This album kicks off with band hit, and then silence, and then more band hits until it jumps headlong into the verse of Prison Song and rocks hard into Needles and it's infectious mix of staccato riffs, and the insiduous line: "Pull the tapeworm out of your ass."
There is not a single song out of place on this album. Everything fits the dystopic theme of the current political climate in 2001. It was released a week before September 11th, which is believed to have taken the band in a completely different direction from this album. This album was a perfect storm of Malakian's writings and musical contributions, melodic to mid-growling vocals, tight drums, and astounding mixing for a sophomore album. It is by far their best album, and summoning the reptilian brain with the hooks has never seemed to come easier for this band.
The mixing: the drums are bright, crisp and punchy all at the same time. The guitars are always up front, and the bass fills in the midground but can take a front seat when it needs to. The vocals are a little thin, but they make their own place.
Tracklist:
1. "Prison Song" Tankian, Malakian Malakian 3:21
2. "Needles" Tankian, Malakian Tankian, Malakian 3:13
3. "Deer Dance" Tankian, Malakian Malakian 2:55
4. "Jet Pilot" Tankian Odadjian, Malakian 2:06
5. "X" Tankian Malakian 1:58
6. "Chop Suey!" Tankian, Malakian Malakian 3:30
7. "Bounce" Tankian Odadjian, Malakian 1:54
8. "Forest" Tankian Malakian 4:00
9. "ATWA" Tankian, Malakian Malakian 2:56
10. "Science" (feat. Arto Tunçboyac?yan) Tankian Malakian 2:43
11. "Shimmy" Tankian Tankian 1:51
12. "Toxicity" Tankian Odadjian, Malakian 3:39
13. "Psycho" Tankian, Malakian Malakian 3:45
14. "Aerials" Tankian, Malakian Malakian 4:01
15. "Arto" (Hidden Bonus Track) instrumental Tunçboyac?yan, Tankian 2:29
Songs you'll repeat over and over again: Chop Suey, Deer Dance, Prison Song, Bounce (pogo pogo pogo), Toxicity, Aerials
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