Mission of Burma more assured than ever on Unsound, Dirty Projectors stretch out, Eleni Mandell sees the future, English Beat complete, Woody Guthrie at 100, and more.
Tankian’s third solo release comes the closest to being a System of a Down album; the full-band power and political concerns are there. The difference is that the songs are more direct and melodic. Even the thrashy “Figure It Out” has a strong hook, and the ecologically-themed title track is almost Yes-ish. But he’s still prone to getting smug with the commentary; “I abhor the whore who calls herself reality TV” is a tacky line, however deserving the target.
