Having bought this album a couple of days after its release, I figured I'd let the hype (debuted at number 1 on the BillBoard chart) and expectation (close to three years since Steal This Album! was "released") die down a little and have a few listens before writing about it.
Earlier today, I caught myself humming one of the tracks whilst
working. Hang on ... did I say "humming" one of System of a Down's songs?Anyone who has heard their earlier work, from the self titled debut album through to the breakout Toxicity to the aforementioned Steal this Album!, will attest to the fact that System of a Down are un-hummable. Their songs are like jagged little masterpieces with so many changes in tempo, style and energy that one wonders whether the entire band suffer from A.D.D.They can go from straight up hard rock to thrash to metal infused folk within the same song before you can say "genre bending". They also combine influences of Eastern European folk, punk, ska and kitsch (Knight Rider theme anyone? Check out I-E-A-I-A-I-O) with their unique brand of metal. You could, maybe, hum a riff ... if you're lucky.
So why am I humming a previously un-hummable band's song? Because its downright catchy. Its melodic and memorable and has a great hook. No, dear reader, System of a Down have not sold out. They have mastered their art.
The song which I have been humming is called B.Y.O.B (Bring Your Own Bombs). If you haven't heard it yet, you might soon, given it's been nominated for a Grammy. The chorus is downright infectious, to the point of being poppy, although I doubt we'll be seeing any Idol hopefuls performing that as part of their auditions.
Don't get me wrong, this album is anything but poppy. It's still a typical System of a Down album in that it defies definition or classification. Take for example the above mentioned track. It starts off sounding like early Metallica and then the chorus kicks in ("Everybody's going to the party, have a good time. Dancing in the desert blowing up the sunshine") and you could almost dance to it. And then "Blast off. It's party time" and you're suddenly into what sounds like Slayer's Reign in Blood. What the?
All the while vocalist Serj Tankian and guitarist / vocalist Daron Malakian are either trading verses or harmonizing on the chorus. Its an effective one-two sucker punch that works through most of the songs on this album and is a change from previous albums when Tankian carried the bulk of the vocal duties. Malakian sings a whole lot more on this and brings a raspy, squeaky, manic contrast to Tankian's dramatic, sometimes operatic delivery. Their collaboration brings an element of fun to this album and the listener is always second guessing as to which one of the vocalists will go on one of their trademark tangents.
Expect anything from Bohemian Rhapsody-esque harmonizing (Revenga) to intertwining vocal gymnastics (Radio/Video) to yodelling and beatboxing (Violent Pornography). These two have to be heard to be believed.
The tracks themselves stand out as individual vignettes on SOAD's thoughts on the world at large. SOAD have been accused of being overly political mostly due to their Armenian ancestry and involvement with anti-war movements, but they reckon their music is more social commentary rather than anything else. Some tracks make stinging, sarcastic comments on the state of the world today but its all done tongue in cheek. BYOB, Cigaro, Sad Statue and the intro Soldier Side all have political undertones but these are well balanced by the other songs such as Question! which asks "do we know when we fly, do we go when we die" after stating "Ghosts are no different than you."
The best one though, has to be Violent Pornography which has an ultra catchy chorus although singing these words out loud may turn heads and attract undue attention.
"Its a violent pornography,
choking chicks and sodomy
The kinda shit that's on your TV
It's on the TV
F**k Turn off the TV
Can you say "brainwashing"?
Its a non-stop disco"
And it all ends with a light beat box moment which makes ones wonder where do these guys get the ideas for these types of songs? Unbelievably different, yet anyone who has watched even a little of this year's Big Brother, will know what this song is talking about.
To conclude, Mesmerize is a great album in many ways. It successfully continues from where Steal ... left off but makes a quantum leap in terms of attracting new listeners and showcasing the talents of Tankian, Malakian, Odadjian (bass) and Dolmayan (drums). The band has not lost any of its creativity, wit or edge but has gained a sort of maturity that can only come from being comfortable in ones skin. SOAD brought raw power, a schizophrenic energy and a certain aggression in the first two albums followed by hints of what was to come in Steal... Mesmerize brings a new level of craftmanship. It still brings the power, emotion, energy and aggression but also brings an element of perfection.
The second part of Mesmerize, Hypnotize (click on the link - read my review ) will be released towards the end of this year. If these tracks are anything to go by, expect more fireworks. System of a Down are hard to classify as a band. They are not nu-metal because neither Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park or any of their contemporaries could hold a candle to these guys. Ditto heavy metal, thrash, death metal, prog rock or alternative.
If they carry on making albums such as Mesmerize, they'll be in a league of their own.
Score: 9/10
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