Elect the Dead - Dark Publications

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Customer Reviews: Read 59 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Similar, not the same. October 24, 2007
44 out of 45 found this review helpful

Having heard the two singles, "The Unthinking Majority" and "Empty Walls," dozens of times on the radio, I knew I wanted to buy this album, even though it's not my typical music choice and I'm not familiar at all with Tankian's previous works or SOAD. The songs were catchy, they stayed in my head, and when I actually bothered to take a listen to the lyrics I was surprised and impressed by the complexity and politics.

So, being a naive newcomer to Tankian, I bought the album, figuring it would be some dozen tracks just like the two singles. Not true, and in the best way possible.

While Elect the Dead is a decidedly cohesive album in style and musicality, after the two title tracks it is surprisingly more introspective than I would have guessed. After listening through the album the first time, I was left with a feeling altogether different than the one I had from the singles. It was a much richer, deeper sense than the go-go-go politicism of Unthinking Majority and Empty Walls. Tankian has far more layers to his music than mere social commentary. While I won't deny that there's such commentary throughout the lyrics, there exist emotions above and beyond this social commentary. There are moments of melancholy and curiosity, eloquently conveyed by Tankian's voice. The man can shout his lyrics with the best, but he can also slow and draw his voice out into a despairing line, calling emotions up in the listener.

One element that's definitely carried through to several tracks is the juxtaposition heard in Empty Walls -- going from five hundred miles an hour to five, wild one moment and tender the next. The way Tankian does it, even though the various modes may sound entirely different taken individually, the elements complement each other in each individual song. The transitions hold your attention, and Tankian masterfully makes the transitions not repetitive so much as surprising. Sometimes you think you know what's coming next -- especially in "Sky Is Over" -- and it's something entirely different.

There really are so many surprises on the album. Little musical riffs, things that appear only once but are so enticing you have to play the track over again just to hear that one little element, the way you never know what's coming next until at least the second time listening, and a final track that I can only liken to a funeral dirge.

And after I had listened to the album, I turned around and started listening to it all over again. If you've heard the singles and expect an entire album of the same, this is something better. It's similar, and it's definitely the voice of a single artist, but it's not just more of the same.

5 out of 5 stars

Serj Sings (and Sings and Sings and Sings) October 30, 2007
22 out of 23 found this review helpful

As an interested but not quite obsessive fan of System of a Down, I've been dying to hear Serj Tankian get the chance to explore his own vision. I have long been extremely fascinated by Serj's unique vocal talents, and I was not happy at all with the last two SOAD albums, in which Serj was demoted to a part-time employee of Daron Malakian. But perhaps I have underestimated Serj's contributions to the band, because this solo album features advancements in the best aspects of the SOAD sound, from the bludgeoning aggro riffs to the vertiginous timing changes to the violent mood swings. Even better, this album could be seriously viewed as an improvement on SOAD, rather than just a solo side project, because by applying his own complex muse Serj has made the sound more personable and immediate.

There are some true musical advancements on this album, which will put to rest any doubts about the primacy of Serj's talents. Most noteworthy are the highly unusual art-metal contortions of "Honking Antelope" and "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition," not to mention snippets of very believable piano-driven balladry sprinkled throughout the album (usually employed as introductions or codas for more aggressive songs). And regardless of the great musical achievements here, Serj's voice is the reason for this album's existence, and he effortlessly carries each song with his diverse stylistic changes, somber to frantic delivery, and curve-ball phrasing. In just a few examples of Serj's impressive vocal acrobatics, check out his almost teary balladic singing in "Saving Us," lightning-speed scatting in "Praise the Lord..." and bullying metallic chants in "The Unthinking Majority." This album is a relentlessly fascinating display from a unique talent, and a showcase for one of the best singers on the scene today. [~doomsdayer520~]

5 out of 5 stars

One half of SOAD is not half bad at all October 23, 2007
9 out of 11 found this review helpful

Since Malakian is not in this album, don't expect any especially memorable guitar solos. On the upside, since Malakian is not in this album, fans who complain about his voice will have less to complain about in this album.

Compared to SOAD albums, this one is less dynamic, although still insanely creative. It's also less...freaky (no "banana terracotta pie" on this album). Elect the Dead is more serious and more overtly left-leaning.

Overall, if your idea of great music is Kelly Clarkson (not that she's horrible), don't even bother, but if you're a SOAD fan, there's no reason not to buy this.

5 out of 5 stars

Up yours Malakian! October 23, 2007
8 out of 13 found this review helpful

It's so refreshing to know that Serj not only being the charismatic powerful voice of SOAD is capable of making quality music as well, thus trumping the ever-annoying "i can't embrace my weaknesses and have to spoil it for everyone by being a petty mess of predictability" Malakian. I am very pleased with this album and find most of it to be in the vein of the best moments from "Toxicity". The songs sound unusual and poignant while maintaining a dynamic melodic core. The album is everything a SOAD fan would hope for from Serj doing it on his own.

5 out of 5 stars

of course its gonna be different from soad October 23, 2007
7 out of 15 found this review helpful

because this isn't system of a down its serj tankian. I was actually very pleased with this disc, I was expecting it to completely different from soad when in reality it really isn't. I usually don't like it when bands split and then the singer decides to go solo because normally half the time it doesn't work but in this case it does. although I do wish system was back but I am completely fine with him going solo because I think he did a great job on this disc. remember the break up is only temporary there doing the kiss thing. if you want to know the truth behind 9/11 watch serj tankian empty walls video very unreal. anyway if your expecting this to be soad you might be disappointed but if you come in with an open mind you might actually enjoy this album anyway that was my 2 cents decide for yourself.

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