Linkin Park is:
Chester Bennington(vocals)
Mike Shinoda(vocals,Keyboard,Rhythm Guitar)
Brad Delson(Electric Guitar)
Phoenix(Bass Guitar)
Mr.Hahn(DJ)
Rob Bourdon(Drums)
The first question after you listen to this album from front to back is-'Where the hell is Brad Delson??'.
There are minimal lead guitar riffs throughout the album which almost scare you about what's to come.The people who grew up on Hybrid Theory & Meteora will be a little disappointed.But those who also experienced Minutes To Midnight, may feel that this album was only a logical progression.
A THOUSAND SUNS (2010) ------------ *******ooo [7/10]
A Thousand Suns is predominantly a political album, touching on almost all contemporary issues.It is the natural successor to Minutes To Midnight, whose theme is about Nearing The End.A Thousand Suns describes The End of everything as we know it. {Hybrid Theory explores Birth and Meteora, Growing Up.}
Personally, I feel this album can be divided into two facets-Lyrics & Music.
Lyrics: It it this part that makes me stand up and clap.The words wrench your heart and really scare you about the state of the world.The lyrics are incisive and will leave an indelible mark on you.
Music:This is controversial.Open-minded people may regard this as 'cutting-edge' music, but personally I feel this is the weak link in the album.Seriously, Pop-elements and Electro drums in a Linkin Park [LP] album?
On the whole, it's a nice experience to finally listen to Linkin Park after 2007.This album has many skits/fillers that keep the theme going.The correct way to listen to this album is track-wise WITH the fillers.In fact, LP had released a continuous stream of this album spanning 1hr and 47min on their MySpace page and on iTunes.Your best option is to turn on Crossfading in Windows Media Player and set it to around 4 seconds.
Burning In The Skies is a very good track, musically.People, though, may say crap about the Pop feel emanating from it.
When They Come For Me is a break-through track.Very innovative, and shocks you when you listen to it for the first time, making you check whether it is an LP track you are playing!
Robot Boy is pretty average.
Waiting For The End is an arty piece of music.It will surely get you hooked, provided you give it time to sink in.
CLICK ON 'WATCH ON YOUTUBE
Screaming lessons from Chester in Blackout.It finally seems to the first time listener that the album should pick up now.
Wretches And Kings is by far the most aggressive track on this record.Brings back memories of Hybrid Theory, but surely with a more mature LP.The same listener feels he's going to be right.
Bang! Dream shattered.Iridescent comes out as a pretty flower, unfurling itself in the sunrise.The music is beautiful, but the trend set by the last two songs comes to an abrupt end.
The Catalyst is an inspired track.Can also be said to be the saving grace of this album as it nears its end.
The Messenger is the crappiest Linkin Park track there is. Don't bother listening to it.
I give this album a lenient 7/10.
All in all, honestly, we expected something better.But as something is better than nothing, you gotta take what you get! There are moments of brilliance like The Catalyst and Wretches And Kings, but to some, that's not enough.The emotions morph from Regret to Anger To Remorse and Hopelessness.
Next Week: An impartial review of KoRn III:Remember Who You Are by KoRn.
Chester Bennington(vocals)
Mike Shinoda(vocals,Keyboard,Rhythm Guitar)
Brad Delson(Electric Guitar)
Phoenix(Bass Guitar)
Mr.Hahn(DJ)
Rob Bourdon(Drums)
 |
| Album Art- A Thousand Suns |
The first question after you listen to this album from front to back is-'Where the hell is Brad Delson??'.
There are minimal lead guitar riffs throughout the album which almost scare you about what's to come.The people who grew up on Hybrid Theory & Meteora will be a little disappointed.But those who also experienced Minutes To Midnight, may feel that this album was only a logical progression.
A THOUSAND SUNS (2010) ------------ *******ooo [7/10]
A Thousand Suns is predominantly a political album, touching on almost all contemporary issues.It is the natural successor to Minutes To Midnight, whose theme is about Nearing The End.A Thousand Suns describes The End of everything as we know it. {Hybrid Theory explores Birth and Meteora, Growing Up.}
Personally, I feel this album can be divided into two facets-Lyrics & Music.
Lyrics: It it this part that makes me stand up and clap.The words wrench your heart and really scare you about the state of the world.The lyrics are incisive and will leave an indelible mark on you.
Music:This is controversial.Open-minded people may regard this as 'cutting-edge' music, but personally I feel this is the weak link in the album.Seriously, Pop-elements and Electro drums in a Linkin Park [LP] album?
On the whole, it's a nice experience to finally listen to Linkin Park after 2007.This album has many skits/fillers that keep the theme going.The correct way to listen to this album is track-wise WITH the fillers.In fact, LP had released a continuous stream of this album spanning 1hr and 47min on their MySpace page and on iTunes.Your best option is to turn on Crossfading in Windows Media Player and set it to around 4 seconds.
Burning In The Skies is a very good track, musically.People, though, may say crap about the Pop feel emanating from it.
When They Come For Me is a break-through track.Very innovative, and shocks you when you listen to it for the first time, making you check whether it is an LP track you are playing!
Robot Boy is pretty average.
Waiting For The End is an arty piece of music.It will surely get you hooked, provided you give it time to sink in.
CLICK ON 'WATCH ON YOUTUBE
Screaming lessons from Chester in Blackout.It finally seems to the first time listener that the album should pick up now.
Wretches And Kings is by far the most aggressive track on this record.Brings back memories of Hybrid Theory, but surely with a more mature LP.The same listener feels he's going to be right.
Bang! Dream shattered.Iridescent comes out as a pretty flower, unfurling itself in the sunrise.The music is beautiful, but the trend set by the last two songs comes to an abrupt end.
The Catalyst is an inspired track.Can also be said to be the saving grace of this album as it nears its end.
The Messenger is the crappiest Linkin Park track there is. Don't bother listening to it.
I give this album a lenient 7/10.
All in all, honestly, we expected something better.But as something is better than nothing, you gotta take what you get! There are moments of brilliance like The Catalyst and Wretches And Kings, but to some, that's not enough.The emotions morph from Regret to Anger To Remorse and Hopelessness.
Next Week: An impartial review of KoRn III:Remember Who You Are by KoRn.
Nice review. Although I still feel, Minutes to Midnight is the BEST album yet.
ReplyDeleteMinutes To Midnight had depth.....even I liked it a lot.....
ReplyDeleteThis review makes u wanna go and listen to those songs agn .
ReplyDeleteThanks....btw, u say 'again'?....when did u listen to it for the first time....u never listened to me,right?
ReplyDeletei disagree with you about the messenger.... the totally shows how raw yet soothing chester's voice is. he screams out throughout the song, but doesnt jar the ears, and the lyrics are comforting.....
ReplyDeleteI have grown to cut a little slack to The Messenger lately, but I still think it is not a good close for an album like A Thousand Suns....and he jars my ears alright :P
ReplyDeleteThis album was disappointing, that's for sure. And I do agree on the tracks of "Wretches and Kings" and "The Catalyst" really made the album worth listening to, but I disagree on one thing though, your review on "Iridescent" and "The Messenger". I can agree that they were nothing like we'd expect from them, but they were musical and beautiful. I could relate to the lyrics in those songs and that's what really matters to me because LP usually hit me with their lyrics. Other than that, a great review and I agree on most of what you're saying ;)
ReplyDeleteKatrine, give it time and it won't seem disappointing at all! It is how Linkin Park are, continuously evolving...As I mentioned in my previous comment, I don't hate The Messenger any longer ;) I just feel that it does not belong to ATS as its final track.
ReplyDeleteAnd c'mon, I did say Iridescent is a beautiful song,flawless.
Lyrics shall always be LP's forte, and that is what hooked me to them in the first place. You can really identify with their words.
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