reax music magazine :: music + culture » Reviews » Puscifer - V Is For Vagina

I’ve always been under the impression that Maynard James Keenen was infallible. Sure, he’s always been shrouded in mystery, and his contempt for his fans is easy enough to see, but as a vocalist, he’s one of the best. In his newest solo project—Puscifer—Maynard defies expectations. Leaning heavily on industrial beats and his own voice, Maynard has created his own misogynistic, nihilistic paradise. Indeed, Maynard executes a brilliant musical and vocal performance with the lyrical tact of a twelve-year old. His croaky vocals sound vastly different from previous iterations, which keeps his sound fresh and exciting. Much of this album seems to revolve around sex—“Queen B” and, “Vagina Mine” are both excellently crafted songs about Maynard’s baser instincts. While I didn’t find this surprising, the somewhat immature content in some of his songs detracted from the overall feel of the album. Puscifer is a new direction for Maynard, and that’s about all. – Christian Crider