Fans learn that fleeting days can’t be recovered (“Highway Song”). “Chic ’N’ Stu” blasts advertising for creating an artificial need to buy. A man regrets not supporting a former partner (“Streamline”). “Ego Brain” states, “Love prevails over all,” and “Boom” speaks out for hungry children. “Innervision” seeks divine guidance and the “one true path in life,” however …
Ambiguous spirituality is awkward knowing that lead singer Serj Tankian is a devotee of the meditational arts (he thanked God, Buddha, Allah and Lucifer on an earlier CD). Blatantly troubling is how he spews the f-word on four cuts, including “F— the System,” which uses it 22 times. Anti-American rage fills that track, “A.D.D. (American Dream Denial)” and “Thetawaves.” Crass references mar “Pictures” and “I-E-A-I-A-I-O.” There’s also an obscene rant against police (“Mr. Jack”), and what appears to be a veiled sexual encounter between minors (“Nüguns”).
Some good thoughts, but even the band’s jabs at consumerism and pleas for starving kids feel contrived to support an anti-American agenda. Not what our nation needs right now. Add several dozen f-words and there’s no point directing teens to Steal This Album!
