...and with a four-count tap of his divine drumsticks, the God of Music, Gary Glitter, willed that the brutality not subside, indeed, that the Daron Malakian freakshow expose continue. Thus he spoke unto the listening faithful...and it was good. Note carefully though, my lovelies: it was "good"...and only that. It was scarcely thirteen weeks ago that I had the distinct pleasure of covering "Mezmerize," a new full-length from smart-metal torchbearers System of a Down (see "Street" 9/22/2005). That album was intense, a real temple-crusher, the first album of a two-part project conceived in the spirit of Peter Jackson's touchy-feely-teasing methodology whereby you get a small tease of a bigger prize. This time around, though, it seems that hopes for a solid rebound may have been lost in a premature blaze of thrash. That is, System of a Down's flipside to "Mezmerize", this month's "Hypnotize", falls a bit short of the mark. Generally speaking, the album seems confused, tossed about between the righteous innovation of its older brothers and some less-than-convincing experimental hoopla. More than anything else, "Hypnotize" exposes project mastermind Daron Malakian's shortcomings as a lyricist with such forced attempts as "Dreaming", "Kill Rock n' Roll" and "Lonely Day," the last of which is at best an average stab at a toggle-off light to heavy power ballad. Otherwise, "Hypnotize" seems to revel in hiding one of System's biggest weapons: drummer John Dolmayan. With only one or two exceptions, it is rare that his drum tracks diverge from the steady, beat-keeping tactics of lesser percussionists. But don't let it get you down, 'cuz it's not all bad, baby. "Hypnotize" still has its fair share of provocative music-stuffs. The album's opener, "Attack," is as furious as its title suggests. It succeeds in the accuracy and efficacy of its soft to hard switch-offs, and like on "Mezmerize," it finds Malakian and System's mainstay lead vocalist Serj Tankian harmonizing through scream and song alike. "Tentative" is probably the album's best track. Its frantic backbone riff and sharp precision take me back to old times. In fact, tonight I might snuggle up all nostalgic-like for some fireside "Toxicity" (2001). "Holy Mountains," with its "Aerials"-style arpeggios achieves a similar effect, resulting in a solid midsection to the album. The wildcard of this bunch is most definitely "Vicinity of Obscenity," which sounds like the soundtrack at your favorite boardwalk funhouse. In this sub-three minute lightning storm, Tankian spits out lyrics describing his eclectic tastes in...uhh...pie. The song itself shatters all rules of rhythmic consistency, mutating so many times that your head is sure to spin. I dare you to tap out a steady beat for more than four measures. Go ahead...I double-dare you. What...nothing? You better just take the Physical Challenge. In the end it may not be prudent to consider these albums two separate entities. After all, the relative positioning of the two "Soldier Side" tracks—the thickened, geared-up, full-length and full-on monster-duet of a closer on "Hypnotize" and its complimentary bare-bones soft-side opener on "Mezmerize"—results in a curious reordering. As a whole then, the "Mezmerize-Hypnotize" phenomenon may just be something to marvel at on a larger scale. With its 23-track selection of pounding, driving and effectively brief songs, the dual-disc opus may just be a model of calculated inconsistency. So, two albums in six months: if this is an indicator of a steady flow of tune-age from these Armenian-American juggernauts, then I be a happy camper. But if this means we won't be hearing from System for a while, well then I be a sad, sad man. The only other thing that might cheer me up now: a Wang Chung reunion tour, featuring Marc Summers on trombone.
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Princeton Zoning Board of Adjustment approves renovations to Tower and Charter Clubs
Sena Chang and Isaac BernsteinOn March 27, the Municipality of Princeton’s Zoning Board of Adjustment approved construction developments for Tower Club and Charter Club. Renovations for both clubs are aimed towards improving accessibility.
On March 27, the Municipality of Princeton’s Zoning Board of Adjustment approved construction developments for Tower Club and Charter Club. Renovations for both clubs are aimed towards improving accessibility.
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