A Perfect Circle - Imagine (John Lennon)
 

Heard this song for the first time a couple days ago. I really like it and was really surprised to hear that many people don't.

Some argue that it's not as good as the original, but I wouldn't really compare the two. They're almost completely different songs with the same lyrics. This version is definately darker, more sarcastic, almost pesimistic. I love the sound of Maynard's voice, the all but given-up plead for something different. I love the looming sense of urgency, and above all, the timing of this release. I could go on, but I want you to listen to it yourself if you haven't.

http://www2.fanscape.com/APC/audio/imagine_win.asp

Of course I expect to hear what you think.

I really like Maynard's voice, but that's about it. The instruments are all too... monotone. It definitly sets a certain mood, but I think they could have definitly done better. Hopefully I'll like the rest of the covers more (When the Levee Breaks should be ultra-badass).

I know some will see this as musical blasphemy, but I never liked the John Lennon version. I like the music in this one, but the lyrics are still a little too communist for my taste. I usually ignore lyrics anyway, so this is a minor issue. The vocal melody here is less whiny than Lennon's, which is probably why I find it less annoying.

I really dislike the original version.

This cover's a definite improvement, but it's merely okay.

I'm sorry but this is musical blasphemy, for fuck's sack it sounds like P diddy got Jimmy Page to play with him again. Lennon is one of the best song writers of all time, I think that APC should've left this beautiful song be. In the immortal words of Chris Rock ,"... Yeah you can do it, that doesn't mean it is to be done. I could drive the car with my feet if I wanted too, it doesn't make it a good fucking idea."

I think it's great. Covers are not always meant to be an improvement on the original but maybe a different take on it. This version adds a very different mood to the song. The monotone feel to it gives it a much bleaker tone and it is very representative of the times we are living in. I'm very much looking forward to hearing the rest of APC's new album. Rock on!

Can anyone post it in a different format? Cause I can't listen to it in it's current format.

Asta!!

there's not a thing that maynard has released that hasn't been less than fantastic. i've loved this song since i was little and continue to love the original. but this version was pretty awesome. i wonder if you care? i agree with the sarcasm that's going on here. very cynical for the times. but fantastic nonetheless. is this song supposed to be on their new album?

Yup. Their next album is going to be all covers. The album will be called "eMOTIVe". Here's a list of the songs:

"Annihilation"
"Imagine"
"(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding"
"Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums"
"What's Going On"
"When the Levee Breaks"
"Freedom of Choice"
"People Are People"
"Passive"
"Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie"
"Let's Have a War"
"Fiddle and the Drum"

Link

Survey Says....no likey Depeche Mode does Lennon

yeah, heard it tonight on the radio. didn't care for it,and I like a lot of APC.

I really loved it and I'm not a APC fan really. Well done to them.

--jaded

it's awesome!

i even liked their cover of the cure's lovesong (mixed with diary of a madman).

thanks for posting the link. i was impatiently waiting to hear this song...

also, let's not forget the reason behind APC's release of this album --- get out there and VOTE!

I'm a huge A Perfect Circle and Tool fan but some argue this album is a less a statement album but more a nessesity album, this is the last album on APC's Virgin contract, some have said it is an unofficial end to APC and a new begining to Tool, APC just wrapped up their Thirteenth Step tour and Maynards back jamming and laying tracks with Tool.

If it an end to APC I cannot say, but putting out a covers album to end your contract is a bit conspicious, I really hope it's not but it remains to be seen.

and I love the "Imagine" cover, but I'm buzzing with anticipation for Tool's return, and tour (better be a tour, Maynard!) :hmm:

to me it sounded like they were bored, and didn't put much effort into it at all. maybe that's the sound they were going for....either way, i don't care for it.

I can't say I really like the cover, and I'm a big fan of tool/apc.

I've been a huge Tool fan since they first came out thanks to my hubby, however, I am not familiar with "A Perfect Circle". Perhaps a band I should recomend to hubby? I can respect the refrences to "The Cure" and "Ozzy" but I personally found the remake boring. It reminded me of a number of Morrissy/Smiths songs mixed into one (and I loved him/them). I was a little "hippie baby" and so I grew up listening to the Beatles and John Lennon.

I'd venture to say that anyone who pisses on Lennon's music was either "there" and disagreed with his message/didn't like the music, or is too young and a newcomer to his music to understand the meaning in context. "Imagine" is a classic (and I'm glad to say I have the album) and, IMHO, one of the best as far as social/humanistic messages go since the inception of R&R.

Lennon rules, although I've never been big on Yoko (argument for the ages!), John's love for her and vice/versa is evident in the video for "Imagine". I'm always glad to see bands pay homage to him and his music, it's a tribute to the man and his messages!

Ali

i've been listening to 13th step literally all year. you should definitely recommend it to your fella along w/ their 1st album mer de noms. i'm one of those weird people who never really clicked w/ the beatles or lennon... i love their beliefs and what they accomplished with and through their music, but the tunes themselves never kept my attention... but i love this cover... i think 2 songs off 13th step are politically motivated("pet" and "halo") so i'm not buyin a copout w/ their record company. i think they really are scared shitless as i am about whats been goin down w/ and for this country. i've also heard maynard say in interviews something to the effect of "if you choose not to act then you're complicit w/ the people who are acting wrongly."

it's nice,but nothing i would listen to all the time.
another apc album...and what about tool?do they exist yet?

In response to this one. Tool and APC are both fronted by Maynard James Keenan, the lead vocalist. If your a big tool fan, this band is probably a close second.

in reponse to that read this

and yes Tool exist, for about 10 years now. They're back in to studio jamming as of now, and Adam has aparently layed down some preliminary tracks.

Check www.toolband.com for more info.

Damn! When I saw the title "What's Going On" I thought "cool, someone's covering a Husker Du song!" Then I hit the link and found out it's a Marvin Gaye song by the same name. Shit.

I'm a pretty big Tool/APC fan, but I must admit I'm not a big fan of this song, probably because I'm an even bigger fan of John Lennon. I understand why Maynard did it, I would do it too if I were him, but that doesn't make it enjoyable for fans.

wasn't there a song with this line on it on 13th step? it was the one that was some sort of lullaby. That was my favorite song on that album.

Didn't work for me :/ I agree with saut's comment about the song being monotone.

This isn't so much a "cover" as it is a complete reinterpretation musically of the original. The reason it sounds more pessimistic is because the chords are all minor chords - completely different chords than the original.

That being said, while I don't love it, it's quite original, and the vibe from the music and vocals is the antithesis of the lyrics, which makes an interesting point.

Could be better
 

The song could be better done by APC because I expect so much more out of them.. they are a great band but the song sounds sort of bland. I love his voice though (marynard) but like i said I expect more.

Yeah, the song was "Pet". The song right after it is "Lullaby" which carries the Pet melody over. I read that the childish voice singing the melody is Maynard's son.

This song is utter crap. Imagine is the only classic song that's truly innocent and sincere. Turning it into sarcasm is just bullshit. Yeah, we live in a cynical joyless world. That doesn't mean we have to go back in time and snuff out stuff like this.

it doesn't really work for me but i wouldn't call this "turning it into sarcasm". it is just an interpretation of a piece of art.

Fucking terrible. It turned a very uplifting, hopeful song into a dark, depressing tune. Mark David Chapman should have shot Maynard instead of Lennon. Just kidding, I actually like Tool and APC but this version of "Imagine" just plain sucks. Tool's cover of Led Zeppelin's "No Quarter" is awesome and perfectly suited for thei style of music.

I really liked the music and mood, but the lyrics are too preachy for me.

I have to agree with the tone of this thread.

and if anyone has not heard Lennons' "Imagine"... pleeeeeeease give it a listen.

awww, i was hoping for a 4 Non Blondes cover.