Conditions of My Parole

After starting as somewhat of a joke band assembled for <i>Mr. Show</i> skits, Puscifer has become a more daring avenue of musical exploration for Maynard James Keenan, best known for his work with Tool and A Perfect Circle. Of course even when gloomy ambience and icy synthesizers form the thick sonic tundra of the opening “Tiny Monsters,” Keenan’s unmistakable vocals can’t help but warm things up. Check out the instrumental break, which layers various electro flourishes over programmed beats and distant guitar leads that all come together to sound somewhat inspired by Vangelis’ score for Ridley Scott's 1982 film <i>Blade Runner</i>. “Monsoons” is a beautiful standout where percolating rhythms gradually build alongside Keenan’s stacked vocals as a lush string section swells around the song to eventually drown it in rich textured tones. Fans of Keenan’s penchant for angsty musings will feel right at home in “Telling Ghosts.” Here a fierce verse explodes and then dissolves into a brooding chorus where multitracked vocals haunt the tune. The kinetic title track bangs, clangs, and trudges along like a well-oiled piece of industrial music machinery.