Listening to A Perfect Circle: Judith - Thoughts and Opinion

[@tomtomthebear]

Josh freese is a fucking monster on the drums..!!!!

[@muriloninja]

Absolutely! Nothing over the top "Look how great I am" but hard to explain but you can feel how hard he hits the kit coupled with his feel and that for me, kills me! Watching them play this live drives that home to me!

[@sehtah]

This song actually still gets played quite a bit on one of my local radio stations. Three Libras is another really good track off the same album.

[@robertjones4361]

Bingo......and he wanted her stop worshiping this God...."that did this to you"

[@tomwiththeweather247]

There is also a great live version of three libras performed on the tonight show with Jay leno from way back. Jim, if you see this, you should do a studio/live version back to back. It's a fairly short song. Hope to see it.

[@andrewj3398]

From mer de noms I’d recommended “the hollow”, “Orestes”, “ 3 libras (beautiful song), Magdalena, and rose but they’re all good

[@cranboogie]

I’m so glad you’re back to Mallard!

[@hollis68]

“Orestes” - studio version; best track of all time!

[@juliangrenon-grekin5954]

Definitely their best track on that album.. And brëna

[@xavierhenriques1116]

Yes So solid

[@matthew6427]

I agree but they do have some great live versions too! Might be my favorite track on the record.

[@jainelson8840]

Yes yes. Amazing.

[@R.Nashoba]

The production of this album is one of the best ever, Hope all is well Jim

[@vikonja121]

I'm glad you gave this song a shot! A Perfect Circle is essentially the project of Maynard and Billy Howerdel (the guitarist), they write all of the songs - Billy writes most of the core musical ideas (even though Maynard probably has some creative input there) while Maynard is pretty much responsible for all vocals/lyrics. Their first two albums are really good, especially their second one, Thirteenth Step. They have some really heavy songs (like this one), but I actually think their best songs are the slower "ballads", like Brena, Orestes, Gravity etc. A fun fact, Billy Howerdel worked as a guitar tech for a lot of big bands in the 90s like NIN, Faith No More, Smashing Pumpkins, Guns and Roses and Tool as well during their recording of Aenima.

[@Ghostnova100]

The ending note of this song is awesome

[@antonb348]

Mer De Noms is one great album with many great stand out tracks like this, Orestes and 3 Libras. The material apc released since has never quite reached the same standard (in my opinion) I may get some stick for saying that but I truly believe this album can’t be beaten.

[@Easy_Skanking]

I'm the same. It felt like they blew their load with this album and never even come close to this level. It's very disappointing.

[@noelebbert9322]

13th step was pretty good

[@j.prt.979]

13th Step is way better imo.

[@cyberdemon1702]

Welcome back Jim! 3 Libras is another great one, short but sweet definitely worth a listen.

[@MarcinOfTheNuclearVillage]

Funny story... I've just realized that I remember perfectly how I felt hearing Judith for the first time right after it was released... If that's not an indicator of a timeless masterpiece, I don't know what is. Love this song and probably remaining 90%+ of the rest A Perfect Circle material as well. Thanks for the video Jim! It's always a pleasure...

[@jdgonzo1982]

i remember back in the day when APC came out...they were described by many as "Tool for Girls!" - Amazing how quickly times change...things have moved on so much since then I'd probably upset someone by saying that aloud in public!! APC won me over with the musicianship and melodies...it really soothes the soul when you sit back and listen to their work. Thanks Jim :)

[@thegoatchild3545]

This is really much more easy digestible than TOOL for most people. This is the song that introduced me to Maynard in 1999. Loved it immediately. Two years later Lateralus happened and nothing was ever the same again really.

[@kiariworldturner8641]

Yeah, agreeing with some of the comments. I remember reading that it was not only his mother's faith, but the community surrounding it, all saying that it was "God's will" that his mother was deteriorating.

[@laurenhunterviolinchannel1123]

Yay!! So good to see you back, sir! This album is fantastically produced. Paz on bass, she had some fantastic ideas and what a sound. Met Billy a couple years ago on the Eat the Elephant tour. Can see why he and Maynard work so well together. Honest, vulnerable and amazing artists. I hope you dive in the whole album for us or for yourself. Sonically and lyrically beautiful.

[@alpur214]

Both Mer de Noms and Thirteenth Step are wonderful albums by APC. Would love to see you react to more songs off those albums!

[@nfbuckeye]

Cannot believe this song is 20 years old already!

[@Spooked.J]

This whole album is killer. Keep going, Jim! 🤘

[@Torana355]

Good to see you back Jim, love your videos whenever they pop up!

[@dansmith3vdhrj]

P.s. Saw them for the first time back in the day touring on 13th Step, and met all but Maynard, including a Special Guest appearance by Goddess Paz playing her violin on 3 Libras, at the Metro in Chicago; magical night. Btw, Josh Freeze was their best drummer, no doubt!

[@jamessukanec4243]

The Doomed my favorite APC song!

[@nimasharifi7999]

Good to have u back. I recommend 'Weak and Powerless', 'The Noose', and '3 Libras'.

[@awol7824]

Passive from APC is a really great tune. It was used in Constantine Staring Keanu Reeves. Give that a listen, I dont think you would be disappointed with it.

[@marvamaxwell4124]

Your right this song was very radio friendly it was in heavy rotation back in 2000

[@xxczerxx]

You have an absolutely excellent broadcasting voice and general style, would make amazing podcast/interviewer. This seems like one of those channels where I find it and then come back in a few months and it's got 100k+ subs! Anyway please keep it up this is great stuff

[@JimNewstead]

Hello! Well, two years later I'm still at around the 25K mark!

[@jamiewatton7732]

This was written before she died and the anger is directed at God as a personification of the church. After her stroke the church abandoned her completely as though it was her sin that caused her illness. The lyrics in Wings for Marie are obviously far more and reflective and possibly more mature. Almost saying 'well, if you're going to hold your faith through all that then you deserve heaven more than any of these pretenders'.

[@jamiewatton7732]

I should say, as with all Maynard lyrics,... 'Is how I interpreted it'.

[@jainelson8840]

I think that’s a perfect explanation. His gripe was with the congregation more so than God or his moms faith.

[@SB-wj6dw]

Read his book

[@jrod112278]

Any song off of Mer De Noms would be a great choice.

[@brianwolfe5982]

Welcome back! 🤘

[@Spooked.J]

Paz on that bass! 😍

[@michaelgibson6166]

James Iha is a clever song writer in his own right and lurks in the background of APC.

[@ChaseVonnegut]

Troy Van Leewuen (now Queens of the Stone Age) played rhythm on this album and not James Iha. Troy was part of the reason this album had a much dirtier/gritter sound. You can find videos of him talking about his set up and how he runs effects.

[@mattblackman3917]

Hey Jim, I never make YT comments but broke radio silence to say that I'm really glad to see your vid and you're still my fav reactor! stay well

[@Agostoic]

Great to hear you back with a banger!, more APC would be appreciated Jim.

[@michaelgibson6166]

MJK always makes me feel like I can relate to his lyrics. I have been a huge fan of his since I first saw TOOL live in 1997. No simp .

[@6lillium]

Hi Jim ! Welcome back. Always been a fan of Tool...but I like PC even more. More colors in their pallet. Glad you like this. Good choice to start with....now 3 Libras ( he's frustrated with her BLIND faith)

[@cefhamster]

Welcome back! My recommendations: Orestes The Package The Hollow The Noose Vanishing The Doomed

[@dansmith3vdhrj]

From what I recall, Maynard's mother Judith Marie, was in a paralyzed state for approximately 27 years or 10,000 days before her death. As one who has also lost a religious mother, I can say the pain and anger is deep when someone believes, and you want to respect the purity of that, but know the faith healers and sycophants and televangelists can't help her and no god will change the facts. It's also, an anger about the hypocrisy of the Church and the futility of having the kind of connection a child would want with a mother, perhaps except maybe it feels like they're in a fantasy land and you aren't but have to play along. It's rough, but this song was always so pure to me. Also, Maynard did at one point say it was more about "fuck Your god" with an emphasis on the idolatry, faith in something false, that doesn't live up to the hype. Anyway, have a great day!! lol

[@muriloninja]

The Outsider: React to that! Probably my favorite of the album, Judith probably my 2nd favorite! The Outsider is so raw, love an album that has different vibes per song versus one vibe for an entire album!

[@danielpilz8052]

I believe he was frustrated with his mother for her deepened appreciation and adoration of god even as her physical condition kept deteriorating.

[@Avram42]

If you go down the rabbit hole as you probably already have she maintained faith even when she was abandoned (i.e. not supported) by her congregation... MJK has every right to have been angry at that time period (I have my own parallels to my step mother but fortunately she has been supported at all times even if it would be easy to write her off). This song hits hard after piecing together his mother's history thru several songs. I always thought it was "poppy" when I first heard it but the frustration of the subject matter becomes palpable when you understand it. To summarize I'm entirely sympathetic to what he went thru but never expected to go thru it myself and yet *$hit happens*

[@iamme8530]

@@Avram42 ......very true and I heard not long ago he was raised in a southern baptist church and they told MJK at the age of I believe 11 yrs old his mother was being punished. I do believe in God but to say that to someone at a young age you could understand the anger and frustration.

[@EiriUesugiKun]

This is my interpretation of this song as well. And then in Wings of Marie he has accepted his mothers faith and as an older man, understands it and is more angry towards the congregation: Ignorant siblings at the congregation Gather around spewing sympathy Spare me That last line is sooooo good..

[@Avram42]

@@EiriUesugiKun MJK started angry and became wrathful in a sense. Since he's riled by people that profess to be loving and yet do not support his mother in a time of need I completely understand his path thru the several songs in his career.

[@immaculatetoilet]

@@EiriUesugiKun and Horizons by Puscifer would be an epilogue of sorts to his mother's story.

[@dfbovey]

It’s definitely dealing with his anger over his mother’s health and her faith in god despite god putting her through it. As a person who went through something similar with my grandmother, I suffered with the same feelings of questioning how a woman could be so devout and trusting that her pain and suffering was for a reason. And if there is a god why would torturing your most devout followers serve a purpose? It was an angering concept to me and years later when Judith and then Wings for Marie were released, these songs helped me release some of my own anger.

[@kevinbrown9478]

Three libras is great. And very different.

[@fibwick6275]

Hey Jim, I love watching your videos with a nice cup of tea :) A song I'd recommend you react to is Ocean Song by Daughters. I'm a big fan of progressive rock, but lately I've been really exploring other genres, and while Daughters certainly aren't prog rock, I think they are rock that is engaging in a similar way as prog rock just by being very unique. While it's not metal musically, I think it manages to be harsher and more intense than metal usually is. Cheers, Jim!

[@dan.j.boydzkreationz]

Maynard, Billy Howerdel and the gorgeous Paz Lenchantin are three harmonizing vocalists in this track

[@blipbobeep8345]

Check out another song by them, "Weak and Powerless", also a great straightforward rock song, yet complex and engaging.

[@matthew6427]

I'm not sure Maynard would consider it "anger" but more of a misguiding or waste of energy? I don't want to attempt to even try to put words in his mouth, or try to figure out what exactly the "message" is. I do know that he loved his mother and he values his time, he does more work in a week than I do in a year. He's an inspiration for the ways that I would like to be 😅 in that sense.

[@anthonypallen7919]

Hey Jim hope you are well good to hear from you

[@jamesthemachinedean]

My favourite apc songs are orestes, Thomas, the noose, gravity, by and down the river, and dissolutioned. They have 3 albums and all the songs I've mentioned are a lot less heavy would be great to hear you react to a few of those. They also have a covers album which has a great cover of John lennons imagine, Depeche mode people are people and a completely different sounding version of when the levee breaks by led zep. Maynard also does a good cover on his own of rocketman

[@Andrew46_2]

Puscifer (maynards other band) came out with a new album in the last year and the track bullet train to Iowa is amazing. More of an electronic sound.

[@buddysaile973]

More APC and Puscifer please Jim. Hard to go wrong with Maynard's discography. Cheers

[@854medic]

Love the juxtaposition- finally a MJK song where the lyrics and meaning are more confusing than the music structure. Great react.

[@donkeydarko77]

A veritable duck pond full of music. Clever.

[@caseyrogers573]

I think his anger was actually frustration at not being able to understand how his mother maintained such strong faith in a god who, according to her own worldview, brought about the conditions of her “10,000 day” paralysis. This song is like “angry young man” Maynard and the song 10,000 days/wings for Marie represents his growth on the issue.

[@Pohgg-c9o]

There seems to be a story in there where he feels betrayed by her, possibly choosing to peruse heavenly reward over her child. Wings/10000 days from that POV is a very different song then it is commonly perceived.

[@PaulHilburger]

"he's angry" ....understatement of the year

[@yomo1690]

His mothers faith more I think. But I agree there is some part of him must have a belief of some kind. Remember Wings for Marie part 1 and 2. Through his discography Maynard went from anger at his mom, to anger at the faith, to admiration of his mom's steadfastness and her integrity in her beliefs.

[@andrewj3398]

Search “ conan judith “It is a live performance of blow you away of this song amazing

[@susantikeYayashinge]

If you plan to react to song Orestes, please choose Red Rock live version, since it is the best version online. Truly a masterpiece

[@sveinungandreassenfolles5918]

You should try Motorpsycho. Extremly talented and experienced band. Maybe start with Bartok of the universe. But I have to warn you. If you start listening to this band you dont tend to stop...

[@johnbeagley1195]

A touch of Gary Numan in the vocal!

[@keithmorrissey3848]

Brena or Pet. Check out his other band Puscifer. The Remedy is a great song by them.

[@theawakener4360]

"A Perfect circle-3 Libras " next please

[@notchjohnson2540]

Praising God for all the good things in life but not blaming him putting her in a wheelchair is cherry picking and might have caused a bit of frustration depending on how outwardly pious she was. Especially if you do not believe in God. The anger obviously wouldn't be towards the imaginary deity that he doesn't believe in, but against religion and the dogmatic way people are indoctrinated and brainwashed from childhood. "He did it all for you" is of course a play on the phrase that is usually refers to Jesus "dying for your sins", but in this case to point out the misery of striking her paralyzed, which should equally be attributed, if we are playing a game of divine agency.

[@Iplayfrisbee4130]

Well said man. 👍

[@donrodztx]

This was written for the congregation of the church she attended because he overheard them saying she must have done something to deserve her fate.

[@LanceThompsonKssooner]

God doesn't strike people down or wish bad things on you. That is an ignorant perception (of Maynard or anyone else that would say it.) In fact the world is Lucifer's domain. The Bible clearly states that the world is full of bad things and that is part of the test. Paradise will come later in Heaven if you keep your faith.

[@kykk3365]

The suggestions for APC tracks are predictable, so I'm going to suggest a track that doesn't get enough love; Passive from their anti-war album Emotive. Also you can't go wrong with any track from their sophomore album Thirteenth Step - a mature, and in my opinion, a far superior album to Mer de noms (which is a fine album, but quality isn't as consistent).

[@JoeBlythe]

I'm sure with this many comments, you have already discovered the detailed backstory that inspired Maynard to write these lyrics, but I have scrolled down and can't quite find a complete explanation. So here we go; Judith was given the impression (by her church) that she was paralyzed as punishment for her sins, and therefore it was wrong to seek treatment for her illness. So she basically let herself suffer, and eventually die. In this song, Maynard is angry with his mother's church, but more so her continued faith in the church, despite what she was going through, and what she was being told. Maynard has never really declared himself to be religious in any way, though his viewpoint of his mother's practice of religion has changed over the years.

[@dan.j.boydzkreationz]

I've wondered for a while, if maybe he wrote these lyrics as an angsty teen in the late 70s or early 80s

[@DMKali]

Maynard wasn’t questioning his mother’s faith as much as he was lashing out at the hypocrisy in her church (Southern Baptist). People from her church were talking behind her back saying his mother must have deserved this fate for God to punish her like that. When he says F your God, it wasn’t directed at his mother, or God, it was directed at the fundamentalists & extremists who without compassion or reason do so many hypocritical, bad, or evil things in the world and claim it’s in Gods name ... thus “F your God”. Maynard does a commentary about this song which explains his mindset (which is often misinterpreted) kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4aTc6WtobyBis0 This song is a sonic tsunami! Paz is the BEST!

[@JimNewstead]

Ah..... that makes sense! Thanks 🙏

[@DMKali]

@@JimNewstead Maynard’s book is a great read. (A Perfect Union of Contrary Things)

[@sinkler123]

APC are great! Orestes / 3 Libras should be explored after this one. (but plz stay away from live versions, better stick to the album)

[@owenthomas7014]

Possibly one of my favourite songs, of not the favourite tune.

[@countbang1305]

JIm, as far as what(not who) he is angry with... the second one.

[@itsayswithoutgoing9571]

Jim how have you, ironically of all people, gone this far in the Tool catalogue and still not done “Jimmy”? It’s the first chapter in Maynard’s Judith Marie journey.

[@battlethebollocksrodgers9173]

" it's not like you drove a hateful spear into his side"...." He did it all for youuuuu" !!! Regardless of Maynard's condescending wordplay....he did do it all for you.... absolutely amazing.... Jesus Christ that is....

[@spencermcCH]

A perfect circle- counting bodys like sheep

[@andrewlockett4569]

Pretty sure Mallmaynard ( sic ) is an atheist, judging by general absence of god adoration, mostly in favour of a more powerful entity in the Solar system. I mean what true believer would use the adjective of benevolent for a burning star of nuclear fusion in place of some omnipotent deity??

[@threestringsomg]

Or any Yob...try a bit of Doom and you will find a new form of addictive oft untapped music....with Yob especially suggest anything from The illusion of Motion or Clearing the Paths To Ascend....don't be put off by the doom tag....Yob are musically the baby of Sabbath but create a wow standard of musical textures that hypnotise and amaze the soul once it clicks.....I imagine much like you say with Tool (I keep trying but no clicky....I think it's his voice....so middle of the road annoying...)👍

[@MrRubyscube]

In addition to what Daniel Pilz says here I think he was angry and frustrated with the people around her in her religious milieu whom he viewed as hypocrites and exploiters of her kindness, also referred to in his requiem 10,000 days as "Ignorant siblings at the congregation. Gather around spewing sympathy. Spare me." Remember, in the depths of America the cultishness of some secluded religious groups can be pretty extreme, and I don't doubt that they tried to shame her for her sons life choices. Him standing on MTV singing "Fuck your god!!!!" probably didn't help either. Maynards life is interesting, it's really a scaled down modern odyssey.

[@gmpsandw]

Please listen to A Perfect Circle The Package, if you want raw emotion.

[@EiriUesugiKun]

As for your first (?) Puscifer song, I would suggest "The conditions of my parole (directors cut)" since it shows the funnier side of Maynard. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXaQkH1rjLyepcU Enjoy! (oh, and slight spoiler if you will check it out: the police officer is the bass guitarist of Puscifer)

[@spencermcCH]

Check puscifers new album

[@spencermcCH]

🎧😜

[@Bongoloid]

Pet needs more love, banger of a track while still carrying the emotional weight of the rest of the catalogue.

[@billyowen9800]

I think hes mad over her blind faith despite her unfair situation. Also probably a bit upset with god for what she had been through reguardless of her devotion. Just a theory. If that is he believes in "god" in the conventional iteration.

[@brianwhitney5441]

I'm wondering if you know Maynard and you don't like him or if your jealous of him or resentful of him. You almost seem to have a condescending attitude of what he does. Just my impression of your reactions to his art and that's fine if you feel that way that's great. Just curious

[@threestringsomg]

Just sounds like tool I'd say....hardly mind blowing...I think it does sound pretty radio friendly...or at least rock radio friendly...sry done all Tool albums and will never be a fave of mine....anyhow great to have you back sir! Would love to see reaction to newish Pumpkins, Steve Wilson, Sparks...etc

[@theawakener4360]

He believes in god...just not the God her and her church friends believes in....they believe in a God that judges and separates

[@TheUselessGeniusX]

More of questioning her faith. Like, she gave her life to God, to simply be afflicted with her aneurysm for round about 10,000 days before she died. All the while, her faith never wavered. Also, questioning why she should be punished, she never chastised Christ, or "drove a hateful spear into his side," even though everything that happened, happened according to God's will. Ir, something like that...

[@alteraciondeltiempo]

angry with his mother's stupid faith

[@jam1870utube]

I don’t think Maynard is angry at “God,” because I don’t think he believes in a “God,” but I think he’s angry at his mother’s willful ignorance and stubbornness, which is taught by the dogmatic, religious brainwashing of Christian mankind. He’s angry that he can’t help her and convince otherwise to what he knows and believes about the REAL world.

[@palantir135]

Again, never heard of them. And they have the same problem as Tool; I can’t stand the singing.

[@jamiewatton7732]

Blasphemy 🤣

[@palantir135]

@@jamiewatton7732 i’m so called high sensitive. It literally hurts me.

[@jamiewatton7732]

@@palantir135 all good, buddy. Everyone had their favourites.