Toxicity II

''Steal This Album!'' is the third studio album by the American heavy metal band System of a Down, released on November 26, 2002, by American Recordings and Columbia Records. Produced by Rick Rubin and Daron Malakian, it peaked at number 15 on the US ''Billboard'' 200.

Background

In early 2002, medium-quality MP3s of the album were released on the internet under the name ''Toxicity II''. The band issued a statement expressing disappointment that fans were hearing material that was unfinished, and they worked to release a completed, higher-quality version of the album, which became ''Steal This Album!''.

Though often reported in the media as a collection of B-sides and outtakes, the band insisted that the ''Steal This Album!'' material is of the same quality as the tracks that made it onto ''Toxicity''. Vocalist Serj Tankian has said that the songs were left out of ''Toxicity'' "because they did not fit the overall continuity of the album". In May 2009, drummer John Dolmayan revealed that the album is his favorite System of a Down release. Similarly, Tankian also called the album his favorite System of a Down album in a 2012 AMA on reddit.

A first version of "Streamline" was used in ''The Scorpion King'' soundtrack, which was released in early 2002, and as a B-side on the CD2 edition of " Aerials".

Multi-instrumentalist Arto Tunçboyacıyan sings on the song "Bubbles", marking his third appearance with System of a Down (having appeared on two songs on ''Toxicity'').

Commenting on the track "I-E-A-I-A-I-O", drummer John Dolmayan said it was inspired by an encounter he had with actor David Hasselhoff in a liquor store in Los Angeles when he was around 12:

Critical reception

The album received generally favorable reviews from music critics, scoring 77 out of 100 on the aggregate website ''Metacritic''. Giving the album 4 stars out of 5 in his review for ''AllMusic'', Chris True noted, "If System proved anything with 2001's ''Toxicity'', it's that they're one of the few breaths of fresh air out there in mainstream metal land. This collection is no different, and with its amazing pacing, it's hard to not be moved by what this band can do." "Steal This Album stands head-and-tattooed shoulders above its competition in the hard-rock genre," said ''Entertainment Weekly'' in a similarly glowing review, awarding the album a B+ rating.

''Rolling Stone'' called ''Steal This Album'' "an absurdist blast of political rage, silly theater and shattered math metal." Jeremy Gladstone of ''Kludge'' gave the album a score of 7 out of 10 in his review and both praised and criticized the album, writing, "Love them or hate them, System is here to stay. The writing is consistent and the music is as tight as we have been accustomed to, perhaps a degree more so at times on the album. ''Steal This Album'' is guaranteed to satisfy every System of a Down fan listening. However, from song eight to twelve on the album, the material is a little too similar to really stand out compared to the more intense tracks. Unreleased material can sometimes be good, and sometimes it still doesn't work out."

Victoria Segal, writing for ''NME'', gave ''Steal This Album!'' 3.5 stars out of 5 in a less flattering review, stating, "System of a Down's concerns may be no laughing matter, but unfortunately, their music often is. Guitarist Daron Malakian describes this record as 'a bridge between ''Toxicity'' and our next record,' which only indicates troubled waters ahead." She did, however, end her review with, "Yes, System of a Down are insane, ridiculous, a brain-pan pizza with extra mushrooms. But how can something this righteous ever be wrong?"

Track listing

All lyrics written by Serj Tankian, except where noted. All music written by Daron Malakian, except where noted.

Personnel

System of a Down
* Serj Tankian – vocals, keyboards, guitar on "Mr. Jack", (Intro, Verse, Chorus)
* Daron Malakian – guitars, vocals
* Shavo Odadjian – bass
* John Dolmayan – drums

Additional musicians
* Arto Tunçboyaciyan – vocals and percussions on "Bubbles"
* Greg Collins – theremin on "Ego Brain"

Production
* Rick Rubin and Daron Malakian – producers
* David Schiffman and Thom Russo – recording
* Andy Wallace – mixing
* Rick Rubin, Thom Russo, and David Schiffman – mixing ("Roulette")
* Vlado Meller – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Singles

Certifications

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Steal This Album
System of a Down albums
2002 albums
Columbia Records albums
Albums produced by Rick Rubin
American Recordings (record label) albums
Albums produced by Daron Malakian