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Linkin Park: Minutes to midnight

14/09/07 || Lord K Philipson

I definitely have too much time on my hands if I decide (sober, even) to review something by Linkin Park. And by stating that, I’m sure there won’t be anything remotely funny or even very fucken interesting said in this coverage. But hey, that’s how it is sometimes. And when I think about it, I rather pick an album by these guys to review than 90% of the shitty albums and demos sent to us from bands believing they are the hottest shit since Dino Cazares’ greasy pubic hair.

I’m the first to admit that I completely loved their “Hybrid Theory” album when it first came out. It sounded fresh and was so jampacked with catchiness the nastiest flu fucken paled in comparison. It wore out after a million listens though, but then again – which album doesn’t? (Any The Project Hate MCMXCIX album, that’s which. Fucko.)

For some reason I kinda missed out on their “Meteora” album, and I still don’t know why, nor care all that much. May have to give that one a listen one of these days as I’m sure it holds some potential hits of yesteryear. Anyways, it’s 2007 and here comes “Minutes to midnight”, an album I decided to pick up (ofcourse not literally as in buying it – I’m a lowlife internet thief, just like you) after seeing some fucken video on MTV or whatever. I didn’t particularly like what I heard all that fucken much, but decided to give it a shot anyways, considering the fact that I really spent some time in the past listening to the mentioned “Hybrid Theory”. Hell, I have for sure dated worse chicks. I mean albums.

So, let’s pull out our cocks and continue, shall we?

I think Uncle Fester Lester Molester Besterton (or whatever his goddamn name is – need to find that out before doing the credits for this fucken review, I guess) is a fantastic vocalist. He’s got a very nice clean voice and enough of aggression when needed to impress me. He’s no different this time around. Basically, this guy is what makes Linkin Park what they are. Pretty much what Amy Lee is to Evanescence vocal-wise, if you get my point. Ok, that, and the catchy tunes might play a part as well, in both cases.

“Minutes to midnight” sounds just like one could expect. Linkin Park is a platinum selling unit for a reason, they know how to create music that will instantly hit you like Scott Stevens used to hit Eric Lindros in the good old days (Steven’s good old days, not Eric’s). But on this album something’s missing. Too many slow songs? Too much cheese and butter? I don’t know, but it’s hardly making the same impact on me as “Hybrid Theory” did back in the day. Maybe the concept is worn out? Maybe I’m short of wuzz-genes? (goes without saying when you think about it). Yeah, that might be it. It’s watered down now… It usually comes down to this for every band at some point in their career…

Basically, there’s nothing refreshing about Linkin Park anymore. And when they create songs like “Given up” (which, at its worst moments, sounds like something Clawfinger could cook up) or “Bleed it out” (which I just can’t resist to somewhat dig though it’s actually fucken awful), I think it’s time they invent the Wheel of Go Fuck Themselves. On the good side, it seems like the semi-rap vocals have been put to a minimum this time around, something I certainly don’t mind at all. That just means more room for Molester’s clean throatal (hell no, I don’t even think that’s a word – if it is, congratulations to me) endeavors…

“Minutes to midnight” is sometimes a catchy and very smoothly arranged record that cost ten times more to record than all of black metal’s albums combined. And it can be heard. The production is excellent.

This piece is smack-full of hooks and sing-along choruses, Linkin Park’s trademarks if you will. But, as mentioned, this band is not nearly as fun to listen to today as they were when they first surfaced. Sure, we all know it’s custom-made for MTV and it is lacking every bit of soul and honesty, to put it mildly, but it works for what it is anyways: a commercial album. “Minutes to midnight” is ok, but “Hybrid Theory” will always be the finest point in their career.

Now I need to take a shit. I’ll bring the latest Epica album as toilet paper.

5 out of 10.

Information
Released: 2007
Label: Warner Bros
Website: www.linkinpark.com
Band
Chester Bennington: vocals, occasional guitar
Mike Shinoda: emcee, vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboard, piano
Rob Bourdon: drums, keyboard, piano
Brad Delson: leadguitar, strings
Dave Farrell: bass, backing vocals
Joe Hahn: turntables, programming, samples, beats

Tracklist
01. Wake
02. Given up
03. Leave out all the rest
04. Bleed it out
05. Shadow of the day
06. What I’ve done
07. Hands held high
08. No more sorrow
09. Valentine’s day
10. In between
11. In pieces
12. The little things give you away

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