ALBUM REVIEW: Puscifer – Conditions of My Parole

Even the most die hard Maynard James Keenan fans were somewhat taken aback by “V” Is for Vagina, the debut album from his experimental side project Puscifer. The outfit had appeared on numerous movie soundtracks, most notably the Underworld franchise, yet little else had been revealed about them. Keenan, best known as the singer for both Tool and A Perfect Circle, had decided to explore an array of genres with the 2007 album, although as a whole the record was a little disjointed and unfocused. Regardless, in the years since Puscifer have released remix EPs that have managed to build upon the original songs into something more engaging and unique, as was most evident with the JLE Dub Mix of Indigo Children on the underrated “V” Is for Viagra – The Remixes. Now, following the EP “C” Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here), which saw an appearance from actress Milla Jovovich, Puscifer has returned with its sophomore effort, Conditions of My Parole.

What makes Keenan so appealing is his impressive vocal range, particularly his haunting melodic tone. The album opens with the excellent Tiny Monsters and it is immediately apparent that Pusifer has finally grown into its boots and become self-assured, as the song has a dreamlike quality, as well as the slow-burning intensity that has become a typical trademark of this project. The quality of music established with this track continues throughout the album, with the follow-up song Green Valley having the same kind of sinister beauty as their 2009 classic The Humbling River. Yet, once again, the tranquil sounds are abruptly shattered by a heavy rhythm section, showing that Keenan is once again toying with the listener’s expectations. Despite this, it is clear that Conditions of My Parole is intended to be more accessible than its predecessor, allowing Keenan to take centre stage with his amazing voice.

This is not to say that the album does not have its heavy moments, as is evident with tracks such as Telling Ghosts and the previously released download single Man Overboard. Those fans who refuse to see Keenan as anything more than the frontman of Tool may be unwilling to embrace the insanity that is Puscifer but the more open-minded will appreciate that he is flexing his artistic muscles and refusing to simply recycle his past work. While Tool have produced several classic albums they are still bound by one genre, progressive metal, yet Puscifer has allowed Keenan to explore uncharted territories. Conditions of My Parole is to “V” is for Vagina what A Perfect Circle‘s Thirteenth Step was to Mer de Noms; a far superior album that is both epic and intimate in equal measures.