Band:	Serj Tankian
Album:	Imperfect Harmonies
Style:	Alternative metal, Hard rock
Release date:	September 21, 2010
A review by:	Thryce

01. Disowned Inc.
02. Borders Are...
03. Deserving?
04. Beatus
05. Reconstructive Demonstrations
06. Electron
07. Gate 21
08. Yes, It's Genocide
09. Peace Be Revenged
10. Left Of Center
11. Wings Of Summer

Experimental Alternative rock / Neo-progressive rock
Recorded: Home Studio, Los Angeles 2010
Label: Serjical Strike Records / Reprise Records (Warner)
Total Running Time: 44:09


People like Serj Tankian have earned their stripes in the metal biz, and don't need much of an introduction.

...But that's no guarantee for success.

On his second solo album, Imperfect Harmonies, Tankian let his creative juices flow once more and takes it another step further down the bright road of musical experimentation. A road that leads further and further away from what he used to do with System Of A Down - though he still is and stays, y'know, Serj Tankian. More than ever, Tankian reveals himself as a multitalented musical chameleon, blending together elements from a plethora of genres, such as classical rock, electronica, jazz and orchestral music.

This musical rollercoaster is actually anything but metal. Frankly, it's an unexplainable amalgam of schizophrenic yet touching anthems with bombastic symphonic arrangements, and with - of course - an outspoken deeper, darker message of political/environmental/social commentary behind it. And not to forget, Tankian's iconic voice adding some extra color to the genre-tripping compositions. That's basically the short version of the album.

Imperfect Harmonies, crazier than buying hallucinogens from an Andy Warhol soup can. That's basically the main motto of the album.

The biggest pitfall is the naïve search for anything resembling System Of A Down (or even his heavier debut for that matter). It's simply incomparable! So once you're done chasing ghosts and got that certain band out of your system (hiyo!), there's actually a fine piece of art-metal running circles all around you - and you didn't even know it. Sure, this will definitely need more than a few listens to sink in, and sure, you can barely get past Tankian's eccentric personality, but dammit son, nothing in life comes easy.

In the end it all comes down to a matter of perception, mood and timing. Apparently, there're indecisive boundaries between a pretentious piece of shit, a blank stare, and a work of staggering genius.