So I’m not sure if anyone noticed but I do reshare music reviews and for the last couple years I haven’t really done one. Well that’s about to change. I had forgotten how fun these are and it is a great way to broaden one’s musical palette not to mention the time just seems right. So with that said, the first one in a long time is a band that I have been considering doing for a while. So if anyone remembers, I do a brief review of the album, then pick three songs (not the popular ones) and then rank the albums. The band on the chopping block is Linkin Park. Given that they are back on tour, this seemed most appropriate. So with that said, let’s take a look………
Hybrid Theory- I remember actually buying this one at Best Buy back in the day and I really enjoyed the hell out of it. Now this was during my pre-death metal listening days and I had this in my cd player forever. Listening to it now, I’m not as big of a fan of it. It’s definitely a Nü-Metal record which if you think about what was in during the late 90’s early 2000’s, that’s kinda what was going on. Anyway, it’s a good album don’t get me wrong but it just doesn’t hit the way it used to. Still though it’s a great first record and I am giving it a score of 7/10
Standouts: By Myself, Runaway, My December
Meteora- ah yes I also remember buying this when it came out and it most definitely is a step up. It still has that nu-metal sound to it but you can tell that they are evolving and changing their style. Now I will point out that I cannot stand the song Breaking The Habit and it is extremely overplayed but other than that a most worthy follow up. I give this one 9/10
Standouts: Don’t Stay, Figure .09, Lying From You
Minutes To Midnight- kinda picking up where Meteora left off, this one has a little bit of rock and hip hop on it. I did notice that Mike Shinoda does more singing on here which compliments Chester’s vocals. While this one has more softer moments, I did enjoy this one quite a bit more than I would’ve thought. I’ll give it 8/10
Standouts: Given Up, Shadow Of The Day, Valentine’s Day
Living Things- let me start off by saying that this album has two of the absolute WORST songs Linkin Park have ever written those songs being Burn It Down and Castle Of Glass. Like I vehemently hate both those songs and the reason being is because they were just played to death and at the end of the day they just aren’t good songs so this album automatically loses points. That said this album is more than two shitty songs and as a whole it’s just ok. It’s certainly softer than the previous ones and in my opinion it’s kind of a mediocre album. I’ll give this one 5/10
Standouts: Victimized
A Thousand Suns- so this one feels very experimental. It’s got some really short tracks that kinda sound robotic/spacey as well as having those hip hop elements to it. Either way it’s a very unique record and I definitely recommend checking this one out. I’ll give this one 9/10
Standouts: Waiting For The End, When They Come For Me, Wretches And Kings
The Hunting Party- this one definitely goes back to their rock sound more so than the last couple albums. There aren’t as many hip hop elements or experimental parts on it and it definitely feels like a rock record. I was actually surprised as to how much I enjoyed this record. This also has some really cool guest musicians on it. You got Darron from System Of A Down and Page Hamilton to name a couple. Definitely check this one out and I’ll give it 9/10
Standouts: All For Nothing, Guilty All The Same, A Line In The Sand
One More Light- not sure what was going on here but this one is definitely a step down. I don’t know I listened to this one a couple times and it really just didn’t do much for me. The songs are kinda boring and overall it’s not that great of a record. There are some moments but overall, it’s just an ok record which is too bad considering that this would be the last record with Chester Bennington. I’ll give this one 4/10
Standouts:
From Zero: ok so it’s probably been about 7 years since the passing of Chester and while tragic, I think it’s great that the rest of the band decided to carry on. Now for the album itself…. I think it’s great. It’s definitely a mix of everything they’ve kinda done up to now. Someone pointed out that the even numbered songs are heavier than the odd numbered songs but regardless of that, it’s a really good album. Think of it as a new chapter with this band. Surprisingly this album is really short only clocking in at about 31 minutes. I’ve listened to it about three times now and I’m definitely giving it 9.5/10
Standouts: The Emptiness Machine, Casualty, Two Faced
I’ve gotta say that this one was kind of a fun deep dive. It’s nice when albums are diverse and sound different. Makes it easier to write about. Now I know there are those that say that they should’ve stopped or whatever or that new singer Emily Armstrong (yes there will be a Dead Sara review coming) is trying to be Chester but she’s really not. I don’t think she’s trying to replace Chester and I think she is perfect as the new singer. She brings her own style and I for one am looking forward to more albums with her on them. I didn’t get to see Linkin Park at the Forum with her on vocals but from what I’ve seen on YouTube, she absolutely kills it. RIP Chester Bennington
Final Grade: A
Album Rankings:
- Meteora
2. Hunting Party
3. A Thousand Suns
4. From Zero
5. Minutes To Midnight
6. Hybrid Theory
7. Living Things
8. One More Light
Sinister Reviews 