Serj Tankian has recorded and is currently mixing a new studio album, titled Imperfect Harmonies, which will be the follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2007 solo debut Elect the Dead. As with Elect the Dead, Tankian is producing Imperfect Harmonies himself at his home studio in Los Angeles. The album will be released by Serjical Strike/Reprise Records in the second half of 2010.
From the press release:
“Elect the Dead is essentially a rock record with progressive melodic elements,” Tankian says. “Imperfect Harmonies could be classified as rock because it is punchy with many peaks throughout, but the instrumentation is somewhat different. Though there are live drums, bass, and some guitars, the driving aspects are electronic and orchestral. It’s quite unique in its sound palette. This is, in essence, music that has sat in the vat and matured to a ripe sensation and is now ready to serve.”
The album has been influenced by Tankian’s experience making Elect the Dead Symphony, a symphonic interpretation of his debut that had its inaugural performance in New Zealand with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in March 2009. The performance has been captured on the recently released CD/DVD Elect the Dead Symphony.
“The making of Elect the Dead Symphony gave me the confidence and tools to create ensemble pieces for orchestra more confidently and effectively than before,” Tankian says. “And that became one of the primary colors for this record along with electronic, jazz, and live instrumentation.”
Once again, Tankian’s album takes a multi-themed approach to the lyrics, which he describes as addressing the political, environmental, social, and personal. “There is a slightly eerie urgency this time around though,” he says. “It’s darker and more dense in approach, both lyrically and musically.”
“My intentions have always been to make music that is creative, quality, and moving,” he continues. “I have never learned the static method of repeating myself musically whether in System or now. Each record I have made has been different musically, yet they all carry the same integral spirit.”
Stay tuned for more details about Imperfect Harmonies in the coming months.
