"Hybrid Theory" by Linkin Park
This is an exceptional album, and if you are into Linkin Park then this has to be a must!
I hadn't listened to this album for a while until quite recently one I was journeying from Liverpool back to Derby. I was sat at traffic lights wondering what to listen ... Read review
Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park
It may be too cynical to assume Hybrid Theory changed its name to Linkin Park in order to ... more
appear right next to Limp Bizkit in your local record bin. But rock-rap workouts like "One Step Closer" and "Papercut" do make Linkin Park a comfortable fit with ...
Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park
It may be too cynical to assume Hybrid Theory changed its name to Linkin Park in order to ... more
appear right next to Limp Bizkit in your local record bin. But rock-rap workouts like "One Step Closer" and "Papercut" do make Linkin Park a comfortable fit with Fred Durst and his ilk. Producer Don Gilmore (Pearl Jam, Lit) and twin vocal threats Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda serve up industrial-strength rap and rock melodicism with equal aplomb on this debut effort. "Points of Authority" aims to sound like Trent Reznor mixing it up with Metallica, whereas guitarist Brad Delson's Edge-y harmonics help "In the End" and "Pushing Me Away" evoke a dark romanticism akin to A Perfect Circle. Curiously, the band gets by with no bass player, while sample-happy DJ Joseph Hahn's step into the spotlight on the instrumental "Cure For The Itch" suggests a potential for eclecticism that could help Linkin Park outlive its seemingly transient genre. --Bill Forman
A review by newty1977 on Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park May 27th, 2006
Author's product rating:
Originality
Groundbreaking
Lyrics
Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Good
Advantages:
Raw, Energetic . . . . Excellent Album
Disadvantages:
Loud and crazy ! ! ! ! !
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
"Hybrid Theory" by Linkin Park
This is an exceptional album, and if you are into Linkin Park then this has to be a must!
I hadn't listened to this album for a while until quite recently one I was journeying from Liverpool back to Derby. I was sat at traffic lights wondering what to listen to because the radio was a little boring and I picked it up out of the many CDs accompanying the revolver in my glove box ... ! (Joke before any Coppers try to track me down! Good luck, as I never seem to be in the country at the moment anyway!! haha)
Straight into the CD player it went, ejecting the Hed Kandi CD I had been listening to for about the last 3 weeks, thinking time for something new and something different.
Linkin Park, HYBRID THEORY, is a perfect selection of music for driving. It is an album that is raw, energetic, kinetic, and fully of emotion. If I had long hair, it would be one of those albums that would give you very bad neck ache the next day, as your head beats back and forth throwing those long locks all over the room. Lucky I have a skinhead really, because such action could be deemed rather dangerous when driving!!
This is the kind of album that provides an instant adrenalin rush and captures a mix of difficult musical genres, managing to very successfully blend rap, indie, rock, metal, and electronica dance. There seems to be a theme with many of the albums I have bought in the past and it's based upon taking a punt …. Often I like one song that much that I take a chance on the album, and this was one such album, but thankfully the gamble paid off. It doesn't always do so though! I remember purchasing "The Best of Extreme" because I love "More Than Words", but the remainder of the album is not what I was expecting!
Officially, I think the Californian based band are described as "nu-metal", but I don't tend to take much note of all the sub musical genres that appear to have sprung up over the last couple of years. Linkin Park are one of the fabulous examples of modern day music who succeed in breaking down the musical boundaries and span their wings across a number of musical spectrums and genres. It is unusual for such a band to include both a singer and a rapper, Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington. The album is produced by Don Gilmore of Pearl Jam fame.
1) "Papercut" (3:05) ~ Starts with drum beats, a keyboard riff and heavy metal type guitar intro, before the introduction of the rapper and then singer. The blend of different styles is very evident from the start of the album and this is a great track to start the proceedings, featuring heavy guitar riffs and synthetic sounds whipped up together to create a storming opening track, and fusing rap and singing across one another at various stages of the song.
2) "One Step Closer" (2:35) ~ The second track starts with an enticing heavy guitar riff, typical of a more heavy metal band, as the vocal talents of "Everything you say to me …. Takes me one step closer to the edge … I'm about to break!". This is a very vocally raw track with the elements of singing shouting that is typically associated with death metal. Now, although this is certainly not to my taste usually, it just works!
3) "With You" (3:23) ~ Begins with the rapper, turntable scratching and synthetic sounds, before the introduction of the heavy guitar riffs, and then back to the rap with synthetic sounds, before the raw singing vocal and heavy guitar sounds enter the fray. It's a great track that moves from one style to the other, melodic one moment and crazy the next.
4) "Points of Authority" (3:20) ~ A very synthetic opening to the track, followed by rap and a very mixed up guitar riff and percussion beats …. Before the singing kicks in.. "You like to think your never wrong…"
5) "Crawling" (3:29) ~ Probably one of the most well known Linkin Park tracks and a definite highlight. Starts with very light synthesising sounds for about 20 seconds, before the a quick guitar strum introduces the lead raw vocal "Crawling in my skin … these wounds they will not heal … fear is how I fall … confusing what is real"
The rap the kicks in… "There's something in me that crawls beneath the surface…"
This is a fabulous mix of different genres, which is very raw and energetic and generates adrenalin in the listener, provided you like the style of music that is!
6) "Runaway" (3:03) ~ Synthesisers and light percussion introduce this track, followed by a heavy guitar sequence, and then back to synthesisers, before the load vocal begins.
"I wanna run away, never say goodbye…"
Again, a fusion of different styles, switching between more melodic synthetic sounds back to metallic guitar sequences and raw vocals, interspersed with rap. Plenty of metal shouting vocals in this track also, which add to the mayhem. The kind of track that my parents would hate!
7) "By Myself" (3:09) ~ Mental from the beginning with a good 10 seconds of heavy guitar riffs and heavy percuission, before synthesisers give the song a more melodic feel, and the rap starts, then the mayhem begins again….
"I can't hold on … it's all too much to take in…"
8) "In The End" (3:36) ~ The song I bought the album on the strength of. It begins with a great keyboard introduction and then the rap .. "It starts with … one thing …"
The keyboard intro continues throughout the track and is the hook for this particular track. This track is a fusion between hip-hop, rap, electronica dance and metal. The vocal is strong and probably more melodic at times than any of the other tracks on the album. The guitar playing is not as hard as on the other tracks, more within the rock genre, and the drumming is more varied.
A great track, which finishes where the rack started, with an outplay of the keyboard
9) "Place For My Head" (3:04) ~ Starts with a corking guitar riff that is followed by a mix of percussion beats and turntable scratching, before the rapping kicks in and the initial guitar riff continues. The tone and tempo change to a heavy sequence of guitar sounds when the song kicks in, and the track inter-changes between the lighter and heavy sounds when the rap and singing switch.
10) "Forgotten" (3:14) ~ Another track that is mental from the beginning, with heavy guitar riffs and a mix of rapping and singing right form the beginning. The tone changes 20 seconds in and like many of the songs, mixes a lighter blend of synthetic sounds and guitar riffs with rap, before heavier percussion and guitar riffs in the change to singing.
11) "Cure For The Itch" (2:37) ~ Starts with someone coughing and spluttering, as an MC introduces the music. This song provides a mix of excellent turntable scratching that Mix Master Mike of Beastie Boys fame would be fairly proud of. This song is full of samples, mixed up percussion beats, and synthetic noises, blended nicely with piano riffs for a track without any rap or singing. This is a great track and you could be mistaken for thinking it was The Prodigy or The Beastie Boys themselves.
12) "Pushing Me Away" (3:11) ~ A light synthetic intro, with chiming keyboards sounds before a short heavy burst of guitar, and a much softer vocal than is evident on most of the other tracks. The rap on this track is generally always interplayed with the lead vocal. The chorus is more in keeping with the rest of the album, changing tempo completely from the verses of the song.
I must admit that I found myself being very surprised that I actually enjoyed this album and it's one I don't really listen to enough. But, as I have in excess of 320 CD's, it's difficult to listen to them all!! My iPod tells me that the 4,165 songs I have loaded on my iPod constitute 275.4 days of listening, so on that premis, I think most people do not generally listen too much of their musical collection.
I have listened to about 10 albums today, 3 of which I have reviewed this evening! All of which are quite diverse as well 1!
Anyway, as always, thanks for reading, I'm gonna go and watch Final Destination 3 with Little Big Brother! (One down from me, but one up from Little Bro!)
Advantages: Great hybrid of styles; it rocks! Disadvantages: Too short
...track that spoils it. Well, Hybrid Theory comes pretty close to being that elusive record. My one other criterion is the test of time: do I still like it a year later? So, look out for an update on this next year! Musically, Linkin Park sounds most like fellow newcomers, Papa Roach. At times they remind me of Faith No More, Korn, Deftones, Red Hot Chili Peppers. Their ‘thing’ is that they have two lead vocalists. One of them alternates ... ...a demented screaming growl (still melodic, though!) and the other is a sort of hip-hop style. Those thrashing guitars always back the combination but they’re not scared to get quiet also. The sleeve notes also reveal a bit about who the band are and how they regard themselves:
Linkin Park is:
CHESTER BENNINGTON: Vocals
ROB BOURDON: Drums, backing vocals
BRAD DELSON: Guitars, bass, backing vocals
JOSEPH HAHN: Records, sampling, backing ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
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Quality and consistency...
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very helpful
23.06.2001
Linkin Park Review ofHybrid Theory - Linkin Parkby
edd101
Advantages: great DJ,Great singin ratio, its very good Disadvantages: the drums are not very loud and its the same story with the guitars
I have read many ops on this album over the time I have been member on both dooyoo and ciao and I have felt that none of them have really done this great album justice. So I help that my op does………
A year ago hardly anyone had heard of linkin park and there nu-metal style, since then they have become massive and are taking the music industry by storm.
The band members are all very skilled and talented, however in some of the songs ... ...true potential. The drumming in the album is not really all that prominent, however if it was not there you would notice it! It just holds the beat to all of the songs, there is nothing special about the drumming.
The lyrics are actually quite good for a nu-metal band. They seem to have a meaning(if only I could work them out). They are sung in a brilliant way, the lead singer is very good and he has a very powerful and well used voice. The backing ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Greatly powerful Nu-Metal music, crushing guitar riffs. Disadvantages: Those not fond of guitar heavy music will not be impressed with what they hear.
Linkin Park exploded onto the music scene in 2000 with their 'Hybrid Theory' album. The band originally formed in 1996 under the name of 'Xero', actually changing the band name itself to 'Hybrid Theory' in 1999 before settling on the final name of Linkin Park. Whilst 'Hybrid Theory' did not stick as a band name, it did of course feature as the title of their début album which has to date sold in excess of 24 million copies worldwide.
'Hybrid Theory' ... ...that Linkin Park have released to date and contains the hit singles of 'Crawling', 'Papercut', 'One Step Closer', and 'In The End'. Whilst these are the hits, it is perhaps the album track 'Points of Authority' that is my favourite from this album. The track is just so raw and energetic, the band blast through this one without once looking back and it is therefore an absolute joy to listen to. It is edgy and you never quite know where the band are ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: I could listen to it allllll day long Disadvantages: The album only lasts 37 minutes
...lyrics. Boy, was I wrong!!! Hybrid Theory is a very deep and meaningful album, with absolutely NO swearing at all, which may be surprising for such a hardcore band, but all the songs can be blasted from your stereo without any complaints...unlike the Limp Bizkit album, which is securely fastened to my CD rack! Linkin Park are a new metal group consisting of around 5 members...I can never be sure as they're always moving around headbanging, or whatever. ... ...the not-so-delicate eardrums may appreciate Hybrid Theory. Although all the tracks on the album sound vaguely the same, due to similar bass lines, the lyrics all tackle different issues.
The songs people may be familiar with are One Step Closer, Crawling, and the new Papercut, which are all amazing in their own way. They also never get boring either - I remember one day I listened to the album 8 times, without getting bored of the tracks. But maybe ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
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very helpful
24.05.2001
Faith - No, more Review ofHybrid Theory - Linkin Parkby
TallTone
Advantages: Full power grunge-metal-scratch-rap hybrid Disadvantages: Not suitable for dinner parties
...band were originally known as Hybrid Theory (perhaps eponymous albums are no longer in vogue and they were forced to change their name?) and it should therefore come as no surprise that voice also gets the treatment. Shinoda takes emcee duties, his rapping wrapping round Chester Bennington’s full-power Patton-esque vocals, with useful backing contributions from all.
Of course, the rap element generates the need for a whole load of lyrics, ... ...outfit to advance the genre. Their grunge-metal-scratch-rap one-volume (loud) hybrid theory is well worth checking out.
Track listing: Papercut, One Step Closer, With You, Points of Authority, Crawling, Runaway, By Myself, In The End, A Place for My Head, Forgotten, Cure for the Itch, Pushing Me Away ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: great music performed live by a great band Disadvantages: it doesnt show them 100% at their best
...LinkinPark is Alive! Tons, and tons of energy in this show. LinkinPark was on tour with some of heavy metals, heaviest hittersin the Summer Sanatarium Tour with bands like Metallica, Limp Bizkit, Deftones, and Mudvayne and the cameras captured Linkinparks portion of the show.
the CD(12 audio live tracks) comes with DVD (17 performance tracks), case, and booklet (10 pages).
DVD DIRECTOR: Kimo Proudfoot
DVD PRODUCER: Matt Calabiano
ALBUM PRODUCER: Josh Abraham
Great an up close look at a band who is passionate about their music. The DVD has some off-stage sound bites and lots of on-stage action shots. The bands seems to have the big tough Metallica fans prancing happily in the Mosh Pit throughout the show which ya gotta give it linkinpark cos this difficult to do. take time to notice the text and art on the actual CDs...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Amazing Disadvantages: Makes A Linkin Park obsession inevitable
...LinkinPark's second album (not including the remix album, Reanimation) is greatly reminiscent to the first (HybridTheory). In fact, scratch that 'greatly reminiscent to the first', Great will do.
The vocals of Chester Bennington and scratch-scratch mixing command a certain respect from all Metal fans, and I will seize the opportunity to say that this is a safe bet if you are looking for a genuine, fresh metal album.
Although the style of 'HybridTheory' shines through in some of the tracks, LinkinPark's fresh ideas and originality prevent it from becoming too repetitive. It makes it great, in fact.
If you are a fan of LinkinPark, or, indeed, any Nu Metal bands, I can guarantee you will love this.
It is LinkinPark, after all. You can't really put a foot wrong......
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
...Meteora is a brilliant come back album from the masters of music - LinkinPark. The structure of Meteroa is much more musically advanced and more fluent. Although it contains less rap and more of the screaming there are still the amazing signature powerful guitar riffs found in HybridTheory.
I myslef am I big fan of LinkinPark and loved their HybridTheory album and believe that nothing caqn truely match up to a bands frist album, but Meteroa does challenge my beliefs! I however would not recommend Re-Animation. I found this collaberation album to be LinkinPark's worst album and a definate let down.
I would reccommend Meterora to anyone familiar to Linkinpark's unique music style and to anyone that truely appreciates techo rock music! A great buy!...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Label / Distributor: Warner Bros. / Cinram Logistics
Producer: Don Gilmore
Pieces in Set: 1
Studio / Live: Studio
Stereo: Stereo
Format: Performer
EAN: 93624775522
Catalogue Number: 9362477552
Additional notes
Album Notes: Linkin Park: Mike Shinoda (vocals, programming, samples); Chester Bennington (vocals); Brad Delson (guitar, bass, background vocals); Rob Bourdon (drums, background vocals); Joseph Hahn (turntables, programming). Additional personnel includes: Ian Hornbeck, Scott Koziol (bass); The Dust Brothers (programming). Recorded at NRG Recordings, North Hollywood, California. "Crawling" won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance. Linkin Park's mixture of metal, industrial rock, and rap fits comfortably into the niche created by the likes of Kid Rock, Korn, and Limp Bizkit. The opening "Papercut" is every bit as angular and unavoidable as its title. "With You" opens with electronic squeaks and squiggles before leaping into a mix of heavy guitar riffs and hip-hop rhythms. "Crawling" bears a largely subdued tone and atmospheric synth coloring that provides a respite from the crushing riffs and grinding rhythms that typify HYBRID THEORY, but even this relatively sedate song is full of tension and sonic angst. The five young men of Linkin Park are on a mission to communicate their inner turmoil through a non-stop barrage of confrontational lyrics and aggressive aural constructions, and their debut gets the point across with alacrity.
Album Reviews: Q (1/03, p.56) - Included in Q Magazine's "100 Greatest Albums Ever" Q (1/01, p.111) - 4 out of 5 stars - "...Giving angst-ridden rock...an effective electronic spin....Throw in the contrasting vocal interplay of gruff rapper Mike Shinoda and crooner Chester Bellington, hooks you could land a whale with and Fred Durst-style earnestness and [the group] shine like the proverbial diamond in excrement..." Melody Maker (11/14/00, p.51) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...An absolutely storming debut....packing more punch than Lennox Lewis armed with a rolled up copy of well...Punch....Award this album the red baseball cap of merit..." NME (1/13/01, p.35) - 6 out of 10 - "...There is innovation here..." CMJ (11/20/00, p.22) - "...a solid hit machine, combining the catchy with the crisp, the melodic with the monstrous..."
Titles on disc 1
1.: Papercut
2.: One Step Closer
3.: With You
4.: Points Of Authority
5.: Crawling
6.: Runaway
7.: By Myself
8.: In The End
9.: Place For My Head
10.: Forgotten
11.: Cure For The Itch
12.: Pushing Me Away
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Listed on Ciao since : 22/01/2001
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