Mer de Noms (French for "Sea of Names"[7]) is the debut studio album by American rock band A Perfect Circle.

The band was originally conceived by Billy Howerdel, a former guitar technician for Nine Inch Nails, the Smashing Pumpkins, Fishbone and Tool.

"[10] Although he originally desired a female vocalist, Howerdel agreed that Keenan would be a good fit, and A Perfect Circle was formed a short time later.

[11] The two rounded out the band's initial lineup with bassist and violinist Paz Lenchantin, former Failure guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen, and Primus drummer Tim Alexander.

The track listing consists of various names such as "Judith", "Breña", "Rose", "Thomas", "Magdalena", "Orestes", and "Renholdër" (for musician Danny Lohner).

"[31] Entertainment Weekly critic Marc Weingarten praised the album for maintaining the artistic influence of Maynard's work with Tool without sounding quite as ominous, and that it melded well with Howerdel's "leavening guitar shrapnel with genuinely pretty melodies and frilly production flourishes".

[32] Melody Maker commented: "This is Killing Joke and Jane's Addiction; this is Soundgarden and Alice In Chains; Keenan's gorgeously intimate voice is shoved up front throughout and it's his throat's suckable folds that draw you deeper in.

"[19] Rolling Stone's Pat Blashill stated: "A Perfect Circle sound like a desperate dream of what rock used to be.

[39] All tracks are written by Billy Howerdel and Maynard James KeenanNote Credits adapted from Mer de Noms liner notes[40] Band Additional musicians Production