Mezmerize by SOAD

[ravenjuice]

I'm still undecided, im on the fourth listen through right now, BYOB and Cigaro are awesome songs, and i like the rest...but theres nothing on there that jumps out and grabs you, which is a shame.

On a slightly stranger note...now that serj has that hair do, he looks exactly like my year 8 history teacher...but with a stick on beard. I can visualise her up on stage singing SOAD's stuff. ITs not a pretty image.

[Fanku Kaibutsu]

On a slightly stranger note...now that serj has that hair do, he looks exactly like my year 8 history teacher...but with a stick on beard. I can visualise her up on stage singing SOAD's stuff. ITs not a pretty image.

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[Dan]

This album is fucking amazing. Lost in hollywood, violent pornography, old school hollywood are just some of the amazing tracks on it.

[TAFKA Castroneves]

In my spare time I write reviews for the odd album, here's my review for Mezmerize:

System of a Down – Mezmerize (2005)

The first instalment of new SOAD

Reviewed by Tom Smith

System of a Down are back! That in itself is enough reason to rejoice and scream the prospect of a new album from the rafters of your home. But after so much hype would the first instalment of a two-disc release in “Mezmerize” be actually any good? Would it be classified alongside the classic past releases of “System of a Down” and “Toxicity”? Or would it surpass them, or (dare I even suggest it) fall well short of the expected result…on my second listen I was convinced I had the answer. This album being…without a doubt the greatest System of a Down release to date.

We open with a nice intro in “Soldier Side” as a melodic guitar gently weeps alongside a welcome from the joint vocals of Daron Malakian and Serj Tankian (which proves to be a big factor in the entire album). But that is shortly forgotten as B.Y.O.B explodes into life with a furious nature from what preceded it…and before you know it you have been Mesmerized (yes, I did use that pun) with the combination of the verses and the stunningly brilliant chorus. “Everybody’s going to the party…gonna have a good time. Dancing in the desert, blowing up the sunshine” will just implant itself in your head for weeks, months and maybe years to come. The changes from heavy to light, from screaming to melodic partnership between Daron and Serj just take this song even higher in my eyes. While B.Y.O.B. is one of the best songs on the album there is more to yet allow your ears to enjoy. “Revenga” is up next, and is a simple work of art. It’s not fancy, it’s not really technical by SOAD’s standards, but it is a nice song that progresses a journey well from start to end.

Then for the second time we hit the heavy territory as “Cigaro” bursts into life with a pro-vocal cock shoved down your throat, alongside some of Daron’s pro-vocal shit and seemingly a massive cigar as well. This is a rawer, in-your-face track by this album’s standards and would be classified personally as the heaviest this album gets. The lyrics aren’t complicated, but this song isn’t meant to complicate – alike the rest of this record. The political theme from “Toxicity”, the complication of “System of a Down” isn’t there in as much force, and this allows SOAD to spread their wings more, remove themselves from their guise as a thrash-metal political band into a more rounded musical unit. The fifth track of the album is “Radio/Video” as the album enters the middle period of musical entwinement. Again, we have simplicity with this track, which makes it just work. “This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I’m On This Song” was the song which intrigued me the most when the track listing was unveiled. You would expect something a little crazier, and that’s just what it is. Thumping, smashing and warped lyrics in an unusual combo create what is possibility one of my personal favourite tracks. Although not the best this album has to offer.

Up next it’s “Violent Pornography” which lyrically seems to be a dig at the pornography that can be seen on television these days, although you never really know what SOAD are entirely trying to say here. And like they say, they want their music to provide questions to which you provide your own answers. So I’ll just take that and move on. The song continues on similarly from “This Cocaine…” with a verse structure that sounds quite a bit like the build up to the previous chorus. Eventually the song sorts itself out into another vocal harmony between Daron and Serj, and unsurprisingly it’s totally revealed as another great track with a tongue-and-cheek humour also applied, this being with: “Everybody, Everybody, Everybody (fucks), Everybody, Everybody, Everybody (sucks)” especially sounding awesome from Mr Tankian. Then comes “Question!” as this album really hits full swing. It feels like the album was building up into a pattern with the tracks from “Radio/Video” onwards, It’s like you are watching the middle of the movie unfold currently through some similar sounding tracks after the quiet, then sharp altercations at the beginning. That’s not even going into the slower and quieter end coming up momentarily.

Track 9 is the best track on the album, and I would even dare to say it is possibility the best System of a Down song ever. “Sad Statue” combines the best elements of new SOAD to the best effect…heavy thumping verse with a light melodic and catchy chorus. “You and me will all go down in history, With a sad statue of liberty…” just flowing from Serj and Daron’s voices unlike anything so far. “Mezmerize” here starts to peak at just the right time, the best track is the third from the end and next it’s “Old School Hollywood”. Which adds a first dip into techno vocal effects from SOAD as robotic droning backs up the main vocals for the song. This song is adventurous, perhaps the most adventurous of the album – but it works. How many times can I say this next comment for one album? It just works. “Lost in Hollywood” then finishes the album on the lightest touch yet, and boy does it leave you ready for the next instalment from SOAD. The end of “Lost in Hollywood” didn’t feel like the end for me, it felt like I was halfway through the journey. With still another memorable half to come…

Key Tracks:

B.Y.O.B.

Sad Statue

Old School Hollywood

The Bottom Line:

This album was hyped, it was hyped everywhere. Normally when this happens the album in question would just fall flat on its face…but not this time. I have hyped myself up for releases in the past and been totally disappointed, but not here. “Mezmerize” wasn’t entirely what I expected, but it left me feeling like I had just experienced the first part of a journey, which was just phenomenal. At only 37 minutes this album is short, but because of this you can take it all in for the better. The tracks are in such an order where the whole thing plays out perfectly, and all together the album just feels right. It was the correct direction for SOAD to go, and is easily the best release of the year to date from what I have heard.

If “Hypnotize” is half as good as this I will be a very happy man.

I cannot find faults unless I really picked away, and I really don’t want to. I want to enjoy this album for what it is…as the best System of a Down album, as the most diverse, different, and entertaining System of a Down album ever made. You all should do the same. That way you can all see this masterpiece for the better. Excellent stuff.

Overall Rating: *****

[Dan]

Nice review, I don't think you gave Lost in Hollywood the credit it deserves though.

[Summers]

I agree with the man above. B)

--

Both men above, actually.

Edited May 8, 2005 by Summers

[Liam]

I agree to an extent, apart from its nowhere near a ***** album, and both original SOAD albums are better (in reference to the "best System Of A Down album yet" comment).

[TAFKA Castroneves]

I guess its down to personal preference as to if you view it as the best System of a Down album, I used to say "System of a Down" was the best - while others would have gone with "Toxicity" and probably the majority at that. I felt this album went a better direction than before and that's why I felt it was the best. But I can understand others not seeing this.

Also true, I did undervaluate Lost In Hollywood. I should have given it more attention in my review because it is damn good.

[Cactus Drags]

Toxcity was the album that got them noticed for me, and I've since gone back and bought the self-titled one, and I've heard Steal This Album once or twice. I think Toxicity is still my favourite, with Mzmerize coming a close second.

[Big Tuna]

Personally, I was a little disappointed with the CD so far. I love Steal This Album, it's one of the few CD's I can listen to from first song to last song. Maybe a second listen will change my opinion of Mesmerize.

But I do love the tracks Cigaro, B.Y.O.B., Revenga, and This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm On This Song

[tristy]

The album is worthy of 5 stars, but only 3 stand out/"key" tracks? What's the deal TAFKA?

[Steeb]

I found this album heavily dissapointing. I hope I find it better on furhter listens, because the few tracks that I had heard from this boded well, but it didn't seem to turn out so. Oh well, still got "Hypnotise" to come.

Speaking of "Hypnotise", can someone tell me wether 'Kill Rock n' Roll', 'Holy Mountain' and 'Virginity' will be on it? They may all be b-sides to singles or something, but they're all tracks that I had come across online and don't recognize from the other albums. They are kickass though, better than 75% of the stuff on Mesmerise.

[TAFKA Castroneves]

The album is worthy of 5 stars, but only 3 stand out/"key" tracks? What's the deal TAFKA?

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