Confessions of a Fanboy

“Imagine” is John Lennon’s dream of peace, and universal love. It is one of the most famous songs in all the world and the audacity of the hope for a better world is inspiring, regardless of one’s personal, political, or spiritual perspective.

When A Perfect Circle are done with it, this song of peace and love sounds like the post-apocalyptic world run by The Machines in the Terminator series. Hearing this is bound to turn even the most lily-livered into a law and order Republican. Maynard singing “Imagine” is about as comforting as Robert Plant singing “Amazing Grace” or Marilyn Manson singing “Hush Little Baby.” Knowing that this song was recorded as part of a politically-themed album aimed at the opposite of Republicanism makes the effect all the funnier.

Don’t get me wrong, boys and girls, I love Maynard’s voice. I like Tool. I like A Perfect Circle. I have no problem with musicians and artists going political, although I prefer subtle messages to the overt sermons and manifestos. No matter, this is a song that probably should not have been covered and if it were going to be covered with no irony, A Perfect Circle was clearly the wrong choice.

In fairness, it’s not a terrible listen if this were some other song. It’s a decent, minor-chord dirge and Maynard’s layered vocals sound good. The music and the overall sound are fine, until you remember what this song used to be. At that point, you begin laughing. Maybe they were going for a joke. I doubt it. One of Maynard James Keenan’s few musical flaws is the humorless persona he has created. Very few people are that red-ass serious all the time. Even John Lennon himself had the occasional goofy or romantic impulse.

Filed under: Tags: No Cover Charge