Mezmerize - System of a Down

Here's a band that always kicks you in the face: System of a a Down. This week, I'll be talking about my favorite album by them, Mezmerize. Between the blasting metal riffs and awesome lyrics, it is definitely my favorite album I've listened to all week.
First off, you get an intro that is a hint to the second part of the double album, "Soldier Side". It's just serves to deceive you, though, as it's followed by the crushingly awesome "B.Y.O.B". The song is a war-protest effort, but unlike many politically-driven songs, it's amazing. The song has a few different riffs and sections, all of which are absolute gold. When the lyrics kick in, you get a taste of Serj's emotional and diverse vocals backed by a tasty 6/8 part in the guitar and drums. Then, this gives way to a bit more of a groove as it lays back with a simple 4/4 section (with a very well punctuated guitar part). For the third section, you get a blazingly fast scream section. I go to so much trouble describing these sections to illustrate what I love about SOAD. The music is very well written, even if it doesn't always get the credit it deserves from the public.
After that, you get "Revenga", which has some more great alternating fast and slower riffs. It also is the first song to feature the vocal harmonies that I enjoy so much. SOAD has a great way of choosing specific intervals in the vocals to highlight the background. The other wonderful example of this is later in the album on "Sad Statue".
However, the next track on the album is my favorite by far. "Cigaro" is solid through and through. With amazingly rough metal hooks in the guitar and vocals, it's one you'll want to listen to over and over. Whenever people mention this song, though, the main focus of their discussion has to be the lyrics. I won't be too inappropriate on this blog, but the opening line has to do with how much bigger Serj's... erm... body parts... are than yours. Take a listen... you'll understand. This song also uses that triplet bass drum feel that we saw in B.Y.O.B. It's a great effect to feature the second strain of a repeated phrase. You might remember I mentioned how much I love it when I talked about "A Nightmare to Remember" on Black Clouds & Silver Linings.
The rest of the album continues in the same vein, with great instrumentals, and even better vocals. It's no "Question!" that the band deserves more respect than they get. Their music has some of the best writing I've heard in the genre. The variety and quality of Serj's voice makes this album a grand treat. Definitely check it out if you want some crushing guitar action all up in your face. Happy Listening!

Free link to the album on Napster:
http://free.napster.com/view/album/index.html?id=12005200

Also, if you want to see what I meant about the lyrics to "Cigaro", here they are in their full explicit glory:
http://www.lyricstop.com/c/cigaro-systemofadown.html