Puscifer: What is…

Okay, so I have some confessions to make: I had not heard Puscifer before. I had heard Tool, of course, and A Perfect Circle. I know Maynard James Keenan is leader of both, but since I collect fine wine, I knew him more for his wine, from Merkin and Cadeucus Vineyards, both in Arizona, where my in-laws live. And I have to say, the wine from Caduecus is very good wine, and not what you might expect from a vineyard located off the main wine trail (CA, OR, WA). And he designs clothes, as well! The dude knows what he is about, and with this music, he shows again he knows what he is about. This is a very, very good disc.

This new release is not just a live show, recorded pristinely and well. It also includes a DVD showing s full set of comedy sketches to go along with the music. The record has a large number of tracks, using Keenen and others, notably a wonderful female singer who I do not recognize and who is not listed on the promotional materials- I apologize for not being to give her proper props. But overall, this sounds less like Tool and more like something like new romantic band with power. And it can fool you. You might come to this with certain expectations based on Keenan's past work. But then the record starts out almost as a folk disc, before shifting into a more electric groove. Some of these songs are gorgeous; for example, "Tiny Monsters," with its wordless chorus. And in keeping with Keenan tradition, there is at least one song with "Vagina" in the title. Overall, though, I loved this. It was recorded live, it sounds spacious and it rocks above all.

I get the sense this may close off Puscifer for a while. Keenan has said that 2014 will be the year of Tool, which in and of itself is good news. For now, this one is an essential must have.

Track Listings

1. The Green Valley
2. Tiny Monsters
3. Vagina Mine
4. Dozo
5. Toma
6. The Rapture
7. The Weaver
8. Rev 22-20
9. Momma Sed
10. Oceans
11. Monsoons
12. Horizons
13. Conditions of My Parole
14. Man Overboard
15. Telling Ghosts
16. Undertaker
17. Tumbleweed

Added: December 3rd 2013
Reviewer: Dana Lawrence
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 2127
Language: english

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