Ashes Divide

With Ashes Divide, A Perfect Circle guitarist Billy Howerdel can step out of the daunting shadow of his APC cohort, Tool's Maynard James Keenan, and truly showcase his vast range of talents. Keep Telling Myself It's Alright opens with "Stripped Away," a dreamy, atmospheric track with a rippling thud of a bassline that'll sucker punch you right in the chest. Howerdel's vocals are high, semi-androgynous, and butter-smooth, and he played guitar, bass, and keyboard on the album, a tightly woven collection of pretty alt-rock numbers that were inspired by the 90s alt-rock explosion yet that aren’t stuck in that era. Howerdel keeps things moving forward, thanks to the elegant touches of keyboards and ambient percussion.

Keep Telling Myself It's Alright certainly isn't a happy album, but you can feel Howerdel reaching deep inside his guts to pull out these songs. There's an air of sincerity that permeates every note of songs like the pulsating "Denial Waits" and the slow 'n sexy "Too Late." These songs make it clear why the revered MJK was so quick to work with Howerdel. He's a talent.

— Amy Sciarretto
03.07.08

As could be expected for one of the founding members of A Perfect Circle, Billy Howerdel's debut album, Keep Telling Myself It's Alright, is a suitably ambitious and artistic work that mixes pensive lyrics with equally melancholy melodies. Unfortunately, it is also a decidedly hit or miss affair, alternating between aggression and melancholy in a mix that doesn't always work. The lack of cohesion makes it feel as though Howerdel is reaching for something undefined with this album, but he doesn't quite make it there. Instead, he settles comfortably into a brooding, moody sound that is indebted to his former project by way of grinding guitars and anguished vocals, but does more to showcase his musical skills instead of a sense of emotion or depth. Not that this is an entirely bad thing -- though he does employ the help of guest musicians on a few songs, Howerdel sings and plays nearly all the instruments on Keep Telling Myself It's Alright, and while there aren't any virtuoso performances, his ability to create such an atmospheric work is impressive. This talent is at its strongest on "The Stone," where Howerdel juxtaposes pensive verses with an impassioned chorus and powerful (but not overwhelming) guitar riffs. Given that, it's a mystery as to why the song appears so late in the album preceded by the likes of the bland "Defamed" or overeager "Enemies." By relegating his more powerful pieces to the back of Keep Telling Myself It's Alright in favor of more inconsistent opening tracks, Howerdel makes the entire album feel somewhat shallow and emotionally static. Instead of exploring new territory, he seems content in revisiting old successes. ~ Katherine Fulton, All Music Guide