The Review - Linkin Park - Minutes To Midnight

I am upset.  Why do todays' bands feel the need to re-invent themeselves?  What is wrong with continuing the sound that made you the band your are, the sound that gave you the fanbase you have.  There are so many risks involved in changing your music, that for the most part it fails when a band tries this.  Such an example is the new Album from Linkin Park.  Words cannot express how much I wanted this CD to be good.  Alas, I have been dissapointed.

Just Like shadows of their former selves... So Dissapointing.

So let's go through the CD song by song:

1.  Wake Up - A nice little instrumental that gets you ready for the album.  Gave me a feeling of hope for the album.  Off to a good start...

2.  Given Up - Starts off with this wierd clapping staccato, but works into a very nice song.  Frankly, so far I thought we were going to be okay.  Although Mike Shinoda has been mysteriously absent through the first to songs. 

3.  Leave out All the Rest - The first things I am starting to notice about the themes of this CD are that the song are quite slow as compared to their previous work.  Chester does a good job vocally on this song, but this isn't a Linkin Park song.  This will be a big hit on all the easy listening station across the country.  Reminiscent of Maroon 5, Nickelback, Etc.  UGh.....

4.  Bleed It Out - Wow, this started out very similarly to HIM's Wings of a Butterfly, but then enter's Mike Shinoda for the first time in the Album.  The song is fast, but not very lyrical.  The Chorus is just a repeating chant, although all respect to Mike and his lyrical ability.  I don't know what to make of this song yet. 

5.  Shadow of the Day - This sog represents why I a uncomfortable with this album.  This is not a Linkin Park song, it is a Ben Folds Five song, done by Linkin Park.  Chester SHINES in the song, but this is the type of music you will hear on all the easy listening station, as I said before.  People that follow this band (like myself) will not expect this type of music, that is for sure... 

Linkin Park - What I've Done

6.  What I've Done - The first single off the album gave me great hope.  Yes, I noticed that it was a different sound that past work, but It was rocking, Mr. Hahn is a part of the song (as compared to being fairly invisible throughout the rest of the album) and it wasn't a huge departure from their previous stylings.  A good song I really can't complain too much about.  The only thing missing is some lyrical work by Mike Shinoda.

7.  Hands Held High - In my humble opinion, this is probably the best single song on the album.  The ONLY problem I have with this is it is STRIKINGLY similar to the hit Mike Shinoda had with Fort Minor called "Where'd you Go?"  Mike Shinoda SHINES and has a very poigniant point throughout the song.  The best lyrics I have ever heard from him:

"My brother had a book he would hod with pride,

A little red cover with a broken spine,

On the back, he hand-wrote a quote inside,

"When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die"

People will complain that this is a very political song, but so be it.  He has something to say and it is a phenomenal song.  Will forever be on my playlist.

8.  No More Sorrow - The song that probably most resembles their previous work. Although the lack of work by Mr. Hahn is extremely evident throughout this song.  His work is missed dearly in here.  This song could have been huge, with just some Hahn work on it.  t's frustrating.

9.  Valentine's Day - Where to begin with this one.  First off, it takes soooo long to hit a chorus, that you lose interest in the song.  Also, Where in the hell is Mike Shinods throuout this album?!?  It's ridiculous!

10.  In Between - Oh! Here's Where Mike has been throughout the CD, apparently.  It's a nice song, with great harmonies, but for people like me, who love the Linkin Park of Faint, Numb, In the End, Crawling, this is NOT Linkin Park.  Also, I'm no songwriter, and I give them all the respect in the worl for what they d, but I just don't get lyrics in this song.  "The only thing that's worse that one is none"....  No shit!!  Really?!?

11.  In Pieces - This is the type of song that I would not expect from Linkin Park.  If I wanted to hear Snow Patrol I would have started playing my Snow Patrol CD.  I am starting to feel like this album is made up of covers.  It's unfortunate. 

12.  The Little Things Give You Away - A perfect way to end a very underwhelming Cd, with a underweling song.  It takes about 2 and a half minutes to start to actually resemble music, and by that time I have lost interest.

To be honest as I sit here listening to this album for the second time as I write this review, I can see how a number of these songs will probably be hit singles.  The issue i guess I have is that I had such a love for their past incarnation that it sorrows me to see it go.  I feel like I found a different band with some good songs, but that I am still waiting for Linkin Park to release an album.  Where is Mike Shinoda and Mr. Hahn throughout this album?  Where is the ENERGY?!?  I wanted to love this so bad, but In the End, it was a valiant try at something new, but it just leaves me wanting what they gave us in the past.

I would love to hear comments from everyone who took the time to read this.  I hope it was helpful to you.  I reccomend buying it (as I will), but expect something completely different, as if it is another band.