Minutes To Midnight [Explicit]

As an "older" (43) music junkie who's not a fan of rap rock, and I understand this band's history is heavy with it, "Minutes To Midnight" is genius. I love the darker and introspective lyrics on most of the tracks. You can feel the emotion and feeling that went into them - transports you. Also, these guys are so musically tight and so much more interesting on this album than most anything I've heard in some time it just makes you want to turn it up real loud in a room or car by yourself and dig it. Really great.

Okay, I will be short and to the point. This is a different CD than the previous ones. The songs, "Given Up" and "Bleed it Out" are reminiscent of Linkin Park's traditional style. There is much less Mike Shinoda presence (unfortunately). However, all hope is not lost. The songs "Leave Out All The Rest" and "Shadow of The Day" are a little "emo" some might say, but they are very well written and full of a lot of meaning. The song "Hands Held High" is VERY excellent Mike Shinoda creation. To the listener it is obviously a giant political message - and very well done at that. It's vague, yet at the same time everyone knows what is being discussed/attacked. The rest of the songs are also good, but I'd say they aren't as strong as the rest. Overall I'd rate this album a solid 4. But I'm giving it a 5 because fans have been too hard on the band. It's worth buying if you're into Linkin Park.

I am a huge fan of Linkin Park, and i was vastly dissapointed in the album as the sound was not LP worthy. I recognized maybe 2 songs that sounded like them, the rest seemed like political crap that I personally don't care about. I wouldn't recommend it and hope they get back to their sound on the next one.

I have been a fan of Linkin Park since the Hybrid Theory days and they have since then continually made great and risk taking music. With this album many risks are taken. Some risks paid of and some just led to not so great music. Many people seem very upset about this album but to me, I'd rather see an artist I like taking risks and finding new sounds then for them to just keep making repetitive music. At least with MTM, they broke up the box and scrapped together way different styles and came out with some stellar stuff. Upon my first listening I wasnt so impressed but as the year has passed since its release I've come to love alot of these songs. So my suggestion would be to listen to it, sit on it, then review it. A few of these songs happen to be either my favorite all time Linkin Park songs, and some are my least. But hey, thats music.
Here is my individual review of each song:

Wake-(7/10)- Im not a big fan on intro's, but this was much better the Meteora's opening track (foreward). The Guitars sounds really cool, shouldve been used for a real song.

Given up-(6/10)- This song has some strengths and weaknesses. I really love the clapping used, but the verses are too ordinary. The Chorus can get you pumped but I wouldnt say this song shouldve been on the album. To Me, it doesnt really fit in.

Leave Out All The Rest -(10/10)- Fabulous song. They took a great approach to this song and made it great. Chesters vocal performance is top notch and everything in this song flows perfectly. Great Example of how some of their risks paid off big.

Bleed It Out- (10/10)- I really wish they would make more songs like these. Great rapping, great singing, fast paced, etc. If your looking to get pumped up for a night of drinking and womanizing I suggest this song.

Shadow of They Day- (8/10)- This is a pretty Soft spoken track. A different kind of LP track. I wouldve given it a higher rating but the songgets a little repetitive but I would say this track keeps the album going.

What Ive Done -(10/10)- Easily one of my favorite Rock songs this decade. Mixes pianos, guiatars, samples and dynamic vocals all together seemingly perfect. When I heard this song I was very excited for this album. Excellent choice for a first single.

Hands Held High-(5-10)- This is Mike's second and last time rapping on the album. I like some of the lines he ahd but for the most part i didnt keep interested. If I wanna listen to political rap/rock, I'll put on rage against the machine. And the "Amen" singing threw me off a bit. I skip this one almost everytime.

No More Sorrow-(9/10)- I love playing "Gears Of War" to this song. Another song I wish they made more of. I had to give it a 9 though just because I wouldve loved to hear Mike spitting ryhmes over these verses but hey, you cant always get what you want.

Valentine's Day- (8/10)- Pretty decent song. Not very "LP".

In Between-(2/10)- Nothing good to say about this song. Mike, leave the singing to Chester please.

In Pieces -(8/10)- Really cool song. Mike and MR Hahn show they still know how to provide some good samples and mix them well with rock music.

The Little Things Give You Away- (7/10)- Im not a fan of the beginning but it does pick up towards the end and it was a decent way to end the album so I feel good about giving this one a seven.

I was once a HUGE fan of Linkin Park and even was part of their fan club. My mom was the first to notice and listen to them and buy their album[yes my mother has pretty good taste in music]i borrowed Hybrid Theory when she bought it i loved it and i still haven't given it back. My parents got me the second album for my birthday and i loved it too. But I couldn't be any more dissapointd in their "new" sound. I respect artists for wanting to reinvent themselves and find something different to experiment with so that they don't seem predictable. But when you put out something that is THIS BAD you might as well have just gone with being predictable.

I'm gonna go listen to the new Ashlee Simpson CD and cry in the corner and hope they've learned their lesson.