I just find the majority of songs on Toxicity, taken individually, is not bad. There are a few great moments, "Chop Suey" and "Aerials" are great singles. "Jet Pilot" is still one of my favorite songs by them. But apart from those tracks, I find the rest just tries to hard and the political messages are not that great, "Prison Song" to me is still more embarrassing to me, I will not claim to be a political major, but the content of that song just feels slapped together. It has those quirky moments. But as a whole, I find the album to drag more than anything. "Johnny" is on the Japanese version of the album, and I love that song too.
The first album to me was more fun, and remains that way. All the pieces fit and it all worked together. Beginning to end, I can go back to that one. While with "Toxicity" I find it to take itself too seriously, and it feels like it is trying to be quirky than before. As a follow up, I give it credit for injecting something new into the mix, but as a follow up, I find it not as good.
Maybe worst is unfair, "Steal this Album" was mixed, more of a b-side feel than a follow up. The next 2, had some dreadful moments, and got more stupid. But it had some god songs sprinkled. Maybe not as bad as those, but on the whole, I find I listen to "Toxicity" least of all.
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"I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people." - Jack Handey.
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