12. System of A Down - Toxicity (2001)
Notable Tracks: Toxicity, Aerials, Science, Chop Suey! When I was in middle school, I remember observing sweatshirts with SOAD's name plastered on the front. I had no idea what it meant; I'd never heard of the band. Once I finally figured out who they were, I was hooked. Serj Tankian is an eccentric songwriter and vocalist, but when you mix his eccentricities with the rest of the band members, you get a final product that sounds so abnormal, yet unbelievably catchy. The lyrics are so mixed and surprising, even Forrest Gump would be stumped. This album is a prime example of such lyricism. One minute, you're listening to a song with Rage Against the Machine-type lyrics; then, a few minutes later, you're listening to a song about a euphoric jet pilot, or a song about applying makeup and wondering why the hell the keys are on the table. How could this band not enthrall you? System of A Down has achieved much mainstream success over the past decade, but if you have never listened to their indescribable music, please, please entertain your brain for at least a few minutes (that's about 2-3 songs, anyway).