Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best LP Album Yet ^_^, June 6, 2007
Friggin HOTT. Different, yes, but hott. All I can say is that it was well worth the wait for this album. There's actually still some of their old sound in it, though not as much. "Given Up" and "Bleed It Out" are much like their original sound... then you've got some awesome guitar solos throughout the album, and the E-Bow on "No More Sorrow" made that my choice as "favorite song". "In Pieces", my other favorite, is sort of a power ballad... the great thing is how it shows how great Chester's voice is. "Hands Held High" is pretty much all Mike rapping, but the words are powerful... that song and "No More Sorrow" seem political, another new characteristic for LP. The only song I really didn't care for that much was "In Between"... not the best single on the album. Mike's a better rapper than singer. :P
As for these losers complaining that it doesn't even sound like them... screw you. So they changed part of their style. How many songs did you expect them to make using the Nu-Metal sound without escaping that annoying "hey, this sounds just like their other song" comment? It's good they changed. A wise move and an awesome album. Kudos to you, LP. Keep it coming!!!!!
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Runaway and open up your mind.....", May 18, 2007
On May 4, 2007, "Minutes to Midnight", Linkin Park's fifth official album was leaked. Minutes To Midnight, revolving around the concept of the notorious doomsday clock, molds a new image to be branded onto the name 'Linkin Park'. Before this release, Linkin Park was known for their catchy drop d guitar chords, undeniably muscular choruses, and articulate raps dealing with the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Linkin Park's very first demo was released in 1997, before the band was even known as Linkin Park. Ten years have passed, and a new formula has been invented and finely executed.
Minutes To Midnight is the definition of what one may call an audible odyssey, taking the listener on a roller coaster of a ride, but somehow managing to stay on track and not lose focus of what the concept of the album is all about. Ten years has passed and through these years, Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda's lyrical landscape has expanded to concepts listeners have never been exposed to. Several songs (No More Sorrow, The Little Things Give You Away, Hands Held High, and the first single 'What I've Done') encompass a political message. Unlike many rock bands today, Linkin Park decides to leave out their own agenda, and leaves one with a myriad of issues to think about and to make their own judgments.
Most noticeably different on this record is the fine addition of ballads and power ballads, a musical corridor Linkin Park has been hesitant to explore in the past. Luckily, Linkin Park does it quite well. Chester Bennington's transitional legacy as one of metal's most admired screamers and one of rock's finest singers is not omitted on this album. Rob Bourdon, already exposed as an extraordinary drummer, took his skills to the next level on this album. Also, with the assistance of Rick Ruben as producer, Dave Farrell aka Phoenix's bass lines are skillfully complex, loud, and clear, adding yet another new dimension to their tunes. The drop d guitar chords have all been put to rest, as beautiful guitar notes make their way onto virtually every track off of this album. And yes, they have in fact implemented guitar solos that transition beautifully into every song.
This will be Linkin Park's first album that has a Parental Advisory slapped on it. Although unnecessary, the Parental Advisory sticker is no indicator whatsoever of a curse-filled album. The F bomb gets dropped a few times on one track and a few other curses made their way onto two other tracks, but other than that, every track is clean as a whistle. Rumor had it that Mike Shinoda would no longer be providing a hip-hop insight on this album. While this is partially true, he sings, yes sings, on one track ("In Between") all by himself, he has a rap track all to himself delving into political issues using vocabulary and issues that many listeners will be left opening history books to. There is one song that instills the old Linkin Park formula ("Bleed It Out"), just as a reminder that they have not eradicated their roots.
All-in-all, this record will by far be Linkin Park's biggest adult audience-targeted album. The band has noticeably matured through their instrumentation, lyrical masterpieces, and thought-provoking sounds and images. A few months ago, asked about what he could say about the new sound on the new album, Linkin Park co-frontman Chester Bennington boldly stated, "The way we've been classified, and how people think they know us, that's all going to die." No lies were told when that statement was made. Without a doubt, when Minutes To Midnight is released on May 15, 2007, they will once again conquer the rock arena, raking in a new slew of fans, the more mature thinkers of today.
Linkin Park - Minutes To Midnight - 5 out of 5 stars.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not For Fans of Strictly Nu Metal, May 20, 2007
People's reviews are really disappointing me here. It reminds me of all the people who complain that Korn isn't heavy anymore now that they're finally making some great (though overlooked) albums. Linkin Park is doing the right thing here. They're trying to leave behind the Nu Metal genre that has pretty much fizzled out. Without this move, they probably wouldn't be around much longer. Luckily, they did the smart thing and expanded their sound. Does it sound different? Yes. Is it still Linkin Park? Yes. I remember reading that Mike wouldn't be rapping much, and I was disappointed at first. But the album's depth really makes up for that. The songs sucked me in to the point that I almost forgot about the absence of rapping verses. They're that good. Sure, there are softer songs. But they're executed perfectly. Not to mention, the few heavy songs on here are, in my opinion, heavier than anything else the band has done. Finally we get to hear true hard rock songs without that overly produced distorted guitar. We also get to hear acoustic songs on this album. I would also like to say that Mike's presence is not missing! He co-produced the album, plays most of the rhythm guitar so that Brad can finally play some lead, contributes 2 great raps, and actually sings one song all on his own (which he does amazingly, I might add... kinda reminds me of a deeper version of Ben Gibbard's voice..) Look, if you only like bands like Evanescence, Breaking Benjamin, etc etc (Don't get me wrong, I love those bands) then this album probably isn't for you. But if you have a diverse music taste or can adapt to change for a good cause (LP surviving the test of time), then pick this up while it's still cheap.
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