Customer Reviews

Meteora [Special Edition w/ Bonus DVD]

5 star:		(194)
4 star:		(56)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

Nearly three years after making their massive, multi-platinum debut with 'Hybrid Theory,' Linkin Park return with this, their sophmore album, which definitely does not disappoint. At the core, its still Linkin Park. They haven't lost that edge, that style and smoothness that made 'Hybrid Theory' such a great listen. However, what you will find on 'Meteora' is a bit more experimental and more diverse. Where Linkin Park used to be just a rap-rock band, they tend to spread things out this time around. Songs like "Don't Stay" are straight-ahead rockers, which are complimented nicely by hip-hop tracks such as "Nobody's Listening" and "Hit The Floor." No doubt, the album is very short and not all of the songs click instantly like the ones on 'Hybrid Theory.' It will take a few listens to get into this one, but once you get it, it's great. With 'Meteora,' Linkin Park prove to not be just a flash-in-the-pan. 'Hybrid Theory' has gotten a little played out, but I get the feeling that this disc will be around a lot longer. All of the songs seem to be tapping in on a deeper emotional level, and with their success, the band seems to have a lot more creative control. The limited edition disc is a great buy. It comes with a DVD documenting the making of the album, a gigantic booklet, with little notes about the making of each song, and the disc itself includes a short film about the art of 'Meteora' (Heck, when I bought my copy, I even got a free t-shirt. It doesn't fit, but that's not the point). If you didn't like Linkin Park before, I doubt this will change your mind, but this should definetly please all of their fans.

I didn't know what to expect when I popped this CD into my stereo. As I've said before, I really liked their first album, but thought it was very overrated. Almost every song on that album was being played on the radio non-stop! And I wasn't too impressed when they decided to release a remix album. So, I was very cautious when I picked up Linkin Park's 'Meteora.' All of that worrying was for nothing, though. I think this albums a masterpiece and is so much better than their first album.

You can really tell how much they've improved; in their music playing, song writing, and singing. The songs have more depth to them and are much more complex than half the songs on the first album. They successfully combine industrial, rap, and alternative all together to make up a great package of very entertaining music.

Every song is great. I could not find one song that I disliked. Of course, I have my favorites and ones I listen to more than others, but this is an album I can pop into my car stereo and drive without having to fumble around with the track buttons. My favorite songs are 'don't stay,' 'somewhere I belong,' 'breaking the habit,' 'lying from you,' 'easier to run,' 'numb,' session,' 'figure .09,' and 'from the inside.' But really, they're all very good songs.

My only complaint, and its really a small one, is that the album is really short. Not even forty minutes, I don't think. While I think this is the only album's weak point, it's not a very big weakness. I'd rather have an album that is short and sweet than an album that just keeps dragging on and on. Still, I don't think a few more minutes would've hurt the CD any.

The limited edition version is neat because it comes with a bonus DVD that goes into the making of 'Meteora.' It was pretty interesting to see them at work and what went into this album. The CD also includes some neat extras that can be accessed from your computer.

'Meteora' does more than be a successful second album (I don't count the remix one as their second album), it goes above and beyond. You can tell that the band put a lot of hard work and effort into this, which is why it didn't come out right after the first one. If you like Linkin Park, chances are you will fall in love with this album. I was very, VERY surprised and impressed. Hopefully they can keep it up, and hopefully those evil radio stations don't overplay these songs like they did with the first one, although I fear that's a certainty. Great album, great band, great music.

I like Hybrid Theory, and I liked Reanimation, though Hybrid Theory's repetitiveness got annoying after a few months.

When I heard Somewhere I Belong, I was hooked instantly. I knew this album would at least be solid.

When I got it, I at first hated the damn thing. I thought each song was repetitive and boring. I almost took it back. But upon closer examination(as well as listening to the whole album several times), I realized I had no idea what I was talking about.

Don't Stay starts the album off nicely, with a nice BPM and Chester's musical range shines.

Somewhere I Belong highlights every strength of the band; Shinoda's vocal tone, the drummer's practice habits, everything comes into place. The track truly is the album's anthem.

The rest of the track mirrors Hybrid Theory in its theme progression. that is, the idea behind the lyrics tends to mirror how Hybrid Theory's developed. The last song is very cinematic, Linkin Park style. All the songs are quite good, though track 6 wasn't the most creative ever.

The tempo in Breaking The habit hooked me; its faster pace sets it apart from traditional Linkin Park, and is welcome

Nobody's Listening is one of my favorites; the flute really adds to the ambience of the song, creating an eerie premise for Shinoda's rhymed...Linkin Park's dreaier look at life is taken from a young perspective, and to a band with great strengths.

I sometimes questioned whether or not Linkin Park had the creative power to produce a new album. Happily, they do, and do it well.

The DVD is a great view. If Linkin Park wants a quick single release to buy time, The Wizard Song is a great choice, long as Chester finishes it.

If your a fan, buy it. If your not, I question how much the album may sway you.

"Meteora" is Linkin Park's follow-up to their successful Hybrid Theory album. I was a big fan of Linkin Park, but after "Reanimation" was released I lost interest. I watched the MTV Making the Video for "Somewhere I Belong" and I still wasn't sure if I would get "Meteora" or not. I thought "Somewhere I Belong" was okay at first, but after hearing it for the 3rd or 4th time, I really started to like it. So I figured I would give "Meteora" a chance.
Some of my favorite tracks on the album are: "Somewhere I Belong" (the first single), "Easier to Run", "Lying From You", "Breaking the Habit", and "Nobody's Listening"

"Somewhere I Belong" really grew on me after awhile (I really like the chorus). "Easier to Run" is a mid-tempo mosh-ballad, that is about how hard it is to face your problems. "Breaking the Habit" is a song that Mike Shinoda has been working on for the past 5 years. (you learn that in the "Making of Meteora DVD") It was originally supposed to be an short interlude, but ended up becoming a 3 minute song w/ a live orchestra, Chester handles the vocals. "Nobody's Listening", it is the most "hip-hop" track on the cd, but I still like it (I don't like Rap or hip/hop, so that's a lot coming from me), it features some kind of Japanese flutes in the background.

"Meteora" is a solid cd with no "filler", it clocks in at 37 minutes. I probably like it more than "Hybrid Theory" and I'm sure it will be just as successful. The bonus DVD is worth the money and it is very interesting to how they made the album. The cd also includes the "Somewhere I Belong" video and tons of other extras Linkin Park fans will enjoy. So, if you liked what you heard on "Hybrid Theory", get this cd. If you're not a fan of Linkin Park or "Hybrid Theory", you're not going to like this one any better.

My rating: 4/5 Stars

Linkin Park's sophomore album, Meteora, is nothing less than spectacular. While a second album has a tendency to be a curse to most bands, Linkin Park has exceeded any expectations placed upon them as a result of their multi-platinum smash debut "Hybrid Theory." The dynamic mix of vocals that made "Hybrid Theory" as great as it was can be found on Meteora as well. Each member of the band seems to have grown in their respective talent and it is quite apparent on this album. Chester's wide range of vocal skills are on display on Meteora as well as the others' creativity with composing sogs. Meteora is one of those rare albums that can be listened to from start to finish without skipping any songs and will actually leave you wanting more. At a short duration of only 36 minutes, it would seem that the songs would have something missing from them as well as the album as a whole, but instead the contrary is true. The time flies by without any notice of how long/short the album is as a result of how engaging the songs are. The sheer diversity of each song makes this a classic album that would be damaged by any categorization such as "nu-metal" or "rap-rock". For anyone who hasn't heard of Linkin Park or who is looking for some good, solid music, this is the album to get.

Hybrid Theory is one of the greatest CD's in recent history, Reanimation in my opinion broke new ground when it came to remix CD's and was great, and now with Meteora Linkin Park does it again! If you liked Hybrid Theory, you will like this album, you may not like every song right away, but let it grow on you before you make up your mind. They have tried some new things on this album, experimenting with new sounds and strange tempos.

1. Foreward - It is anly about 20 sec long, what can you say, it is what it is.

2. Don't Stay - 5/5 Great opening song. Similar to songs from Hybrid, but a little heavier, especially towards the end. Probably one of my top 3 favorites from Meteora.

3. Somewhere I Belong - 5/5 You already know this one, as it is there first single. Great song, even mix of Mike and Chester. The perfect first single.

4. Lying From You - 5/5 Great rapping by Mike, awesone vocals by Chester. Another one on the more heavy songs from the album, Chester really gives his vocal chords a real workout.

5. Hit The Floor - 3/5 Good song, it is mostly Mike. There is something about this song that seems a little weak that I can't quite put my finger on. It seems like a rushed song.

6. Easier To Run - 5/5 I loved this song from the second I heard it. It has an epic feel to it, I believe it could be their next single, and I see them making a BIG video for it. This could be the "In The End" of this album, it is much softer than "In The End" but I cant help to be reminded of it.

7. Faint - 4/5 This is a strange song. It is definatly very different from their other stuff, it is very fast. I didn't like it at first, but it is growing on me.

8. Figure.09 - 4/5 Good song. I don't agree with some of the other reviewers that say this is the best song. Chesters vocals are really good on this one.

9. Breaking The Habit - 3/5 I said that "Faint" was a strange song, this one is really strange. Through most of it, it doesnt even sound like LP at all. It is very fast and very choppy. Maybe it will grow on me.

10. From The Inside - 5/5 If "Easier To Run" isn't the next single, this one will be. It may be the best song on the album, it may even become their biggest song ever.

11. Nobody's Listening - 4/5 OK, everybody is saying how much they don't like this song, and how the flute doesn't work, I disagree, I like it. It is different, and it won't go down as their best song, but I think it is good.

12. Session - 2/5 I am not a big fan of instrumentals to begin with, this one is especially boring. I guess Joe needed something to do. (He doesn't have nearly as much stuff on this album, which is a shame)

13. Numb - 4/5 Good closing to the album, doesn't grab me like some of the other songs, but is still very good. It definatly sounds like a closing song.

Album Pakaging - 3/5 The extra DVD is great, they really care about the fans, and it shows in the DVD. The booklet is huge, but the two problems I have are the artwork inside the booklet and the cover. The art inside is mostly just pictures of spray cans, paint brushes, and a few scribbles. The cover is just a picture of a guy crouched down spray painting the floor. After the great album cover and art with Reanimation they could have done much better.

As a whole this is a great album, it may take some getting used to and you may not like every song right away. If you are already a LP fan and have the other two albums, get this one. If you don't know their music yet and are new to them, get "Hybrid Theory" first.

The title says it all! All the songs are huge hits and Hybrid Theory was just as good. Will they ever make a bad song? Doesn't seem like it. Almost all the songs on this CD have been on the radio at least once. Linkin Park has done an amazing job so far. Keep making awesome music!

I am a huge fan of LP, but don't let that ruin my whole review. I was in anticipation for 'Meteora,' because I thought SIB was an awesome track. And when I listened to it in whole, I was amazed. It was still LP, but a little more mature. I know a lot of people may say that all they do is complain, but if you'd listen to the things LP say when they talk about their lyrics..
"it's like silly therapeutic time,"
you gotta take that into consideration. Music is therapy, even if its talking about how mad they are at their cousin, or even MSI's lyrics about how they shoot up n*$@^*!s.
But back onto the album.. I was pleased with it. I think the most unqiue track on the CD is 'Faint.' The beat count is different than any other song on the CD. Another good song is 'Numb.' A song on the album that they should have released as a single is 'Hit the Floor.'
You'll either love it, like it, or hate it. But I'd say if you liked the singles from 'Meteora,' give it a try.

These guys are my second fav band! I love their music! If you like to here rock music and Chester screaming, buy this cd! I think you'll enjoy it! I know I did. My fav song from this cd is Breaking the Habit. Listen to it! It's really good. The cd actually belongs to my brother.

I bought this CD after hearing them on the radio. I had only heard 2 songs. I popped the CD in and OH MY GOSH! I couldn't believe it! The songs are great!
1. Foreword: a collection of sound effects that flow perfectly into the beginning song.13 seconds long too short to grade it.
2. Don't stay:10/10 11/10 with foreword. Great song. If you've had a girlfriend that has dumped you, this is you're song. Sorry about bad memories.
3. Somewhere I Belong:10/10. Don't be fooled by the acoustic guitar at the beginning. This song rules!
4. Lying From You:9/10. It's pretty good but it's sounds kinda wierd. Don't let the SFX at the beginning fool you it's a pretty good song.
5. Hit The Floor:9/10. The screaming in the chorus that, to me, sounds like spanish says,
"One minute you're on top,
the next you're not, watch it drop
makin' your heart stop
just before you hit the floor"
i forgot the rest, sorry. Good song.
6. Easier To Run:9/10. At first I thought this song was wierd. After a few listenings it sounds better to me. Good song. Not their best.
7. Faint:10/10. This song will blow you away! It's incredible! If you don't like this try listening to something else, 'cause this song rules!
8. Figure .09:10/10. The secret crush song, as I call it. If you've had one of those crushes when that person is all you think about, this will be your song.
9. Breaking The Habit: 10/10. This song's pretty good.
10. From The Inside: 9/10. Good song. Cool guitar playing.
11. Nobody's Listening: 10/10. Rap song. So cool. If they were to consider putting out a rap CD it would be good.
12. Session: 9/10. This is a completely instrumental song. It has no lyrics, just solid playing.
13. Numb: 10/10. Easily one of the best songs on the CD. This is a great Finisher to the CD.
Overall, I give the CD a 10. If you see it buy it.