The Song Maynard James Keenan Is Most Proud Of

When it comes to rock music, only a few artists command the same respect and intrigue as Maynard James Keenan. Known for his charming stage presence and passionate lyrics, Keenan has fronted the Grammy Award-winning band Tool, A Perfect Circle, and his solo project, Puscifer. Yet, amidst a discography completely stacked with stellar tracks, the song that Maynard James Keenan is most proud of is Puscifer’s “Grand Canyon.” This is because Keenan feels like this is one of the few complex tracks he’s made that actually captures the landscape and soundscape altogether.
Maynard James Keenan Talks about Puscifer’s Grand Canyon, His Proudest Song
In an intimate conversation with Daniel P. Carter on BBC Radio 1, Keenan delved into the complexities of his favourite creation. “I feel like it’s one of the few tracks that’s actually capturing landscape and soundscape altogether,” he explained. The journey to perfecting the “Grand Canyon” was challenging; as Keenan revealed, “It wasn’t easy to put all those elements vocally together.
The process showed Keenan’s dedication to his craft. Early versions of the song were dismissed by Keenan himself as clunky and disastrous. However, after a diligent process of rearrangement, he was able to arrive at the final piece. “It took a little bit of cleaning up and patience to get through that one,” Keenan admitted.
It is pretty interesting to see Keenan taking pride in “Grand Canyon” especially when you consider just how much work he did with Tool, a band that has developed a solid fan base who has come to love them for their complex musical arrangements and thought-provoking themes. Tool’s success is down to a combination of talent four Grammy Awards, and various chart-topping albums. Keenan’s voice and lyrics have been a driving force behind the band since he and guitarist Adam Jones formed it in 1989.
Despite Tool’s fame, Keenan’s selection of a Puscifer track as his most cherished work shows how personally connected he is to the project. Keenan has full creative control in Puscifer, unlike the collaborative efforts required in Tool and A Perfect Circle. This autonomy allows him a unique space to express himself and explore his artistry to the fullest.
Keenan’s military background, where he served as a distinguished marksman, doesn’t appear as the ideal background for someone who would go on to sing, but it reflects in his disciplined approach to life and art. His decision to adopt the name “Maynard” during his service, based on a fictional character from high school, shows the layers of his personality and the level of storytelling that is a major part of his music.
Tool fans might find it surprising that Keenan’s most treasured song isn’t from their discography, especially considering the band’s recent release, “Fear Inoculum,” which arrived after a 13-year hiatus. Talking about how long it took for the album to get ready, Keenan noted that the fear of not meeting expectations led to a cycle of second-guessing that delayed its completion.
As Keenan continues to evolve as an artist, his reflections on “Grand Canyon” show fans what goes on in the mind of a musician who isn’t afraid of stepping into new terrains. His words show us that seeking perfection as an artist would fill you with self-doubt but ultimately end up as an ultimately rewarding one.
As Tool prepares for upcoming tours and projects, Keenan’s legacy is firmly established, not just through the band’s achievements but also through his personal victories in songwriting. “Grand Canyon” may not be a Tool song, but it perfectly captures the essence of Maynard James Keenan: a visionary artist whose pride in his work transcends the boundaries of any single band or genre.