What Makes This Song Great? "Weak and Powerless" A Perfect Circle

This is a case where someone reveals all the magician's tricks, and the magic becomes even more astounding.

"Billy gave me the master track the other week." Spoken like he was loaning his mower for the weekend.

I swear to christ, soloing Maynard's vocals should come with a warning label. One of the best rock vocalists of our time.

What i find so fascinating about music and songs like this is most people don't know all these little details about the song. But the brain kind of subconsciously picks all these things up and we interpret it as "damn thats a good song"

It's a tribute to Rick's reputation that artists like Billy Howerdel would give him access to the tracks like this. Amazing!

Just thought to throw this out there: APC actually shared this on their twitter!

Thirteenth Step is painfully perfect as a total and complete piece of art.

"let me actually play along with the track" the size of Rick's smile

“I’m gonna solo the vocals” ...so your body can melt into the chair.

Honestly the entirety of Thirteenth Step could be episodes, that is a killer album.

Hearing Maynard sing without music is eerily beautiful and now I want to hear the whole song like that

I got my degree in music(guitar) degree in the late 60's early 70's because of the Beatle's compositional sophistication. The theory and ear training was everything in understanding what goes into great compositions, be it classical , jazz, rock, etc. What Rick is showing is that every part is a composition on its own. Orchestration. Anybody who has had this training knows exactly what I'm talking about. Stick with Rick and you'll be so far ahead in the game should you decide to go to school or into the music biz. This video made me so happy to see that the old compositional techniques are alive and well! Thankyou Rick.

I've listened to this song a million times but this is the first time i've actually "heard" it. Thanks Rick

Rick is a national treasure who must be protected at all costs.

What makes this song great: Rick's analysis

I never realised how similar this riff at 2:32 is to 'A Stranger' from the same album. Really helps tie it together and create a continuity through the songs

The first 2 APC albums are literal masterpieces.

Of course everyone knows how great Maynard is, but man is Billy a musician's musician. He has some serious musical genius in him that is perfectly matched with Maynard's style, this whole band, every instrument is just tops.

If you are a Band/Musical Artist, and aren't sending Rick your tracks to break down, you are missing out on an opportunity to increase interest in your music. As a fan of most of the bands Rick has done this for, I have immediately gone back through their catalog to listen with a new ear and an increased interest in their work. Thank you Rick for this great series!

Billy really is a special songwriter. I hope to hear some new music from him soon.