Linkin Park

Meteora

I was deceived

Review Score:

(6/10)
I think I'm a highly objective person when it comes to music. I'm not going to be like "OMG THAY R 2 HAWT THE BEST EVAR!!111one", because they are not my favorite band of all time. However, they are up there on my list. They have a nice, unusual sound. Mike Shinoda, who more than raised my eyebrow when I heard he was Japanese and a rapper for Linkin Park, has one of the most soothing rap voices I've ever heard--he sounds gruff but he takes his words smoothly; his words don't really blur together like so many other rappers'. Chester also has a very calming voice--that is, when he isn't screaming at the top of his lungs. And the melody of the band--a fusion of sounds produced by Rob, Pheonix, Brad, and Joe--is also very unique sounding and overall nice. Some songs convey a great amount of anger while others are softer.

I don't think it's fair to impose that Linkin Park's success is just because they're "main stream" rock. They're main stream for a reason--people like them. That isn't to say they're hard core and intense, but they do have tons of talent. Nothing is greater than breaking up with someone and blasting "In the End." Or feeling stressed and screaming out the lyrics to "Faint."

They always sound angry. And that's awesome.

The following are basically what I got out of the songs. I won't bother rating them because each of them has grown on me.

Foreword--an opening that sounds like a glass crashing. It leads directly into the next song.

Don't Stay--the first real track on the CD, and it's a perfect example of what we expect from Linkin Park--angry, screaming, and basically just a good song. It's pretty much about being suffocated. I have to admit I was none too fond of it at first, but after giving it a fair listen, it really did become one of my favorites.

Somewhere I Belong--anyone's who's ever felt awkward or out of place will like this one. Good rapping on Mike's part, a very interesting melody, and Chester adds a nice twist to it in the chorus with a little bit of yelling. Because that's what we like.

Lying From You--about the lies people tell. Not my favorite on the CD but it has its merits: The chorus is pretty groovy.

Hit the Floor--more anger and screaming, and this time really about love/hate relationships. Again, not my favorite, but I find myself listening to it anyway.

Easier to Run--I really like this one. The pre-chorus little chant thing that Mike does is pretty awesome; nice rhyming and beat.

Faint--the jewel on the album in my opinion. Mike does a great job rapping, Chester is really, er, loud, and the others put together a very fast-paced heart-speeding beat. About angry love.

Figure.09--the chorus I'm not a fan of, but the verses seem to be written well. I think that enough time just wasn't spent on it.

Breaking the Habit--the most overrated song on the whole CD. It got like, so much coverage and stuff. It just doesn't appeal to me I guess--the lyrics are good but the melody to me just sounds awkward.

From the Inside--probably the softest song on the album. This is the one you let your loud-sound-fearing parents listen to.

Nobody's Listening--underrated. It's got a lot of rapping in it and seems to err more on that side, Mike does a good job as does Chester in the chorus. Listen for: "But it gets to a point where feelings gotta get hurt/And get dirty with the people spreading the dirt".

Session--I usually skip over it. Just a mix of different sounds.

Numb--there are stark similarities in this one to "In The End"; I prefer "In The End," but this is another must-listen on the album. Probably my third favorite song because Chester sounds very fragile and angry.

That's really all I have to see about the whole thing. Linkin Park is a great band that takes a lot of guff from the people who don't like their music. Basically, if the whole rap/rock/angst fusion isn't your thing, don't listen. If it sounds like something you might be into, give them a listen. It won't your taste in music anyway.

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