 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Hypnotize
- By System of a Down
- Genre: Rock
Common Sense Media says
No holding back on the world's problems.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that System of a Down uses strong language to get important points across.
What's the story?
On HYPNOTIZE, System of a Down once again delivers strong, elegant, and innovative music that stretches the definition of rock & roll. Jumping from one unrelated rhythmic and harmonic idea to another is the band's trademark, along with a highly developed political consciousness expressed via gleefully shouted obscenities. Lyrical content will be troublesome for some parents, as these guys do not shy away from strong language or visceral imagery, but they use the power of taboo words to make vivid points about politics, drug abuse, socio-economic issues, and sexism. It's also a sure bet that shouting those words at full volume into a microphone is a WHOLE lot of fun...which is why we don't recommend this CD for kids and young teens.
Is it any good?
Fans will not be disappointed in songs like "U-Fig," which veers wildly back and forth between folk-rock guitar riffs and punk-rock screaming. Somehow, the rhythm section keeps up -- Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayian hold the fort on bass and drums, providing the glue that holds these erratic and interesting arrangements together. Daron Malakian, credited with writing (or co-writing) all of the music and most of the lyrics, continues to grow more stylistically diverse, employing Middle Eastern/South Asian harmonic styles and rhythms influenced by music from all over the world. Everyone delivers exceptional performances, and the album maintains its passionate energy from beginning to end.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about issues of the world, with lots to talk about, as the band decries drug abuse, sexism, political scandal, war, and the downside of living a wasteful life. Also, could the language be toned down with same impact?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
SOAD is really a great band. They They use some bad words and stuff to get their points across, but they have some really great messages.
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AGE
Que
chicka chicka what? kids cant learn about F up-ness in the world when it's not a direct example.
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AGE
Hypnotize
Great band and fabulous album. B.Y.O.B is a superb song and Serj as a god singer. A+.
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AGE
SOAD
I love this band. im all about metal, rap and country suckkkkkk!!!
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AGE
Commonsensemedia is too hard on this alblum
It has some swearing but nothing big and easily heard.I didn't notice anything sexually... There is drug mentions but they are not positive about them.
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AGE
A strong effort.
Believe it or not, I bought this album the day it came out. Yes, a person in adulthood can still enjoy this album. It doesn't break any new boundaries in music, but it is fairly amazing that this has achieved any mainstram acclaim.
Content-wise, this isn't anything bad. One song contains the "F-word" and two others contain the "A-word". Kids that are in middle-school hear these words (and more) daily from their peers. And, to hear these words used in anti-war pieces, is refreshing. There is drug reference on "She's Like Heroin" and "Stealing Society", but it's nothing that will coerce kids into trying drugs.
FINAL VERDICT: It's not for everyone, but you should still give it a try.
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| Artist: | System of a Down |
| Release date: | November 22, 2005 |
| Label: | Sony Music |
| Genre: | Rock |
| Parental advisory: | Yes |
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