Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park > Reviews > This could be the best debut album of all time...

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Not applicable
Value for Money

Advantages:	Great hybrid of styles; it rocks !
Disadvantages:	Too short

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Well, okay, that statement’s a bit inflammatory coming from someone who took 20 years to get from Bucks Fizz to Bob Dylan! I freely admit that there are dozens of artists whose debut albums with which I am not familiar, so it’s a silly statement. But it’s a good title and it is a brilliant album, so, I’m sorry, but I won’t apologise. (!)

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I headbanged like a child. Thankfully, there are no signs of permanent brain damage (you might disagree!) Now, as an adult, I may not have long, greasy hair, I may not have a face full of zits (Hallelujah!) and I may not sing badly and loudly at inappropriate moments (okay, I still do that one) but I am still a fan of noisy guitar music. Okay, I can now appreciate the subtlety and elegance of a true artist like Dylan, but even he wrote "Like A Rolling Stone", and wanted to rock out at times. The trouble is, there’s not too many bands around these days that actually do it with any style.

And then comes Linkin Park’s album, "Hybrid Theory".

I heard about this band in some music magazine that was hyping them up as The Next Big Thing™. Then I saw the video for their single "Crawling" several times on cable music channels. It’s fair to say that this song blew me away. The heavy guitar riffs, the screaming yet melodic vocals, the incredibly catchy chorus that soon had me singing along. I went straight out to buy their album (which was pretty silly as it was after midnight and all the shops were shut!)

When I did get hold of their album, I immediately fell in love with it. I’m very critical when it comes to albums. I’ve yet to come across the ‘perfect’ album: one on which I like every track and containing two or three all-time classic songs. There always seems to be one duff 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 between a regular ‘pop’ type of vocal before warping into 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 vocals

MIKE SHINODA: Emcee, vocals, beats, sampling.

The Dust Brothers also supply additional beats on one track, and while I am not a fan of this type of music, it blends well into the more traditional rock elements, giving it a fresh feel. No doubt, the album title (also the band’s original name) is a reflection of the different influences that the band has incorporated into their own sound.

Here’s a rundown of the tracks:

1. Papercut (3:05)

"It’s like I can’t stop what I’m hearing within
It’s like the face inside is right beneath my skin"

The new single. Catch the video on MTV; lots of strange images and insects fluttering about: quite creepy. This song most reminds me of the late lamented Faith No More. They use the same trick of having two strong melodies in the song, which are eventually sung counterpoint (if that’s the correct term?) I’m a sucker for that and the Park does it very well. (10/10)

2. One Step Closer (2:36)

"All these words they make no sense
I find bliss in ignorance"

The first single off the album, I think, and another infectious tune. The chorus is just SO catchy – "Everything you say to me/ Takes me one step closer to the edge/ And I’m about to break". Like many of their contemporaries, they could be classed as "angst rock" because the lyrics are so much about internalised feelings, usually of worthlessness or being ‘lost’. However, there is much more hope here than, for instance, on a Korn or Creed record. (10/10)

3. With You (3:23)

"The sound of your voice painted on my memories
Even if you’re not with me, I’m with you"

This is the Dust Brothers track, and despite a rappy verse it soon rocks out with a killer chorus. (9/10)

4. Points Of Authority (3:20)

"You like to think you’re never wrong
You want to act like you’re someone
You want someone to hurt like you
You want to share what you’ve been through
(You live what you learn)"

Another great set of lyrics. This one seems to be about the effect parents can have on their children and how the bad things that happen to them can be passed on. (9/10)

5. Crawling (3:29)

"Crawling in my skin
These wounds, they will not heal
Fear is how I fall
Confusing what is real"

This is where I came in. A great song that demonstrates the strengths of the band. The way it goes from the poppy type vocals, through the hip-hop style and into the hardcore screaming in the chorus is magnificent. That guy must be doing all sorts of damage to his voice in that song! You might be familiar with this one as it was a recent hit single over here and is played repeatedly on MTV/The Box. (10/10)

6. Runaway (3:04)

"I wanna know the answers
No more lies
I wanna shut the door
And open up my mind"

More poppy vocals that kind of remind me of Savage Garden before the screaming starts again. As good a point as any to point out the brilliance of the playing - guitars, bass, drums, all make their presence felt. (9/10)

7. By Myself (3:10)

"If I’m killed by the questions like a cancer
Then I’ll be buried in the silence of the answer"

My favourite lines from the album. Hip-hop comes to the fore on this track with lots of electronica, before another catchy chorus. (9/10)

8. In The End (3:36)

"I tried so hard and got so far
But in the end it doesn’t even matter"

The best song on the album. Starts brilliantly with piano before the hip-hop vocals kick in, building to a hook that WILL have you singing along, grinning like a loon! Ends with that wonderful piano again. Surely they must release this as a single? (10/10)

9. A Place For My Head (3:05)

"I want to be in the energy, not with the enemy
A place for my head"

Another brilliant introduction, a plucked guitar riff, leading into a blistering chorus. Nine Inch Nails, this one, I think. (10/10)

10. Forgotten (3:14)

It’s about this stage that you realise that just about any track on this album could be a single. They seem incapable of writing a bad song. For such a young band this is a real achievement. This has another great chorus. (9/10)

11. Cure For The Itch (2:38)

Starts with a spoken introduction but is really just a collection of electronic samples and beats. I NEVER thought I could listen to stuff like this and enjoy it! Best bit is the piano, though. (9/10)

12. Pushing Me Away (3:12)

"This is the last time I’ll take the blame
For the sake of being with you"

All about the frustrations of a relationship. The main vocals sound a bit like Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode on this one. Good to see it end with yet another strong song. (9/10)

As soon as this album’s over you just want to play it again! It’s full of energy, intelligent lyrics and a great sound (it’s mixed by the great Andy Wallace, so you know what to expect.)

The only negative is the length of the album. It totals only 37 minutes, which is far too short. I’ll forgive them this time because it’s their first album and the quality is so high, and...well, I’m a pretty nice guy! But next time will be a challenge. I think they’ll have to experiment with longer songs and continue to develop by creating new sounds and listening experiences.

Something struck me when I had finished listening to the album for the first time. This was a bunch of young Americans, playing aggressive music, dabbling in hip-hop, and yet there was NO swearing on the album! I found this very refreshing as swearing always distracts me and, as this album proves, there is always a more intelligent approach to lyrics that can be taken. It also made me think of one thing: Christians! Checking out their sleevenotes two of the band do mention God; one of them thanking him for the talent he had given him and for allowing him opportunities to use those talents. They are not a Christian band as none of the songs are openly about God. Perhaps knowing that that stereotypical image that would be associated with them would result in commercial suicide, it is something which they are not going to promote. It will be interesting to see how their lyrics develop as well as their music in the coming years.

With Feeder in the UK and Linkin Park from the US, rock music is in safe hands. The best compliment I can give this album is that it made me feel like taking up air guitar again! If you like any of the bands I have namechecked in this opinion you could do yourself a favour by buying their album.

Check out their website: www.linkinpark.com