Linkin Park, Minutes to Midnight.
This album was released very
recently. I have held back from reviewing it until now so that I could
be sure of how I reacted to it. For the last few weeks I have lived,
slept and dreamt this album. Anywhere I have
had music I have been listening to this album. With this in mind I can
say that the following review is not due to the novelty of a new album.
The Album cover is highly minimalistic, but effective. My first impressions of the Album was that Linkin Park have und
ergone a huge style change. The music is not so heavy and in
your face as both Meteora and Hybrid Theory were.
Personally I like the new lighter Linkin Park, this album shows another side to their music. Listening to the lyrics however reveals that their influences have not changed vastly. There is a vast difference in the subject matter of the lyrics within the album itself. There is certainly less 'teenage angst' than in their previous albums. This contributes towards the feeling that you are listening to a new Linkin Park.
The influence of recent wars can be felt in the Album. The track "Hands held high" attacks this issue directly, although it is not simply about the war. It describes the battles of life. The track also contains a very compelling quote;
"When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die"
The staccato snare in this track gives the impression of marching, a theme that fits in well with the lyrics.
The track "What I've Done" is contains similarities to the Linkin Park of old, it describes the regrets and pains of the past.
All in all the Album contains a lot of mixed emotions, and is just of capable of throwing its spell over you as the Hybrid Theory, whilst is in now ay as heavy as Meteora, it does give you that same feeling of understanding.
Linkins Park Musical style has changed dramatically, however it is something new, intriguing and very compelling. At first hearing any track from this album (with the possible exception of "What I've Done") I would probably not have recognised the band.
I would recommend that any Linkin Park fans buy this album, but do so with an open mind. The band may have changed, but their fanbase need not.
The Album cover is highly minimalistic, but effective. My first impressions of the Album was that Linkin Park have und
ergone a huge style change. The music is not so heavy and in
your face as both Meteora and Hybrid Theory were.Personally I like the new lighter Linkin Park, this album shows another side to their music. Listening to the lyrics however reveals that their influences have not changed vastly. There is a vast difference in the subject matter of the lyrics within the album itself. There is certainly less 'teenage angst' than in their previous albums. This contributes towards the feeling that you are listening to a new Linkin Park.
The influence of recent wars can be felt in the Album. The track "Hands held high" attacks this issue directly, although it is not simply about the war. It describes the battles of life. The track also contains a very compelling quote;
"When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die"
The staccato snare in this track gives the impression of marching, a theme that fits in well with the lyrics.
The track "What I've Done" is contains similarities to the Linkin Park of old, it describes the regrets and pains of the past.
All in all the Album contains a lot of mixed emotions, and is just of capable of throwing its spell over you as the Hybrid Theory, whilst is in now ay as heavy as Meteora, it does give you that same feeling of understanding.
Linkins Park Musical style has changed dramatically, however it is something new, intriguing and very compelling. At first hearing any track from this album (with the possible exception of "What I've Done") I would probably not have recognised the band.
I would recommend that any Linkin Park fans buy this album, but do so with an open mind. The band may have changed, but their fanbase need not.
