System of a Down Album: “Steal This Album [Edited]”

When I first became a SOAD fan, I bought Toxicity first. It was a great album so then I tried their 1998 debut release, and I was exposed to their deep inner self. Then I got this new album and I must say that System has again enthralled me. Each song may start out similar but, once things get going, they are all genuine in themselves.

Chic 'N' Stu - Weird song with a catchy chorus. What a splendid pie!! Pizza pizza pie!! I don't know what Serj is blathering about but I like it heh

Innervision - My sister was the first to tell me about this and I downloaded it. It seemed amazing when it was the only song I'd heard but, when I bought the whole CD, it was left in the dust as the melodic tunes of every other track began to catch my interest more

Bubbles - Short and sweet. This one didn't seem to get much hype but it was awesome though. It's not deep or dark. It's just fun and energetic

Boom! - Serj really managed to prevail in this song with his monotonous tone of voice in the beginning as the wild music is playing in the background. The chorus is nothing too special though

Nuguns - This is probably the song I've given the least amount of listens to even though it is quite good

A.D.D. - The three letters stand for American Dream Denial. I love the chorus to this one. It's one of my favorites

Mr. Jack - I just caught on to this song today. It's the longest track and yet it's only over four minutes

I-E-A-I-A-I-O - System seems to do good at choruses. And this one is enchanting. And we light up the skyyy...

36 - The song is called 36 but it's 46 seconds long. Cool music but the message seems to oppress television

Pictures - The music in this one rocks. And I love it when Daron jumps in at the end and repeats Serj's every phrase in a scream. Away (away!) gold dust (gold dust!)

Highway Song - I didn't pay much attention to this at first. But it's really melodic so I caught on fast

**** the System - It's alright. Nothing to put too much attention to

Ego Brain - System unleashes their soft side. The opening music sounds like the song Toxicity but everything quickly changes. The music, the flow, the message, it's all done perfectly in this track

Thetawaves - It starts out mediocre but as soon as you hear the chorus (Time feels like a midnight ride, finality waits outside, weeping in perplexity's arms, caressing our smiles inside) then you will be hooked

Roulette - Very calm, very soothing. This is not like normal System and that's what I like about it. They're trying to bring out different kinds of music

Streamline - This one was released as an extra by itself and debuted on the movie Scorpion King. I remember downloading it last summer and it's still good

I first approached buying this CD with caution. Sure, the other 2 SOAD albums were brilliant, but what do you immediately think when you walk into the Metal section of the music store and see a CD which has no cover art and looks like a ripped album? Are you going to pay $??.95 for that?

Or is this just a damn clever gimmick? Yes it is. STEAL THIS ALBUM is an album that is well worth your money, and finds the band issuing previously unreleased material that spans their career to date. As you would expect, Serj Tankian is in full flight with his anti-consumer song CHIC'N'STU (only Serj could make screaming out the ingredients for casserole and pizza sound cool!) , and the soaring INNERVISION. There is also the nicely anti-authority track F**K THE SYSTEM as well as some gentler songs which will surprise some SOAD fans, but will also delight them too.

By inserting the CD into your computer you can access the album info such as lyrics etc. STEAL THIS ALBUM is a record well worth your money and will please SOAD fanatics both old and new. So if none of your friends or relatives got you this for Xmas (like mine), make sure STEAL THIS ALBUM is the first CD you buy in 2003. Got it?

This record is a huge mixture of sounds because of the time period it covers. Comprised of tracks from throughout the band's history, the sampling of their different sounds over the years is impressive. From the hard-hitting "Chic N' Stu" to the more thought-provoking "Streamline," it is easy to find something you like here. As a System fan, I saw the disc as a way to see their progression to where they are now, but any fan of rock will appreciate the overall sound of this record.

Another important part of the record's appeal is the underlying messages of System of a Down. From the presentation of the case (no book included, CD is made to look like a CD-R that someone wrote on), to the title, "Steal This Album!," to the politically motivated songs included, it is easy to see where the band stands on many issues (especially their anti-war stance).

Overall, "Steal This Album!" is definitely a record to own, if for many different reasons. System fans should buy it because it is a chance to hear unreleased songs from the band's past. Rock fans in general should buy it because it is a record with purpose that appeals to you no matter what style of "System" you prefer, hard-hitting or thought-provoking, and sometimes all of the above. Get your hands on this one, even if you have to follow the band's cynical advice and "Steal This Album!"

Best tracks: "Innervision," "A.D.D.," "I-E-A-I-A-I-O," "Highway Song," and "Streamline."

What is with you people not liking this. It is one of the best cd's ever. It is not bad at all. Many people think this cd is SOAD's best and some think it's there worst. I think it's as good as Toxicity but worse then there first album. The overall rating for this cd is 4.5 out of 5 stars so you know it's going to be good. I love the introduction to all the songs as I do to every other SOAD song. I don't like how they left us on this cd with soft, lighter songs because it made me believe it was the end for them, but it's not. There have been rumours of a new SOAD cd coming out in late 2004. If you can find one of the cd's that has a picture from one of the four members drawn on it, buy that. Try to get at least one. This cd is still worth buying because the songs are played out well. I like how the guitar and the drums sound. The vocals are always great. It is just one great cd that will have you listening to it for years.

SONG RATINGS:

1.Chic n Stu-(2:23)-10/10

2.Innervision-(2:33)-10/10

3.Bubbles-(1:56)-9/10

4.Boom!-(2:14)-10/10

5.Nuguns-(2:30)-8/10

6.A.D.D.-(3:17)-10/10

7.Mr.Jack-(4:09)-9/10

8.I-E-A-I-A-I-O-(3:08)-10/10

9.36-(:46)-9/10

10.Pictures-(2:06)-10/10

11.Highway Song-(3:13)-10/10

12.F*** the System-(2:12)-10/10

13.Ego Brain-(3:21)-10/10

14.Thetawaves-(2:36)-10/10

15.Roulette-(3:21)-10/10

16.Streamline-(3:37)-9/10

peter please go back to listening to limp bizkit and let the adults review this TALENTED band.