The String Quartet Tribute to A Perfect Circle

Maynard James Keenan (Artist), Jim McMillen (Artist), Jim McMillen (Artist), Billy Howerdel (Artist), Josh Freese (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vitamin Records
• ASIN: B000255K8A
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #193,904 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It was OK, but could have been a lot better, April 26, 2005

By 

D. Adams (MO, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The String Quartet Tribute to A Perfect Circle (Audio CD)

I'll start by saying that there are parts of this CD that shine. 3 Libras is probably one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Orestes is right up there with it. It would be pretty difficult to screw these up when arranging them to a string quartet, so these are just wonderful. Songs like "The Outsider," however, just sound butchered. The performers try to make it loud and in doing so, it's out of tune and it sounds like a beginner hacking away at their violin. The sound is just ugly and isn't musical at all. Other tracks like "Weak and Powerless" sound like the violin needs to be taken down about two octaves. If you want to know what I'm talking about, think of Mariah Carey singing it. One other thing that drives me nuts on this CD is how the backbeats are replaced. The backbeats, for those of you that are unfamilliar with music terms, is where you would clap your hands to the song. These are replaced by single, loud notes on the cello, and sound like the hacking I mentioned earlier. Overall, though, I absolutely love the idea, but it just has a few shortcomings that make this unpleasant to listen to.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, except for a few small things, August 25, 2004

By 

K. Rotz "Whovian" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The String Quartet Tribute to A Perfect Circle (Audio CD)

The first time I popped this CD into my player, I was expecting something amazing, being the owner of both of Tool's String Tributes as well as both Mer de Noms and The Thirteenth Step. I was so excited when I found out about this I ran to Circuit City ASAP to see if they had it - of course they didn't so I ordered here. Well, to put it bluntly, it is an amazing album; true thought and ingeniuty must have been put into these arrangements that don't leave out a single instrument - including the drums which are rendered by the contrabass and the violins as snares in songs such as The Outsider and Weak and Powerless. Even the original composition, Tangent, is a good arrangement.

However, there are a few small things that I didn't enjoy. The Noose is ruined by the electronics that can barely be heard on the first verse. The original was such a great song and it was probably the one song I wanted to hear the most, but I was disappointed with it. Also, in Weak and Powerless, after it gets quiet and starts up again, a mild phaser and panner effect are used - not that it doesn't sound neat, but it just kind of takes you by surprise, and for me it was a negative surprise. It does grow on you though.

Other than those two small things, it is an excellent album. Definately buy it if you're hardcore into APC, or even if you're just a casual listener with a keen ear for traditional arrangements.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet, October 18, 2005

By 

Jacob Kirkpatrick - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The String Quartet Tribute to A Perfect Circle (Audio CD)

I've always liked A Perfect Circle. This has got to be one of the best CD's i've heard in a long time. The instrumentation is very precise and is very well done. Hearing my favorite songs through strings is one of the coolest things i've ever heard.
If you don't like classical music, give it a shot anyway. I highly recommend it.