Imperfect Harmonies
Serj Tankian · 2010
44 min · 11 tracks · opera
A genre-blurring exploration of political themes, fusing orchestral arrangements with Tankian's distinctive vocals and heavy instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Disowned Inc. Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
-
→
Deserving? — This track encapsulates the album's introspective nature, exploring themes of self-worth and societal expectations through haunting melodies and poignant lyrics.
-
→
Yes, It’s Genocide — An unflinching critique of historical atrocities, this song combines aggressive instrumentation with powerful messaging, showcasing Tankian's commitment to activism through art.
-
→
Wings of Summer — This track features a lush orchestral arrangement that contrasts sharply with the heavier elements of the album, highlighting Tankian's versatility and emotional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends orchestral and heavy elements effectively, showcasing Tankian's distinct vocal style and thematic depth.
What we noticed
- The album features orchestral arrangements that shift between lush strings and heavy guitar riffs, creating a dynamic contrast throughout.
- Tankian's vocals often alternate between melodic singing and aggressive shouting, emphasizing the political themes in the lyrics.
- Several tracks incorporate electronic elements, blending them seamlessly with traditional instrumentation to create a unique soundscape.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- thought-provoking lyrical content
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases ambitious genre fusion and political themes, marking Tankian's artistic evolution.
- Themes
- historical atrocities· orchestral activism· societal expectations
- Career context
- In 2010, Serj Tankian released Imperfect Harmonies as his second solo album, following his debut Elect the Dead from 2007. This album marked a continuation of his artistic journey post-System of a Down's hiatus, reflecting his desire to experiment with different musical styles and address sociopolitical issues.
- Stylistic neighbors
- System of a Down· Mike Patton· Rage Against the Machine
Tracklist
- 1 Disowned Inc. Start here 4:07
- 2 Borders Are… 4:38
- 3 Deserving? 4:06
- 4 Beatus 4:42
- 5 Reconstructive Demonstrations 5:05
- 6 Electron 3:46
- 7 Gate 21 2:43
- 8 Yes, It’s Genocide 3:15
- 9 Peace Be Revenged 3:59
- 10 Left of Center 3:07
- 11 Wings of Summer 4:46
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Theatre Is Evil
Amanda Palmer
Combines theatricality and orchestral elements with bold political themes and emotional intensity.
Hypnotize
System of a Down
Shares a fusion of heavy instrumentation with socio-political commentary, retaining a unique vocal style.
Ceremonials
Florence + the Machine
Features lush orchestration and powerful vocals, exploring deep emotional and societal themes.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.