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 | System Of A DownSteal This Album!2002 Columbia 
  Review by: DontBeSoDigital See others by this writer Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on December 20th 2002 Let's get a few things cleared right away. System Of A Down isn't exactly a punk band (or at least maybe they aren't in some people's eyes). They cross the boundries between metal, thrash, folk, jazz and hard rock and make into one huge eclectic sound, if you try and box this band into a genre, they will shock you and turn around and do something else. They are politically charged and say what they want, when they want and don't hide their feelings. They refuse to to censor what they say and if you don't like it, tough cookies. This band is always willing to try something new whether fans like it or not. Hmm...maybe they are more punk than people give think. Or sure as hell more punk rock than Sum 41 or Simple Plan, thats for sure. I wasn't a fan of System Of A Down until about 6 months ago. A friend of mine played a few songs from their first album and my response was "eh, it's alright". He then played some songs off "Toxicity", once again I was "eh, it's alright." I borrowed both cd's and sat down with an open mind and listened to both in entirety and I soon found myself hooked on this band. They have quickly become one of my personal favs. So, with this being said, I suggest that you all keep in an open mind to this band. You don't need to like them, but as long as you are open minded, I'll be happy. It took me a while to figure out what this band was about, and I don't expect everyone to fall in love with this band nor this album right away (or at all). With these things being said... "Steal This Album!" is one of the best albums of the year, in fact, I think this is their best work and one of the best albums to come out in a very long time (which is saying a lot considering what's been released as of late) The actual cover (or lack of) get's creative points for me. The actual disc has 5 differant designs, 4 done by the actual band members, each who designed the album. The other cover is a simple disc that looks like a blank CD you'd buy in a store with the words "System Of A Down" and "Steal This Album!" scribbled across the disc thus making it look like you actually burnt it. There is no booklet, if you want lyrics and credits you need to go to the back of the album case, type in a special address to access them. The first song off this album is "Chic 'N' Stu" which is something that came out of left field, both lyrically and musically. I wasn't expecting this type of song to open. I was shocked by the song and this is always a good thing. Crazy song to say the least. You are then taken on a roller coaster of a ride through this album going through the more radio friendly single "Innvervision" to the angry, anti-war "Boom!", the Knight Rider influenced (for lack of a better term)"I-E-A-I-A-I-O" to their slower songs at the end "Roulette" and "Streamline". It's quite a trip when you listen to the album in it's entirety, words can't even describe it. The actual politically charged songs contain the topics of advertising, war, starvation, television, and the overall influence of politicians and the media. What some of you may or may not know is that these are all outtakes from both their previous works. Despite this, the songs still feel refreshing. This album stands above not only any other metal record, but also most records released this year. SOAD has been quoted in saying that this is "the link" from Toxicity to their new album. All I can say is that their next record will be huge. And after this, I will have very high expectations about future works. The things that may turn fans off is the complexity of the songs. While most bands are fairly straight forward, these guys are not. These songs are everywhere and will catch you by surprise, which may turn off people. The songs range in differant styles and go from loud to soft and then back again. The singing is another issue. Serj is quirky, witty and can be just as loud as any metal singer and be as soft as a pop singer. You either love it or hate in my view. Political issues are mentioned in almost every song and that too may turn people off. Like I said earlier, this band isn't one to be shy of their feelings. You don't need to like what he says, but at least respect the fact that they refuse to lay down and dumb down their lyrics. But, overall, these leftovers definitely fill fans and may even bring some new fans on board. The album is creative, simply put. Don't expect anything from this, because if you expect anything, you shall be dissapointed. Just sit back and go with the rollercoaster that is System Of A Down.
This album gets a well deserved 9.
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system is for sure the first band that started it all for me.. they rule soad of a down..is deadly..this album was kinda political and dat..but hey its still good..cant wait for mezmerized to come out!!!..i think thats waht its called anywho... Ok quite simply System of a down kicks ass. I have spoken hearing weird al sing chop suey was the best thing i've ever heard This album is a good System of a Down album. I like how the songs cover a range of society's problems while staying on pace with their other albums. An album of System of a Down outtakes gets 4.5 stars? System of a Down is the only nu-metal band worth listening to. Well, Chimaira is kick ass too. Anyways, the reviewer needs to have some higher standards for claiming a band is in his/her "favorite bands" list. Sounds like the reviewer is a TRL fan and likes whatever metal band is popular. I would hate to hear his opinion on the worst metal band on the planet 'disturbed. The Dillinger Escape Plan is my Favorite band. It took years for them to dethrone SOAD. Support hardcore... Nu-metal sucks. Who wants to see a band at an arena for $35? i don't. hard core shows are $10 and the bands actually show up at the merch booths to bullshit with people. enough... i don't actually want people to like h/c. god damn i hate seeing Disturbed shirts at Throwdown shows... This album is crap. i just wanted to congratulate the person who wrote this post that i have pasted below. i dunno if anybody else has said this or not, cuz i was too lazy to read all of the reviews. it's called steal this album because someone who's a big fan of theirs was in the studio while they were working on toxicity and released all of these onto kazaa or whatever prematurely. it's a joke, it's called steal this album because it had already been stolen before it was even in production. Ha, someone stuck up for me... Yeah, as for being a computer geek, I barely know how to turn this fucken thing on. I don't get why people get all up in arms when a band that is not categorically "Punk Rock" gets a review in the site. As a lover of all music, I welcome the occasional Metal/Hip-Hop/Country western review...Ok, maybe not country western, but you get the point. Evildeadalive, arguing over this is stupid, but your point didn't really seem to come out to the end. to the guy who posted this Wow, I thought I'd get a GUK comment way sooner. Basically, what I am saying is labels are shit. No one who actually appreciates music gives a shit about labels. They are for the masses of sheep who haven't got a clue. There are way more people who think they Get Up Kids are emo, than there are who say they are not. Therefore they are emo. Do I think they are emo personally? Not really, but I don't fucking care what they are labeled as. I like music. Not categories. Does that make any sense?... Maybe... What I am saying is people who want labels can decide what's what. Ok, bye. to the guy who said guk are emo just cause everyone says so, no their NOT emo anymore, and everyone thinks bush is a good pres., does that make it true? Can't wait till this band calls it quits. haha, and a merry festivus to you too! Evildeadalive = comp geek stop going to this site and commenting, get a life nu-annoyingcrap, I like that, the scores for that that's kinda what i was saying too... peace? hehe. sorry i called you an ass. that argument was just dumb. soad is whatever you think they are. and besides, labels suck anyways. we should know that with the hundred different labels in punk nowadays. dude, i was talking about the 98 degrees comment. obviosly i did not go and pick up a teen beat, or go to boybandnews.org, i saw interviews with them on tv. as for system of a down, fine, they are not nu-metal. you win. they've got their on genre, nu-annoyingcrap. how's that? yea, now you're definitely an ass. you take what tv tells you and digest it. I didn't read it, it was just something I saw on tv. I've never heard any real publications say SOAD was Nu-metal and I've read 3 or 4 interviews with them. Besides, these magical people who called them Nu-metal were obviously wrong and just because they said SOAD was, doesn't make there opinion correct! that's all there is to it. If it doesn't sound like Nu-metal, then it's not Nu-metal. That's how I judge it, not by what some dipshit tells me what it is. You read an interview with 98 degrees? Wow... did you know that the guitarist in this band has a 3 inch penis!? bet ya cud figure out how i know that....... What does it matter if a band is played on mtv? So what if they were small time before someone at mtv realized their greatness and decided to play some of their videoes on there? If punk is an attitude then SOAD definitely punk. I'm not supporting everything they say or do (like saving the environment and going against science) but they're still a really good band in my mind. I think you people should lighten up a bit and try to be positive towards some band that actually worked hard and somehow made it to become famous. For years before they got signed onto a big record label they were working hard so they could get heard by everyone someday. I really like this band and I think they have a real good sound going for them. But they shouldn't really be on this site because they aren't really punk except some parts of some of their songs sound a bit like they should be one here. I'd say this album isn't as good as the first two but still is really good. I don't freak out about if their album name is original at all because if the music is good why not like it? And just to clear the issue about where they got the name from Serj said himself that they took it from that book called steal this book. I really like this band and I figure they have a lot of talent and you people should give them a chance. What if people didn't give the Ramones a chance? What would've happened to punk then. I admit they're pretty far off of what people would classify as punk now but they were the base of it and if wasn't for them it probably would've took a lot longer time for this genre to get developed into what it is now. That's all I have to say. oh and every fucking SOAD fan: STOP TELLING US TO BE OPEN MINDED ABOUT IT IF WE DONT WANT TO LISTEN TO IT STOP FORCING YOUR SHITTY MUSIC TASTES ON THE REST OF US....sorry but that needed to be in CAPS and for godsakes I can talk about a dog and a cat and call myself political and being "political" does not make you intellegent just look at any High School Debate Club (mostly in Price Utah) have a good day. R. "You don't need to like what he says, but at least respect the fact that they refuse to lay down and dumb down their lyrics." i don't like this band. at all. Ok, honestly, I really do not care. The fact of the matter is that when the term nu-metal was originally coined, SOAD was one of the bands the term was used for. If you think they have progressed from this title, fine. Or maybe the other bands this term is now given to have just gotten worse... Whatever, who really cares. On a sidenote, obviously I am not a complete idiot, and can recognize the fact soad is clearly not as bad as the likes of Drowning Pool and Disturbed. Actually, Papa Roach is way older than SOAD. SOAD is still good band, Papa Roach has sucked since they got to a major. And SOAD kinda was in the same "scene" as other nu-metal bands back in the day. All the bands sounded different those days, but they were in the similar style still. Nowadays itīs just bunch of shitty bands playing two-note riffs and shouting something stupid. they got the title of the album from the book steal this book by abby hoffman evildeadalive-you're still an ass. you listened to soad's s/t? good for you. if you don't like them, fine. i've got no problem with that. but labeling them nu-metal is ridiculous. i don't know if you know the history of the band but they've been around WAY before any of these shit nu-metal bands started popping up in the last few years. and nu-metal bands all sound alike. rappers/dj's/the "woe is me" lyrics. can you honestly say soad sounds anything like limp bizkit or papa roach or saliva or linkin park? hell no. even if you hate the band, it's still hard to argue that they're part of the dying (thank god) nu-metal trend. nope, you're still an ignorant asswipe. i'm sure soad will listen and change the album title now. asswipe. get your own fuckin album title and quit stealing them from good bands...assholes... If Nu-Metal is the Hair Metal of our day, then SOAD would probably be the modern-day Guns 'n' Roses. I think 98 degrees would say they're a boy band. There is no denying that they are. Now, if you asked Drowning pool or the 500 other bands that sound alike and act alike on stage then you'd probably get the same answer from a lot of them. We're Nu-metal or hard rock (which is the "in denial" term for nu-metal). The fact is, SOAD sounds very little like anything nu-metal. Nu-metal has the same vocals effects, guitar style, and on stage movements. The bass player bob or holding the bass straight up like the tool from korn. It's basically frat boys who can play guitar by copying limp bizkit and creed and using the same rythms and generic leads. Soft verse, loud "exploding" Chorus, A DJ, someone who raps, adidas style cloths...that's Nu-metal. It's 80s hair music for a new decade. Sytem of a down neither sounds like or acts like any of these bands. POD and Mudvayne, that's Nu-Metal! labels are stupid. All you need is Rock, Pop, R&B, Country, Rap, Jazz, Classical. oh, and if you asked 98 degrees fans if they were a boy band, they'd laugh in my face too. doesn't stop it from being true. dude who called me an ass - i have heard every soad album many, many times, plus quite a few unreleased songs, many, many times. a few of my friends are obsessed with this band. i'm sorry, but they are nu metal. have a nice day. Its pretty good I reckon. I can't believe so many people have made stupid comments about the cover and album title. Well I guess everyone has far to much time on there hands. like a million before have already said... "steal this" just isn't a very original album title, regardless of it's "deeper message" or whatever... said it before, and i'll say it again - real punk is not a musical style, it's an attitude. soad have it. the coup have it. hendrix had it. Dont the suicide machines have a steal this record album...how unoriginal. To the people that listen to the Coup, Thank you. I thought this site was becoming a site for just cheesy metal and poppy punk music. Seriously, enough about fake metal bands like System of a Down and talk about real music, like The Coup. They have insanely intelligent flows that even the smart punk bands could never come up with. "Punk" bands like bad religion, nofx, anti-flag, and Pennywise who talk about the government really don't have any clue what they are talking about. They are the privilaged who see wrongdoings, but have never actually experienced them. If you think you are politically active, then listen to some good music, listen to bands like The Coup and Public Enemy and then actually go and do something in your community. They called this after the book, and is kind of tongue-in-cheek because these songs were leaked onto the net by an intern at the studio and they went back to rerecord them quickly so they didn't sound shitty...hence the name. Another person who listens to The Coup! The song "get up" with Dead Prez is fucking awesome. "honestly i'm against this government, i dont have to cover it up thats what i meant". evildeadalive-you're an ass. if you asked soad fans if soad was nu-metal, they would just laugh in your face. nu-metal is fucking fad, a trend. bands that are nu-metal don't last long and are constantly being dumped on these days. all except for bands like soad-one of the few mainstream bands actually worth listening to. my guess is you probably haven't listend to their self titled record at all, then you probably wouldn't call them nu-metal. First of all, they're not Nu-metal. Sorry shithead. Second, I guess if the rest of the world says something it must be true. That is absolutely fucking stupid. We should obviously beleive you and your fucked logic. System of a Down is a great fucking band. Or at least I think so. Regardless of how much airplay they get. It's music with FEELING. That's what matters. that should have read TGUK... oops This was one of the first bands that was labeled nu-metal actually. Just because you guys like them, and think because they are political they are punk, does not change what they are. Nu-fucking metal. And for the record, yes the Get Up Kids are emo, and yes 98 Degrees are a fucking boy band. Labels, are nothing more than categories for the masses to lump bands into. The majority of the world thinks TGOK are emo, so you are outnumbered. That's what they will always be lumped into so get over it. Same goes with SOAD, do you honestly think all the fucking Slipknot loving date rapers out there don't think SOAD are nu-metal? Just because a few punks say they're not, doesn't change the fucking facts. This isn't Nu-metal you fucks. Sure it's not totally real metal, but it sure as fuck isn't Nu-metal. there are only about 15 nonpunk mainstream acts i listen to and this is definately one of them(radiohead,311,sublime,rhcp,weezer). great band. havent heard the new album yet, but i liked the first one bette than toxicity which got played out (especially due to radio) pretty fast. suite-pee and war. how can u not like those songs? i'm sure this album is probably pretty good. mrverydrunk-the reason soad is on this website is because some, no, many people believe soad is much more punk than synthetic, artifical mtv-pop bands like simple plan, blink, and good charlotte. why are they reviewed on this website? why is there an adrew k review? metal cds burn quite well funny, i would have thought hatebreed would be reviewed an awful lot on this site. These guys had a massive fan following before they got signed so fuck the haters and it's hatebreed a hardcore punk band on victory to the guy spaces down zero down was a great band but never had time to reach the greatness. RIP JIM why do people always hate new things this band it the most fresh and orignal thing since primus. I like this band cause there not recycled crap repackaged in puke. Oh and i'm sick oh gutter punk bands these bands have no talent ( just had to say it well it was on my mind )I wouldn't call this punk music but it's a lot closer to it then blink or sum or simple plan If you go on allmusic.com and read the review for this album, you probably won't get the same reaction I got. It states that basically this album isn't a collection of leftovers from Toxicity, which it really is. I had the untitled advance of this album back in January of 2002, and they changed nothing from those recordings. These were just the songs that sounded too much like every other track on Toxicity, which really makes you wonder why they ruled out these tracks considering all the songs on both records sound like one contorted piece of shit release of fart into a microphone. I thought this was a punk website. I can understand reviewing Emo and even power pop but, nu metal. Give me a fucking break. WE MIGHT AS WELL START REVIEWING SLIPKNOT, KORN, HATEBREED ETC. I don't hate System of a Down. They just do not belong on this fucking website. Or maybe I don't belong on this fucking website. Whatever. 'its one thing to listen to soad and just flat out not like it. its another to listen to chop suey! and aerials and then call soad utter crap.' "eating seeds as a pastime activity" worst band ever. nu metal is the worst thing since disco. sweet jesus this is crap system of a down is fucking horrible, all it is is some fucking whinner just yelling playing to some really bland metal music call me closed minded but this shouldnt even be called music, sorry dontbesodigital. you asked that people keep an open mind when listening to this band but its quite apparent a lot of people can't get past the fact that these guys are in the mainstream or on mtv to see that they are a great band. its one thing to listen to soad and just flat out not like it. its another to listen to chop suey! and aerials and then call soad utter crap. these guys are great and this is one of the best albums of the year. Serj has been quoted in saying that they took the name from "Steal This Book". yes, the trio thing was supposed to be a mixtape. there's a big difference, so the tool who accused soad of stealing from the trio, maybe you should accuse the trio of stealing from every other emo-punk band out there. I don't think System of a down was just being "cute" with that album title. I think their seriously encouraging people to steal the album. that would explain the shit packaging. who would be expected to pay 18 bucks for a cd that looks like something their friend copied for them? alkaline trio's s/t was not like this at all, it was a tape on the cover. not a burned cd. similiar, yes, but very much different. actually they called the record "Steal This Album" because kids were stealing these songs from the internet hence the name and the cd looking like a burned cd. It has nothing to do wit shitty bands like the Suicide Machines or Zero Down. I take two points of view on this topic of name taking- we really have no idea what inspired SOAD to make this their album title. Yeah cause they have no connection with the outside world. The suicide machines were on a major label, it's not at all far fetched to assume SOAD knows who they are. Just because they're a mainstream band means almost nothing for your arguement, we're not talking about clueless popstars. I've read interviews with SOAD talking about underground music and promoting it. Ok you got me, they may have not heard of the explosion. But the book they probably have on top of the suicide machines and whatever else has been named that, it still seems lame to me. For the hundedth time idiot, they did not take the album title from those bands. Do you actually think they have even heard the Suicide Machines or the Explosion before? I highly doubt it. If anything they stole it from the book. At least get your critisisms straight for fucks sake. Yeah, I feel let down, that's what it is...or maybe I just feel that it's uncreative and unoriginal, which it is. If you really feel that copying well know ideas from other bands and passing it off as your own, you've obviously got shit for brains. to the annonymous guy who directed comments towards me: Science is the most important thing we have. good call guy below me Let's all admit one thing, though: This is to the tool far down claiming people are vultures for complaining about bands using the same name over and over. Lack of originality, especially in something like an album title, is pretty pathetic. With so many words and ideas they could use, ripping off an very novelty title is weak. I figure if a band can put enough effort into writing and releasing an entire album, the least they could do is make up a good title for it. Hey Bostonmusicguy, that's one good reason the radio and Mtv suck. Maybe you should stop supporting them? Although, I know you like most of the crap they play on there...well atleast enough to get you to listen to it so much you get sick of hearing songs you like. There was a "Steal This Movie" before SOAD, Suicide Machines, and The Explosion so you gotta accuse them all of stealing. Anyways, this band is fucking awesome, the only good thing to come out of modern rock and nu-metal or whatever the hell they call that crap that comes on the radio. Actually i havent listened to the radio (other than NPR) for close to 2 years but i doubt that there is anything good on now. And i havent watched MTV in almost as long (what a relief). I liked the song science, i dont think they were completely ripping on science, that would just be stupid. There's no way you can deny science has made major advancements in medicine, transportation, entertainment, and almost every other aspect of life but i think they were saying that it has also made lots of negative "advancements" (if you can call them that) as well. This is to that guy who didnt like SOAD's song "Science"...The "spirit" they are refering to doesnt have to be God. And basically the song is about how science is corrupting the world. they are the best mainstream can offer, if you like mainstream that is system of a down stands head and shoulders above the modern rock crowd. I have always liked System of a Down. There first full length was incredible and I still pop it in every now and then. Toxicity was great for a while but I havent touched it in months because I have heard every single song off of it about a million times. Between MTV, the radio and the supposed "rock fans" in my dorm I cant stand hearing "Toxicity" or "Chop Suey" or "Aerials" ever again. I havent heard this one yet but Im sure its the same thing that happened on Toxicity... boring after a while.-BostonMusicGuy The drummer of Dave Matthews is amazing, and uses all of his set. I hate the song they wrote, "Science." It's a song off Toxicity that basically rips on science, saying that "spirit" (God) runs through everything. If it wasn't for science, they wouldn't have the following things: whoa dude, pass the bong. metallica just released a new album! Look, I'll admit that this is more appealing than some of the stupid hair banging metal bangds out there, but hey, come on- they are just antoher political and spiritual band that happened to hit it big. I don't find anything special about SOAD. Tons of other bands send the same message in their songs, but the fact that this band has a unique look is probably what got them where they are. It's overrated, although I admit that it grows on me. But hey- I don't think it's anything completely new. This band is still much better than any drive-thru or vagrant band. yes, the sucide machines released a *steal this* album. "Most Overrated band I've ever heard" Alkaline Trio also had an ablum cover like this too for their singles and B-side collection. SOAD isn't the first to think of it. I want to rip the beard off the vocalist. Whoohoo a new System of a Down album, more MTV play! I can't go wait to buy an XXXXL System of a Down shirt at Goth Topic. Most Overrated band I've ever heard That last comment makes little to no sense. Horrid band. Alot of the songs sound the same and it gets boring. I'll end on a positive note though. The music,or beats sound good. They didn' copy STEAL THIS ALBUM of the Suicide Machines...Theres A really good book out thier called "STEAL THIS BOOK". Thats where both of these bands got the album name from Ok, nobody hates SOAD as much as me, but seriously, does anyone actually believe these guys have even heard of the Suicide Machines? Probably not. My roommate plays these guys non-stop. They grew on me, not a band I'm nuts about (he's played them WAY too many times), but I don't mind listening to them and they're better than pretty much everything else on the radio and mtv. sounds like the title of Suicide machines "steal this record"...not very creative Sublime also had a cover like this. At first I really hated it, but after a while the songs grew on me. Funny how it is called steal this album and costs $16.99... The cover is not creative at all. Zero Down had the same design last year. And there have been countless albums called "Steal This Album" good review. One minus: Fat Goth Chicks. HAHAHAHA Flame on! This sounds exactly like it what it is: B-sides from the Toxicity sessions. Not bad, not good, just okay. Sytem is better and much more original than most garbage metal these days. Atleast it isn't typical cheese-metal with shit lyrics about hating everyone/death or nothing. This band isnt at all creative. Fuck. Its all been done before. This is just trash metal, why is it on here? |
