Elect The Dead
by Serj Tankian
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 86 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 75 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 86
  3. Negative: 5 out of 86

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. LuisR.
    Dec 20, 2007
    10
    It f*cking rocks.
  2. JustinS.
    Mar 22, 2008
    10
    An epic album by an epic man!
  3. dani_soad
    Jul 14, 2012
    10
    Very powerful album...Incredible songs. Very beautiful vocals. Sonds like Honking Antelope, Lie Lie Lie and The Unthinking Majority are unique.
  4. johnj.
    Oct 30, 2007
    8
    Standout tracks: Empty Walls, Unthinking Majority, Money, Sky is Over, Lie Lie Lie, PTLAPTA. Gets better with each listen
  5. JonathanL.
    Oct 26, 2007
    10
    A Masterpiece
  6. GregH
    Oct 30, 2007
    9
    I think some of the reviewers have forgotten that this is a metal album at heart. As a SOAD fan I can say that this was a really great album, complete with a set of interesting music videos. Sure, SOAD as a whole probably would have been a little better, but seriously, Serj and the gang have never been for the faint of heart.
  7. JoeV.
    Jan 24, 2008
    10
    Great, album. Refreshing twist from SOAD.
  8. NickF.
    Jan 3, 2008
    10
    Serj Tankian is great! He has done great by himself, but is better with the rest of System of a Down. I think "Empty Walls" is the best song on the album. I listen to it every day! Keep up the good work Serj!
  9. BenL.
    Mar 16, 2008
    10
    This album is fabulous. I got started on SOAD back when they released SUGAR and I've been hooked on Serj's voice and his crazy sound ever since. This album allowed him to take over, and it's freaking great! Best album I have bought in years. Not very often can you put in a cd, start at track 1, and listen to the whole damn thing and jam out the whole damn time! Awesome album!
  10. MkrtichM.
    Apr 3, 2008
    10
    Absolutely awesome, the spiritual nature of every song brings the listener to peace and gives them a sense of happiness. Awesome rock album. Awesome feeling.
  11. MarcoR
    Oct 26, 2007
    8
    rolling stone 50...are you crazy or what? okay this is not system but...?
  12. MichaelS.
    Oct 26, 2007
    10
    Serj has succeeded far beyond what I expected from him. Emotional melodies, chilling vocals and thought provoking lyrics combine to form the best album of the year so far. Elect the Dead is absolutely amazing on so many levels! I enjoy each song more every time I hear it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
  13. DanE.
    Oct 28, 2007
    10
    awesome serj is amazing.
  14. BobH.
    Oct 24, 2007
    10
    This is a truly inspirational and amazing album. Serj opens himself entirely to the creation of this album, and we can tell.
  15. FelipeP.
    Oct 24, 2007
    10
    Amazing album, if you like SOAD buy it NOW!!!
  16. RomanS.
    Oct 28, 2007
    10
    Great album form a great artist!
  17. voythas
    Oct 19, 2010
    10
    I loved this album. It has the power that blows mind. Lyrics that Tankian wrote are really deep, however I liked his voice more when he was in System of a Down, but if you loved SOAD then Elect the Dead is for you!
  18. Mike_0x
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    Hands down some of Serj's best work, a definite departure from his earlier work with System. I would recommend this to anyone who cared to listen.
  19. GrantF.
    Dec 15, 2007
    10
    Now, brear in mind; this is Serj. Not System. Tankian used SOAD to boast this work. Yes, it is Serj Tankian from System of a Down, but it is all the genious of Tankian. Our hero wrote all the songs, hired people if needed, and recorded at his own home studio so as not to feel rushed (which is critical). This is the best solo debut anyone could ask for.
  20. AvradeepS.
    Dec 28, 2007
    9
    This was one good album by the SOAD frontman and it has the hallmark style of SOAD written all over it as expected as in slow tempo which gradually garners pace. Almost all the songs were good and I could not help but notice the similarity of the 2 songs Feed Us and Saving Us in their tone of lyrics and rythm.Anyways Money,The Unthinking Majority, Sky is Over, Baby and the La La La La Lie This was one good album by the SOAD frontman and it has the hallmark style of SOAD written all over it as expected as in slow tempo which gradually garners pace. Almost all the songs were good and I could not help but notice the similarity of the 2 songs Feed Us and Saving Us in their tone of lyrics and rythm.Anyways Money,The Unthinking Majority, Sky is Over, Baby and the La La La La Lie Lie Lie song..reminded me of an old SOAD song...BYOB..in that La La La tune..and Praise the Lord and Pass the ammunition also has some interesting lyrics...other than that the title song was okayish... I would say if you are a SOAD fan and fan of hard rock do not give this album a miss...I got to know of this only yesterday and I am glad I listened to it..now am waiting when SOAD wold release their next album..their previuous two were excellent-Mesmerize and Hypnotise..which I re-listened yesterday.… Expand
  21. RandallD
    Oct 24, 2007
    8
    It's a pretty good CD. Takes some time to feel out some of the songs, because they aren't simple by any means. If you were looking for a new system cd, keep waiting. It's also not a poppy cd, not as catchy as you might expect. The songs are better on a deeper level. Well done Serj.
  22. AdrianA.
    Oct 25, 2007
    9
    An interesting album that combines a lot of different music styles... Also clever lyrics and the voice of serj... magnificent.
  23. JohanC.
    Oct 25, 2007
    9
    This solo effort is a unique combination of interesting ideas... here every song is tight, using acoustic guitars, violins, piano solos (at the beggining)... influenced by classical music, alternative rock and experimental music. So if you like to taste new ideas and you are a open minded person musically... definitely you will like it.
  24. SPONGEEE
    Oct 25, 2007
    9
    I want sure about a solo album, but I was wrong. This album is great. It has elements of SOAD obviously, but at the same time, it is very personal. I Serj has one of the greatest voices of our time and its great to hear him displaying his skills. The use of piano also adds a new element to the songs...its not SOAD but its still damn good!
  25. YohF.
    Mar 19, 2008
    9
    Surprisingly different from SOAD methodic berserk style : guitars and rythms feel softer and even smooth. Voices are awesome, melodies too. Funny/exotic weird intruments here and there. Serj's music's definitely inspired and builds a very interesting world. If you look for most brutal SOAD song types, forget it. If you seek for creative, genuine and subtle music, go for it!
  26. AndyW
    Nov 4, 2007
    9
    I wasn't sure of what to expect when I first heard this album.For me the first 5 songs are the most immediate ,then after a few listens I started to appreciate all the songs in there own right. It goes from crazy SOAD like tracks like Unthinking Majority to mellow album finisher Elect the Dead. The layers of Serjs unique voice are what makes it for me ,he is singing (or making I wasn't sure of what to expect when I first heard this album.For me the first 5 songs are the most immediate ,then after a few listens I started to appreciate all the songs in there own right. It goes from crazy SOAD like tracks like Unthinking Majority to mellow album finisher Elect the Dead. The layers of Serjs unique voice are what makes it for me ,he is singing (or making noises) in the back ground of the main vocals of many songs which add a great atmosphere to the songs. Overall I think this album is a work of genius ,considering its done by one man- bar the drumming. I love the drumming too ,which gives a solid backbone to the songs. SOAD fans will lap this up as finally we get an album with SERJS voice instead of Daron's.I rate this as highly Recommended to anyone who is interested in what it may offer.… Expand
  27. AlexT.
    Oct 24, 2007
    7
    I'm a massive fan of System of a Down, and was devastated by the news of them going on Hiatus. however, when i heard that Serj was releasing solo material i was very excited. i have read a lot of his poetry, and think he a gifted lyricist. i really like this album. most of the songs are memorable in their own way, and the lyrical beauty of his poems is present here, whether he be I'm a massive fan of System of a Down, and was devastated by the news of them going on Hiatus. however, when i heard that Serj was releasing solo material i was very excited. i have read a lot of his poetry, and think he a gifted lyricist. i really like this album. most of the songs are memorable in their own way, and the lyrical beauty of his poems is present here, whether he be attacking the War in Iraq or pushing an unfaithful lover over a cliff!! however, i do have a couple of gripes. firstly, some of the music lacks punch and seems fairly Generic. anyone looking for crunching SOAD riffs will be disappointed. secondly, i expected a little more experimentation from a man who is as clever as Serj is. despite this, i whole hedartedly recommend this album for fans of SOAD, and anyone new to the md mad world of Serj Tankian. the best songs on here are "Empty Walls2, "Unthinking Majority", "Lie Lie Lie", and "Praise God and Pass the Ammunition".… Expand
  28. ImUnavailable
    Jun 27, 2011
    9
    Solo albums from members of successful are nothing new and though many are forgettable affairs, thankfully Serj Tankian's Elect The Dead is not one of them. Most songs are in the same vein as those of System Of A Down, the band of which he was a member. Songs critcizing society (The Unthinking Majority, PTLAPTA) reflect this clearly. This is not a negative remark and any SOAD will surelySolo albums from members of successful are nothing new and though many are forgettable affairs, thankfully Serj Tankian's Elect The Dead is not one of them. Most songs are in the same vein as those of System Of A Down, the band of which he was a member. Songs critcizing society (The Unthinking Majority, PTLAPTA) reflect this clearly. This is not a negative remark and any SOAD will surely enjoy this album. Though some songs are more memorable than others, there are no weak tracks on this album. Tankian employs catchy melodies (Lie Lie Lie, Sky Is Over), frantic pacing (Empty Walls, Beethoven's C***) and somberness (Saving Us, Elect The Dead) to great effective. These songs make for a well-rounded and exceptional album from an artist who deserves as much success as his band receives.… Expand
  29. Johnehg
    Mar 27, 2012
    8
    A very varied album. Overall, I think it is a very good album with quite a strong, important message. There are some not so strong tracks, for instance Elect the Dead and Beethoven's C***. But most the other tracks are phenomenal. Some tracks which particularly standout are Baby, Lie Lie Lie and Feed Us. A very well made album.
  30. ArPharazon
    Jun 24, 2023
    10
    Elect the Dead is quite simply a magnificent album, packed with meaning but not overbearing messages, and zero weak songs. It's fairly ridiculous how the 'professional' reviews are more mixed for this one than for the, also good but clearly worse, next albums he made.

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Most Discussed Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. AllMusic
    80
    It's an ambitious egotistical solo release, and one with the chops to pull it all off. The well placed spaces and lithe textural moments of delicate instrumental engagement and interlude prevent Elect the Dead from going by in a blur.
    Read full review
  2. Billboard
    80
    Elect the Dead, his first full-length solo effort, boasts the same kind of arty arrangements and cascading dynamics as SOAD's ouvre, a sign that while guitarist Daron Malakian is often considered the band's mad genius, Tankian's elastic, expressive vocals are as integral to its character.
    Read full review
  3. Blender
    80
    He's screaming louder than ever on his solo CD, but what's notable is how all the titanium riffs and loud-soft-loud dynamics now feel personalized, a little cozier and multihued than on SOAD record. [Nov 2007, p.157]
See all critic reviews »