of the songs all the way back in the 80s so he really spent alot of time getting exactly the sound he wanted a masterful and very tasteful musician and thank god maynards there singer and i love how they picked up james iha from the smashing pumpkins for a backing rythmm guitarist

[@JoshuaKA02]

I was completely captivated when introduced to A Perfect Circle, and very gladly remain so. "Eureka!" makes a good summary of it, really. MJK and all of his cohorts are part of my DNA now; inseparable... It seems so raw and natural--we all have to learn how to see colors, hear notes, feel and express emotions--but it's a moment of pure discovery when the 'machine code' of your mind, heart, and soul gets thrown directly at you so plain to see for the first time. It just made me think about and see things in ways I never knew we could.

[@ArseniyTestin]

All the darkwave music of my youth in the most cheerful, Missoni styled environment. So good to see masterpieces treated as such, studied and revered outside of their time and subculture.

[@billyalarie929]

Ixi, i can't overstate how important you are to my development (and rediscovery) as a human being. you bring out vitality that i've known underneath the surface, for a VERY long time, but hadn't had the language to express (or even the confidence to feel like i was onto something, even if i DID have the language for it). giving me that language, giving me back that moment to connect to things that once made me feel alive in my youth, there's nothing better than that, especially as a creative myself. thank you.

[@mikasasukasa8790]

🌹I'm very surprised to hear that Rose isn't a more beloved song. Ever since I got the album it's been one of my favorites from it, and I've listened to the full album many, many times. Despite knowing the lyrics, I've never analyzed the meaning of the song myself (I tend to focus more on the emotion of a song rather than the actual lyrics present). You've made me realize why I must have subconsciously loved this song so much with its story of parasitic oppression and triumphant liberation mixed in with the music complementing the narrative the whole way through. I had never noticed the use of the double meaning behind the title of the song either. Taken literally, it's first used as a noun, an actual rose, with the snail feeding on it. Then later in the song it's used as a verb, with the self-destructive dance that never would have ended until they rose (up) and roared aloud. I love what Billy created with this song, and it's what initially sucked me in, but Maynard repeatedly surprises me with his ability to elevate music with his lyrics and use of melody. Your breakdowns are great, and so is your playing and singing. I haven't watched a great deal of videos on this channel (yet), but the way you get into these songs and explain things is captivating. If I had realized your channel didn't already have at least hundreds of thousands of subs I would have likely commented and subscribed sooner in support. Based on a quick view of older videos, I definitely need to dig deeper when I'm able to listen properly.

[@marcusdez]

I totally could watch 10 hours of this

[@michaelcomazzi5047]

By the way. When I see your face, and how beautiful you are, you make my heart skip a beat. You are gorgeous and smart, and the fact I found you talking about APC is amazing. So talented.

[@michaelfavata2720]

Coming back to this because APC, Puscifier and Primus are touring in spring of 2024. This is such a well done video. Love the detail and passion you put into it.

[@iximusic]

I got tickets!

[@michaelfavata2720]

@@iximusic Nice! Same here

[@shendogg1]

Rose is my favorite too!

[@earlsfield]

While i will always love Tool the most, this album with this line up is legendary. I was 20 years old, 22 years ago, when I was listening to Orestes through entire autumn. And Brena. i mean, entire album is a monster, with The Hollow, Judith and 3 libras as heavy hitters, then Magdalena, Rose and Thomas as tracks you figure out in time, but Orestes and Brena... my god. That first riff and first verse and chorus - you know song is so good when you wish they would repeat it more than once, i mean the verse. Also, everything around the album - Billy's demos - I still have Orestes sung by Billy. And ofc the first time Maynard singing like that. Trivia - Primus drummer was supposed to play instead of Josh, but he backed up last minute, so we have his drums on the Hollow only. Paz brought so much on bass too.

[@astrolopitekos]

Ah interesting! I actually thought Tim had recorded all the drums. Anyway it was thanks to APC that I got to know Josh which then opened the door to NIN, so thank you Tim Alexander for quitting 😆

[@earlsfield]

​@@astrolopitekos Nope, he only recorded The Hollow. You can actually hear the drums are different, and when Josh would play it live, the arrangement was a bit looser and had those bomb fillers in the last chorus. I cannot imagine APC without Josh, especially that album, drums were in your face, large and boomy, and his playing style with lots of odd meters and groove fits bass Paz played perfectly, leaving Troy and Billy space to do whatever they wanted on guitars.

[@Death_By_Media]

Ah that magic moment rocking out to this unknown band opening for NIN on the fragility tour then releasing that dude doesn’t sound like MJK it is MJK in a wig . Good times Also ... That’s cool to find out Billy was originally interested in Fraser to do vox , not too surprising he is a big classic goth fan , they did The Cure and Siouxsie covers on that tour . I’d not be at all surprised if he was a This Mortal Coil fan as She was one member of that 4AD super group and probably her most famous song “Song to the Siren” came from their debut album “ This Will End In Tears “ which as a music lover such as you are I’d highly recommend giving that LP a full listen too .

[@michaeltaylor6118]

@ixi music I have to brag: My first experience with A Perfect Circle was when they debuted this album - as the opening act for NIN !

[@TheJuliousness]

Your beautiful brain and your emotional intelligence are perfectly tuned. Makes me wish I had the gift of a person like you to converse with. Captivating in many ways. ✌🏻

[@mrdylanja]

Appreciate the way you articulate concepts and explain why they're powerful. The precise technicality in which you breakdown music I've always considered magical is so satisfying in such an interesting way. It unlocks a new level of understanding. Thank you. 🌹

[@robesdebah4811]

The major second power chord was like the patron chord of Nu Metal. It defined songs like Be Quiet and Drive or even whole bands like Staind. It's easy to play in drop-d (a natural, even accidental outcropping of a tradtional power chord) and it does give that 'hollow' sound. Even better, when you're playing it as a power chord in a progression, it keeps your chords from easily describing a key. Even playin 1-4-5 or 1-3-4 gets an extra level of strange. The minor 7th is used this way in blues and country to give otherwise major progressions a lackadaisical stank. In metal, the major second gives otherwise grim/hard/Black Sabbath progressions a decidedly lilting/haunted/atmospheric feeling. Shout out to the break down of Perfect Drug.

[@dpinskey]

By the way - A Perfect Circle is a personal favorite of mine of which from their catalogue I have added to my regular practice list 3 Libras, Passive, The Noose, The Outsider and The Doomed. Such brilliance

[@Lotuseaterr]

I was in my early teens when this album came out and I was very much into metal and industrial at the time. The outro for Rose is the first time that strings really grabbed me and caught my attention. I listened to it more than any other moment on that album. It still chokes me up tbh

[@jaredcarrier9015]

This came out the summer right after high school for me. I recorded Judith on cassette off the radio, before the CD came out. Now it's 2022 and I consider it timeless.

[@JonSmith-fl8vx]

...cd's came out almost 20 years before this album dropped...

[@jaredcarrier9015]

@@JonSmith-fl8vx the CD, not CDs...

[@dpinskey]

Thank you so much for this breakdown of songs from what I think is some of the most brilliantly written music in rock. My background has been in drumming so my musical vocabulary can be somewhat limited in being able to convey what sounds I hear in music and inside of my creative headspace but you explain things so precisely and delve into the psychology of how the music makes us feel and think. I felt I must thank you and let you know how happy I was to have stumbled upon your KZbin channel. Thanks again

[@jasonstiles7672]

I am not in the least bit musically gifted, but I could listen to this lady make mouth music while watching her hand dance all day and feel like I’m learning all the things. Bravo madame.

[@oliverseuser7030]

🌹…you are a great inspiration to me!! Thnx for sharing your knowledge 🌹 With great appreciation and love, Olli from Germany

[@lovedeathdisco]

i feel you on rose 🥀 also possibly my #1 orestes has forever been a fav. they're kinda tied but opposing moods. what a lovely album, thank you for taking the time to shine light on this masterpiece. starting on pt2 now but remembered to add that 🖤💯

[@michaelgoodyear9369]

I love this album. This video is very interesting. I play, but all by ear and feel. I am learning a lot from you. Thank you. I love your NIN breakdowns as well, but this was a great choice

[@nigelmcphearson]

I never knew I needed this channel in my life. But I absolutely adore these breakdowns. You are a gem love! Never change! 💚

[@shrugsmemes917]

it's all in 3/4? now that's music i would absolutely waltz to!

[@shrugsmemes917]

actually i'm now imagining trying to dance with someone to the hollow at a ball of sorts and like. god that's a great idea actually

[@iximusic]

Especially a string quartet version!

[@kilo1981]

For some reason, I think I actually love your APC reaction more than your NIN ones and I'm not sure why, because I love both bands equally! Hard to believe this album is 22 years old, it always struck me as having a modern day gothic fairytale feel to it! Keep up the excellent work ixi! Greetings from Ireland!

[@stupendoushorrendous8258]

So much of this video is either making me say "That's exactly what I thought" or "I can't believe I never thought of that!" I'm so glad to see someone going in depth on this incredible music.

[@dangfu6266]

Yessss! Rose! Love that song and really enjoyed watching this video. I saw A Perfect Circle on their last tour and they were amazing and Rose was a stand out moment for sure!

[@plexus]

This album is so damn good. Front to back.

[@alansvartr]

🌹 one thing to note about the track that I never would've noticed until accidentally trying to play it in a cd player missing a speaker, but the intro guitar is recorded twice, once in tune plucking the melody and hard panned to the opposite side is the completely out of tune sliding around hitting nothing correctly. still can't even seperate the two without hard panning to make it out even knowing about it. absolutely unique and amazing song/album.

[@uphillracer]

Have a decoded the codes on the album artwork back in the day? I have! It was so cool

[@blairnorton4727]

Loved your analysis of a fantastic album! Great for you to articulate in words what I've always felt listening to this. Many thanks.

[@guymandude2774]

Paz just drove it like it was the last time she was gonna get to play.

[@wammons007]

your explanation to make me understand thing I didn't know needed was great. I listen a bit more intensely thanks

[@mikecochran1759]

Rose.. That song is probably the most tragically beautiful songs I've ever heard. Can't listen to that song without tearing up.