Meteora (+DVD) [ECD] - Linkin Park

...In The End. So when Meteora came out I got it immediately and still haven't got bored of it.
When I saw Linkin Park perform it live, I was amazed, this album is perfect, and live it is even better. This should be in your record collection and is sure to become a classic.

Linkin Park is a nu-metal band composed of Chester Bennington (Vocals), Rob Bourdon (Drums), Brad Delson (Guitars), Joseph Hahn (Records, Sampling), Phoenix ...
...Linkin Park.

Meteora is the newest album composed completely of Linkin Park, and is easily their best. It was produced once again with Don Gilmore and is described as being 'darker' than their debut, as they have evolved, once more successfully blending rock, rap, metal and pop to form this album.

Track List
1. Foreword- basically an introduction to the album and 'Don't Stay', there is no real point to it.
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Well whereto start. I think everyone should know I'm a huge Linkin Park fan, ever since I heard In The End. So when Meteora came out I got it immediately and still haven't got bored of it.
When I saw Linkin Park perform it live, I was amazed, this album is perfect, and live it is even better. This should be in your record collection and is sure to become a classic.

Linkin Park is a nu-metal band composed of Chester Bennington (Vocals), Rob Bourdon (Drums), Brad Delson (Guitars), Joseph Hahn (Records, Sampling), Phoenix (Bass) and Mike Shinoda (Emcee, Vocals and Sampling). They are a multi-million selling band, with the records:

Hybrid Theory- their debut and still a great record.
Reanimation- a collection of remixes of songs from Hybrid Theory.
Meteora- the new album that is amazing.
Collision Course- 6 tracks that have been remixed with Jay-Z and Linkin Park.

Meteora is the newest album composed completely of Linkin Park, and is easily their best. It was produced once again with Don Gilmore and is described as being 'darker' than their debut, as they have evolved, once more successfully blending rock, rap, metal and pop to form this album.

Track List
1. Foreword- basically an introduction to the album and 'Don't Stay', there is no real point to it.
2. Don't Stay- One of the album's best songs. Real shows the listener how they have reinvented themselves. It is easy listening and a great opening. 9/10
3. Somewhere I Belong- the first single released from the album. Has a great introduction of Chester playing acoustic guitar, then having it flipped backwards, for a weird, warped affect. A great song, and it should be as Chester wrote the chorus 40 times. Its easy listening and a real showcase of Chester's vocals, starting off melodic and relaxed and then going into his full aggressive voice. 8/10
4. Lying From You- Written in the back of the tour bus, this is the true introduction to Meteora and the new Linkin Park. It's a techno/rap/rock song that is simply awesome. Chester and Mike fuse rap and rock to great effect, battling against the heavy guitars and violins. The sound represents the song's lyrics and really makes it addictive to listen to. 9/10
5. Hit The Floor- A hip-hop beat over layered with metal, truly inspiring. Chester shows what he is great at again, being aggressive and screaming. But the Mike's rapping compliments it and balances it out making this seem like a continuation of Lying From You. A great linking song, keeps the album alive before entering the second stage of the record.
6. Easier To Run- The break, the transition from first to second part of the album, this is the best song. This would be great remixed as an acoustic, but the orchestra in the background becomes part of Chester and Mike's vocals and makes this track perfect. While the electric guitar in the chorus keeps it as a rock sound. 10/10 (My favourite)
7. Faint- A truly unique introduction that makes the whole song. It sucks you in, and after that you're not going to come out. It's perfect for all listeners, fuses techno/rap/rock/pop in perfection making easy listening and a smash hit. Chester and Mike are at their best and the backing music is awesome. 10/10
8. Figure.09- Just a linking track between two great songs. Doesn't try to be great, just keeps the album going, whilst being easy to listen to and a head banging song. Because of this I find this song quite endearing, and wish it could have been so much more. 8/10
9. Breaking The Habit- A stand-out song, it allows Chester to show how adaptable he is, singing hard bass riffs and drum beats. This song took 6 years to make, and the final version is definitely worth the wait. It has a distinct feel, of older 80's rock being rewritten for the new modern audience. 9/10
10. From The Inside- Shows that the band that made Hybrid Theory is still there and at their best. Chester screams his head off; it's all the types of metal there are in one song, which just makes it great. A great song that just has to be listened to. 9/10
11. Nobody's Listening- This song is fused by Mike's vocals. The Japanese flue which is used throughout is very effective in making this song have it's own style, as it has no guitar. It is pure rap and hip-hop, that make it stand out and an album with all element of music. 8/10
12. Session- An instrumental piece, that is superb. The mixing of it has made the feel like the song has lyrics. If lyrics had been written this song would be awesome and certainly one of Linkin Park's best, unfortunately without them it is merely good, with a great beat and melody. 7/10
13. Numb- The last song, it had to be great and Linkin Park don't disappoint. It is true nu-metal with the perfect melodic backing, lyrics, beat and introduction. Chester and Mike are awesome, and the introduction begins the defining Linkin Park song. This is Linkin Park at their simplest and best. This song defines them as a band and really finishes the album making you want to listen to it again. 10/10 (Their best song)

Fans who loved Hybrid Theory are going to love this, it's a new reinvented Linkin Park that has taken the best of them and improved it. New Listeners will hear it and think WOW, this has everything, the introductions, he lyrics, the personality, it is a complete album, on which no detail has been missed. Chester's voice is better, more precise, even less forgiving, whilst Mike balances it with great, perfectly timed raping. Even the music is better, more biting and harsh, keeping it primarily a metal album. Simply un-improvable, and defining Linkin Park.

Cost- £9.97 off Amazon.co.uk, so well worth its money.

Then of course, you can get the special edition; with "The Art Of Meteora" this is a 17 min documentary on the making of Meteora, commented on by the band. It talks about the album art, songs, producing, marketing and inspiration for it. This is a must have for Linkin Park fans and is extremely interesting all round.

Cost- £18.99 off Amazon.co.uk 

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