LINKIN PARK’S MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT REVIEW!!!

By: Dillon Go

It all comes out at midnight

Waiting till midnight has never been more worth it. Linkin Park’s third full-length album titled “Minutes to Midnight” is well worth the wait. And when I say ‘wait,’ I mean wait.

4 years, 1 month and 20 days.

That’s a little over 4 years. “Meteora” released March 25, 2003, is still one of the best albums I have ever heard. “Minutes to Midnight” released May 15, 2007 is something completely different. Before the album was released, rumors had it that LP wanted something new. Not necessarily a new sound, but something that fans have never heard before from a band like LP, without completely destroying the sound that makes them who they are. “Minutes to Midnight” is an album consisting of 12 tracks (the first of which is an intro so you get no lyrical pleasure in it). Here’s something different for your typical LP fans out there, Mike Shinoda only raps in two songs and sings (that’s right sings) in one. 11 lyrical songs, and Chester only screams in 3 songs (and we’re talking about the Chester screaming we all know). In the remaining songs, you get the pleasure of listening to Chester sing, an individual who I think is one of the best, if not the best singer in the rock music industry.

But enough about what we’re used to; lets talk about the new LP (which if you really think about it, isn’t so new). I say isn’t so new because after hearing their third album, you’re only going to truly appreciate it if you understand what kind of musicians LP really are. The fact that they could put out two hardcore albums that make you want to jump non stop, then wait 4 years and put out an album that’s more…well relaxing. This third album is indeed a lot softer than the rest, but yet one of the best works a band can do.

When their first single titled “What I’ve Done,” was released on the radio, I thought to myself, this song sounds like your typical LP. How are they trying to do something new? Well was I wrong? It so turns out that “What I’ve Done” is probably the only song on the album that is the LP you’re used to.

Let’s start with the cons of the album…because there isn’t that many. I would have loved to hear more rapping by Mike Shinoda. But I’m pretty sure they have their reasons for cutting that short. Also, this is the first LP album (LPJZ and Live in Texas excluded) that has ‘parental advisory’ on the album. There are three songs that have the F word in it, and I personally feel like they could have still got their message and music across without using such words. Also, I’m surprised at myself for saying this, but there wasn’t enough Mr. Hahn. I know that Mr. Hahn does a great deal of work in the production of the album, he samples, he puts together the beats, and the synthesizer parts, which you hear very well. However, there isn’t enough scratching involved in this album. Unlike ‘Cure for the Itch’ and ‘Session’ on their previous two albums, you don’t hear the raw talent of Mr. Hahn.

Let’s get to the good stuff. Again…same LP talent, new musical direction in regards to the way the songs sound. First, like I said earlier, Mike sings in one of the songs. You don’t really hear this in any of their previous stuff. Second, “Hands Held High” is already my favorite track on the album. This track consists of Mike rapping almost throughout the entire song, and the rest of the band singing “amen” for the chorus, in a choir like manner. This song sounds like something that should have been put on the “Fort Minor” album, but I have to frank, I’m glad it went on the LP album. Third, “Shadow of the Day” is a song that when you hear it, you say to yourself ‘this is Linkin Park?’ The vocals are completely LP, but the music has a U2 feel to it, which is a good way (much respect for a band like U2), I’m sure LP wasn’t trying to copy them. Fourth, Brad gets a guitar solo!!! Towards the end of “In Pieces” you hear Brad at his very best =). Fifth…and I’ll end with 5 for now (but there are so much more Pro’s), if you want to hear the Chester you know, then you can’t go wrong with a song like “Given Up.” Asides from the upbeat tempo of the song, Chester holds a scream (HOLDS) for 17 seconds! This isn’t a little yell, or a shout…this is a scream that is in tune with the song, for 17 seconds. And a second after that he screams the chorus. Shear power by an individual like Chester Bennington.

4 years in the making, different from the rest, and still an album that when I listen to it, I know it’s Linkin Park. For me, this album was much awaited, and now that it’s finally here, I am completely satisfied with the product that came out of it. Thank You Linkin Park for putting out another masterpiece. I waited and waited, and then I waited again, and now that I’m done waiting, midnight is finally here and was well worth it =).

“When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die.”

-Linkin Park, Hands Held High”