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Mezmerize Review/Song Meanings
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FGWB

Posted: Jul 23, 2005 - 06:55 PM

Cigaro

Joined: May 10, 2005
Posts: 2531
Location: Buffalo, NY Where SOAD never comes for a show!

I am f***ing sick of all the reviews and I've decided to display my own opinion on the album. I like this album a lot, but I can't say it's my favorite because every song System of a Down released is great. But let's get started.

1. Soldier Side - Intro - This is the first song, it introduces. The lyrics are speaking about a soldier on the battlefield and how when he is in battle it feels like he is the only one there. Hence being on the soldier side. But this is a subtle intro, it is kind of mesmerizing you into the album. 4/5, and then BAM!

2. B.Y.O.B. - Bring your own bombs, cause everyone's going to the party and we're pissed off and we're gonna blow up some motherf***in' sunshine. This is the first single off the album, it plays on the radio a lot. Pretty pissed off song, very emotional. Pissed off emotion that is, but guitar work is pretty good, not a hard song to play but good riffs, nice intro. As Daron screams "Why do they always send the poor?" You know what the song is about. The lyrics can confuse some people but you have to think about them and they will make sense in time. 5/5 Kick ass song and then we get some revenge. "WHERE THE f*** ARE YOU?"

3. Revenga - As the war drum pounds and daron plays some clean riffs, you know they've changed. But it's definately for the better. As Daron begins playing the guitar you realize, this is great, this is really great. And then as Daron begins to play the distorted part you realize that it's still the same ol' System as Serj begins shouting almost indecipherable lyrics as Daron keeps playing and Shavo's having fun in the back. John's the quiet dude who dances with his monkey. But we won't go into that. As they slow it down for the chorus you know it's time for Revenge as Serj begins the verse again. "Bleeding in a sink." 4.5/5

4. Cigaro - Oh yeah, the song that leaked. Daron's cock definately is much bigger than mine as he boldly proclaims it. While not talking about an actual penis at all. He's really singing about the mindset of some of our world leaders today. Who try and show how big and bad they are and believe that their high and mighty. And that no one can touch them. Wrong, System of a Down just touched you, you just don't know it yet. Anyway, this is definately one of the roughest songs on the album as John shows off his first double bassing since System of a Down have been putting out albums. And it's never sounded sweeter. "We're the regulators that de-regulate." 5/5

5. Radio/Video - This is what happens when polka goes wrong! You get crazy ass vocals, crazy ass guitar, and crazy ass Shavo. It begins with a clean riff, followed by "hey man look at me rocking out!" I believe that this song speaks about how parents let TV raise their children instead of them raising their own children. Kinda like using the TV to keep them busy. You get me. Anyway, this song features the first guitar solo on Mezmerize. It's not very technical but it sure does sound good. "Sweet danny and Lisa." 4/5.

6. This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm on This Song - Begins with Basic SoaD riffing, I believe that this song speaks about how people think basically that there is nothing wrong with them, and it's always everyone else's fault. And it's true, we do think like that. But anyway, this song also features some keyboard playing by crazy ass Serj. Good song. 3/5

7. Violent Pornography - Everybody f***s, this is a great one. Begins with some clean riff**e, followed by Serj and Daron singing together like they do so well on this album. I believe that this song speaks about how they allow basically anything on regular TV these days and we'll watch it because we are being brainwashed by the shows on the TV to make us think that we can be something we aren't. "Can you say brainwashing? b-b-b-b-rainwashing..." 4.5/5

8. Question! - This will be the second single released. It begins with some acoustic guitar, followed by some typical SoaD riffing. Verse is mostly just acoustic and John doing something with his drumsticks. Whatever that is, I like it. We can't forget Shavo! He's probably dancing somewhere, that crazy ass. I believe this song is asking what the f*** happens when we die. When I die I'll be listening to SoaD for all eternity. Or end up with Jesus cause I am a good boy. smile.gif Anyway, great song, great way to continue the singles. 4/5

9. Sad Statue - This one was widely thought to be the next single, but oh well. Any one of these songs could be the next single. Cause they are all great! Starts off with some hammer-onning. Nothing special. Typical Daron. But they are so simple, but sound so gooood. I love it. Anyway, I believe that this song talks about how people can't get along. Because not getting along is like war, except war is on a larger scale. "You and me will all go down in history." 4.5/5

10. Old School Hollywood - Can it be? Is SoaD using effects? Yes, they are young people. But at least they don't sound cheesy like some bands. Tony Danza, hahaha, he cuts in line. This is probably the most unique song on the whole album, because of the keyboard noises, voice effects, guitar effects, and Daron's high pitched voice that we've grown to love. "Me and Frankie Avalon." 4.5/5

11. Lost in Hollywood - Great way to go about, Daron basically takes over this entire song. He really shows that he can slow it down and play, not that he didn't already show us that in Roulette. Serj takes a backseat and provides some great back-up vocals that would make the monks chanting in temples proud. Serj has a great voice and even when backing up Daron, you can hear it and it sounds great. Shavo is probably not being so crazy seeing as how the song is slow. John provides some great drumming too. Overall, this is a great song because it really shows how much Daron has grown as a guitarist, how much he has grown as a vocalist and how much that System has matured. Not that they already weren't matured, but they've reached that new level. 5/5

My comments: Great, awesome album. Been waiting for years for it, finally got it and couldn't put it down yet. It has come out of my CD player once and that was to put it in another CD player. Daron really shows how much he has grown as a guitarist, how is becoming a bigger part of the band. And that's a good thing. Shavo is still crazy. I was really impressed with John's drumming on this album though. It was awesome, especially the double bassing he did. He is becoming a great drummer. Serj is still Serj, you can always count on Serj. He's just a great Serj. I want my very own Serj. Overall, this album kicked ass regardless of what everyone has said about it. Take a listen for yourself and see. You won't be disapointed I promise.

9/10

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cigarosmoker

Posted: Jul 23, 2005 - 06:59 PM

Spider

Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 498
Location: Sunset Blvd.

clearly, you put a lot of timem and effort into this...
Good review, I like it...has some humor in it for once

FGWB

Posted: Jul 24, 2005 - 04:16 AM

Cigaro

Joined: May 10, 2005
Posts: 2531
Location: Buffalo, NY Where SOAD never comes for a show!

Well thanks. Nice avatar.

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Gordybhoy

Posted: Jul 29, 2005 - 01:40 PM

Newbie

Joined: Jul 29, 2005
Posts: 3

Great review!

Only thing I would disagree with is the scores for Revenga, Radio/Video and Violent Pornography - I'd put them at 5/5! But then I'm biased.

Very Happy

nick@soad

Posted: Sep 04, 2005 - 02:52 AM

Banned User

Joined: Aug 27, 2005
Posts: 150
Location: Tasmania, Australia

your review is good, but i agree with this>

Quote:

I would disagree with is the scores for Revenga, Radio/Video and Violent Pornography - I'd put them at 5/5! But then I'm biased.

and i reckon Cigaro should of only got 4.5

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RestlessWhisper7

Posted: Sep 08, 2005 - 11:36 PM

Member

Joined: Jun 25, 2005
Posts: 233
Location: Swimming through the void

Lol, I want my own Serj too! Nice review, FGWB. You put a lot of technical musical stuff in which I don't know much about, but clearly you put a lot of thought into it. Daron did a really good job on this album, so did Serj and John and Shavo (I think Daron said he did some of the bass parts for Mezmerize this time, so Shavo might not have played in the songs you mentioned).

B.Y.O.B. never fails to get me to sing along. Smile

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NOOSE92

Posted: Sep 11, 2005 - 07:52 AM

Newbie

Joined: Sep 11, 2005
Posts: 14

[quote="Gordybhoy"]Great review!

Only thing I would disagree with is the scores for Revenga, Radio/Video and Violent Pornography - I'd put them at 5/5! But then I'm bias

hell ya nigga