It is very different and poppy compared to previous stuff for sure. I like it in the context of the song, even though overall I prefer Tool's prog/metal melding.

I'm not a Maynard whisperer / expert, but my guess is that there are 2 motivations for the sound of this song/album compared to other stuff.

1) Although Maynard is the vocalist for Tool, APC, and Puscifer (which I haven't listened to much), he kinda wants to keep all those projects distinct. Tool is more dark and heavy, APC is a bit more rock, and Puscifer trending towards some electronic stuff. But that kinda oversells this, because mostly he is putting vocals down onto musical tracks that the members of those bands have already recorded without much or any input from him...

2) From my interpretation of the song itself, he's being (mildly) critical about getting caught up in triviality of celebrity gossip and nightly news instead of paying attention to stuff closer to home. While simultaneously accepting that we all do that, and that sometimes it takes the death of a far-off idol from our adolescence that we'll never meet in person to get us to consider our own mortality.


So the poppy sound with that dark edge right around the corner really fits -- at least to me.

I'm a pretty big fan of Tool, and Maynard (singer for Tool, APC, and Puscifer). Weird / eccentric, but very deep and meaningful. I've been waiting for a new Tool album for a long time, but this one from APC wasn't really on my radar in advance even though I like other albums of theirs also. Then these singles hit, and they grabbed me right away.

The full impact takes longer to absorb, for me at least, with Maynard's songs. Usually I don't pay much attention to lyrics, but he always puts a lot of depth and breadth in. I guess I might think that was pretentious with other bands/artists, but seems like he really enjoys hearing different listeners take away different messages without one/his being "correct".

Glad you enjoyed them also!

you're welcome @deathcow . He's in another side project also, Puscifer, as well as owning a winery, Caduceus

I'm a big fan of Puscifer...not so much a fan of covers. This one's just not up to Keenan's normal standards.

*promote puscifer

Shit yes. (It's Puscifer btw.) I saw Mayny and friends play their Boehmian Rhapsody cover, but that's all I saw, sadly. Just wee lil bites of different artists playing live for promotional purposes. Still, seeing that happen when you didn't even know it was going to happen in the first place was one of the pinnacles of my rock n roll existence.

My world is at ease in a tightly woven blanket of Milla, Luc, and Maynard. Starfuckery to the deserving. I'm not worthy.

And here I thought "Vagina Mine" was just a song by Puscifer.

>> ^solecist:

haha, what the hell? is that puscifier?
but really, why is this exciting? this is a CG trailer for a game that will suck beyond your wildest imagination.

Hadn't realized it was a trailer for a video game, which is sad because because the game probably will suck, but a movie would be cool.
Also, Puscifer = awesome.

>> ^My_design:

So what is the music?


It's called "The Humbling River" by Puscifer; who is Maynard James Keenan of Tool and A Perfect Circle fame.

Upvote for anything Tool

Also, for something different from Maynard's other act, Puscifer:
http://videosift.com/video/Puscifer-Cuntry-Boner-It-wont-go-down

don't mind if i do - great stuff. feel free to suggest more - I'm game.

In reply to this comment by enoch:
care for a puscifer?
http://videosift.com/video/Puscifer-Trekka-Kurasawa-dream-renholder-mix

tryin to catch up wit ya..
care for a puscifer?
http://videosift.com/video/Puscifer-Trekka-Kurasawa-dream-renholder-mix

care for a puscifer?
http://videosift.com/video/Puscifer-Trekka-Kurasawa-dream-renholder-mix

care for a puscifer?
http://videosift.com/video/Puscifer-Trekka-Kurasawa-dream-renholder-mix

care for a puscifer?
http://videosift.com/video/Puscifer-Trekka-Kurasawa-dream-renholder-mix