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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Thirteenth Step
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 11 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 85 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Virgin
Release Date: 16 September 2003
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rock
Summary
Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan's side project returns with a second LP on which he's backed by Jeordie "Twiggy Ramirez" White (Marilyn Manson), Billy Howerdel (Tool's guitar tech) and Josh Freese (Guns N' Roses).
Also By This Artist: eMOTIVe
Also On Metacritic
MUSIC: Tool: 10,000 Days Tool: Lateralus
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Alternative Press
Once again, A Perfect Circle have quietly produced a masterpiece that challenges the very nature of testosterone-fueled angst. [Nov 2003, p.110]
All Music Guide
Thirteenth Step is the sound of a musical and lyrical maturity that normally doesn't occur until a band's third or fourth albums.
Read Full Review >E! Online
Granted, Step doesn't have anything as effortlessly flawless as the classic single "Judith" from the band's last album, but it does have a number of songs ("Blue," "The Outsider") that are almost as bombastically beautiful.
Read Full Review >Drowned In Sound
Thanks to the calibre of the line-up’s musicianship, and Keenan’s ability to write lyrics that don’t insult the intelligence of his audience, the gems on Thirteenth Step outnumber the filler.
Read Full Review >Launch.com
By muting Tool's over-the-top attack, Keenan has more time to devote to deepening the textures throughout.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
[The] band's winding, off-kilter rhythms and contrapuntal guitar riffs create an ominous atmosphere. [19 Sep 2003, p.86]
Mojo
With greater degrees of deliberate construction than Mers De Noms, Thirteenth Step is more cohesive band effort, less ad hoc side project. [Nov 2003, p.132]
Rolling Stone
Sounds more like the dusky thrum of Disintegration-era Cure than it does any of the members' previous bands.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
Amid such moments of clarity, however, there's the kind of meandering you originally expected from such an arty bunch. [Nov 2003, p.105]
Spin
It's more cerebral than aggressive.... A derivative effort that makes Keenan sound less talented than he actually is. [Oct 2003, p.105]
Blender
This is a classic 1970s-style headphones record that is both arty and unusually undisciplined. [Nov 2003, p.108]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.1 (out of 10) based on 85 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Brandy H. gave it a10:
I love this album because that song the noose reminds me of one of my good friends that had to move away ,he had me to listen to this song man do I miss him! I want that song on my myspace profile but I can't figure i out.
Spaceman S. gave it an8:
Excellent album, ambiant and at the same time, full of power and energy.
Jes J gave it a10:
Awesome record!
J M. gave it a10:
No album has a line-up of "perfect" songs, and this album does not achieve that. However, between brilliant vocals, lyrics, musicianship, mood-setting, and poignancy, this is most definitively my vote for the best album in the last twenty years, bar none.
l k gave it a9:
Great Album! Love it.
john s gave it a10:
one of my top 10 albums of all time. giving stiff competition 2 my other beloved albums from the likes of tori,jeff buckley and depeche m. what a voice! what a bunch of extraordinary good and honest songs! what a gem! a must.
brank l gave it a10:
Very good album. Almost ties Mer De Noms but still not as good.
