Eat the Elephant
A Perfect Circle · 2018
57 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A haunting blend of introspective lyrics and atmospheric soundscapes wrapped in alternative rock's brooding embrace.
Top tracks — play these first
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Eat the Elephant Start here — The title track establishes the album's thematic core, exploring existential questions with a blend of melodic complexity and introspective lyrics that set the tone for the entire record.
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Disillusioned — This song captures the sense of frustration and disenchantment prevalent in contemporary society, using evocative imagery and a dynamic arrangement that highlights the band's sonic evolution.
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The Doomed — Offering a compelling critique of societal norms, this track combines heavy instrumentation with introspective lyrics, embodying the album’s darker undertones while resonating deeply with listeners facing modern anxieties.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends atmospheric soundscapes with introspective lyrics, creating a distinctive yet cohesive listening experience.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied dynamics and tempo shifts.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that create a haunting atmosphere, particularly in 'Disillusioned' and 'Feathers'.
- The use of ambient soundscapes and electronic elements is prominent throughout, especially in tracks like 'TalkTalk' and 'Hourglass', enhancing the introspective themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting exploration of existence
- dynamic progression with peaks
- reflective moments of introspection
- engaging late-night contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- seek instant gratification
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Revived the band's presence after a long hiatus, showcasing continued artistic vitality.
- Career context
- Released on April 20, 2018, 'Eat the Elephant' marked A Perfect Circle's first album in 14 years, following 2004's 'Emotive.' This album emerged during a period of heightened political tension in the U.S., influencing its lyrical themes of disillusionment and societal critique. The band returned to a more collaborative songwriting approach, led by frontman Maynard James Keenan.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Tool· Deftones· Porcupine Tree
Tracklist
- 1 Eat the Elephant Start here 5:13
- 2 Disillusioned 5:53
- 3 The Contrarian 3:58
- 4 The Doomed 4:41
- 5 So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish 4:26
- 6 TalkTalk 4:08
- 7 By and Down the River 5:04
- 8 Delicious 3:49
- 9 DLB 2:06
- 10 Hourglass 5:14
- 11 Feathers 5:48
- 12 Get the Lead Out 6:40
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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