 | 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. |
Mezmerize
- By System of a Down
- Genre: Alternative Rock
Common Sense Media says
Political, explicit, and absurdist.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this CD contains four-letter words and violent imagery, sometimes in the context of socio-political commentary and sometimes not.
What's the story?
MEZMERIZE, the fourth album of System of a Down, is generously laced with four-letter-words, explicit sexuality, violent imagery, radical political commentary, drug and STD references -- all presented in the context of absurdist poetry and excellent (some might even say visionary) instrumental arrangements. Compared with the band's previous CDs, the songs are more overtly political and less surreal, although they still qualify for their absurdist credentials with lyrics like "There's something wrong with me, I hope your stepson doesn't eat the fish" (on "This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm On This Song"). But most of the lyrics are edgy, overt, and sarcastic, with in-your-face slams at the U.S. government and the Hollywood celebrity machine.
Is it any good?
Musically, Mezmerize is, well, mesmerizing. The band explores influences as diverse as the Beach Boys, Eastern European waltzes, Greek wedding music, Latin-sounding melodies, hip-hop beats, and primal pounding. You won't find much music that's more diverse or interesting on record-store shelves these days, and if you're going to break down and let the kids get one explicit CD (the edited version really isn't worth the trouble), this might be the one to consider.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the socio-political commentary and have an honest discussion about the explicit topics and words. Also, which of the songs could be described as absurd and why?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Sure, it's gleefully explicit, but CSM is being crazy and over-protective again.
The messages ARE good. Although it's gleefully explicit, CSM is absolutely over-exaggerating the content. Iffy for 17+? Mature 13 and 14 year olds should be allowed to listen to this. My 14 year old loves this album, and I am fine with that. And I don't have any good reason why my 17-year-old can't listen to it. Once you're 15, this stuff is anything but news and perfectly acceptable. And saying that 17 year old's can't listen to this is is absolutely positively crap. It's like saying a grown man can't listen to Eminem. And the lyrics are hilarious, and it's a great listen.
Off for 12 and under.
Iffy for 13-14.
On for 15+
Buy this album for your teen today!
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AGE
SOAD , FTW.
Ahh.. SOAD , i don't see anything wrong , game's , movies , and other bands are more raw.
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AGE
Mezmerize (SOAD)
One of my favorite albums of System of a Down (next to Toxicity). The album speaks about politics mainy, and has sick guitar riffs. BYOB is my personal favorite from the album.
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AGE
wow...
User: sanddude stole the words out of my mouth.
"Off for 12 and under. Iffy for 13-14. On for 15+"
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AGE
Teens and up
I love system of a down. Here are the most iffy lyrics: "my c**k is much bigger than yours and can walk right through the door" and "Where the f*** are you!?"
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AGE
A stunning masterpiece of metal that happens to be innropriate for most tweens and some teens.
This album has every curse in the book, sexual references galore, violence. It's also absurdly well-written, with lyrics that are nothing short of visionary poetry and complex, sophisticated instrumental arrangements that draw from every genre you can think of. Mesmerize is funny, smart, beautifully executed and raises your IQ another few points with every listen. Having said that, it's also inappropriate for tweens and kids you can't take lyrics with a grain of salt. Some 12-year-olds will be able to handle it, while some 18-year-olds won't be able to get through the first track. You need to decide weather your child is precocious enough to deal with the music and understand its content to its full extent. If they are, then the album is a great listen that the parents will probably enjoy as well, given time; my dad was the one who got me into System of a Down.
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AGE
Very catchy album (except for the language and political messages)
Awesome CD. BYOB is great except for the language. I dislike Violent Pornography (Language and whatnot) and Old School Hollywood (sounds lame, haven't even listened to the whole song.. Cigaro is rought too. But other than that, the CD is pretty good. Lost in Hollywood has a little bit of language but not too bad. The rest of the CD is amazing.
Daron Malakian does a lot of singing in this CD which is pretty cool, cause he doesn't do that a whole lot in the other albums so much.
Pretty intense, but I love it. I think it's my fav CD by them, besides "Steal this Album". It's a really political CD and I dislike their messages, but this CD is just too darn catchy (BYOB) lol.
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AGE
16+ ? you people misunderstand SOAD
Look, this stuff is sending a good message. Just look at Serj Tankian helping out with Stopping the Killing in Darfur and recognizing the Armenian Genocide. All the swearing has no meaning unless you adults GIVE IT MEANING! Kids can give it a possitive meaning. It is bad if you say F*** YOU ALL!. But it is not if you say SAVE THE F***ING EARTH, GO GREEN!!!. It is all about perception. I'm only 13 and i understand that. It's not about what you say, its about what others hear. I think kids can hear a good message from this. (also these songs can be really funny)
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AGE
AWWWWWWWWWWWW YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Every child needs some SOAD in their life
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| Artist: | System of a Down |
| Release date: | May 17, 2005 |
| Label: | Sony Music |
| Genre: | Alternative Rock |
| Parental advisory: | Yes |
| Edited version available: | Yes |
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