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54 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fantastic Set Of APC's Odds & Ends, December 1, 2004
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.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An APC lovers dream, December 14, 2004
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!
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Refreshingly perfect, May 25, 2006
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.
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