SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PUSCIFER – NORMAL ISN’T

PUSCIFER
NORMAL ISN’T
PUSCIFER ENTERTAINMENT/ALCHEMY RECORDINGS/BMG

Puscifer, the innovative alternative rock outfit led by Tool vocalist, Maynard James Keenan which consists of co-singer Carina Round and bassist and guitarist Mat Mitchel, has returned for their first studio album since 2020’s Existential Reckoning. True to form, Normal Isn’t is an experimental journey that continues to develop upon what is among the most eclectic catalogues.

“Thrust” is an absolutely stunning song. Puscifer wastes no time indulging in the weird with a sinister, droning guitar backing a call and response verse divided between Keenan and Round before an air of suspense is built in the pre-chorus. There is an uneasiness to the song that only intensifies with the second verse resembling a Salvador Dalí painting as the competing voices feel as though they’re melting right off the sonic canvas amid cold instrumentals. “Thrust” immediately pulls you in for all its brilliance, demonstrating a necessity for Keenan and co. to continue to push the boundaries, challenging the expectations of not only their audience, but themselves as artists.

The remaining ten tracks on Normal Isn’t effectively build upon the tone and excitement established on “Thrust”. Even the singles – “Self Evident”, “Pendulum”, and “ImpetuoUs” – while the most straightforward, are exercises in instrumentation, minimalism, dynamics, and creating arrangements and soundscapes that revel in organic, slow burning growth towards a point of culmination. From the sheer intensity of “A Public Stoning” to the sprawling melodicism of “The Quiet Parts”, there is not a weak moment on Normal Isn’t. Among such a strong album is a range of highlights, with “Seven One” standing as one of note. Featuring narration from Ian Ross, the song also features bassist Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) and drummer Danny Carey (Tool), making for a thrilling song that taps into a classic progressive rock energy but somehow still fits within the dystopic and futurist soundscape crafted by Puscifer.

Every track on Normal Isn’t feels like a puzzle with each part and every moment perfectly crafted to serve the song. As a result, Puscifer’s latest outing is a highly produced masterpiece that exceptionally blends an unadulterated experimental process with refined songwriting. What started as a creative excursion for Keenan in 2007 has since developed into a project worthy of its own celebration and acclaim, this has been more and more evident with every release, however Normal Isn’t just may be the greatest artistic statement to emerge from Puscifer and, ultimately, should be held as a modern benchmark to steer the course of alternative rock for the coming decade.

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