Hell yeah.

2. Hybrid Theory -2000



This is the album that launched Linkin Park into the mainstream. And that's exactly what this album is: mainstream. Gone is most of the electronica, and the hip-hop elements are toned down a bit. But what is here is a really solid rocker that doesnt really slow down until it the album stops. Mike's rapping is excellent in songs like "Papercut", which is a great song to introduce their sound. Chester's singing, for the most part, is at a growl. He gets to show his softer side on "Crawling", "In The End", and if you have the bonus track, "My December", it is a great showcase for what his voice can accomplish. It is beautiful and haunting. When he screams though, you have his full attention. See "One Step Closer" for example. I was in 8th grade when the video debuted, and it rocked my world back then. Its still fun to spaz out to. The DJ, "Mr." Hahn, gets a track, "Cure For the Itch", to show off his skills. It is a fun instrumental.

Over all, it is a very strong debut, with a little less studio interference, it could have been excellent.

4. Meteora -2003



Linkin Park officially got past the sophomore slump with their 2nd studio album. It was a "safe" release, though. It's more like Hybrid Theory pt. 2. Thats not an issue, though. Although the formula is the same, they made some changes in the style. The guitars are heavier. "Faint" has a beat count so high it makes anything on Hybrid Theory blush. Japanese flutes and Spanish guitars are used. Overall, the sound is the best part of this album. Lyrically, it is a little stronger than Hybrid Theory, but still feels held back. That changes with their next studio album. The deluxe edition package is great. 40 page book with commentary on every track, plus a bonus dvd on making the album. The box is top notch.

6. Minutes to Midnight -2007




This album, in my opinion, is one of the most misunderstood albums of all time. The band could have gone two ways:

1. Continue making the same sound they mastered on Hybrid Theory and Meteora, producing a safe, commercial album.

or

2. Create an album they want to create, express their artistic growth, and experiment with new sounds.

Thankfully, they went with option 2. When the album was released, some critics liked it, but most of the fans condemned it, giving up on the band all together. (One 'misstep' in their books means giving up on the band? And they call themselves fans...) For me, it was love at first sight (listen, whatever!).

Linkin Park knew that the sound they helped revolutionize in the late '90s/early '00s died a slow death. They did all they could to keep it alive. It was time to move on. With the help of Rick Rubin, they went to the studio and created over 200 demos (or 'seeds' as they call them) and voted which ones sucked, and which ones they wanted to work on. What really helped, though, is the lack of studio intervention. They sold more than enough records to finally do what they wanted. The 4 years it took to write and record this album was more than worth the wait.

Minutes to Midnight feels like an Unplugged album at times. The instrumentals are stripped down on most songs. The rapping is minimal (only 2 songs feature Mike rapping.) Instead of rapping, Mike tries singing here, and it is damn good. When recording "In Between", both Chester and Mike recorded versions. Chester hated his version, and said Mike's was definitely better. I agree. Mr. Hahn (the DJ) is mostly in the background. The guitarist has room for guitar solos. Basically, this album is a group effort. Everyone did what they wanted to do, and what they thought sounded like their best. But thats not to say they completely ditched the rap/rock feel. "Bleed it Out" is a fantastic party song with some great verses from Mike and a chorus expertly delivered by Chester.

They took influences from bands all over the map- Coldplay, U2, and even Nine Inch Nails. The subject matter shifts from the internal conflicts from Hybrid Theory and Meteora and shifts to external conflicts like politics and Hurricane Katrina (Little Things Give You Away is the best song LP has ever recorded, so far). Also, they are allowed to swear. It isn't as gratuitous as you would think. Also, Chester does an 18 second long, uninterrupted scream. It is the longest scream I have ever heard on record.

I have to admit something here. I love this album so much, sometimes I get withdrawals if I dont have at least 1 spin per week. Its pathetic, I know, but its true. I just love this album so damn much. I recommend you picking this up, and listen to it knowing that the band set out to release something different and close to heart.

In my book, they succeeded.

Dude. You post fast. I can tell you that you're girlfriend will want you to take your time. Speed isn't where it's at. It's how you post that counts.

My love for this band couldn't contain itself!

I added to A Thousand Suns!

I like the addendum to your review. It's something I did on a few reviews at the other site when I went back and listened to them and something I will continue to do in the future. I like to how my old and new reviews stack up against one another.

I jumped on the Linkin Park train pretty late. I had heard about them before Meteora came out. Even heard a song or two, but just never went any further with that. I think this album had been out for awhile when I ended up getting it. It was after I saw the video for Breaking the Habit, which I thought was pretty kick ass. And the song itself kinda got stuck in my ear to the point I ended up getting the album.

It's not a perfect album. But it is a solid one. Really don't know how it relates to their earlier and later stuff. Only by what Raptor has said.

Fave Songs: Easier To Run, Faint, Breaking The Habit and Numb <----MVP