Puscifer - V Is For Vagina

Maynard James Keenan is one of my favorite artists. Now I'm really not some prog-rock metal head who's had a hard on for Tool since I was old enough to raise a fist, but I just love everything he does. His latest project, Puscifer, is another interesting addition to his body of work that is more stripped down and ego-driven than both Tool and A Perfect Circle.

The album opens with the humorous "Queen B," a song that parodies modern popular hip-hop. This song is really shocking upon first listen because it is so different than anything Maynard has really done before. My thoughts were "this can't be serious." And then I realized, it wasn't serious. Maynard is parodying himself.

That is not to say that this album is hokey and full of joke tracks. Most the album is filled with interesting songs that will beg a few listens. Highlights include "Vagina Mine," "Momma Sed," and "Indigo Children."

But after looking at Maynards whole shift in image and music style that is coming with this album, it's obvious to me that Maynard is trying to take everyone for a ride. He has opened a clothing and merchandise line built around Puscifer and its little demon mascot. This is very similar to rap-moguls and pop-icons who open their own clothing and merchandise lines based around themselves. A little out of character for this prog-rock god.

But here's the thing: Maynard knows he's a prog-rock god. He knows that people will buy this stuff simply because it's made by Maynard, regardless of how ridiculous the clothes look. He's seeing just how far he can blow up his ego before people get the joke.

Whether or not Maynard is successful with his experiment remains to be seen. V Is For Vagina is still a very solid album that fans of Maynard will enjoy. I would not say it's a classic album, but more of an interesting change of pace from a very talented artist.