Critics seemed at a loss to understand
Maynard James Keenan
's first solo effort as
Puscifer
. From the project and album's odd, seemingly sexist titles (
V Is for Vagina
), to the groove- and growl-based song structures, this wasn't the
Keenan
of recordings past. Gone is the progressive, storming art rock of
Tool
in favor of atmospheric vibes. And the glorious instrumentation and catchy hooks of
A Perfect Circle
are replaced with shuffling bluesy drums and jazzy strings more in tune with
Barry Adamson
or
Angelo Badalamenti
. Getting past the album's frequent sexual themes isn't that difficult, knowing that the project's name is taken from a
Mr. Show
sketch that featured
. Yes, the artwork is a little racy and juvenile, and naming a song
"Vagina Mine"
doesn't suggest mass accessibility, but apart from a couple goofy lines about a "lady" that's got "thickness," showing the "difference between (a) gun and (a) pistol," and a "pimp without a dog without a bone," things are pretty tame. Musically, the groove is the thing, as
and collaborators from bands like
Nine Inch Nails
and
Rage Against the Machine
allow each track to settle into a loungey light-industrial groove without every really worrying about choruses or traditional song structure. When things aren't clicking along
Adamson
Badalamenti
style, the scuzzy but endearing chug feels like a slowed down
Revolting Cocks
Skinny Puppy
, but instead of horror show theatrics,
revels in slightly seedy themes of mild perversion, old west standoffs, and wanton spirituals.
alternates track from track between a processed, gurgling growl that could be
Ogre
's younger brother and his usual emotive style. While three or four of the songs are reminiscent of
, they don't measure up musically to
Billy Howerdel
's soaring arrangements. Sonically, there's plenty of flesh, bones, meat, and crunch at work, but there's an undeniable sense that many of the tracks could use a little more work in the songwriting department. Background vocals from
Lisa Germano
Milla Jovovich
provide a little beauty, but they're mostly buried. That
also sold a line of clothes under the
label goes a small way to suggesting the disposability of many of these songs. Perhaps something small but essential in the music was lost while crafting the brand. Many fans of
might find little to latch onto, but those who favor
, particularly the more varied
eMOTIVe
covers album, are more likely to appreciate
's voice alongside the slinky, fun grooves that define
. With a revolving door of collaborators at hand for any touring after the album's release, stylistically and artistically,
is like
's own personal version of
Pigface
. ~ Tim DiGravina