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May 21, 2005 at 1:00 am #18365RabidKittenParticipant
Alright, well it seems that Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian,
and John Dolmayan of System of a Down have finally released the first of their double CD album, Mezmerize May 17th. The second, Hypnotize is to be released this fall sometime.Really now, I am a fan and a quarter. Their second the third albums, “Toxicity” and “Steal this Album” were great! But, bashfully I must admit that I haven’t heard their first.
Now, I heard this album and really…I’m kind of surprised. Firstly, they actually let mr. guitar player, Daron do a lot of singing in this one…and really…he should stick to guitar. Nothing against him, but really, Serj is such a better vocalist. I don’t mind them together, it sounds pretty darn neat, but Daron just doesn’t have the voice for solo work.
From what I’ve heard from folks, this album is a lot like their first…and I’m not too crazy about it…as horrible it feels to say that I’m really just not into what I’ve heard so far. Given that I’ve heard only a few of the tunes since a car ride only lasts so long…I can only hope that the rest of it perks it up.I’ve always loved the fact that all their songs are opinion, politically based, even if I don’t agree, it’s refreshing to have a band actually stand for something and talk about something that is a passion for them. But…I think they could’ve picked better words to make some of their statements. Personally, I don’t identify so much when you’re talking about “Violent pornography, choking chicks and sodemy, the kinda —- you get on tv” in relation to folks being sheep and how tv is brainwashing folks and desensitizing them…but really…there are a few more examples you can give that I believe would make a better example over all *shrug* at least give something more than just that.
And the music has somehow changed too…not that I don’t dig it, but it’s different, definately a shift from their former albums. I don’t know if I could really get used to it…not something I could listen to on a daily basis, that’s for sure.
I’m still a fan of them though…I mean…c’mon…their Lead Vocalist’s name is “Serj”…how neat is that!? *cackles*Either way, anyone else a fan and have some words on the difference between albums? Good stuff, bad stuff, indifferent stuff..heh, all that?
May 21, 2005 at 3:13 am #122127Ithaca1937MemberWell I’m big fan of System of a Down, so is my family and my neighbors. You walk through my house and just about everyone has this new album playing.
At first when hear some of it I was a little skeptical but after listening to the whole album I love the whole thing. I have there first album “System of a Down” as well as Toxicity, Steal This Album!, and since 21:30 on May 16, Mezmerize.
I think their is a bigger difference in the first album, “System of a Down”, and their second, Toxicity, than between Mezmerize and Steal This Album. At least to me it seems that the last three albums are more refined then the first. The first had that low deep screaming type stuff in it and kind of leaned a little toward bashing the instruments. I also think they have become more forward with the messages in their songs, to me some of the songs on the first album left me with the feeling “what was that about”? The lyrics are a lot more sexually orientated on this latest album, the first one favored the phrase “Mother F—-r” more, And I quote Suite-Pee from the first album “…die, Like a M
F
, die, like a M
F
, die, like a M
F
, why, like a M
F
, I want to F— my way to the garden, cause everyone needs a mother, F
!…”In my opinion the first one was kind of wobbly start, and I don’t listen to it much. But I don’t think SoaD has gone the way of Metallica by selling out their fans and just being in it for the money. I’m positively getting the next album when it comes out and am looking forward to more stuff from them.
May 24, 2005 at 10:49 pm #122126Jeff HesterKeymasterI recently went to Target and bought the cd, being a fan and all. At first I was like wtf, but then I found myself singing along to some songs and bopping my head. *heh* The album definitely has a different feel than those of Toxicity and Steal This Album. As a long time fan I noticed the difference but I soon found myself liking it once again. I actually love how they’re always willing to change yet still find a way to please their fans with lyrics that’ll make you think what exactly they are trying to say unlike most rock music out there that basically talks about the same thing over and over.
It is clear that in this album the band is pushing further with some political messages pointing fingers at world leaders, “Why don’t presidents fight the war / why do they always send the poor’ and poking fun at popular culture on the almost R’n’B-esque chorus of, ‘Everybody’s going to the party / Have a real good time / Dancing in the desert / Blowing up the sunshine’.
I do not think all of ‘Mezmerize’ is a political album, much with their earlier work it focuses on all areas of society. One example can be the anti-drugs message of, “This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I’m On This Song”. At least that is how I understood it.
After being quiet for some time, this new release doesn’t disappoint me especially since SOAD continues to be something refreshing and new when speaking of heavy metal. The only letdown is that this CD lasts just over 36 minutes. I’ll be looking forward to their next cd “Hypnotize” later this year.
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