Steal This Album
by System Of A Down
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Nov 26, 2002
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Playlouder
    90
    This could be one of the most important records of the year.
  2. Alternative Press
    90
    The tracks on Steal come off as much more assured and comfortable than those on Toxicity. [Jan 2003, p.81]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Many of ''Album's'' tunes work as vibrant stand-alone compositions, which not only makes this an impressive disc but also makes ''Toxicity'' seem all the more masterful: Even the rejects sound pretty damn great.
  5. E! Online
    83
    As leftovers go, this Album is refreshingly tasty.
  6. Ink 19
    80
    Steal This Album is still not the perfect SOAD album, but it's by far their most realized yet.
  7. Spin
    80
    System's repeated willingness to make so much noise in the service of getting nowhere reveals an enduring idealism. [Feb 2003, p.96]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Billboard
    70
    A relevant addition to System's catalog.
  9. Q Magazine
    70
    Whatever it lacks in cohesive identity it more than makes up for in chaotic invention. [Feb 2003, p.107]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    The singer's curious persona is mirrored by the musical pyrotechnics, Queen meets Rage Against The Machine in a metal production of Godspell!, an inventiveness and fury that makes their MTV contemporaries look as dynamic as lard models of Linkin Park.
  11. PopMatters
    70
    It only further proves how good a band this is, and despite a few tepid moments, it hints at even more greatness on the horizon.
  12. Rolling Stone
    60
    Few bands are better equipped to release an odds-and-sods record such as Steal This Album!, because SOAD songs already seem like bits and pieces of different songs welded and held together through sheer force of will.
  13. Blender
    50
    What's most impressive is that music of this caliber got left off their albums. [#13, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Best Album of 2002
13
#13 Most Discussed Album of 2002
86
#86 Most Shared Album of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 193 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 177 out of 193
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 193
  3. Negative: 3 out of 193
  1. mjthadw
    Mar 5, 2012
    10
    The best system of a down album
  2. Andremax
    Aug 9, 2018
    9
    It's musical potential makes you forget that this album are just Toxicity's studio's leftovers. This one trips in many elements like theIt's musical potential makes you forget that this album are just Toxicity's studio's leftovers. This one trips in many elements like the already-known Armenian influences, progressive chords, acoustic acts, punk and speed metal influences. Steal this album is more complete than Toxicity because it is so stuffed, as by track numbers as the eclecticism and sometimes gives the impression that being even better than its predecessor.… Full Review »
  3. Spielberg00
    Sep 10, 2011
    5
    This was not as good as I expected. It's no TOXICITY, but it's fun, crazy, and insane. I love System of a Down. They're so great andThis was not as good as I expected. It's no TOXICITY, but it's fun, crazy, and insane. I love System of a Down. They're so great and amazing. No doubt about it.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »