Album Review: Imperfect Harmonies by Serj Tankian

When Serj Tankian released Elect the Dead Symphony (the live orchestral version of his debut solo effort), he shifted his already nearly unclassifiable post-System of a Down musical vision to entirely new terrain. His prog rock leanings already clearly displayed, he also embraced everything from romantic and 20th century classical and opera to Armenian traditional music and even electronic music, while retaining rock’s aesthetic dynamics. On Imperfect Harmonies, he utilizes the sonic possibilities of orchestral music to integrate various forms into a wildly excessive near theatrical effort that never escapes his control.

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When System of a Down went on indefinite hiatus in 2006, fans unanimously clamored for a more detailed reason as to why, dissatisfied with the band’s official statement of wanting to do different things. However, lead singer Serj Tankian quelled the discontent of the masses with his 2007 solo debut, Elect the Dead. Retaining many of the signature elements that made System great, Elect the Dead was a big hit among fans and satiated them for two years.

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Continuing to stride further away from the sound that was once his bread and butter On his latest solo effort, System of a Down man, Serj Tankian, continues to stride further and further away from the sound that was once his bread and butter. Whether or not that move away from metal to the, at times, impenetrable electro and orchestral sound of ‘Imperfect Harmonies’ is some kind of reaction to System’s success, what’s clear is it just isn’t anywhere near as good. Yes, it might be as bonkers and, lyrically, just as admirably concerned politically but without Daron Malakian backing the insanity up with a thundering riff or two – what’s left is just the self-indulgent ramblings of a once crazy genius.

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