SERJ TANKIAN — Elect the Dead (review)

SERJ TANKIAN — Elect the Dead album cover Album · 2007 · Alternative Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
2/5 ·
Pekka
When System of a Down went on hiatus, Serj Tankian was quick to release his first proper solo album. Many tracks were apparently suggested to go on SoaD's Mezmerize/Hypnotize double, but as Daron Malakian was overflowing with excellent material, most of Tankian's tracks were left off the albums. Whereas Daron Malakian's post-Soad band Scars of Broadway continued somewhat in the direction of the last System albums, Elect the Dead resembles a bit more the earlier System output, though it's different enough not to be instantly comparable.

As was the case with Scars, Tankian's solo material is also considerably less metal than System. One of the problems of this album is very clear in the third song, Money. Having written a gorgeous intro and verses, Tankian almost destroys them by inserting a mad burst of a chorus. One gets the feeling that it's almost like he wanted to write a simple beautiful track, but because that's what he's known for, he has to go insane in the chorus. It's a good song after all, but it could have been so much more. Many tracks follow the same quiteter verses / loud and heavy chorus pattern.

Tracks like Baby and Honking Antelope are enjoyable listening and Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition is a welcome dose of funky weirdness with its touch of electronics and dissonance, but rarely does anything on this album reach the magic that Serj Tankian is known for. Generally I notice liking his voice much more in the softer parts, in the louder ones he resorts a bit too often to straight colourless booming. I'm sure I would like this album much more if he minimized the metal element, as now it seems a bit too forced in places, like the last bit of metal he had to get out of his system before moving on to playing these songs with a symphony orchestra, and crafting the jazzy and symphonic album that will come out later this year.

That I'm much more interested in than this effort. Occasionally enjoyable, rarely memorable.
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