To keep it short, I'll break with most of the SOAD fans and say this album, as well as its companion, Hypnotize, contains my favorite music by this band. I was introduced to the entire discography at once and slowly came to realize that the haunting folk harmonies are what really gets me. Most reviews I read malign the prominance of Daron's vocals, but I feel exactly the opposite, which also make me hesitant to grab Serj's solo album. To each his/her own, I guess - but I'm really hoping when they get back from hiatus that they continue in this direction, despite the backlash the band will no doubt incur.