I'll preface this review by saying a few things about my Linkin Park experience. I have listened to Linkin Park quite a bit a long time ago, but their recent singles and releases have left me unimpressed. Not to say the last few singles have been bad, but I enjoyed the first two albums a lot more than anything I've heard by Linkin Park recently. With that said, let's get into it.
My issues with the last few Linkin Park songs that have hit it big is the loss of what makes Linkin Park so satisfying to listen to. Early Linkin Park is hard. It's angry, aggressive, and in your face. As it opens, this albums makes it clear that Linkin Park wants to bring that back. It's a good thing too. It's what makes their music relate-able. They even introduce the rapped verses into their new sound. It's very punk/grunge, and it just makes you feel like screaming right along with the opening lines, "No Control, No Surprise!" The first track "Keys to the Kingdom" is a fantastic, in-your-face anthem that we haven't heard Linkin Park do for quite a while, and I love it. They keep up the intensity for a good couple of tracks too. (You've got to appreciate the fun addition of a little kid yelling, "I not allowed to say certain things, AAAGGGHH! Just funny.) after a familiar sampled segue, "All For Nothing" keeps the hits coming with a loud distorted guitar, followed up with a booming drum intro to get you in the mood. What follows is what sounds like a breakdown from the previous track and slows down the feel, but every bit the rocker just the same. I couldn't help but feel feel happy with the drum track on this song, as it's simple but just what the song needs.
"Guilty All The Same" makes sure to drive this home with it's drum/guitar opening. Locked in, simple, but lays down a very militant groundwork for a straight forward rocker. Vocals are tight after a somewhat lengthy intro, with much of the volume and instrumentation dropping out, but the drums and vocals keep the intensity going throughout the song although there's not much going on harmonically. This is definitely a sing along and a rocker, and just pushes the tempo hard through the whole track. Just past the halfway mark, it breaks down and makes room for the kind of rap verse that Linkin Park made great early in their career. At this point in the album, you get the very distinct impression that Linkin Park is back to it's roots in a very fresh, exciting way, complete with electronic influences and sampling between tracks. Which is just what "The Summoning" is going into "War". Another early Punk/Grunge influenced song, "War" not something you hear a lot these days, but Linkin Park does very well at. Clearly not a radio single, as it is not at all what the public has come to expect from Linkin park. It's not the greatest track on the album, but a solid two minutes of in-your-face, don't-give-a-damn thrashing fun. "Wastelands" is another track that brings back familiar sounds of older Linkin Park with a very rhythmically focused song that focuses on rapped verses and nigh-screamed vocals during the chorus. The chorus takes a more minor ballad-esque feel, but the heavily distorted guitars coming off each chorus remind you this is still 'us against the world' Linkin Park.
Unfortunately, this is where things take a turn for the less exciting. "Until It's Gone" is an attempt at the same kind of quasi-ballad that gave Linkin Park the recognition that took them to the next level in the popular charts. The premise of the song is the old cliche, "you don't know what you've got until it's gone," with that being the chorus, almost word for word. It still has the same guitar sounds that the previous tracks have had, but it's clearly meant to be a chart topper.
Don't get your spirits too low though, because "Rebellion" is right around the corner. Again, this is the kind of new sound and experimentation that you want to hear from an artist that has released 5-6 albums now. It almost sounds like a System of a Down song from the start, but the guitar line on the bridge is doubled an octave higher with some cool electronic sounds that gives it a Linkin Park signature. "Mark the Graves" is another song that sounds very much 90's punk in it's intro. An interesting change from the rest of the album so far, it takes a major key and an overall positive tone. A half-time feel is a cool contrast from the highs and lows of the chorus and the verses respectively and, as the album has played out so far, this comes along to set a more even keel for "Drawbar" to wash in like a slow tide. It's entirely an instrumental, focusing mostly on the piano, but builds to a high point supported by some steady marching drums and elevated with some high guitar picking. A beautiful call back to earlier albums where shorter instrumental songs filled space and it was very much okay. It sets a easier, more somber tone for "Final Masquerade" Which is probably the only true ballad on the album. It's easy to miss on a casual listen through of the album, but the best way to hear this song is with some time to commit and really feel what it's trying to accomplish. Pay attention and it is actually quite pretty. In all honesty, It caught me by surprise. A large part of that is probably due to the more orchestral sound it takes throughout most of the song.
Wrapping up the album is "A Line In the sand". Starting out it transitions well from "Final Masquerade", keeping the same tone with ambient keyboard sounds and subdued clear vocals, feeling generally very intimate. But don't be fooled, a very aggressive drum and guitar riff bridges the first and second verse and the chorus is where everything kicks off. There's the obligatory rap breakdown, and the rest of the track pretty much vamps the defiant line "give me back what's mine" and in the end breaks off to leave you with the subdued vocals and ambiance from the songs' opening.
I went into this album not expecting much, judging from what I'd heard from Linkin Park in previous years. What I didn't expect was to be surprised by a Linkin Park I hadn't heard before but was still recognizable and carried much of the weight and intensity that I appreciated them for years ago. A very punk/grunge sound made for a great rock album that you could very well make yourself hoarse and give yourself a headache to. With a more committed listen, I thought the track order was very well selected and made for a good flow over the whole experience. Maybe I haven't enjoyed Linkin Park because I haven't taken the time to really listen to their albums. Singles are released to make money, but albums are crafted for the devoted listener to enjoy, And I surprisingly did. This is by no means my favorite album, or the best album I've ever heard, but a very strong offering from a band that I had given up on.
Noteable Tracks: Guilty All The Same, War, Rebellion, A Line In The Sand
Drums: 8/10 Nothing fancy, just consistent solid groundwork
Guitars: 6/10 Aggressive, but not used for much musically
Vocals/lyrics: 7/10 good variety, Very aggressive, Best lyrics come from raps
Overall: 7/10 Nice to hear some different sounds from Linkin Park, and I was pleasantly surprised. Some longer songs show promise in song-writing. Not a whole lot of diversity, and does not bear repeat listens They still fit into a small stylistic box, and don't have much room to grow due to the differing tastes of their fanbase and popular demand.
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