... In this case, though, I was intrigued by the apparent range of opinions of Minutes to Midnight, Linkin Park's latest album. Personally I like it, and I will explain why, but I'm disappointed in those who appear to dislike it simply because it doesn't fit with their expectations. Good music ... Read review
in mainstream music. Like its predecessors Hybrid Theory (2000) and Meteroa (2003), Minutes to Midnight flexes plenty of decibel-heavy muscle ("Given Up," "Bleed I...
A review by HungryHungarian on Minutes To Midnight (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Linkin Park March 23rd, 2008
Author's product rating:
Originality
Average
Lyrics
Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks
A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Average
Value for Money
Good
Advantages:
It's Linkin Park, the general quality is good, some excellent songs
Disadvantages:
Potentially a bit of a let down, some almost pointless songs .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
23:56
I have a confession to make. I don't tend to read reviews written on a product I'm about to review myself, for fear of unintentional plagiarism and subconscious bias. In this case, though, I was intrigued by the apparent range of opinions of Minutes to Midnight, Linkin Park's latest album. Personally I like it, and I will explain why, but I'm disappointed in those who appear to dislike it simply because it doesn't fit with their expectations. Good music is good music, and will always be good music regardless of whether those creating it used to do something slightly different or not.
Minutes to Midnight
Fans of Meteora Linkin Park beware: this album is different. Some of the songs are a bit of a let down, but on the whole I think they've done a good job. Just accept that it's of a different style to Meteora and you'll get through it in one piece, I promise.
I was at the Minutes to Midnight tour at the O2 Arena on the second night. It was an unforgettable night.
Wake
Instrumental
Stylus onto record sound effect, and a slow gradual built up of sound on a keyboard. The sound levels increase until the drums come in followed shortly by a powerful guitar riff. This is just to get your blood pumping, as nothing else happens, and it then fades away to nothing. Not a song I listen to as a song, but it's a good intro when you listen to the album all the way through.
Given Up
I've given up, I'm sick of feeling. Is there nothing you can say? Take this all away, I'm suffocating! Tell me what the **** is wrong with me!
This is not one of my particular favourites. There's too much screaming (I don't like music that involves screaming), but the tune is compelling. I'm actually going to mention another reviewer here, and agree that the swear words in this are gratuitous, and don't really do the song any favours. It's a heavy song, but in the sense that you have to be in the mood for it to really enjoy it.
Leave Out All The Rest
When my time comes, forget the wrong that I've done. Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed
The tempo suddenly slows, the melody simplifies, and we just get simple vocal to get this song going. I'm not one for analysing the deeper meaning behind lyrics, but this one seems to be about regret, and death. It's about admitting that you've done wrong, but that you've done good things too, and those are things worth remembering. It's full of self pity, which only works if you're in a similar mood. I'm starting to realise that I prefer the middle to end of the album, as these first three songs aren't really anything to shout about in themselves.
Bleed It Out
I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away. I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away. I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away. Just to throw it away, just to throw it away.
This one however really gets the adrenaline going. Starting strong with an impressive and highly addictive guitar solo, it's loud, angry and ideal to sing along to, to vent all that frustration. The verse is a good rap solo by Mike Shinoda (similar to "In The End" from the Hybrid Theory album) and I really like it. It goes perfectly with the guitar, and introduces Chester Bennington singing the chorus (above) well.
Shadow Of The Day
And the sun will set for you, the sun will set for you. And the shadow of the day, will embrace the world in gray, and the sun will set for you...
How very cheerful. This song starts slowly again, but never really builds up to anything big. This song is a let down in my opinion. Nothing really happens, it just seems to be a generically depressing song with a vaguely generic tune. Now that I listen with the intent to review, it all sounds different. This song features highly on my "skip list".
What I've Done
So let mercy come and wash away what I've done. I'll face myself to cross out what I've become, erase myself and let go of what I've done.
MUCH better. Classic Linkin Park rock, with an awesome chorus that you'll just want to shout along to. I suppose it's angsty, but I really like it. It feels massively uplifting, with the lyrics reminding you that however low you may have gone, there's always the promise of redemption. The tune and backing work well in that context, building up and up and in a major key. All in all one of the best songs of the album.
Hands Held High
Do you see, the soldiers, they're out today they brush the dust from bulletproof vests away. It's ironic, at times like this you pray, but a bomb blew the mosque up yesterday.
I hope that quote made you sit up and pay attention. This is a powerful song designed to provoke some very strong emotions. This is one of two songs on the album where Linkin Park decide to express their contempt for the state of their country. They have a go at the current administration quite ruthlessly, and make no apologies for it. The singer, Mike Shinoda, is supported by a military style drumbeat and an organ, which makes for an interesting contrast. About two thirds of the way through, support vocalists sing "_Amen_" over and over (which, in case you don't know, means "so be it") while Mike sings "_With hands held high into a sky so blue as the ocean opens up to swallow you._" over and over again. The end does seem to drag on, especially as it doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the song, but it's certainly one of the better songs.
No More Sorrow
No, no more sorrow. I've paid for your mistakes. Your time is borrowed. Your time has come to be replaced.
Another heavy song. There's a good strong support guitar riff driving the song on, which starts the song in such a distinctive manner. I'm always amazed at how Chester can sing so high with such power. It's certainly not something I can do (believe me, I tried at the concert, with some very bad results for my voice!). This is another one of those songs you can really sink your teeth into. A good one, in my view.
Valentines Day
So now you're gone, and I was wrong. I never knew what it was like to be alone on a Valentine's Day.
I'm not really sure, to be honest. I've rated it 5 stars in my playlist, but there's still something unsettling about it. The first half of the song feels unnecessary somehow, as it doesn't seem to do anything. It's too slow, and the quality of the tune doesn't compensate for that. It ends with Chester shouting "_On a Valentine's Day_" repeatedly. At this point there's a large amount of noise from the guitars and drums, but it feels like too little too late.
In Between
Let me apologize to begin with. Let me apologize for what I'm about to say. But trying to be genuine was harder than it seemed, but somehow I got caught up in between.
This song is a nice ballad, but importantly, it's not trying to be something else. It starts of with a (fake) cello playing a repeating melody. I'm a cellist, so it sounds painfully bad to me as it's so fake, but it should be ok to the great unwashed! This is a nice song to learn the lyrics to, as singing along can be quite relaxing. You won't wreck your voice! It's nothing to write home about, but it's nice. I know "nice" isn't a word I should use, as it doesn't really meant anything, but it seems appropriate somehow.
In Pieces
So I, I wont be the one, be the one to leave this in pieces. And you, you will be alone, alone with all your secrets and regrets. Don't lie.
Well he's obviously been dumped, and seems to be having difficulty with it! This is another of those where I feel unsettled somehow, as it doesn't seem to have much of a point. There's some good guitar work in the middle, and the beat picks up as it goes on. It's a decent song, but again not really anything to write home about.
The Little Things Give You Away
Don't want to reach for me do you? I mean nothing to you. The little things give you away. And now there will be no mistaking, the levees are breaking. All you've ever wanted was someone to truly look up to you, and six feet under water, I do.
Hope decays, generations disappear; washed away as a nation simply stares.
Do you know what it is yet? I listened to this song a few times before it dawned on me exactly what it's about. It takes some audacity to mock a government because of their handling of a disaster, but it seems Linkin Park have audacity in spades. In case you haven't guessed it, it's about hurricane Katrina and New Orleans. Read the lyrics again.
Musically, it works brilliantly. The introductory drum and guitar rhythm is slightly creepy, and gives the impression of a dark, dank place. Chester comes in with his hauntingly lyrical voice. It's so gentle, it rather puts you off guard before you realise what it's about. About half way through, the style changes and I swear the guitar is underwater, though obviously it's not! I can almost hear dripping sounds, somehow. This is the longest song on the album, and it's relentless in making you brutally aware of their point! It's a very strange way to end an album, but it will stick with you for quite a while after listening.
Conclusion (not a song title!)
I've put myself into a horribly awkward position here. I started off thinking how amazing the album is, and what a glowing review this would be. Turns out that it's not. The album is good, don't get me wrong, but even taking the fact that it's of a different style from previous albums, it's not up to their usual standard. That said, I always enjoy listening to it, and some of the songs are excellent. Just don't analyse them too carefully like I have here. My favourite tracks: "Bleed It Out", "What I've Done", "No More Sorry" (so the heaviest ones!) and then "Hands Held High" and "The Little Things Give You Away". The album is worth buying for these 5 songs, so I'm going to give it 4 stars.
Advantages: Deep, meaningful content and an enjoyable, distinctive sound in some tracks... Disadvantages: ...some of the changes are quite drastic and there's a tendency towards soppy behaviour.
Minutes to Midnight is a step away from traditional nu-metal beginnings for Linkin Park, signifying a change in direction and a shift in position, allowing for a political voice to assist them with their move to the next level in tangibility. But are they crawling towards acceptance on their knees, or one step closer to the world realising them for the talent that they are?
Linkin Park are an American band, mainly catagorised as "nu-metal", who ... ...Shinoda made this statement when Minutes to Midnight was leaked onto the internet, saying that the track order was really important and that if people have downloaded their music, the least they could do is play it in order. Thing is, the album order is well out. Leave Out All The Rest shouldn't be here, it should be the second to last song on the album (I'd actually consider last, were it not for the fact that the last track does, in fact, work.). ...
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13.05.2007
Minutes to Midnight Review ofMinutes To Midnight (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Linkin Parkby
lorrainek90
Advantages: Great CD, lots of great songs on it Disadvantages: not exactly what linkin park fans are used to
Minutes 2 Midnight was released on the 14th May 2007. Minutes to Midnight is named after the doomsday clock that measures how close society is to wiping itself out through war and other selfish acts. This album was different than the others because the music became more mellowed out, still alternative rock but just in a different way. Hybrid Theory and Meteora the two most popular previous albums were full of screaming lyrics and rapping however ... ...and there is slower music in most of the album. So heres the song list: 1. Wake This is just a short instrumental at the start of the album as kind of an introduction to the CD. It is slow paced and nice to listen to. It sounds like at the start a needle being put onto a record track and then there is piano playing slowing, getting faster and more intense with also then towards the end drums and guitar playing as well. 2. Given Up This song is very ...
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20.04.2009
Well, it's different! Review ofMinutes To Midnight (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Linkin Parkby
bengoeswild
Advantages: Still a good sound. Disadvantages: Some very poor songs.
...At something like 6 minutes it does drag on a bit but it's not too bad. It's a very easy listening song and has something for everyone. A great way to end the album! Verdict : 7/10 Final thoughts: Overall, I must say I was slightly dissapointed, I've been a huge fan of LP for pretty much all my life and I expected more than this, possibly because we've had to wait for so long. The album has so many different genre's its amazing. It mixes pop, ... ...really want all of them? Probably not, I want the old Linkin Park tunes, I understand artists have to change with the times to prevent becoming repetitive but I really don't know what to say. I felt they were trying to reach out to a new broader audience, forgetting fans of their previous style. The album is certainly a grower, you'll have to loop it a fair few times to really appreciate the music. This is also their longest album and the first to ...
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Advantages: Proves Linkin Park dont care about loyal fans Disadvantages: Shows LP are prepared to ditch their values for mainstream acceptance
...AVOID
At 43 minutes this is one of the longer Linkin Park albums. A band notorious for poor value for money in terms of album length succeed in making a longer album but failed in offering VALUE for money.
Seriously avoid this album at all costs! I feel angry and disgusted that I paid out for this CD. I'm seriously considering sending this garbage to the Linkin Park fanmail address with the words utter shambollicks written on the front. Linkin ...
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16.07.2007
the sun will set for you Review ofMinutes To Midnight (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Linkin Parkby
rockchick2k7
Advantages: great beats and lyrics Disadvantages: some songs could start off better
Linkin Park:Mminutes To Midnight:
Shindoa and Bennington have done it again! this album is a masterpeice. sure the songs arent what they used to be now they mainley sing about politics the three best songs on this album have got to be 'Bleed It Out' 'Leave out all the rest'and 'Shadow of the day' by far. 1.)Wake: is a short instrumental like an introduction to this album.1:40
2.)Given up:the start is perfect really nice but then chester screams ... ...out all the rest: i love this song i think its got perfect lyrics you cant go wrong with this song.3:29
4.)Bleed it out:Another song that i like this is more of shinodas song as he does the verses and bennington only does the chorus.2:44
5.)Shadow of the day:This is amazing this song is if you havnt heard it you have to hear it, its on youtube just type in shadow of the day. the video is great its all about the place bennington in at war you see ...
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Advantages: Some very strong tracks. Disadvantages: Somehow a bit unfulfilling.
...Okay, I am not a LinkinPark fan, in fact I have never really liked them, so when my 13 year old said he wanted the new CD I thought I would buy it and then, for conversations sake, listen to it.....well, it was in my car for the last 3 weeks, and now he finally has it.
I am not sure if LinkinPark are American punk, post punk, mosh rock, or a mixture of all, what I do know is that this is, in my opinion, a very strong album.
The first track, "Wake" - is a bit trancy, quite short and builds up to what one would expect at the end of a rock opera, or a performance artist, trapeze etc, finishing their act, seemed like a bit of a strange opener, but not unpleasant.
"Given Up" - very 'moshy' quite fast, gets the foot tapping if driving, and at home when noone was looking, I did have a bit of a 'fling myself about' moment, like this...
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Advantages: New approach with their distinct flavour Disadvantages: Won't be for all Linkin Park fans
...First of all, I have to say that I am a complete LinkinPark fan so I was waiting for "MinutesToMidnight" with eager anticipation. Having said that I know a bad song when I hear it and likewise, a bad album. This is not one.
My initial response toLinkinPark's newest album was lukewarm, to say the least. I had expected something different but with the LinkinPark sound thoroughly threaded through each song like veins of familiarity. To a certain extent that is still the case, however, this is not your typical LinkinPark album. You truly need repeat listens to fully soak in all of the work they have put in.
It's obvious from the outset that they have tried something new with their style and it is wise to listen with an open mind. I think it is naive to think that a band will continue to churn out the same stuff time...
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Advantages: Shows Linkin Park can completely change and still be as brilliant as ever Disadvantages: Not all fans approve, some disagree with the change.
...Well, if you're reading this review, I'd just like to let you know, I know what I'm talking about here. I have been a loyal LinkinPark fan for about 7 years now, it might not sound a lot to you, but it is when you have only been alive for 15!
But dont be put off because of my age, dont believe I dont know what I'm talking about because believe me, I do. Anyway, enough of the small talk, lets get down to the album.
MinutestoMidnight. What can I say? Definitely one of the best albums released this year. Contains 11 proper songs, each as good as the last, and the wake.
1) "Wake" [1:41] - The introduction to the album. A good way to bring the quality of the album in slowly.
2) "Given up" [3:09] - The heaviest song on the album. Quite a contrast compared to the calmness of the wake, but helps to emphasise the metal genre...
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