Mer De Noms A Perfect Circle Zip
Mer de Noms: A Perfect Circle's Debut Album
Mer de Noms (French for "Sea of Names") is the first studio album by American rock band A Perfect Circle, released on May 23, 2000 by Virgin Records. The album was a commercial and critical success, debuting at number four on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over two million copies in the United States. It also received positive reviews from critics, who praised the band's musical diversity, lyrical themes, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan's performance.
mer de noms a perfect circle zip
Background and recording
A Perfect Circle was formed in 1999 by guitarist Billy Howerdel, who had previously worked as a guitar technician for bands such as Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins, and Tool. Howerdel had written several songs that he wanted to record with a female vocalist, but he changed his mind after playing them for Keenan, who was the lead singer of Tool. Keenan agreed to join Howerdel's project as a secondary musical outlet, since Tool was on hiatus at the time. The band was completed by bassist Paz Lenchantin, drummer Josh Freese, and guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen.
The band recorded Mer de Noms at Howerdel's home studio in North Hollywood, California, with Howerdel serving as the producer and engineer. The album was mostly recorded live, with minimal overdubs and editing. The band wanted to capture the energy and spontaneity of their live performances, as well as to avoid sounding too polished or processed. The album's title was inspired by Lenchantin's habit of writing down people's names in her notebook. Howerdel explained that the album was "a collection of snapshots taken at different times of people's lives."
Music and lyrics
Mer de Noms showcases a wide range of musical styles and influences, from alternative rock and metal to acoustic and ambient. The album features heavy guitar riffs, melodic hooks, complex drum patterns, and atmospheric keyboards. Keenan's vocals range from soft whispers to aggressive screams, often using multiple layers and harmonies. The album's lyrics deal with various topics, such as love, betrayal, religion, addiction, and death. Some of the songs are based on personal experiences or stories from friends, while others are more abstract or metaphorical.
The album opens with "The Hollow", a hard rock song that sets the tone for the rest of the album. The song is about a dysfunctional relationship that is based on lust rather than love. The chorus features Keenan singing "Constant overstimulation numbs me / But I would not want you any other way." The second track, "Magdalena", is a slower and darker song that references Mary Magdalene, a biblical figure who was often portrayed as a prostitute or a sinner. The song suggests that Keenan is obsessed with a woman who is similar to Magdalene, and that he wants to "sell his soul" to be with her.
"Rose" is an acoustic ballad that features Lenchantin on lead vocals. The song is about a woman who is trapped in an abusive relationship and wants to escape. Lenchantin sings "Don't disturb / The beast / The temperamental goat / The snail while he's feeding on / The rose." The fourth track, "Judith", is one of the most popular and controversial songs on the album. The song is dedicated to Keenan's mother, who suffered a stroke that left her partially paralyzed when he was 11 years old. The song criticizes her for maintaining her Christian faith despite her condition, and questions the existence and benevolence of God. Keenan sings "He did this / Took all you had and / Left you this way / Still you pray / You never stray / Never taste of the fruit / You never thought to question why."
"Orestes" is another acoustic ballad that features Keenan singing in a higher register than usual. The song is based on the Greek myth of Orestes, who killed his mother Clytemnestra to avenge his father Agamemnon's murder. The song explores the themes of guilt, regret, and forgiveness. Keenan sings "Gotta cut away / Clear away / Snip away and sever this / Umbilical residue / Keeping me from killing you." The sixth track, "3 Libras", is one of the most melodic and emotional songs on the album. The song is about feeling invisible and unappreciated by someone you love. Keenan sings "You don't see me at all / You don't see me at all / You don't see me at all."
"Sleeping Beauty" is a haunting song that features Lenchantin on violin and backing vocals. The song is about a woman who is addicted to drugs and sleeps with strangers to cope with her pain. Keenan sings "Delusional / I believe I can cure it all for you, dear / Coax or trick or drive or drag the demons from you / Make it right for you, sleeping beauty / Truly thought I could magically heal you." The eighth track, "Thomas", is a fast-paced and energetic song that features Van Leeuwen on lead guitar. The song is about a friend of Howerdel who died of a drug overdose. Howerdel sings "Thinking back / Remembering your face / What you said / How we moved to this place / All the memories they come flooding back / Flooding back."
"Renholdër" is an instrumental interlude that features a reversed guitar loop and a distorted voice saying "Listen to the sounds". The title is an anagram of Danny Lohner, a musician and producer who worked with Howerdel and Keenan in the past. The tenth track, "Thinking of You", is a heavy and aggressive song that features Freese on lead drums. The song is about sexual obsession and addiction. Keenan sings "Lying all alone and restless / Unable to lose this image / Sleepless, unable to focus on anything but your surrender."
"Brena" is a soft and soothing song that features Lenchantin on piano and backing vocals. The song is dedicated to Keenan's girlfriend at the time, Jennifer Brena Ferguson, who later became his wife. The song expresses Keenan's love and gratitude for her. Keenan sings "My reflection wraps and pulls me under / Healing waters to be bathed in Brena / Guide me safely in / Worlds I've never been to / Heal me, heal me, my dear Brena." The album closes with "Over", a short and simple song that features Howerdel on vocals and guitar. The song is about the end of the album and the end of a relationship. Howerdel sings "Overcome by your moving temple / Overcome by this holiest of altars / So pure, so rare / To witness such an earthly goddess / That I've lost my self control / Beyond compelled to throw this dollar down before your holiest of altars."
Reception and legacy
Mer de Noms was well received by critics and fans alike, earning rave reviews from publications such as Rolling Stone, Spin, Entertainment Weekly, and AllMusic. The album was praised for its musical diversity, lyrical depth, and emotional intensity. Some critics compared the band favorably to Tool, while others noted their distinct identity and style. The album was also a commercial success, selling over 188,000 copies in its first week and becoming the highest-debuting rock album by a new band in history at the time. The album spawned three singles: "Judith", "3 Libras", and "The Hollow", all of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
Mer de Noms has been regarded as one of the best albums of 2000 and one of the best debut albums of all time by various media outlets and publications. The album has also been influential on many bands and artists in the alternative rock and metal genres, such as Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin, Evanescence, Deftones, 10 Years, Seether, Staind, Three Days Grace, and more. The album has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), indicating over one million copies sold in the United States.
Download options
If you are interested in listening to or downloading Mer de Noms by A Perfect Circle, you have several options available. You can stream the album on various online platforms, such as Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, or Amazon Music. You can also download the album in various formats, such as MP3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, or ALAC. Alternatively, you can buy a physical copy of the album on CD or vinyl. Whatever option you choose, you are sure to enjoy this masterpiece of rock music.