SYSTEM OF A DOWN – MEZMERIZE
American/Columbia – BMG/SONY
By: Fridae Mattas
This was to be a different band; actually, it was going to be Nirvana’s “Sliver-Best of the Box”. Subsequently I saw this LP sitting there at the top of my bed and then it hit me I realized maybe I should review something just as good but a lot more current. I have always liked System of a Down. It was their originality, how they differed from all the others. Their song structure, vocals, content and sound all together, this band is truly one of a kind. Toxicity was this records predecessor. Toxicity had great messages in every track so I was wondering how they were going to surpass it. Could they keep it real, or would they sell out and hop on the money train. The first time I heard B.Y.O.B. I almost had a heart attack because it was so different from their old stuff, softer and more mainstream I am still trying to get used to it. As a first single, it was very disappointing but I had to replay the track so I could listen a bit closer, paying more attention to the lyrics. I concluded it is still the same old S.O.A.D with the messages, the weirdness of their music, and hilarity of their humorous lyrics. They even have the art of trying to make a difference by printing the booklet with soy inks using recycled, hemp and Flax paper. An honorable mention to the artwork on the disc done by Vartan Malakian it was very interesting. After I calmed down I ran through the entire disc just to make sure there wasn’t any more drastic mainstream tracks. On the single B.Y.O.B., the message was political hitting up the US Government making a statement but not to the point where they name names although it is quite clear to whom it is directed at.
Men will take a liking to the track “Cigaro” but will misconstrue the message indefinitely, for it is not as lucid as most of their tracks this one makes you sit there and think trying to figure it out. Daron Malakian and Serj Tankian wrote this tune, they write majority of the tracks together, but Daron is the one who writes the music and lyrics on majority of this disc. As I listen to “This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I’m On This Song” I sometimes wonder if they just sat there with the dictionary in one hand and the Thesaurus in another trying to fit words together. A line from the track “I hope your stepson doesn’t eat the fish / When we’re crying for our next fix.” Why on God’s Earth would you even put this into a song for something other than a laugh “Gonorrhea Gorgonzola” what the??? Sometimes they are excessively weird. These guys talk about a lot of things on this album that should be mentioned, one track “Violent Pornography” is telling us that we should turn off the T.V. They do have a point it does brainwash people. Television and Media outlets such as “Playboy” are the reason why women, specifically young women have self-esteem issues, being a little self-conscious is the breeding ground for Eating Disorders. Some Men think all women should look like female celebrities do, but when does any regular woman who has a 9 to 5 with kids ever get a chance to workout? Not realistic people, of course celebrities have hard fit bodies, I would hope so it is their job without them they would have no product to sell. If I was getting paid $27 Million dollars for a film role that required me to be a certain size, damn straight I am going to be the fittest chick ever. Training, it is called that for a reason. Lipo, Tummy Tucks, Rhinoplasty, all of this started in the land of the greedy “Celebs” they do not want to get old because they want everlasting Benjamin’s and fame, so they come up with ways to stay young but end up looking plastic and hideous especially without make up, damn!! Why celebrate people who cannot even show their real face, if people cannot tell that Teri Hatcher’s face is plastic YOU ARE BLIND! She looks so different from her days on “Lois and Clark”. Tying in very well with the last couple of tracks one title “Old School Hollywood” and “Lost in Hollywood” both basically incline the same sort of thing but “Lost In Hollywood” is more along the softer side of S.O.A.D. my favorite line from that tune is “Phony people come to pray / Look at all of them beg to stay”. So true Fellas, so true. From the unique haunting vocals to the style of their signature sound this album, as a whole is almost gold. Not as mind blowing as “Toxicity” but it is what it is “Mezmerize”. I do suggest you pick it up, that is of course if for once you would like some lyrical substance with loud rocking music.
©2007Fridae™
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SYSTEM OF A DOWN - MEZMERIZE
