Linkin Park - Minutes To Midnight

They've been quiet for a while and now they return with something that's a little different. But it's difference in a good way.
Compared to their previous albums, the missing ingredients here is the lack of the guy who 'raps' and the DJ who scratches away in the background. The rapper pops his head up every now and then, just to let everybody know he's still around, but I'm damned if I can hear any contribution from the DJ. And you know what....? Instead of creating a hole in their sound, they've actually produced some terrific, punchy tracks that sound as close to the Linkin Park of old, without having the stigma of "oh, it's another Linkin Park song" attached.

Admittedly, "What I've Done", the first single to be taken from the album has their stamp all over it, but that said, it's probably the most instantly recognizable 'Park' track of them all.

The album kicks off with the instrumental track "Wake", complete with the wonderful sound of a needle on an old vinyl record. Those were the days! What follows is "Given Up", a shouty rock track with pounding drums, flapping basslines and heavy power chords, complimented by the lead singer shouting his fucking head off. I think it's safe to assume this is an angry track from the line, "Put me out of my....put me out of my....put me out of my fucking misery"
Lovely!
"Leave out all the rest" churns along nicely, especially with the cello sound in the background. Mellow vocals delivered in the familiar 'Park' of old, this could have the makings of a strong single.
"Bleed it out" is the first rare appearance of the guy who raps in between the shouty vocals and it's nothing short of a great song. It drives along with double tempo snare drum and hand claps that just screams for it to be a windows down, driving song. Or maybe that's just me. "Bring that chorus in!"
Next up comes "Shadow of the day". A programmed percussion beat, whining keyboards and a strolling bassline make for a pleasant song. His vocals are pretty good on this one and after the third or forth listen, it could quite easily have been an Embrace or dare I say it....a U2 song. The swirly strings that keep cutting in are particularly nice. It ends with a nice interlude, running straight into the single "What I've done", which is of course a brilliant song.
We then get "Hands held high" and the re-appearance of 'the guy who raps'. Add a military snare and kick drum to keyboards and strings. Then add a dose of 'rapping' and some harmonised vocals and you get something that sounds like it belongs on a Status Quo album.
A brief flick of the skip button and we are back on track with the pounding "No more sorrow". Power chords a plenty and screaming vocals. Breaks in between the chorus and a great hook from the guitar. Oh yes, this is one monster tune!
"Valentines day" is up next. Again, all the old 'Park' ingredients are there but this sounds like they're dipping their toes into the territory of My Chemical Romance , a la Black Parade. There's a great break in the middle when the echoed piano leads everything else, and then Wham!!! the chorus kicks in and suddenly everything in the world is brilliant. My only criticism is that it's just too damned short!
Bringing up the rear end of the album is "In between" a programmed percussive song with that lovely cello sound again. Mix it up with some keyboards and some choral harmonies and once again we have them treading into other territories. If this song were slowed right down, then it wouldn't be out of place on an Eels cd. Following this comes "In pieces", a fast tempo beat with strutting guitars and wild solos. His vocals begin off in a slightly withdrawn manner, then build into his formidable style of 'shouty', without being too...well, shouty. Great song.
And then we come to the final song, "The little things give you away". For me, this is by far the best track on the album. After the first listen, this is the track I wanted to hear again right away. It's difficult to explain how it sounds like Linkin Park, without sounding like them at all, but it does. A little feedback, followed by programmed beats, then a strumming acoustic guitar gives you the intro. His voice is almost delicate. We get a chorus in the same calm style, then a break and then another verse but all the time the 'sound' is building. Oh yes, it's a tried and tested formula and it works brilliantly for them. Echoes in the bridge....strings that nod their head to Kate Bush....and then a great guitar solo that asks....nay, demands some air guitar playing. Oh yes, I've been there. Top it all off with another bridge of backing vocals, some harmonies and various loops of his voice and you're left feeling completely satisfied. I have to admit, I love it when the last track of an album is a killer and this one is a perfect example of how an album should end.

So....Some people wrinkle their noses up at Linkin Park, but to those I say "Hey, give it a chance!" There's less of the Rapping guy, there's a complete lack of the DJ and there's a killer ending track. What more could you want?!


Take these and if you like them, buy the album.

The little things give you away.

Leave out all the rest.

Valentines day.

Bleed it out.

In pieces.

Currently filed in the 'Play often and loud' folder.