Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory
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Free Music Notes for Hybrid Theory
Free Music Review: Originality and production surpass the nu-metal cliche
Hit: 5 Stars
The year was 2000. The advent of the millenium upon us spawned that altogether wonderful and awful genre oddly titled nu-metal.
I distinctly remember as a junior in high school feeling in direct opposition to the angsty, depressed, and anger-driven thrash that threatened to obliterate the line between rap and metal. To me, bands like Limp Bizkit and Papa Roach were going to be short-lived fads, gimmicks just like many genres that disappeared in the wind. It was my contention that the only good bands to come out of this hatefest were Incubus and the Deftones.
In 2000, I think i was still stuck back in the early-to-mid 90's. Grunge was the height of my listening palate: all I yearned for was that meat-and-potatoes distortion and actual SINGING instead of rapping. Five years later, I'm a senior in college. My tastes expanded drastically as i picked up a love for alt and art-metal like Tool, progressive rock acts like Dream Theater, and eclectic early Nu Metal like Faith No More. How could I have guessed that I would come full circle, back to the realm of that which I rejected 5 years ago.
Linkin Park's "Hybrid Theory" is an enigma to me. I suppose the stellar production of said album lent this palatability. The songs profess a progressive quality alien to much of average nu-metal...lent partially by the rap-rock mesh that works so much better for this band, but mostly by the textures, structures, and ear-candy repetitions.
Joseph Hahn's samplings and creations bring to mind D.J. Kilmore of Incubus, yet the fact that such innately musical moments are brought so much more evoke Utra-era Depeche Mode as well as Trent Reznor in his early years. The album title "Hybrid Theory" was to be the original band name for Linkin Park, and probably should have stayed that way. It is so much more faithful to the identity of the band: for the "nu-metal" outfit is exactly a hybrid: breeding musical quality with earth shattering guitar, courtesy of Brad Delson, vocals that are both scathing and melodic by Chester Bennington, and poetic rapping by emcee Mike Shinoda.
Pop-friendly hits like "Papercut" and "With You" comprise of simple verse-chorus-verse structures, and brand the vocal "motifs" of the songs into the listener's heads. Alternately, the popular "Crawling" shows an impressive amount of range in its sound textures, "In The End" showcases Shinoda's constant sense of presence and Bennington's steady vocal qualities. "A Cure for the Itch" puts the spotlight on aptly talented Hahn and creates a much-welcomed break from the rap-rock thrash.
"Hybrid Theory" is a superbly crafted album, and has surpassed the short-lived nu-metal label to become something more appropriately titled: Progressive Metal.
Free Music Review: AN ALBUM WITH A PUNCH
Hit: 5 Stars
In the late eighties / early nineties, FAITH NO MORE had come up with this fresh new sound: blending the heaviest form of rock ever, with funk / rap, and as far as I know, FAITH NO MORE was one of the first `heavy metal' bands to have a full-time keyboardist! This unique keyboard-laden, rap-filled high-energy hard-rock sound was new, seminal, and spawned a new generation of funk-rock acts shamelessly using the keyboards occasionally, the likes of which include KORN, LIMP BIZKIT, INCUBUS, to name a few and popular ones. However, none of these could match the energy of FAITH NO MORE; and with the splitting up of FAITH NO MORE, it seemed as if there was no one else to carry on this unique blend of music, once made so popular by this great band.Just when everything seemed lost, or "everything's (seemed) ruined" as the boys of FAITH NO MORE would put it, LINKIN PARK came along and saved the day! Amongst the myriads of funk-rock acts today, LINKIN PARK is the one act, which stands out, clearly and handsomely, as probably the only act, to come as close to the energy of FAITH NO MORE.
"HYBRID THEORY" is a power-packed dynamite, which, in its mere 37:53 minutes of playing time, blasts itself off with full fervor, releasing its complete potential grandiloquently, and with great style and panache. One track after another, each of the twelve songs is as fraught with the same amount of energy and punch as the previous one, and before you know, the album ends abruptly, not without leaving an obsessive effect of especially the hard-hitting rapping of MIKE SHINODA, and leaving the listener wanting more than just a thirty odd minutes of this addictive rock album.
The lyrics are not so great, and like every other rock outfit, these are about despair, and nothing else but despair - no one in rock can write despair and be reassuring at the same time, better than the spite-ridden wrath-filled king of hopelessness, Mr. TRENT REZNOR. However, there are a couple of things about the lyrics, which really surprise me. First of all, there are absolutely no swear- words, especially no four-lettered `F' words, which generally litter every rock album; not that it makes a rock album any less worth listening to. Moreover, LINKIN PARK shares this quality with FAITH NO MORE, whom they so strongly resemble. Secondly, though the lyrics are no special, the delivery and the timing of the delivery of the words, by both the vocalists, is simply awesome and really commendable.
LINKIN PARK does not only have a unique combination of having two specialist vocalists and a full time DJ: a combination, never tried before in rock, but it also makes a very good use of this unique combination. `HYBRID THEORY' has everything that one could want in a rock album, and is perfect in every way.
Free Music Review: Maximum Theory!
Hit: 5 Stars
This band can rally show what music is! I can honestly say that this is the best thing iv'e ever heard...music wise.Im gonna rate every song from 1-5 stars .1.Papercut-fast , edgy , beat that has a little bit of rap { not hip-hop } and talks about voices in the back or your head , and is , in many people's eyes , the best song on the album*****. 2.One step closer- The first single of this album.You might of seen the video , and if your have , this is the only song on the album that's really "Hardcore".***1/2 3.With you-Kinda slow during the verses , but the chorus's heat it up , and make it kinda loud.The beat at the beginning is fast and , a tempo , as the song.****1/2. 4.Points of Authority-I personally love this song , and it's one of a kind .most people's favorite song on the album , a fast , edgy , song , that's perfect for parties.***** 5.Crawling-You probably seen this video , and one of my favorite songs.a slow verse mode , with a fast-edgy , chorus.a bit of rap , but mostly , rock/***** 6.Runaway-Im gonna be 100% honest , most of the time i skip this song , cause , it's a good song , that has again , a slow verse mode , with a fast chorus , but it just doesn't get me in that good mood.you'll like it if you like old-type of rock.** 7.By myself-It starts off with a chainsaw-typed guitar solo.It's a song about lonliness.the whole song deosn't really slow down , not even in the verses.a little bit of rap , of cousre played by Mike Shinoda ,but the rest is played by rock , and Chester.**** 8.In the End-The absolute best song iv'e ever heard! Starts out with an old beat from Mozart , then stays strong , and never gets dull.It talks about how he lost his old girlfriend , but in the end , it doesnt even matter.fast , edgy , and the absolute best ever!outta 5 starts i rate it 9.A Place for my Head-A banjo like start , and then it turns fast , through the whole song , it never gets slow .A heavy beat , and chorus***** 10.Forgotten-With both singers singing one sentence after another in the chorus , this fast-beat song turns kinda slow towards the end.Stil a good song , with a perfect tempo.***** 11.Cure for the Itch-No words , well , no singing words.It's all done by Dj Josheph Han.It sounds like a song for a rainy day , still , no words.**1/2 12.Pushing me Away-The second best on the album.Not one moment where it gets dull , and it shines right through.Kinda slow ,and , some might call it depressing , but it always gets me in a perfect mood.Outta 5 stars , i give it a This album is perfect for you if you don't want just rap , or just rock , and not heavy.The perfect Dj , Two lead singers , 2 exellent guitarist , and an awesome drummer , bring up Linkin Park!Free Music Review: They are not just trying to be up next to Limp Bizkit!
Hit: 5 Stars
This CD rocks! If you are a alternative rock fan, then you can't pass by this CD. It's different, and is one of the CD's that changed me from a rock and roll fan to an Alt. Rock fan. Here is a review list of all the tracks:Papercut-This song is awsome! I didn't know about it when I got the CD, but now it's my favorite track. Good lyrics about paranoyia, so don't listen to it if your paranoid, it could give you ideas. 5/5
One Step Closer-Another great song, definetely my 2nd favorite song. The lyrics are probably some of the best in the CD, they blend perfectly. Great music too! 5/5
With you-This songs ok, but not anything to make a big deal out of, I usually skip it. More of a rock/rap song. Not to good. 2/5
Points of Authority-A bit better then the last song, not quite as much as a filler, but still not that good. Some good guitar parts. 3/5
Crawling-This song is really good, but doesn't sound like One Step Closer and Papercut, giving the CD a bit more variety. If you don't know this song by name, you've probably heard it, it's extreamly popular. The chorus has great guitar sounds and there are a lot of other cool sounds that add to the songs perfection. 5/5
Runaway-This song is another good one, I think that it doesn't get enough credit, it's not even on the radio. If you get the CD, listen to this track. It blew me away, i was like, "Whoa, I've never even heard of it and it's better than most of the other songs!" 5/5
By Myself-Lots of heavy, techy, loud music. Pointless rapping and screaming. It's got a good beat, but just doesn't cross the line. 1.5/5
In The End-This song started playing on the radio, and my friend told me about it. It's kind of a rap song, but has a really good beat, melody and singing. The chorus has Linkin Parks "Papercut" guitar, but the rest is pretty mellow. The lyrics make sence, and you can tell that they put a lot of effort into this one! 5/5
A place for my Head-The beginning of this song sounds like it's part of the last one. Another Rappish song, but you you have to give credit to the good distortion guitar. 3/5
Forgotten-This song isn't much. The rap is stupid. The chorus (FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM!)is ok, but it's not very good. 2/5
A Cure for the Itch-This is all DJ tech stuff, but it's good and it's funny. He make his voice all strange, and when I first heard it, I laguhed out loud. It is good music, and the DJ (Mr. Hon) has a talent. Nice sturdy beat. 4/5
Pushing Me Away-Mellow, but not slow. I don't usually listen to it, but it is a good song. Once again good lyrics, music and beat. ....
I would strongly recommend this CD to Alt. Rock Fans, light rap fans, or somebody switching over from one style of music to Alt or rap. This CD really is worth the money!
Free Music Review: If you haven't heard Linkin Park, this is the CD to get.
Hit: 5 Stars
Linkin Park's first CD, Hybrid Theory, sold 13 million copies the year it came out, making it the best-selling CD of the year. This occured for a good reason: Almost every track on this CD is mindblowing. Attempting to be as critical as possible, which is very difficult at times, here is an overview of the tracks:1)Papercut: When I think of Linkin Park, I think of this song. Inspiring lyrics, nice instrumentals, and great balance throughout. A good song for the first track because it introduces the basic themes behind the band's music. 8.5/10
2)One Step Closer: My third favorite song on the CD, a lot of people think of this because of Chester screaming "Shut up when I'm talking to you!' But the rest of the song is sadly forgotten, which should not be as this song is excellent. 9/10
3)With You: Somewhat underdeveloped, doesn't really grab me as much as the other songs, but tends to calm me down after the first two songs. 6.5/10
4)Points of Authority: My favorite song on the CD(somewhat biased because of the excellent music video for this from "Reanimation"). A bit repetitive, but doesn't matter because the lyrics are so great, and so DEEP. All thes songs have deeper meanings. 10/10
5)Crawling: Overplayed on the radio, a bit too slow for my tastes. Too generic. Although in this case generic is not a bad thing, this song doesn't have its own flavor. 7/10
6)Runaway: The verses make this song more than the actual chorus, which is also good. Beginning to gear up for "In The End". 7.5/10
7)By Myself: Chester's best song in my opinion, the vocal range in this piece is amazing. I'm taken by surprise even though I know all the words. The emotional high point, and my second favorite. 9.5/10
8)In The End: I guarantee you've heard this before...which is the problem. Very melodic, very creative, but overplayed, and it loses a point for that. 9/10
9)Place For My Head: After all the other songs ealier on the CD, this one sort of disappears. It just isn't particularly special, and nothing really impresses. Still solid though. 6.5/10
10)From The Inside: Everything is this song is great. Unfortunately, the pieces don't always seem to fit, which somehow is not really aproblem. This song just sounds great. 8.5/10
11)Cure For The Itch: Hahn is a great DJ, and this shows it. Better than Session on "Meteora". 8/10
12)Pushing Me Away: I know this has been said before, but why is this at the end of the CD? It's a hidden gem that makes me wish the CD just kept on going and going. The diamond in the rough. 8.75/10
This CD is the beginner version of Linkin Park: Not as experimental as Meteora, but somewhat more focused. Absolutely mindblowing