Eat the Elephant
by A Perfect Circle
  • Record Label: BMG
  • Release Date: Apr 20, 2018
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 100 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 100
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 100
  3. Negative: 10 out of 100
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  1. BrushedRed
    Apr 20, 2018
    4
    When I first heard APC was coming back I was excited but as the singles started dropping, I became weary. I’m not one who necessarily dwells on a certain sound, but when compared to their earlier work, this is no contest. The beauty of APC was that they had that Tool sound but were more alternative for more casual listeners. This album; however, has none of that Tool sound. The songs areWhen I first heard APC was coming back I was excited but as the singles started dropping, I became weary. I’m not one who necessarily dwells on a certain sound, but when compared to their earlier work, this is no contest. The beauty of APC was that they had that Tool sound but were more alternative for more casual listeners. This album; however, has none of that Tool sound. The songs are very directionless and kinda meander throughout, like watching an indecisive person try to figure something out. The biggest letdown I think, though, is the lack of drum and bass. Tool and APC both have drums and bass that are as compelling as Maynard’s vocals, but those won’t be found here. I am glad I didn’t get my hopes up for this one. It was doomed from the start with that cover art. It’s more like a stripped down Emotive and that was a direction I had hoped they’d never revisit. I’m just going to assume that Maynard put this on the backburner and put all his thought and creativity into the upcoming Tool album. I hope it’ll be better than this… Expand
  2. Methusalah
    Apr 30, 2018
    4
    Stripped down doesn't really work for A Perfect Circle (and this from someone who typically favors the stripped down albums in a band's discography). Instead of stripped down, it feels like they just lost an instrument track or two and decided not to re-record them. Less to the point, more without it. Unfortunately, the absence of dense instrumentation to focus on provides theStripped down doesn't really work for A Perfect Circle (and this from someone who typically favors the stripped down albums in a band's discography). Instead of stripped down, it feels like they just lost an instrument track or two and decided not to re-record them. Less to the point, more without it. Unfortunately, the absence of dense instrumentation to focus on provides the opportunity to focus on some truly tedious lyrics. It's an hour long lecture on how misguided and wrong the world is. Even if you agree with much of the message, it still feels like you're stuck standing in front of an angry parent while your unruly sibling is berated for an hour.… Expand
  3. BroteinSupreme
    Aug 24, 2018
    6
    Based on the singles, one would be lead to believe this album was going to be very different from how it actually was. Even the piano sections on Disillusioned and The Doomed weren't very foreshadowing of the content as a whole. No, it's not Thirteenth Step, it's certainly not Mer de Noms, almost all the emotion is stripped away and left to reside at the surface level--one could argue thatBased on the singles, one would be lead to believe this album was going to be very different from how it actually was. Even the piano sections on Disillusioned and The Doomed weren't very foreshadowing of the content as a whole. No, it's not Thirteenth Step, it's certainly not Mer de Noms, almost all the emotion is stripped away and left to reside at the surface level--one could argue that this is the least heavy hitting (in an emotional and a sonic sense) out of all Perfect Circle records. I don't feel that I can say the songwriting has matured, but I believe it's rather stayed the same. Not in a bad way, but moreso typical of Maynard to engage in implicit metaphors and biblical allusions that sometimes make the listener completely change perspective. If APC was going for "songs for the end of the world," it seems the world's going out with a whisper as opposed to a bang, and the apocalypse isn't really done any justice. Similarly, the ending track Get The Lead Out does the album no justice, as it culminates in a repetitive and thumping slow burner that sounds like "Pet" with all the harshness and emotion stripped away. Needless to say, several tracks on this album are phenomenal, but I feel like their worth is weighed down by all the songs around them. For a frontman who greatly respects the traditional ways of listening to music, the last thing I would expect is an album that makes me want to listen to a select few tracks rather than the entire long play.

    But I digress--I'm being a bit harsh. This album is in no way bad, but the execution is considerably poorer than I would expect from Maynard. The direction is there, but I feel Eat The Elephant strays very far off course with the piano sections and lack of driving bass and guitar that wonderfully defined Mer de Noms and Thirteenth Step. Songs like "So Long and Thanks For All The Fish" and "Delicious" definitely make the album worth listening to, and if you're a diehard Maynard fan, you'll definitely have something to be happy about, but there's no guarantee a shred of disappointment won't follow.

    Best Tracks: So Long And Thanks For All The Fish, Disillusioned, Delicious
    Worst Track: Hourglass    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Most Discussed Album of 2018
38
#38 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. No Ripcord
    May 22, 2018
    50
    They rekindle some of that fiery passion with The Doomed, a stunning example of grand, orchestral rock with some majestic touches. But for every explosive, curtain-closing exit there's the lifeless anthem.
    Read full review
  2. PopMatters
    May 4, 2018
    70
    Keenan balances the constructive dissemination of contemporary society in his own unique way and, in the process, rather surprisingly, may have just made one of the most prescient albums of the year.
    Read full review
  3. Drowned In Sound
    May 1, 2018
    60
    Fourteen years on from their last outing, A Perfect Circle’s return to active duty as a living, breathing band is broadly speaking a good thing for the hard rock scene. Just don’t expect a record which silver plates their stellar reputation.
    Read full review
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