So I know I’m like a year behind on this, but I just got System of a Down’s quasi-double album Mesmerize/Hypnotize.
On three separate occasions in the past, I’ve gone through the exact same cycle with this band: 1) get new album, 2) first listen: Eh, not so great…kinda weird. 3) 2 or 3 listens later: this is awesome! 4) a week or so later: jeez, I can’t listen to this anymore.
I’m in phase 3 right now. I can totally understand not liking this band’s music, but I love how creative it is. I’ve always liked music that’s both funny and serious at the same time, and it’s very hard to pull that off.
The thing with System of a Down is that their music is so off-the-wall that it’s hard to listen to other music right next to it. They’re not really a good shuffle band, in other words. Other music — with it’s steady tempo, monotonous vocals, etc. — just clashes too much with SOAD. This is why I have to listen to them in phases: get new disc, get in the mood, wear it out for a week or so, put it away until the next cd comes out.