brill's Full Review: Minutes to Midnight [PA] [Digipak] by Linkin Park
Generally Speaking:
It doesn't take long to notice a massive change in Linkin Park -- The presence of profanity. In fact, its like they've been waiting to use it and haven't been 'allowed' to so are now using it gratuitously. As other members have mentioned -- its a bit of a disappointment because I've always had an appreciation for their lyrics and the fact that they don't resort to profanity to get their point accross. Lyrically speaking, its a downgrade for Linkin Park.
The Album, Start to Finish:
Like I have come to expect from Linkin Park, the album is magnificently arranged from start to finish and is a great listen the whole way through. Yes there are one or two weaker tracks but there is good diversity from track to track to keep it interesting. It is also worth noting that if you have your CD player configured to continue from the beginning when the CD ends (like most car stereos), its difficult to tell where the CD ends and begins. It flows *that* well.
Cover Art and Construction:
Another Linkin Park album not in a jewel case. I'm not sure why bands feel the need to do this. No bother though, I don't keep my jewel cases around anymore anyways so into the mega binder goes the insert. At least the cardboard case is recycleable?
Reformed Sound - Good or Bad?:
This is something that's very subjective. I'd go to say that Linkin Park has found a new sound and pulled it off very nicely. I'll go with "Good!"
Track by Track:
I'll go through each of the tracks and write a few thoughts down as I listen to the CD. I've probably listened to it about 10-15 times since I purchased it on Tuesday (its now Thursday). Its a *really* good album!
Track 1 - Wake:
An interesting introduction to the CD. It sounds like something from sort of movie soundtrack in a moment of triumph for the hero. I would go to say its a great intro as all Linkin Park intros tend to be. A little longer though at 1:40.
Track 2 - Given Up: What a neat idea for a song. Love the base line, love the percussion... and the clapping intro is unique and is used throughout the song. This is an intense track with very depressing lyrics. There is about a 15 second scream about 2/3rds through the song and I have to say thats one of the finest screams Chester has ever pulled off. Part of it sounds computer generated though; I'd be interested to see if he can pull this off in concert.
Track 3 - Leave Out All The Rest:
A bit of a mellow tune for the 3rd track on the CD. This track introduces another new aspect to Linkin Park's reformed sound... Harmony. It isn't the Linkin Park we've come to know and love... But you know -- they pull it off very nicely!
Track 4 - Bleed It Out:
Welcome back Mike Shinoda! This track is a tribute to Linkin Park of old. Mike and Chester work so well together its really a wonder why Chester has emerged as more of a dominant role on almost all tracks on this album. The track sounds very rough in that it sounds almost as though it was recorded live though I believe the audience was probably added in after the crystal clear recording.
Track 5 - Shadow of the Day:
Quite possibly my favourite track of the album. Chester shows us here that he really can sing. This is a beautiful melodious song that is easy to sing along to. Again, quite a reform from Linkin Park of old -- but they pull it off... and with style! The end of the track also contains something of an intro to Track 6. Perhaps its a way to add extra significance to "What I've Done". I generally don't appreciate when bands do this as I play my music on random alot!
Track 6 - What I've Done:
This is a heavy hitting track that is easily the calibur of their former hits. This one will easily go down as one of my favourite Linkin Park songs -- that is -- if the music industry doesn't overkill this one.
Track 7 - Hands Held High:
It's like I've gone to the church of latter-day Shinodas. This track sounds more like Fort Minor than it does Linkin Park. So it depends if you think Fort Minor is a good sound or not! This song is lyrically great, though downgraded by significant use of profanity again. I'm not sure if I appreciate that all that much. It is simply unnecessary. Despite the fact that this song *sounds* a little gospel some times, it still goes down as a great track in my mind.
Track 8 - No More Sorrow:
The intro and music to this track and the way it is 'militarily' put together, reminds me of the cover art for "Hybrid Theory". That being said, this song would fit right in on the Hybrid Theory album. My guess would be the guys wrote this song some time ago and are only releasing it now.
Track 9 - Valentin's Day:
We've now reached what would be my least favourite song on the album. I get haunting visions of Simple Plan while listening to this one. Something about the lyrics and the song title... It seems to almost be a little... whiny? It also seems to be a carbon copy of music that other bands have been putting out for years. There's really nothing special about it. Do I dare say 'filler'??
Track 10 - In Between:
Shinoda can sing? What? Where am I? This song is a ballad from start to finish. Mike Shinoda sings the entire thing and Chester pitches in a little harmony every now and again. I'll go to say they pulled it off... It's just a very strange and new track. It'll take some time to adjust to it.
Track 11 - In Pieces:
Musically speaking, the weakest track on the album. Lyrically and vocally it works though. The last track made me hope I was going to hear more from Mike Shinoda here but no such luck. The guitar 'solo' at the end is just... Nineteen eighty something. I think if it wasn't for that guitar solo I might really enjoy this song. Instead its more of a moderate track that I must listen to in order to get to the final track of the album.
Track 12 - The Little Things Give You Away:
This one is again, something rather new for Linkin Park. It starts out with some near-falsetto from Chester. The music slowly builds to a very powerful song. I'm saddened that in over 6 minutes of music, Mike Shinoda doesn't contribute even a hip hop interlude or anything.
Final Comments:
Over all the album works. Is it my favourite Linkin Park album? No. It's not that far behind though. There are some very strong tracks on it and as I mentioned, only 2 weaker tracks. I hope Linkin Park picks out the good points of this album and continues with them. I'd hate to see them pick out the bad themes of the album and run with those.
After a multi-platinum debut, Grammy nominations, a successful sophomore album, sold-out tours, and a collaboration with Jay-Z, the pressure was on fo...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
After a multi-platinum debut, Grammy nominations, a successful sophomore album, sold-out tours, and a collaboration with Jay-Z, the pressure was on fo...More at Buy.com
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