Thirteenth Step
Album by A Perfect Circle
Released	September 16, 2003
Recorded
Genre	Rock
Length	50 min 30 sec
Record label	Virgin
Producer	Billy Howerdel
Professional reviews
Allmusic.com	4/5	link
A Perfect Circle Chronology
Mer de Noms (2000)	Thirteenth Step (2003)	eMOTIVe (2004)

Thirteenth Step is the second studio album by the American rock band A Perfect Circle. The album was released as a compact disc on September 16, 2003. The album was a success, reaching the #2 position on the Billboard charts in its premiere week, selling over 231,000 copies. The RIAA certified it as gold on November 4, 2003. The first single from the album was Weak and Powerless, followed by The Outsider and Blue.

It has been spectulated that, with tracks like Weak and Powerless and The Nurse Who Loved Me dealing with the issue of drugs, the title is a reference to the Twelve-step program. Though in interviews at the time of the album's release Maynard James Keenan denied this stating it referred to his thirteenth year in the music business.

Although by all accounts a serious outing by the band, those familiar with the culture surrounding the the Twelve-step program will recall that the term The Thirteenth Step is a humorous appelation given to the act of fornicating with a vulnerable newcomer to the program.

Tracks

1. The Package (7:40)
2. Weak And Powerless (3:15)
3. The Noose (4:53)
4. Blue (4:13)
5. Vanishing (4:51)
6. A Stranger (3:12)
7. The Outsider (4:06)
8. Crimes (2:34)
9. The Nurse Who Loved Me (4:04) (Failure)
10. Pet (4:34)
11. Lullaby (2:01)
12. Gravity (5:06)

Writing Credits

All lyrics and music written by Maynard James Keenan and Billy Howerdel except:

• The Nurse Who Loved Me - Greg Edwards and Ken Andrews
• Crimes - Maynard James Keenan, Billy Howerdel, Josh Freese and Jeordie White
• Gravity - Maynard James Keenan, Billy Howerdel, Josh Freese, Troy Van Leeuwen and Paz Lenchantin

Personnel

• Maynard James Keenan - Lead vocals, executive producer, artwork direction
• Billy Howerdel - Guitar, vocals, production, engineering, additional photography
• Josh Freese - Drums, backing vocals
• Jeordie White - Bass, backing vocals
• Troy Van Leeuwen - Guitar (on Package, Vanishing and Gravity)
• Danny Lohner - Guitar (on The Noose), additional production
• The Section Quartet - Strings (on The Nurse Who Loved Me and A Stranger)
• Jarboe - Vocals (on The Noose and Lullaby)
• Devo H. Keenan - Backing vocals (on Pet)
• K. Patrick Warren - Instrumentation on The Nurse Who Loved Me
• Jon Brion - Instrumentation on The Nurse Who Loved Me
• Steve Duda - Digital engineering assistance
• Andy Wallace - Mixing
• Steven R. Gilmore - Sleeve art direction, design and digital photographic manipulation
• Dean Karr - Photography

Charting singles

2003   Weak and Powerless        Modern Rock Tracks            No. 1
2003   Weak and Powerless        Mainstream Rock Tracks        No. 1