Damned if they do, damned if they don't -- that was the conundrum facing Linkin Park when it came time to deliver Minutes to Midnight, their third album. It had been four years since their last, 2003's Meteora, which itself was essentially a continuation of the rap-rock of their 2000 debut, Hybrid Theory, the blockbuster that was one of the biggest rock hits of the new millennium. On that album, Linkin Park sounded tense and nervous, they sounded wiry -- rap-rock without the maliciousness that pulsed through mock-rockers like Limp Bizkit. Linkin Park seemed to come by their alienation honestly, plus they had hooks and a visceral power that connected with millions of listeners, many of whom who were satisfied by the familiarity of Meteora. They may have been able to give their fans more of the same on their sophomore effort, but Linkin Park couldn't do the same thing on their third record: they would seem like one-trick ponies, so they'd be better off to acknowledge their advancing age and try to mature, or broaden their sonic palette. Yet like many other hard rockers, they were the kind of band whose audience either didn't want change or outgrew the group -- and considering that it had been a full seven years between Hybrid Theory and Minutes to Midnight, many fans who were on the verge of getting their driver's license in 2000 were now leaving college and, along with it, adolescent angst.
This reveiw makes the album seem like a set of lullabies. Its not correct in its judgment. Although I do understand the criticizing they only compared with previous albums. But I do think that Linkin Park did do too much soft stuff. Valentines Day wasnt just unneccesary it was annoying. They definitely should try to mix rap and rock.
This review is very harsh, as I found this to be a very good Linkin Park album, not the best but satisfying. I enjoyed the evolution they attempted, but it still didn't sound Linkin Park-y very often. They'll bring it back around on the next album; just look at 'New Divide' for example. Besides, Shinoda can't be happy about being sidelined.
briclee, I must disagree with you on your first statement.
I listen to bands like Nightwish, Nirvana, Mindless Self Indulgence, Flyleaf, Rammstein, Evanescence, Poisonblack, HIM, and others I couldn't add here but are on my profile page. I listen to a bit of a variety of music (once, I loved pop music as well), and still found Minutes to Midnight a below-average album.
even those with an open mind can still think this album was not good.
This album was definently a new direction for Linkin Park. I personally didn't enjoy the slow songs but "No More Sorrow", "Given Up", and "Bleed it Out" were the best songs on the album.
only people who listen to one genre of music would think this is a bad album or a band who sold out. if you actually have an open mind and understand that every musician be it solo or group needs a chance to epress themselves in a new way everytime. if they dont they end up in the discount rack and played on where are they now on vh1 cuz no one will remember them. its called the top 20 or 40 for a reason if u arent on it you dont get paid near as much cuz no one is buying your music which is wo
hey they are still good and fangirl is right.one bad album is forgiveable. Given up is great.no more sorrow good.bleed it out is great. i like slow but i like there faster harder stuff more.still great band any way u look at it
this album is definitely different from their old stuff that i loved. this album to me was def not my favorite. but hey, every band has at least one "eh" album. in my opinion it's this one. hope the new one coming out soon isn't exactly like this one. but i love love love "given up"! scream it out chester!
my fav songs: Given Up, Leave Out All the Rest, What I've Done, Valentine's Day, and No Roads Left. everything else is "eh..." or just not enjoyable for me. but hey, it's ok for a fav artist to have one album that you don't like, right? MtoM is just that one for me.
It's so easy to compare to earlier work and recent sounds. And all of a sudden, it does'nt fall into character. So you automatically critique... Is that fair?
A LOT of bands, bammbamms, are formulaic in their musical approach. Amon Amarth, Kreator, and All That Remains are only three examples. Only the latter of these faced criticism because of their steadfast approach, and that's because, well, Overcome was a bit TOO formulaic.
But when you do something that really works, why give it up? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Linkin Park great band, excellent versatility. Even though "Given Up" is derivited of Ministry it still kicks major a** !! Always eager to see how they will continue to evolve.
Another things, if you all wanted to hear something like Hybrid Theory, go listen to that album. People, get a grip on yourselves. If they aren't bringing new things to the table then why make more albums? They took a step over that safe boundry of Hybrid Theory to test some other ideas of theirs. True fans won't be dissappointed in them, they'd be right next to them clapping and singing softly through this seemingly "tough" time for LP. I don't think it's a tough time at all, but improvement.
I say that it's not about the sound of the music you're listening to....It's the message in the song that makes it what it is. Sure a little guitar or drum solo sounds really good. But if that's what you're looking for, why don't you just go buy an instrumental album.
Dragoon516, we are. We're just expressing our disappointment that LP somehow did a 180 and pulled out this alternative dribble on the people least likely to listen to it. It's like upgrading to Vista, for Pete's sake.
pyroshadow1234,your a dick! yes,LP isnt what it was,but its still good music,and its trying some new directions, which i think is good and bad,but only bad because i miss mikes rapping.However, he still shows up in bleed it out and hands held high,which are the best songs.what ive done,givin up and no more sorrow are also good songs
used needles, there are many ways to grow up. Speaking metaphorically, what Linkin Park did is throw away their reputations as successful engineers and became limp-wristed hobos. Speaking comparatively, this is Metallica's sellout on a whole new level (because at least Metallica kept some semblance of metal in them).
Speaking plainly, LP should've just stuck to what they did best instead of selling out. I feel almost ashamed to call myself somewhat of a fan of theirs after this abomination.
This isn't rock....this is crap. Anyone who likes this is a fool.
Notice at the top of the track list there are no 'Listen to 1,4, etc.' things. Even the guy who has to endure BAD bands didn't suggest even ONE song to listen to. IT'S ALL CRAP.
I don't know why people hate this...I love this album...sure it doesn't sound like their original stuff (the hip-hop DJ sounds in Meteora and Hybrid Theory), but I like the "rock" Linkin Park too.
Matured? Lyricwise, sure. Musicwise, it's a million steps backwards. This is a textbook, perfectly-executed example of a sellout. I cannot imagine any self-respecting rap-rock fan listening to this.
"Yes, they make great songs that we can rock out to but in a deeper note it’s the meaning of the songs that get to me." - yasha2055
Tell it like it is :) youre absolutely right.
I absolutely loved this album. You can tell that they matured and the lyrics and music in this cd is phenominal. All you people expect in a cd is Screaming and a whole bunch of dj mixing and stuff. You people just wait they are going to blow our minds away this year or next year.
I liked the sound they had in Meteora and Hybrid Theory. Minutes to Midnight disappointed me, mainly, because they almost abandoned their original sound. Minutes to Midnight was the first album they did (as Linkin Park) that had a parental advisory sticker and that disappointed me as well.
This album was good although a lot of people hated it. It’s a different side of LP that we haven’t seen but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Yes, they make great songs that we can rock out to but in a deeper note it’s the meaning of the songs that get to me. To truly listen to the lyrics and see how they apply to you is what makes it so great. Everyone’s opinion on what the songs stand for is linked more on how they relate to the songs. That is why I like LP so much.
yea they still rock too hard, and hey... teenagers stay the same age, just like high school girls... there will always be an audience. wait another 20 years to do more artsy s**t... just rock like you do so well, LP.
this cd is way to soft and only good songs on it are given up,bleed it out,what ive done,hand held high, and no more sorrow. they need to concentrate on these type of songs and get away from that soft gay bullshit like shadow of the day