Figure It Out (Serj Tankian song) explained

Figure It Out
Cover:Figure_It_Out_(Serj_Tankian).jpg
Type:single
Artist:Serj Tankian
Album:Harakiri
Released:May 1, 2012
Recorded:Serjical Strike studios, Los Angeles, California
Genre:Nu metal[1]
Length:2:52
Label:Serjical Strike, Reprise
Producer:Serj Tankian
Prev Title:Reconstructive Demonstrations
Prev Year:2010
Next Title:Cornucopia
Next Year:2012

"Figure It Out" is a song by the rock musician Serj Tankian. The song was released as the lead single from his third solo album Harakiri.

Reception

Writing for Artist Direct, Rick Florino complemented the opening guitar, stating "[it] slashes intensely as the legend's poetry rises and falls with the inflection of his voice."[2] Iaan Robinson of CraveOnline also praised the track and compared it to Tankian's work in System of a Down.[3]

Consequence of Sound reviewer Adam Kivel criticized the line "Why pretend that we don’t know/ that CEOs are the disease?" for "attempting to force issues into the listener's face".[4] Steve Lepore of PopMatters was also less than enthusiastic about the track, calling the talk-singing sections of the song cliche.[5]

Music video

A lyric video was released for the song on May 1, 2012, the same day as the single release. The song's official music video was later released on May 25, and was directed by Ara Soudijian.[6]

Track listing

Australian promo single
American promo single
7" single
European promo single

Chart positions

Chart (2012)Peak
positions
US Main.17
US Rock44[7]

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Recensione: Serj Tankian - Harakiri . Italian.
  2. Web site: Artist Direct. Florino. Rick. Serj Tankian "Harakiri" Album Review. June 28, 2012. May 9, 2015. July 1, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120701081626/http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/serj-tankian-harakiri-album-review-5-out-of-5-stars/10171207. dead.
  3. Web site: CraveOnline. Review: Serj Tankian - Harakiri. July 3, 2012. May 9, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20120706183625/http://www.craveonline.com/music/reviews/191491-review-serj-tankian-harakiri. July 6, 2012. dead.
  4. Consequence of Sound. Kivel. Adam. Serj Tankian - Harakiri. July 10, 2012. May 9, 2015.
  5. PopMatters. Lepore. Steve. Serj Tankian: Harakiri. July 16, 2012. May 9, 2015.
  6. Web site: YouTube. Serj Tankian - "Figure It Out" Official Music Video. May 9, 2015.
  7. Chart Highlights: Matchbox Twenty Returns With 'She's So Mean'. Billboard. May 9, 2015.