Serj Tankian is amazing as always in his latest solo album, “Harakiri,” but the songs themselves leave something to be desired. Unlike “Elect the Dead,” Tankian’s first solo album after System of a Down broke up, there’s not a lot of cohesiveness. The songs don’t flow into one another, and the album as a whole feels inorganic – robotic almost – no doubt due to seven straight songs hitting the four minute mark. There’s no ebb and flow, but songs like “Occupied Tears” and the title track are standouts. Lyrically, the CD contains Tankian’s typical drug, sex and anti-establishment stream-of-consciousness rants, which are entertaining as always. “Harakiri” isn’t a bad album by any means, but the lack of any fluidity and few striking tracks hurt the album in the end.
Grade: C-
 
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