“V” Is for Vagina is the debut studio album by Maynard James Keenan‘s side project Puscifer, released on October 30, 2007. The album features a significantly different, electronic sound and arrangements than Keenan‘s other bands: the progressive Tool and alternative A Perfect Circle. Keenan himself compared the sound of “V” Is for Vagina to “driving around in your car listening to those old Motown hits, James Brown, and cool R&B stuff”. “V” is for Vagina has sold 112,000 copies.
The album was preceded by a non-album, retail-only single called “Cuntry Boner“, released on October 2, 2007. Released a week later was an iTunes-only four track EP titled Don’t Shoot the Messenger, with tracks previously released only on soundtracks.
On October 30, 2007, a second single, and first actual radio single from the album, “Queen B.” was posted into a flash audio player on the official website, along with selected tracks by Keenan projects. On October 1, 2007, the video was posted on the Puscifer YouTube channel. The video features several fully CGI Maynards as pawns in a chess game between two women. The album debuted at number 25 on the Billboard 200, selling about 27,000 copies in its first week. On October 7, 2007, “Trekka (Sean Beaven Mix)” was published on Puscifer.com, and on October 25, 2007, the entire album was put up for listening.
On October 17, 2008, an official music video for the song “Momma Sed” was released online via the official Puscifer YouTube channel.
The vinyl edition of “V” is for Vagina was re-released in August 2016. On April 28, 2008, a remix album with versions of tracks from “V” Is for Vagina was released, entitled “V” Is for Viagra. The Remixes. In 2022 another remix titled “V” is for Versatile released.
Tracklist:
- Queen B. (Maynard James Keenan, T. Alexander)
- DoZo (Keenan, B. Lustmord
- Vagina Mine (Keenan)
- Momma Sed (Keenan, T. Commerford, B. Wilk, J. Polonsky)
- Drunk with Power (Keenan, B. Lustmord)
- The Undertaker (Keenan, D. Lohner)
- Trekka (Keenan, B. Lustmord)
- Indigo Children (Keenan)
- Sour Grapes (Keenan, J. Polonsky, T. Alexander)
- REV 22:20 (Dry Martini Mix) (Keenan, D. Lohner)
Credits:
Performers
Maynard James Keenan: vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion, drums, clarinet
Joe Barresi: guitar
Mat Mitchell: bass, guitar, programming
Tim “Herb” Alexander: drums, drum engineering
Jeremy Berman: percussion, drums
Alessandro Cortini: synthesizer
Ainjel Emme: acoustic guitar, vocals
Josh Eustis: guitar, programming, Wurlitzer
Alain Johannes: guitar
Gil Sharone: percussion, drums
Rani Sharone: bass, guitar, percussion, fretless bass, baritone guitar
Juliette Commagere: vocals (11)
Trey Gunn: guitar, bass (12)
Alfredo Nogueira: pedal steel
Jonny Polonsky: piano, clarinet, sampling, loops
Production
Bob Ludwig: mastering
Brian Lustmord: programming
Eddie McClintock: artwork, design
Lynn Sanchez McClintock: production director
Alan Moulder: mixing
Andy Savours: mixing
