System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian's first solo CD, Elect the Dead, covers a lot of the
same hypereclectic thrash-and-burn territory that his band specializes
in, albeit less frenetically and with more symphonic pomp. Here operatic
flourishes coexist with baroque balladry, psych-folk motifs, and coy
classicism; the few old-school mosh-pit rave-ups seem almost an
afterthought. Factor in politics, social commentary
(''Antidepressants...making life more tolerable''), and highly
individualistic poesy, and Elect gets our vote for the liveliest
mixed-bag marvel of the season. B+
DOWNLOAD THIS: ''Lie, Lie, Lie''
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