ASHES dIVIDE

Although Billy Howerdel's reputation was made among heavy metal progressives and the Tool crowd with A Perfect Circle, this debut from his second project may appeal more to fans of beautiful indie rock melodies and imaginative song structures. Complex and ornate, Keep Telling Myself It's Alright is a meticulously recorded prog rock record as dramatic as a movie, with elements of indie rock, David Arkenstone, Alan Parsons, Tool, Pink Floyd -- you name it -- blurring all sorts of lines. "Enemies" and "A Wish" make for a very effective one-two punch.