System Of A Down - Self Titled
My introduction to Rock Music (please read GOOD music) came when I went to university. Before that time the best that I had managed was Limp Bizkit and Blink 182 (I'm sorry!). I arrived at Uni all fresh faced and innocent, made friends with the people sharing my flat, and started attending this thing called a "Rock Night" at the Uni bar... My revelation had begun!
During the course of around a month going out on a Saturday night and rocking it up I discovered many new and interesting sounds and whenever I heard something I liked I asked my friend (Uncle Fester - Hi Fester!) for the name of the band. Luckily for me he usually knew, and better than that almost always had some albums that I could borrow to enhance my education. From here I discovered ALOT of music, infact most of the stuff I listen to now I discovered through Fester. The first band to catch my ear was the strangely named System of a Down.
As with most SOAD converts, the first song that hooks you in is Sugar from their self titled album. Bass heavy and with a drum beat that seems to trip along sugar is pure insanity in a record. Serj Tankian - lead singer for the band has a fantastic voice that could front an opera without a problem, which means it is perfectly suited for this kind of schizophrenic music. Add to that the bizarre wailing of Daron Malakian - guitarist and backing singer and you have a winning formula.
After hearing Sugar at the club I asked to borrow the album it came from. I went back to my room in the halls of residence and put it on and was greeted, much to my happiness by Suite-Pee. A damn fine introduction to the album, it showcases the bands ability to screw with the pace of a song, it starts frantic with both guitar and drums pounding along, Serj singing and shouting in his trademark style. Then it all seems to kick down a gear, the bass is stepped up, and the song begins to flop along through the middle section, building and building back in to a crescendo which seems to pick up more and more pace until the song ends.
But don't worry, they don't waste the effort, Know - track two on the album starts almost straight away with a drum rhythm that hurts the brain and continues keeping the pace the whole way through. Then we're treated to Sugar, listening to this in the comfort of your own home is just as good as the sweaty, alcohol induced fun of a club. By track 4 - Suggestions, the band are have clearly decided that heavy frantic songs arnt the only thing the are capable of producing as this time the feel is more darkly insane than before, the verses being twitchy and almost paranoid, and by the final verse Serj is putting on a high pitched squeak that still makes me giggle to this day.
Those that like something a bit more down tempo are kept happy too, Spiders is alot more melodic and operatic really alowing for a much greater vocal range that is really satisfying to hear.
As the album progresses we get to hear more insanity, in the form of DDevil (shake your spirit Shakespeare!) and Soil (where the tempo is so messed up I still cant work out quite whats going on!), War? shows that the band have much more of a political side than most. When we reach Mind things start to get paranoid again, and Peephole is the same with an almost European om-pah feel to it, it has to be heard to be believed.
The final song on the album P.L.U.C.K. is one of the bands most under appreciated gems, the use of silent breaks in the introduction is inspired, the guitar riff makes your head bob along and the drumming fills that lead in to the verses are clever but not too showy, which really fits well.
On the whole I would suggest this album to anyone who has become a fan of the newer System of a Down stuff - being their first album this really shows their roots. It was made before Daron Malakian became too obsessed with his voice, so pretty much all of the vocal duties are left to Serj, which is definitely a good thing. The feel of the album is very good overall, it keeps you on the edge of your seat with its tempo changes and manic guitar scratchings. And The songs are laid out in a very natural progression where the album starts off very upbeat then chills you out towards the middle, by the end the tempo is picked back up, but in what sounds like a more mature way when compared to the insanity of the beginning.
This was the first SOAD album that I listened too, and the one that converted me in to a fan, as such I've been more than a little disappointed with their last two efforts. Anyone who has enjoyed Hypnotize and Mesmerize should take the time to go back and listen to this, as it really will show you the true way. I come back to this album at least once every few months, and still get a buzz from it. I hope it will continue for a good time in to the future.
Stretch
System Of A Down
System Of A Down
2001
CD
Columbia
Lineup:
Serj Tankian - Vocals
Daron Malakian - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Shavo Odadjian - Bass
John Dolmayan - Drums
Produced by Rick Rubin with System of a Down
Mixed by D. Sardy
Mastered by Vlado Meller at Sony Studios NY
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