I work at HMV, so I get my hands on the latest releases from DVD's to Video Games.
I work at HMV, so I get my hands on the latest releases from DVD's to Video Games.
Member since:04.12.2003
Reviews:17
If you're a Linkin Park fan like me, you will have been dying for some new material, I was fed up of hearing crap remixes and live albums. So this month, dawns the release of Linkin Park's new studio album, loaded with 12 fresh songs. A fair warning to true fans, this is nothing like you've heard before, they've tried to cover many new aspects of music, this has romantic slow tunes, some extremely loud heavy tunes, and even a lovely acoustic track.
I'll break down each song for you, and then give my overall opinion.
01. Wake (1.43)
The track begins very gently, almost ghostly infact. As the song progresses more beats emerge to create a well structured piece, no lyrics are heard as this is simply a introduction to the album.
Verdict : 7/10
02. Given Up (3.11)
A great song, very different for Linkin Park. The song begins with clapping which continues in the background for the entire track. The guitar is simply amazing, and Chester's vocals are simply top notch. Also, this is their very first song to contain the almighty 'f word'.
Verdict : 8/10
03. Leave out all the rest (3.31)
I actually dislike this song, it sounds messy. Chester however is an amazing singer and it certainly shows how versatile he can be, however, the song never seems to find a tempo its satisfied with, one minute its lovely and gentle,
then it suddenly goes all over the place and just loses everything.
Verdict : 3/10
04. Bleed it Out (2.46)
I simply adore this song, it's everything you'd expect from a Linkin Park song and more. Finally we get to hear some of Mike Shinoda. The rhythm is incredible, again clapping is throughout the peice with a heavy drumbeat and some great guitar. Mike has about 3 verses with Chester bridging each verse with a heavy chorus of screaming. One minor issue, the end of the song seems to get extremely repetitive, with the loss of Mike, Chester simply repeats the chorus over and over.
Verdict : 9/10
05. Shadow of the day (4.52)
A very easy song for the ears. Even someone who isn't a huge Linkin Park fan will more than likely appreciate this song. The strongest point of this track is surely the lyrics, they are simply incredible and actually give you a great story if you listen hard enough. The tune itself is very slow, very cute, very ghostly and perhaps even slightly depressing. You will actually fall in love with Chester's voice.
Verdict : 9/10
06. What I've Done (3.28)
The first single to be released and already a huge hit reaching #1 in most rock charts.
Personally, I wasn't a huge fan. When I first heard it I was just like "Meh..", but after listening to it about..ah something like 3 times, it grew on me considerably.
The drumming is perhaps the best bit of the song, it's somewhat complex and suits the song perfectly.
Also this has a small solo by Brad which is the first time ever in a Linkin Park song.
Chester sings the entire song with Mike backing him up slightly at the end with a groundbreaking 'na na na na' <3
Verdict : 7/10
07. Hands held high (3.55)
Whilst listening to this track you'll immediately compare it to Eminem's 'Like Toy Soldiers', the drumbeat is very similar.
You'll only hear Mikes Voice during this song and he raps the whole darn thing.
Whilst a catchy tune, it doesn't seem to fit on the album very well, it sounds more like it belongs on a mainstream rap album or his own album 'Fort Minor'.
The lyrics are very deep and reflect on war and the losses that occur.
Verdict : 7/10
08. No More Sorrow (3.43)
Heaviest on the album and perhaps my favourite.
If you heard this on the radio, your first instinct would most definitly not be Linkin Park.
Again the drumming is perhaps the highlight, Rob has certainly had a chance to use all his skills on this track.
The guitar is very heavy and Chester screams a bit too much.
Also one small gripe, again this song seems very repetitive and not amazingly unique lyrically.
Lots of anger to the song, and is great to listen to when you're just pissed off :]
Verdict : 9/10
09. Valentines day (3.19)
What's this!? A love song?! Ewww! Wait...it's actually good?
Yes! It's pretty darn awesome actually. You'll have to bare with the slightly TOO long intro and slightly weak vocals but after that you're in for a treat.
The tune is passionately sung with some nice lyrics but the true problem is the abrupt ending, just as things were getting good...bum.
Verdict : 6/10
10. In between (3.18)
NO! DIE SHINODA DIE!
Actually, he's a suprisingly good singer our Shinoda, but only when he has a good tune to sing to...this isn't one of them.
Very dull, very repetitive, save time and just hit skip.
Suprised this was on the album actually, they were probably too shy to say 'Sorry Mike, but this is a bit shite.'
Verdict : 1/10
11. In Pieces (3.40)
Ah this is probably compensation for the crap song before.
Synthetic beats begin the tune with Chester singing over the top.
Lyrically okay, nothing amazing, but certainly acceptable.
As the song progresses more elements are added and actually it breaks into a rather catchy Ska beat which will have you moving to the beat :]
Brad is truly incredible at guitar and this is his showcase.
Verdict : 10/10
12. The little things give you away (6.25)
If there is one song on this album which truly doesn't sound like anything LP have done before, it's this one.
This song has been hyped up considerably for being their first acoustic tune.
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, rock, hip-hop, punk, reggae and some others. But do we 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 contain some naughty words.
Putting that all aside, if you were a fan of LP then this album will certainly entertain you, however don't have high hopes.
Overall 7/10
(This review can also be found on VF, along with some of my other music reviews)
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Minutes to Midnight stands to defend Linkin Park's status as the hardest-rockin' softies ... more
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...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: The title of the album rocks, This terrible sellout lasts 'only' 43 minutes. Disadvantages: It lasts !!43!! Minutes, every song is horrible, theire new logo sucks too.
Advantages: Shows Linkin Park can completely change and still be as brilliant as ever Disadvantages: Not all fans approve, some disagree with the change.
![Minutes To Midnight (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Linkin Park](http://imagesa.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/normal/278/product-6654278.jpg)
![Overall user rating: Minutes To Midnight (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Linkin Park](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/stars/2003/stars35.gif)
Mar 20th, 2009
very helpful by (100%):
![Greatest Hits Vol.1 (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Korn](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/605/prod_small-5878605.jpg)
![Meteora [Digipak] [ECD] - Linkin Park](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/745/prod_small-5332745.jpg)
![Results May Vary [PA] - Limp Bizkit](http://imagesa.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/940/prod_small-5345940.jpg)
![Minutes To Midnight (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Linkin Park - review by PaulMelia](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/stars/2003/stars10.gif)
![Minutes To Midnight (Tour Edition/Parental Advisory) [PA] - Linkin Park - review by MinutesAlone](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/stars/2003/stars40.gif)
