Hi guys!

So as you saw on the title of this blog, I'm reviewing the new Linkin Park album. Now Linkin Park is a band that I have a soft spot for. When I was 7 or 8 their debut Hybrid Theory was released. This thing was my absolute favorite album at that time, and it was actually the first album I purchased for myself as a kid. Linkin Park wowed me again with Meteora a couple years later. But then, there was a long break for Linkin Park. During that time I outgrew that style, and found my way into metal. Still, when I heard Minutes to Midnight was coming out, I did go out and pick it up. I was disappointed with it, but still, I listened to their next album A Thousand Suns. It was horrible, it was a mess, easily the worst thing they've done.

But as you can see, that still wasn't enough to drive me away from this album. Did it improve? Or did they continue their rapid decline?

This is a very diverse album. Linkin Park really mix it up here, on some songs they are able to pull off their original style. The single Burn it Down is a pretty good example. On some songs they actually get kind of aggressive, and it's nice to hear that old style again. On some songs however, they venture into sort of a pop territory, and it just doesn't work for me. Its almost like One Direction decided to add in a few screams and a rapper.

Really what threw me off is that the 2nd half of this album is almost full blown hip hop. Heavy beats, mixes, and heavy, heavy doses of Shinoda. This isn't a bad thing for Linkin Park, but I just don't get why it's here. I'm all for variety, but the album doesn't really flow at all.

Production on this is pretty good. Hahn obviously dominates most of the mix with his stuff, but everything is smooth, slick, and well produced.

Pros:A couple of songs bring back some of the old style
Its better than a Thousand Suns

Cons:Album is disjointed
Some songs are too poppy
It still isn't old LP

All in all, this is an improvement over the abomination that was A Thosand Suns. That being said, this really wasnt anything very special. This only gets a 4/10 from me. There are good moments here, but it just isn't cohesive as an album.

The album drops 6/26. Pick it up if youre a die hard LP fan. Otherwise stay away, it isn't worth a listen.

Until next time....
JZilla \m/