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System's 'Hypnotize' is mesmerizing disorder |
Posted by jumppogo on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - 01:45 PM
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System's 'Hypnotize' is mesmerizing disorder
As one listens to System of a Down's latest album, ''Hypnotize," it's easy to understand why some harbor an intense dislike for the band.
The Los Angeles quartet demands a lot of its listeners. Yes, it's a rock band, but it's also a bunch of musical marauders who joyfully plunder any genre in service of their songs. Neck-breaking thrash metal? Absolutely! Ethereal world music? Definitely! Clubby disco beats? Oh, why not! Musical twists and turns don't simply occur from track to track but often within the confines of the same song, and that, for some, makes this a very vexing band.
Of course, what some find vexing others applaud as bracing, and it's that diversity that makes this one of the most compelling rock acts around. With so much unhinged energy, so many elaborate and daring compositions, this music tickles the ear and challenges the mind. There's never been anything rote or predictable about a System of a Down album, and that includes ''Hypnotize," the stunning completion of a double album that began with ''Mezmerize," released in May.
''Hypnotize" is the more epic of the two, with all the rococo theatricality of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman in peak ''Bat Out of Hell" form. Still, this is more ambitious and expansive music, crammed with wacky ideas and images. It's grandiose, provocative, and more than a little ridiculous in the best possible way. And as with ''Mezmerize," this is progressive rock at its most economical. Of its 12 tracks, only two clock in at four or more minutes -- ''Holy Mountains" and ''Dreaming." Five are under three minutes, but the band elevates every moment into a thrilling mini-drama.
Then again, why expect anything less from an album that aptly begins with a song called ''Attack"? Singer-guitarist Daron Malakian, bassist Shavo Odadjian, and drummer John Dolmayan drop riffs with the deadly precision of a guillotine, then Malakian and lead singer Serj Tankian offer sweet harmonies before the bombast crashes through again. It's a battering ram of a song with just enough tempo changes for everyone to catch their breath.
But not for long, as that dynamic repeats itself on ''Dreaming." Given how much System of a Down relies on this tactic, the band's sheer musicality keeps the device from growing stale. Political pronouncements are sprinkled throughout, especially on the closing track, ''Soldier Side" (''Soldier Side Intro" opens ''Mezmerize"), in which Tankian and Malakian sing:
"They were crying when their sons left
All your men must go
He's come so far to find no truth
He's never going home"
Only with that song, and the disarmingly gentle ''Lonely Day," does the band come up with something even remotely structured like a single. Despite the success of such songs as ''Chop Suey!" and ''B.Y.O.B," this band has never thought in terms of radio-friendly hits, and with albums this staggeringly good, there's no need. With ''Mezmerize," System of a Down already has one of the year's best rock albums; miraculously, ''Hypnotize" surpasses it.
By Renée Graham, Globe Staff | November 22, 2005 | www.boston.com
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Comments
bring_your_own_bombs
22.11.05, 16:28
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"it's easy to understand why some harbor an intense dislike for the band" yeah, coz those people are tasteless fucking idiots!
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Einey<3Serj
22.11.05, 16:41
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hahaha! that's true :D "intense dislike" that sounds so horrible...
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alkaline_blonde
22.11.05, 17:04
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some people may say that soad have changed a lot but so fucking what? its their music we love if people decide not to like them any more its their fucking problem no one elses. i admire system and what ever music they produce so much work has gone into it and each song is unique. i love this album it hasnt depressed me in the slightest mezmerize and hypnotize are amazing albums..i couldnt ask for anything more from system of a down they complete me with their music
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brimtastic
22.11.05, 17:23
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OK alkaline_blonde where the hell did that come from? I basically agree with you, but this article was overwhelmingly positive...
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shotgunjoe
22.11.05, 18:11
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I agree with you alkaline, even if SOAD have changed this is them at their best. And "intense dislike"? Thats just mean...
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rowanhello
22.11.05, 18:27
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its good to have a mixture, before i found system of a down i was wondering between bands like chilli peppers, u2, REM and at one point the streets. For seem reason i can only listen to 1 band at a time, i can listen to an album for a few months but this has captured my imagination. Music is predictable but SOAD are not. The first time i heard a SOAD song (BYOB) i thought it was terrible. But on hearing chop suey just locked me in and now they run through my head 24 hours a day. Im addicted.
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livinglifeslie
22.11.05, 19:56
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System really doesn't change their sounds... They never really were set on a 'norm' anyhow. Everything they do is unique, to the unexpected? To BE expected. That's why i love them so much. It takes talent to be unpredictible! ;)
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laura_stef
22.11.05, 20:29
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i agree with livinglifeslie....soad's style is to have none. i mean their albums are so different . they don't bore us with the same things. i mean it's hard to talk about all of these things happening right now without focusing on only one aspect... they can pretty much talk about about everything without saying something that has been said before
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musicislifeismusic
22.11.05, 23:46
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i cant say anything else about it....agreed with you guys...
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HIMluv
23.11.05, 01:23
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I remember seeing threads about wondering if Serj was loosing his touch and if SOAD was easing up.... What do those people think now?? I don't think Serj is losing ANYTHING... and soft?? U-Fig is like a slap in the face!! (In a good way!) This album kicks major ass!!!!
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against_war_2004
23.11.05, 03:23
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thats right ,other bands sound the same ...and ... the same over and over again. It gets boring from time to time ,but SOAD ,i think is the only band that i known from so long ,that have change with their music ,and that y i love them.They sounds AWESOME they have change (In a good way).Love System to Death ,Go Soad :D
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weddledu
23.11.05, 03:28
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no offence, but serj is losing the rough voice he once had, which is handy alot, even on older live songs... It doesn't sound right.
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11/22/05
23.11.05, 05:16
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anyone who doesnt like this album or soad suck my go-nads and go to hell
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Tanfalath
23.11.05, 06:07
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"All your men must go" ? No it's "all YOUNG men must go" !!!! Grr.....
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UnholyprojecT
23.11.05, 06:21
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Man! I'll tell you what! System has REALLY out done themselves. I fucking love hypnotize, and quite frankly, those that hate system of a down can suck my fucking COCK. LONG LIVE SOAD-they're fucking crazy!
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I-Heart-Daron
23.11.05, 06:39
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I am in love with this album. I got it today, listened to it three times, and agree with the review!
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Lub
23.11.05, 07:13
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Hell yeah, same here, bought Hypnotize here in Fort Worth at 10:00 am at Best Buy. I've already downloaded it into my X-Box, Music Match, and on a few CDs. Since Steal This Album, I've given up the life of someone trying to pick a favorite. They all kick so much raw ass.
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cainw
23.11.05, 10:01
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i think hypnotize is an insult to the band!!!! its ruuuuuuuubbbbbbiiiiissssshhhhhhh
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