Customer Reviews

A Perfect Circle - aMOTION (with CD)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Following up just two weeks after A Perfect Circle's election day release, "eMOTIVe," another release, "aMOTION" comes our way. Basically what this set consists of is almost every scrap of extra APC material. The disc is nine tracks full of remixes, some old, some new. The DVD consists of all of the band's music videos up to now, some we've seen a million times, and others that either didn't air, or were never released. First off, the remix CD. Great choice, as A Perfect Circle seem to have some of the most tasteful remixes of any band out there. A great bulk of the songs were remixed by Danny Lohner and some have either appeared on various soundtracks or on import CD-singles. Probably one of the most note-worthy moments is the "Constantly Consuming" remix of "The Hollow," which isn't so much a remix, as it is a reinterpretation, as done by former bassist (who is still working with the band) Paz Lenchantin. That's right folks. She provides all of the music on this version and even sings it herself. The "Tilling My Own Grave" remix of "Weak & Powerless" is another great one. It definitely "rocks" up the original version (don't get me wrong, the original is untouchable) with some help by Lohner and born-again Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland (you may remember it from the "Underworld" soundtrack). The DVD portion is quite a treat as well. Not only are all the music videos here, but we get a live performance of "The Noose" (my favorite song from "Thirteenth Step") which is very entertaining (they need to put out a live DVD, hint hint), plus four different versions of the video "Blue," all fan-made. Both versions of "The Outsider" video are present, edited and unedited. Don't get too excited though, as the unedited cut doesn't feature nudity, just a long intro to the video -- although, everyone seems to hate the Bikini Bandits idea so much, so who cares, right? Well, they make another appearance in "Thinking Of You," so get used to it. "Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of The War Drums" is an all animated video that contains some very strong anti-Bush imagery, that I haven't seen (probably for many good reasons) aired anywhere. Maynard and Billy each have their own commentary for the videos. Maynard comments on all of them, and gets into the more intellectual side of the meaning of each song and video, while Billy gives us the more straight-forward story, and sadly, only appears on a handful of the videos. So overall, it's a great package. You have to really appreciate the band and what they do to appreciate this. To those who love to scream "Sell-out," I ask you this question: If they are selling out, why are you buying? Get over yourselves. They make incredible music, and at the end of the day, that's all that matters. And good for them for giving us so much material to tide us over until the next album, which will probably be a long time coming.

Say what you want about both Tool and A Perfect Circle being overrated, although in my humble opinion both statements are pathetically untrue, made by quick to judge music snobs who probably haven't a single shred of talent in them anyway. But if there is one quality about Maynard James Keenan's musical career, its that he is consistently dependable, which is why any and every project he has touched since Tool's Opiate debut has been golden. The same is true of Amotion, the release which doubles as both a collection of APC's music videos as well as a remix album which defies the standard for the typically cliche techno, 4/4 bass drum thumping over a cheesy synthesizer with slightly offset vocals release which clog the minefield of musical territory such as the remix album does. Anyone who has had a problem with Amotion, saying it is exactly as they expected, treads no new ground, or whatever other excuses they can find for bashing a good band is selling themselves short, and placing too much emphasis on a band of this statures need to blow fans minds with every album they touch. To my recollection, Amotion has never been marketed as anything other than a collection of music videos and remixed songs, and anyone who buys this expecting anything more is obviously going to be disappointed.

Those who approach with an open mind and low expectations will be vastly rewarded though, as all of APC's tasteful and artistic music videos are archived here, all in one place. Personal favorites of mine for artistic quality are Three Libras and Weak And Powerless, while favorites of mine for eye candy are all of the Bikini Bandits clips which make up The Outsider music videos, although all of them lack anything even remotely intellectually stimulating. The real treat of the live DVD is the live version of The Noose though, which while it contains abstract camera work that makes it hard to enjoy the visual aspect of the musicians interacting, is such a wonderfully beautiful song that to have it in live form anywhere is much appreciated. It is hands down my favorite song from The Thirteenth Step album and I was overjoyed to find it here. The video for Judith is rocking and the politically driven animation of Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of The War Drums is the most adventurous thing in the genre as of late.

As for the remix CD, it manages to steer clear of the deathtrap which is laid for such sensitive turf as the remix album genre is, most of which are artistically void and dead of originality, basically being just basic electronic alterations of great songs that any chimp with a drum machine and a computer can pull off nowadays. Instead of becoming generic ripoffs of quality material, the music is largely kept intact up to a certain extent, many of the original vocal lines and guitar riffs being interspersed with strange electronic undertones more akin to a Trent Reznor remix album than a Paul Oakenfold one. Structurally the songs work too, often taking us on new twists and turns which the original material did not provide, and henceforth making it an unexpectedly enjoyable listening experience. As for specifics, the Renholder remix of Judith is electrifyingly eerie, while the Feel My Ice Dub of 3 Libras, despite the laughable title, is euphorically beautiful and combines the moving classical guitar work of the original song with an ambience that touches the soul. The Constantly Consuming mix of The Hollow is however, one of the best mixes featured here, as it is essentially former APC bassist Paz Lenchantin lending her beautiful voice to the song over just a piano, an acoustic guitar, and a tear jerking string quartet. Blissful.

This release comes highly recommended to fans of A Perfect Circle, but just make sure you know what you're getting into before you buy it. If you expect a load of live and/or behind the scenes material on the DVD, prepare to be let down. If you want all the videos in one place for your enjoyment at any time, with a few treats thrown in, you'll find no end to your enjoyment of this. If you were expecting a slew of unreleased material or new songs on the CD, you'll dismiss the remix album as electronic drivel, which most remixes are but what this one is not. Real fans of the great music APC has been known to make will rejoice in the beauty seeping between the lines here.

Come on, a spoken commentary by Maynard? How cool is that, to find out what he was thinking when creating? You have to buy this DVD/CD. The remixes rock! The videos are awesome. Thanks APC for coming out with this value. These guys cannot make a bad product! For all the naysayers out there, come on and listen to the rhythm of the war drums and let your halo slip down a little to tolerate tilling your own grave to keep you level! Maynard rules!

I don't understand the negative reviews. I'm sure that the fine people who run this site don't understand my reviews, "surely a kid is not writing these", must be crossing their minds. Capitialism makes the world go around. Queen would disagree but that is beside the point. No where on this package does it proclaim to be something mind-blowing. It's basic, it has a DVD with the uncut videos by APC, some fan videos (which kind of makes the whole idea of Maynard slapping the fan's faces seem a little more off)how many bands let their fans advertise through them? Last count was none. The other disc is a cd of remixes of APC songs from the first two albums which is a big deal to some people, myself being one. I can never hear enough APC or Tool. They delivered with exactly what the package says, a DVD and a cd of remixes so if you know what you are getting and they give you exactly what they said they would but you are not happy then it's not their fault. This is a solid purchase, not essential but for anyone who likes some industrial mixed in or likes the remix of Pet on Emotive then it is worth the money just for the cd. We have too many college freshmen reviewing here who think they know everything about capitalism, come back in a few years and read your reviews and see for yourself how silly they sound. As I said, APC fans get this, casual APC fans get it if you have some extra money and everybody else should get it anyway, Maynard need more money.

i am a big APC fan, so i felt it was a necessity 4 me to purchase this compilation. "3 libras" is my favorite APC track so i felt buying this just for this video would be well worth it, and in a sense it is. however i am a bit dissapointed w/some of the videos and the subject matter of them. i dont see how the "thinking of you" video w/2 chicks gettin off 2 a vibrator could inspire me to think of APC as the genius band they really are. i just saw that as cheap and not well thought of. oh well. i dont particularly think that the videos are awesome, except for "3 libras". most of them don't seem to have anything to do with the song ["thinking of you," "weak and powerless", although APC did explain that that was their point...]. i would have thought that another video would have been made for "the outsider" and although the bikini bandits convey a point, i don't feel its the best concept APC could have come up with. i do hold the 2 videos with their political stances with high esteem though ["...drums" and "imagine."]needless to say, i enjoy the remix CD far more than i thought i would. the standout tracks would have to be "3 libras [feel my ice dub]" mix, and "3 libras [all main courses] mix (tracks 2 and 7). for a true APC fan, this is a must and if you can get past some stupid material [which there isn't a lot of, but alas IS present], then you should be able to enjoy this.

I won't go into what this DVD/CD combo provides, just read the other reviews.

The remixes in my opinion are actually quite good compared to other remixes that bands have done. I'm not real happy that there's more than 1 remix of a few different songs, limiting the variety on the 9-song CD, but it's still a good listen.

The DVD exceeded my expectations for the sole reason that you're able to hear commentary from MJK (and Billy) during the videos. MJK's is especially interesting as he provides his own personal thoughts on what the video is supposed to represent, what the song means to him, and what he was thinking or going through while writing it. These viewpoints are the most rewarding part of the DVD.
However, as other reviewers have commented, there's way too much Bikini Bandits stuff on here. Okay, do the video for the Outsider and that's it. But all the promo stuff (with MJK in the hot-tub(?)), and the Thinking of You video (which is quite lame), and even the little promo card for the Bikini Bandits that comes in the liner notes.....It's all too much for my liking. I bought this because i like the band a lot...not because they're friendly with bikini-clad females and are using this medium to promote them.
I also thought they put 3 too many Blue videos on here...even though they're contest winners.

I was disappointed a bit with this dvd/cd. Sometimes I think Maynard is just trying to take advantage of the fact that alot of people are going to buy anything and everything with his name on it. For example, take the DVD version of Salival. (...).

The videos really aren't that great. None are groundbreaking, cinematically. And none really follow the themes of the songs. Then there are the videos for Blue made by fans. The one is a-typical in that the main figure has the trademark-wanna-be-goth black, oily hair and self-loathing expression tattooed on his face. Gee, creative! Then there's another which really just looks like the director wanted to showcase his portfolio of different video software effects. Third video for Blue looks like it was done by the guy who animated Eminem's Mosh video, but on a much more restricted budget....apparently a budget that couldn't even afford a writer.

I'd say the worst part is the slap in the face to fans in the form of a few videos pointing out, in Adbusters fashion, how capitalism is ruining the world....and then immediatly following that up with plugs for Bikini Bandit stuff. An ad for an upcoming full-length movie with one of the Bikini Bandit babes introducing Maynard as "the driving force behind Tool and the mastermind of A Perfect Circle." Whether this is intended as sarcasm or not could be argued, but for clarity's sake Maynard is probably neither.

I like APC. I like Tool. I like them alot. But this dvd/cd set will probably only satisfy collectors who just need anything by APC or Maynard.

I bought this as a gift for a friend and she absolutely loved it! The videos were awesome and the music is, well, it's APC!!

I really enjoyed this dvd. It had some good music videos and I really enjoyed the bikini bandits portion. The only thing I didnt like was the music video to "war drums" I could tell that they really don't like the war. I am currently in Iraq right now, and what I do saves lives, I dont like the fact that they make our service members out to be sheep lead my prez Bush. That video somewhat left me speechless. All in all it is a very good dvd and I highly recomend it.

Only two weeks after A Perfect Circle released Emotive (a very different album from their other two), they now come with a CD/DVD set titled aMOTION.
I was glad to buy this set despite Emotive's slight disappointment. And not to worry, the set is available in a jewel case if you don't want the larger DVD case.

As far as the cd goes, well, it's quite easy to remix already spectacular songs. And compared to another remix album (Linkin Park's Reanimation), aMOTION far out-weighs that comparrison.

A standout track has to be The Outsider (Apocalypse Renholder Mix). The song is a great cut. The chorus is harder and heavier with louder drums, bass, and guitars.
Many of the songs have electronica influences and many of them are darker then their originals. The remixes give the songs a darker feel. And if you're not annoyed by this, then aMOTION succeeds.

I'm not a big fan watching musical productions on DVD. I have many bonus DVD discs from bands, and have yet to watch any of them. However, I don't mind having that extra DVD to look at for any reason.

So you won't get any complaints from me about the DVD.