Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns Review
Posted by Ben Czajkowski on 09.14.2010
Linkin Park returns with their latest studio album. After dividing fans with Minutes To Midnight, can the rock/rap group redeem themselves?
1. The Requiem 2. The Radiance 3. Burning In The Skies 4. Empty Spaces 5. When They Come For Me 6. Robot Boy 7. Jornada Del Muerto 8. Waiting For The End 9. Blackout 10. Wretches And Kings 11. Wisdom, Justice, And Love 12. Iridescent 13. Fallout 14. The Catalyst 15. The Messenger
Linkin Park clearly divided their fans over the latter half of the decade. They’ve polarized them into the “love them” or “dislike them” groups. At the conclusion of this album, I know where I firmly stand: at the latter end of the spectrum. And I’m okay with that. I’ve read mostly-popular reviews for this album, but I cannot even begin to fathom how these people can enjoy what they’ve listened to, unless they’re pandering solely to appease fans.
What’s on A Thousand Suns is some of the most uninspired work that I’ve listened to in a long time. The album relies too heavily on three things: electronic rhythms that are easily produced on a child’s keyboard, piano, and spoken word speeches that cater to the underlying theme of destruction, despair, and the apocalypse. Rather than trying to get their point across themselves, Linkin Park relies on the speeches and then throws in some depressing songs that really show no creativity or imagination; they chart no new ground and show no real growth.
And the rap tracks from Shinoda on this album? Seriously? They’re just terrible. That new Nick Cannon diss track is better than what is on here.
Anyway, let’s get started with my critique.
I don't know what's up with bands starting their album with fairly useless instrumental tracks. Sometimes they work to lead into the first real track. Here's an idea: why not just write a solid opening instead of having to rely on hokey shit like "The Requiem". The fun part of this is that it doesn't even lead into a real track; it bleeds into "The Radiance", which is just a spoken word track that does little to capture my imagination. I wondered when the music started.
Skip them.
Now, the album really starts after wasting three minutes. "Burning in the Skies" brings no energy. It fits more like a mid album track. It has an okay beat to nod your head to. Fans of the softer edge of Linkin Park will like this one. It airs more on the poetic side, and I almost don't mind the auto-tune-esque effect on the voice of, what I guess, is Chester Bennington. It's a blend of "What I've Done" and "Leave Out All The Rest", so it feels very Minutes to Midnight.
"Empty Spaces" is worthless filler. Skip it.
"When They Come For Me" is geared heavily at the other end of the Linkin Park fan section: the rap/hip-hop. This track would go great on a Mike Shinoda solo album, but it stands out as an unnecessarily vulgar, lyrically-uninspired rap with extremely weak beats on the first half of the album. I've come to skip this track.
"Robot Boy" is more of the auto-tuned soft stuff. Standalone, I like the track; again, though, it's working toward a misshapen first half flow of A Thousand Suns that quickly became a pop/electronic album rather than rock. It has a decent piano line layered in with some good electronic touches. There's not really much here, lyrically, however. It's meant to be an inspiring revival for someone who has clearly given up, but what is said just comes across as cliche.
"Jornada del Muerto": more useless filler. The first half of the album is practically a waste.
"Waiting for the End" brings Shinoda and Bennington, together, to your ear holes. We finally have some rock music after the first half of the album bled away. This track reminded me of 311 or some funky Caribbean band, with the way the verses are crooned more than sung. Shinoda has a decent breakdown. The best thing about this track: it doesn't overstay its welcome. If I had produced this album, I would have led with this track.
"Blackout" was a real treat to me, for the first half of the song. I equate this part as the high-energy, aggressive work, spit and screamed viciously by Bennington. It's up the same alley as "Faint" and "Bleed It Out". What I liked most about it, though, is that it had an electronic inclusion that reminded me of ::wumpscut::. The breakdown is kind of a mess, though. After it cleans itself up, the song becomes softer again, much like "Burning In The Skies" and "Robot Boy".
"Wretches and Kings" is another ridiculously-poor rap track from Shinoda. It starts with another speech sample. The rapping by Bennington made me cringe the first time I heard it. This is just a poor attempt at rock/rap/reggae. I don't think I've listened to this one all the way through more than once.
Skip it, unless you hate yourself.
"Wisdom, Justice, and Love" is another speech. Skip it after the first time you listen to it.
"Iridescent" is ANOTHER soft, piano track with so much electronic touches that it's just embarrassing at this point. The tone of the lyrics are the same as all the others: whiny. In fact this sounds like a watered down version of "Leave Out All The Rest". I didn't even think that was going to be possible.
"Fallout" is a joke. It's a poor call-back to the earlier part of the album. Skip it.
At this point, I am frustrated, and I don't even want to finish the album. I haven't even reached the first single yet and A Thousand Suns is already irredeemable.
"The Catalyst" is easy to comment on. It's been around for a few weeks now, and I've heard it a bunch of times. My original opinion after first hearing it hasn't changed much. It's clearly made to be the lead radio single: processed and dressed up to be walked through the public's ears with a political-themed message. The problem with this one is same as all the rest of the tracks: relies too heavily on the electronics and has no feeling or charge. At over five and a half minutes long, this song is entirely too long for its own good. From the comments I've seen from listeners in various places, it's gotten a fairly good reception, but I cannot agree with that at all.
So, can the album close on a decent note with "The Messenger"? No, it can't. It ditches the electronics in favor of Bennington screaming over an acoustic guitar and piano. It doesn't work for me at all. I waited fourteen tracks for some fucking guitar work. Something is amiss here, folks.
Now that this is over, where does this album stand among the other works from the band? It's a clear leap in an entirely different direction from Minutes To Midnight. I'm left with a feeling of "what the hell did I just listen to?" This was a poor attempt to make some headway into the electronica and pop genres, and it falls completely flat on its poorly composed face.
All of the anger on this album is manufactured and forced. It's written purely for marketing's sake from a band that is designed to sell hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of records. There's nothing creative here, and the few moments where creatively could have shown through, it was swallowed by awkward attempts at trying to make a point.
I've wondered if there's a chance that this album is going to grow on me. Probably not, as it doesn't deserve the listening time to do so. Even if you're a hardcore fan, you have to question what this collection of tracks really is. I've said it several times throughout the review, and I'll say it about A Thousand Suns, as an album:
Skip it.
The 411: Maybe there's something I missed, but A Thousand Suns is a thousand times worse than Minutes to Midnight. The album relies too heavily on poorly contrived electronic compositions, speeches that just feel too out of place, and liberally-sprinkled piano. I took it to mean that these three "gimmicks" were supposed to make up for the chief writers not even trying to write credible lyrics. I think it's safe to say that Linkin Park is no longer a tour de force rock band but a wanna-be pop band struggling for continued mainstream viability. They've become the Taco Bell of Mexican food: cheap, desperate, and leaving your stomach wanting to kick you in the testicles for putting it in your body. Worst album I've listened to in a very long time.
I'm a huge fan of Linkin Park ... Loved all the previous albums.
But this one sucks donkey balls. Just horrendous.
Posted By: Mike (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:02 PM
i heard this album last friday, and i agree fullheartedly. a bad album that isn't the big-budget classic it was being hyped to be. all the filler...my god, all the filler is unacceptable. listen, if you can't create a narrative on an album with your lyrics and have to use voice clips to hold your shit story together, don't bother.
bring on the blind LP fanboys.
Posted By: nastrodamus (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:13 PM
As a linkin park avid fan even i admit this cd blows
Posted By: Dick Hurtz (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:14 PM
This makes me happy.
Posted By: James (Registered) (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:24 PM
For every listenable track Lincoln Park has put out, there are 30 atrocious ones. That ratio grows wider every day. Perhaps they should just become a boy band. Or at least make it official.
At least they're still better than Nickelback.
Posted By: Mr. Skitzo (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:25 PM
THis album is not ROCK. It sounds like someone took Kayne West, One Rebulic and the Fray and threw them into a blended and this is the crap that comes out. Also add ripping off Pink Floyd the wall. Linkin Park is dead.....
Posted By: John F. (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:30 PM
Coming from a die-hard LP fan, this is difficult for me to express. I really gave it my all to at least make it through this album without being too critical. I failed. Six "filler tracks", if you can even call them that, that I could only make it about half-way through before skipping. Only one track where Chester even sounds the way we love him to sound, and it's only passable as a legit LP song. Minutes to Midnight did grow on me, but A Thousand Suns probably won't even get listened to again. It's just that bad. I'll still go to the concert so I can hear the old stuff, but I'm probably done with LP unless they somehow find their roots again.
Posted By: Clint (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:30 PM
get Hurley
Posted By: Guest#1457 (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:35 PM
LOL @ Trying to bite off Abigail Williams (a real metal band)with the title.
Posted By: Guest#2617 (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:43 PM
It's sad that people dont see the true art of this album
Posted By: bjw (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:50 PM
This is a band who based their whole sound on one guy whining then another guy angrily rapping about what the first guy whined about. It's not like they could be any worse now than they were a decade ago.
Posted By: Trashy (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:50 PM
I actually disagree about Wretches and Kings. That and The Catalyst are the best songs on the album.
Posted By: Ben Kenobi (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:52 PM
Old LP > new LP by a country mile.
Until they come out with an album that sounds like Hybrid Theory, Reanimation, or Meteora - LP is dead to me. This isn't LP. This is some crap garbage generic rock band that has lost touch with reality and is trying to be something they're not.
Funny to see once again, the first single off the album sounds like their old stuff - so all the suckers buy the album thinking it'll be good, and then they hear the rest of it and they want to puke in their soup and kill kittens.
Posted By: Nick (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:55 PM
I sincerely hope this album bombs on the charts so these guys wake the hell up! Maybe I'll use my copy as a coaster.
Posted By: E. Geeziss (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 12:18 AM
They have become what MTV wants them to be. Generic and boring. Just like MTV's core audience.
Posted By: VIPER (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 12:36 AM
I was worried for this album the second they said "the catalyst" was their single... that song fuckin SUCKS!
Posted By: Guest#1560 (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 12:37 AM
It's funny how the music business works. Release an amazing debut album, and it is generally recognized as such by critics and laymen, helps to set a new genre standard, is replayed for years, and assists the band in building a huge fanbase. After that is when things get weird. If the band in question decides not to vary their formula, makes mediocre music that retains many of the elements of their original material, and plays it safe, their fans stick by them and the critics aren't too harsh. However, if the band realizes that to make a real, long-lasting impact on the world they must be fluid, maturing with every album, changing their sound, exploring new territory, they are vilified by former "fans" and critics alike. They are disparaged all over the internet, ignored and/or disemboweled by elitist music listeners, and their efforts at making cutting-edge, mature, different music are mocked, whether or not the mockery is justified. And in many cases, it isn't.
Posted By: Guest#4301 (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 12:40 AM
It's sad that people dont see the true art of this album
Posted By: bjw (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:50 PM
It's sad that people think Linkin Park is capable of 'art.' But yeah, get Hurley.
Posted By: Slick (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 12:45 AM
LMAO
Posted By: jG (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 01:14 AM
"Until they come out with an album that sounds like Hybrid Theory, Reanimation, or Meteora - LP is dead to me."
This, this, this!
Posted By: QQ (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 01:18 AM
I'm glad to see that I'm not the only sane person in the world who understands how awful this album is -_-
Another reviewer put it best when he said the whole album was a mix of U2 and nine inch nails + shit
Posted By: SHADE (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 01:52 AM
It's sad that people dont see the true art of this album
Posted By: bjw (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:50 PM
Oh stop being butt-hurt. Your precious fucking heroes are has-beens who don't give a shit about themselves or their fans anymore.
Posted By: Angry White (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 02:11 AM
It's sad that people dont see the true art of this album
Posted By: bjw (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:50 PM
Agreed 100%! Linkin Park is a thinking man's band, everybody knows that. They are the voice of a generation. Future generations will look back at this album and study it for it's artsy artsiness, no doubt. Face it, there's just too much mothafuckin art here for yall to handle!
Posted By: ICP and Linkin Park #1 fan (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 02:24 AM
This album is just horrible. I like Hybrid and Meteora quite a bit. Thought Minutes was pretty bad apart from a couple songs (the opener was as good as anything they've done though). This new disc is SO bad. Some of the worst lyrics I've ever heard (Love keeps us kind? Are you fucking kidding me?), no energy to any of the songs--and on the song Chester tries to rap on--he sounds just like Kesha.
Posted By: Commie (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 02:26 AM
Seriously... Stop using Rick Rubin, and go back to Don Gilmore! Meteora was the best and y'all put this crap out.
Mike Shinoda... you need to stop. Just stop. Keep your solo rap tracks on your own albums.
Posted By: F Rick Rubin (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 02:53 AM
It's sad that people dont see the true art of this album
Posted By: bjw (Guest) on September 13, 2010 at 11:50 PM
thank you! I'm glad someone else agrees. I'm fully prepared to be called a LP sheep, but fuck it, this album is beautiful from beginning to end. I'm glad they changed their sound over the years, it's called maturity. They are well into their 30s, I'll gladly take their music maturing instead of them being in their 30s trying to be angsty 17 year olds. LP is one of those bands that will not win regardless of what is put out. make a copy of Hybrid Theory and people bitch they don't change. They change and people whine they aren't keeping 'their' sound. Keep it up LP! great album!
Posted By: BP (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 03:07 AM
3 Good tracks. Shinoda is on all of them. Linkin Park, fuck up and stop letting chester handle your artistic direction.
Posted By: KMaC (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 03:28 AM
Great review Ben, I agree 100%. I was really looking forward to this album but it was a huge disappointment.
Posted By: Michael James (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 06:10 AM
Who are you to label a song as a "worthless filler" freaking jerk. You know nothing about music. Stop pretending.
Posted By: Ty (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 06:11 AM
Big, big LP fan, and I agree with 90% of this. I think Wretches and Kings is the best track on the album though. The Catalyst being second, but even these would have no place on a greatest hits album.
It's like a focused, fine-tuned version of what I hated about Minutes to Midnight. They're trying to become some kind of cross between Muse & U2 in their bid to distance themselves from Nu-Metal and be a "serious, mature" rock outfit. That is not what got them their status.
There's 14 tracks on this album and only 9 of them are actual songs. Take away the political speeches and the interludes and you've got a 9-track album, and that in itself is a bit disappointing. They said they were working on this for a long time, so why couldn't they have tossed us more than 10 actual tracks?
The ones they have done all feel like filler for bigger songs, but the problem is the bigger songs don't eve really come.
I think the best songs on the album are the ones with Shinoda rapping, so what does that tell them? Go back to him rapping, Chester shouting, Hahn breaking it down, and the sick guitars. Bring back the real anger, the teenage-angst, THAT is what Linkin Park were and it makes me sad that they never will be again.
Saying the anger is manufactured hit the nail on the head. It's like they've forgotten entirely what they used to be and only throw in half-assed attempts at it for fan service.
At this point I think if not for the name-branding they'd be better off splitting up. I enjoyed Shinoda & Bennington's solo albums more than this, by quite a distance.
Money wasted, support waning. I stopped calling them my favourite band a long time ago, but now I feel almost embarrassed to have said it. Ah well, better go listen to Hybrid Theory and Meteora again.
Posted By: Guest#5841 (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 06:45 AM
Sounds like the whole album is like Crawling, which everybody loved years ago. I'll have to investigate for myself.
Posted By: Guest#5432 (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 06:55 AM
Don't worry guys, they'll just remix the album with actual popular acts and re-release it with another 17 dollar price tag and everyone of the LP fanboys will go out and buy it again. Then they will defend the fact that they spent 34 dollars for the same crap only "remixed".
The cycle never ends.
Posted By: Doesn't Matter (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 08:26 AM
this album sucks big time, what a waste of my money, ive already given it away to someone else, not one decent track, put on hybird theory, then listen to this shit, attrocious!!!!!!!!!!
Posted By: joelbmmt (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 08:33 AM
I don't understand. It has not been long since they sang one of their best songs 'New Divide'. Why can't they stick to that style? AND jesus, Mike Shinoda must be a freakin jerk or somethin.If he wants to Rap, then tell him to get the fuck off Linkin Park and be a manager of Eminem or Drake.
As a fan of Chester, I suggest all of you to listen to the musics of 'Dead by Sunrsie'. It is more rockin and hyper. Especially : 'Inside of Me' this track is a masterpiece
Posted By: Tom (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 08:37 AM
perfect review!!! and like u said the only stand out song, waitin for the end!! thats it!! the rest suck!! am a hardcore LP fan but now i guess i may ave to rethink some stuff!!
Posted By: ralph (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 08:52 AM
At first, I thought the album was alright, but as a fan, I was kidding myself. This album is not good. I really like a couple songs. The Requiem does something for me. So does The Catalyst and Waiting for the End. Blackout, When they come for Me and The Messenger are listenable. But honestly, this whole album could have been miles better.
At first I thought it was just people's preference, but honestly, LP DOES need to go back to their rock/rap fusion. Not solely because we like it, but because LP is better that way.
Posted By: Den (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 09:12 AM
actually i love this new direction
its like a more mainstream NIN, its funny how the reviews of this album have been all over the place; from 5/5 to 1/5
no middle ground you either hate it or love it
Posted By: HTheory (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 09:13 AM
wow they did it its amazing linkin park actually made the worst album ever!!!! never heard so much crap onone disc!!! And im a huge LP fan seen them 3 times live have every album but this is just poor!!!
Posted By: Joe (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 09:57 AM
Why are people judging this as a rock album when it's obviously not meant to be? Idiots.
Posted By: J (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Linkin Park is still one of my favorite bands, but what the heck were they thinking with this album?!
Posted By: Shawn (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Oh my...
I think everyone is missing the point of this concept cd, it wasn't made to be an album, it was made as a part of a process where the band broke itself down and rebuilt itself.
Obviously, the band won't write about the same themes forever and people will have to accept that their sound is changing, personally, i liked the album.
Felt the emotion, felt the progress, this album means more than meteora (which, by the way was Linkin Park trying to please their fans by copying hybrid theory)
Posted By: Persperitive (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Couldn't agree more. I'm listening to it now and thinking "what the hell is this?"
I actually do like the rap songs, but they don't fit on this record at all.
I hated Minutes to Midnight at first though, but those tracks at least felt like songs. I don't know what this album is.
Posted By: Jack (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 11:03 AM
I love this review. Helped me finally decided to save my $15 and NOT buy the CD. I have a Napster subscription so I listened to All of what I could from the Thousand Suns album and man, I am disappointed and embarrassed that Linkin Park would put this out. AHH! Go back to thier Meteora and Hybrid Theory selves please!
Posted By: Corey (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 11:20 AM
LP was a mix of rock and rap. Without those two aspects, theyre a completely different band. I hope they go back that direction again :(
Posted By: Drake (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 12:11 PM
"Felt the emotion, felt the progress, this album means more than meteora (which, by the way was Linkin Park trying to please their fans by copying hybrid theory)"
which, by the way was their last good effort. coincidence?
keep drinking the kool-aid buddy, LP has no clue where they're going and forgotten where they came from and it shows.
Posted By: Guest#1494 (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 12:26 PM
I understand that you can claim maturity, since the band members have aged significantly since Hybrid Theory. However, you can't keep trying to write the same angsty lyrics and expect to be taken as "mature" instead of one-dimensional.
Posted By: Ben Czajkowski (Registered) on September 14, 2010 at 12:34 PM
Agree whole-heartedly. They were one of my favorite bands after Meteora. Few of the tracks off M2M were bearable, but I didn't like it as a whole. This album is one of the worst I've ever heard. I knew they wanted to go in a new direction and M2M reflected that. It was soft, but listenable. This is shit on a stick.
Posted By: Erok (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 01:31 PM
does anyone remember when linkin park was a rock band, not some watered down pop group
Posted By: Guest#3513 (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 03:22 PM
I'm confused...does anybody reasonably expect them to have the same sort of angst & confusion about life they did ten years ago?? I'm not Linkin Park fan to begin with, but c'mon.....the rap/rock thing has been dead for a while.
Posted By: Greendale (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 03:49 PM
Man this album sucks I miss the old linkin park the ones that actually made me sing their songs I would be embarrased to play a thousand suns in my car at a traffic light I downloaded the songs and after listening to them i'm glad I saved my $20.35 I would rather spend that on petrol for my car haha a thousand suns = crap
Posted By: Dean Thomas (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 06:08 PM
Unfortunately it seems that you don't even know how to write a critique. I had to stop by the middle of it ... and said I can't read this "stuff" any more.
Posted By: Kenny (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 07:02 PM
rick ruben ruins everyone
Posted By: Guest#5454 (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 07:39 PM
linkin park suuucccks !!!!
Posted By: ojmendez (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 08:48 PM
Wow, I already had a low opinion of this album when I heard the first single. Now that I listened to the entire album, it exceeded my already low expectations. This is a terrible album (quite possibly the worst album I bought this year). If I were LP, I'd be ashamed of my band for putting out a sub-par album as bad as this.
Posted By: Mr Base (Guest) on September 14, 2010 at 09:38 PM
Seriously, LP could make a Hybrid Theory album in less than 7 days now. That music was good back then. I don't know about you guys, but I'm not 12 anymore. I realized that kind of music wasn't nearly as good as I thought it was.
I feel horrible for any person who thinks Hybrid Theory and Meteora are really talentedly crafted albums. There is much more to music that that generic stuff.
Posted By: Travis Z (Guest) on September 15, 2010 at 12:54 AM
Why the hell is a band making a concept album about nuclear war in 2010? Didn't anyone tell them that the Cold War is over?
Posted By: Guest#3187 (Guest) on September 15, 2010 at 01:48 AM
I find it funny that Linkin Park got on this massive high horse about how they don't swear on their tracks and how there are more intelligent ways to express yourself and whatnot, and on their last two albums they've been saying 'fuck' and 'shit' all over the place when it doesn't even suit the context.
That, my friends, is the mark of a true sellout.
Posted By: Guest#2417 (Guest) on September 15, 2010 at 01:51 AM
"I understand that you can claim maturity, since the band members have aged significantly since Hybrid Theory. However, you can't keep trying to write the same angsty lyrics and expect to be taken as "mature" instead of one-dimensional.
Posted By: Ben Czajkowski (Registered) on September 14, 2010 at 12:34 PM"
Agreed. People keep saying that this is the new, mature Linkin Park, but if they're so mature than why is Shinoda still doing the same rap he did on songs like High Voltage and Step Up (ie. PRE-Hybrid Theory)? If LP are going to tackle heavier themes, then their lyrics should reflect that. Busting out the same old 'I'm the best rapper on Earth and everyone else can get fucked' crap is just stupid. You can do a rap song and still sound mature.
Posted By: Guest#9688 (Guest) on September 15, 2010 at 03:55 AM
this review is spot on. the album is shit.
dont try to make a stand, listen to their first 2 albums and understand how shit they have become.
Posted By: alkiethebear (Guest) on September 15, 2010 at 06:33 AM
Seriously, LP could make a Hybrid Theory album in less than 7 days now. That music was good back then. I don't know about you guys, but I'm not 12 anymore. I realized that kind of music wasn't nearly as good as I thought it was.
I feel horrible for any person who thinks Hybrid Theory and Meteora are really talentedly crafted albums. There is much more to music that that generic stuff.
Posted By: Travis Z (Guest) on September 15, 2010 at 12:54 AM
problem with this post is that when Hybrid Theory came out it WASNT generic stuff. it was finely crafted from beginning to end. Sure, it has angst and yes there's "other music out there" (what are you, stupid?) but that doesn't invalidate the quality of HT.
It does show that whatever fire that drove them during HT and to a lesser extent Meteora is gone and they have no idea where they're going. They feel like a rudderless ship following whatever nonsense mainstream current they can and then claiming that's the direction they wanted to go in the first place.
Posted By: Guest#5812 (Guest) on September 15, 2010 at 10:45 AM
I'm honestly upset with this album. I was expecting another immense album like Hybrid Theory or Meteroa, but all I got was synth pop bass garbage that made the whole album meaningless. I still got a poster of them all the way back from Hybrid Theory, and that's how I'm gonna remember them, because they have changed to much to be the same band anymore. I want to remember them for the groundbreaking band that got me into music in the beginning. You might think I'm being dramatic... I think I'm being honest :-/
Posted By: Lewis (Guest) on September 15, 2010 at 01:55 PM
I love LP, totally bummed Meteora & Hybrid Theory. Those two albums were fucking incredible! I actually loved Minutes to Midnight aswell, but this album is fucking awfull!!! seriously, seriously awfull......what happend to the songs like 'Faint', 'Breaking the Habit'(their best EVER song) & 'Somewhere I Belong' etc.....loved them songs like crazy. I'm sorry but i skipped every song pritty much pn 'A Thousand Suns'. 0/5 for me....and thats being nice.
Posted By: Tim.B (Guest) on September 15, 2010 at 06:10 PM
"It does show that whatever fire that drove them during HT and to a lesser extent Meteora is gone and they have no idea where they're going. They feel like a rudderless ship following whatever nonsense mainstream current they can and then claiming that's the direction they wanted to go in the first place.
Posted By: Guest#5812 (Guest) on September 15, 2010 at 10:45 AM"
Exactly. I wouldn't mind so much if LP changed their style and did it really well, but on their last two albums they just copied and pasted everything on the radio and made it even worse.
Posted By: Guest#0802 (Guest) on September 15, 2010 at 11:30 PM
heres the problem i think u gus face if u do falling linkin park at all u would have known it was going to be different its deff there best lyrical album while i agree the sounds suck the words are strong im so sick and tired of prick of peoples like u dissing a band cause they change if u dont like dont listen to but i almost guarnatee that u guys are the same ones who hated mintues to midnight but love it now compare to this and if guys can think u can do better then go make better cause regardless of what ya'll think or what hardcore park fans think its has sold well will sell well and u will see and here them on the radio while i agree with the way some of the songs are these guys have ghotten older so there music is gonna be different
Posted By: losers (Guest) on September 16, 2010 at 01:11 AM
If you all love Hybrid Theory so much, go and listen to that! Good work LP.
Posted By: Jeni (Guest) on September 16, 2010 at 02:50 AM
I'm seriously tired of hearing oh go back to hybrid theory and meteora. Grow the hell up!! Linkin Park has. They made this album for arts sake and to mature. What do you want them to keep making the same damn music over and over.
Posted By: cokesmash (Guest) on September 16, 2010 at 03:06 AM
This is one of the greatest albums of the last decade. You're all entitled to your opinions. However the reviewer on this site is an awful one at that. This album easily proved that LP can take chances and still succeed. If you think these songs are so easy to create... then fucking make one of the songs and prove it. You're completely full of shit, as are all the people on this site.
Posted By: Dan (Guest) on September 16, 2010 at 09:43 AM
Second of all "Robot Boy" is NOT autotuned. If you're going to criticize something at least get your facts straight. It's called harmonizing dumbass.
Posted By: Dan (Guest) on September 16, 2010 at 09:50 AM
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah
Posted By: Ben Czajkowski (Registered) on September 16, 2010 at 02:22 PM
I'm guessing the majority of you missed the fact that this is a concept album about nuclear war and wasn't made to appeal to the mainstream like all their previous albums were. In interviews, LP specifically stated that this album was NOT going to be like their previous one's and was going to be more conceptual and political. For people who claim to be such HUGE fans, I'd expect that you knew this already.
If you actually give the album a fair chance and not expect it to sound like all the previous Linkin Park albums, you might actually realize it's a pretty good album. It's not a masterpiece or anything, but it's pretty good.
I think people came into this album expecting to hear another Meteora and when they didn't, they got pissed off. Rightfully so. I'd be pissed too if I bought a Jay-Z album and it sounded like a Lady GaGa album. But, if you actually judge the album on its own merits rather than comparing it to previous LP albums, you might discover it's pretty damn good.
This album is similar to MGMT's "Congratulations" in that it is an ALBUM rather than just a collection of songs. I think most listeners arent used to that concept anymore. They are used to hearing a collection of great songs of varying topics. I'm not trying to act like I'm above this because I got used to it too. When I first listened to this album, I found it jarring. I wasnt used to listen to an album from top to bottom. The skip button is usually my friend. But I took the time to listen to the whole thing and actually GET what LP was trying to accomplish here and I can appreciate their effort. It isn't the All-Time classic that they were hoping for, but it's still damn good.
I have a feeling that this will be an album that will get shit on by a lot of people now, but in the future more people will begin to appreciate it. I could be wrong and just be in the minority that likes the album, but I truly think it's an interesting piece of work that, if given a fair chance, people will enjoy.
Posted By: Xavy (Guest) on September 16, 2010 at 04:57 PM
This album is similar to MGMT's "Congratulations" in that it is an ALBUM rather than just a collection of songs. I think most listeners arent used to that concept anymore. They are used to hearing a collection of great songs of varying topics. I'm not trying to act like I'm above this because I got used to it too. When I first listened to this album, I found it jarring. I wasnt used to listen to an album from top to bottom. The skip button is usually my friend. But I took the time to listen to the whole thing and actually GET what LP was trying to accomplish here and I can appreciate their effort. It isn't the All-Time classic that they were hoping for, but it's still damn good.
Posted By: Xavy (Guest) on September 16, 2010 at 04:57 PM
Your line about the skip buttom being your friend. Maybe thats what is wrong with music. They don't make great albums anymore but good songs mixed with less than average ones.
I'm checking it right now, while ont all of it is sticking out to me, the more electronic tracks are getting my attention. I don't think I'll buy it for full price but I don't mind getting it for the 99 cents I can download it for.
Posted By: Guest#0951 (Guest) on September 16, 2010 at 10:31 PM
Wretches and Kings needs to be dubbed out and put into some dubstep mixes. Music with lyrics who needs that?
Posted By: Guest#4807 (Guest) on September 16, 2010 at 10:35 PM
Biggest music dissapointment of the year
Posted By: Mike (Guest) on September 16, 2010 at 11:32 PM
All I can say is...
How the fuck did Linkin Park get from Hybrid Theory to this shit!!!
Don't get me wrong, I love LP. Hybrid Theory, Meteora and Minutes to Midnight are amazing but this is the biggest piece of shit I have listened to in a long time.
Posted By: Jayde (Guest) on September 17, 2010 at 11:00 AM
>Second of all "Robot Boy" is NOT >autotuned. If you're going to criticize >something at least get your facts >straight. It's called harmonizing dumbass.
Yeah, the main vocal effect on Robot Boy is constant harmonizing---it's autotuned as well. All LP albums have used Autotune. Doesn't sound like it's used on the Messenger--but if you've ever done any studio music production, you can hear subtle autotune characteristics all over Chester's voice on just about every track they've put out.
Posted By: Commie (Guest) on September 17, 2010 at 05:01 PM
So Chester was interviewed and was asked about al of the negative reviews. He said "IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO LSTEN TOO." well Chester i'm guessing 50% of "hard core LP fans" will be seeking other alternatives very soon, and you will be out of a job! Good luck on selling this album...
Posted By: chris24 (Guest) on September 18, 2010 at 02:38 AM
Big LP fan, but I am really disappointed :( . I thought at least this album would feature heavy stuffs like their earlier album, but a got a big NO as the answer. The song “Wrenches and Kings” is just included to show the Old fans that they still can do heavier stuffs……First LP has to stop using Rick Rubin as he producer. He makes all these rock bands sound like boy bands. And the best example would be the new LP :(
Posted By: Venom86 (Guest) on September 18, 2010 at 06:33 AM
After hearing New Divide last year, I was pretty excited for a new album from LP. It's quite an awesome song. Then this garbage hits my ears and I want to scream and smack Shinoda upside his new Justin Bieber-ish head. To me, this album has little to no musicianship. Where's the rock? The guitars? Where's Rob's, Phoenix's, and Brad's input? Were they on vacation? And which one of the band members went to a yard sale and found the lame Casio keyboard and junior-rookie dollar store drum machine used on this turd of an album? This craptastic waste of time is nothing more than a Mike Shinoda overindulgence. He is even worse than Markie Mark and Vanilla Ice, as if that was possible! His previous rapping fit well within the LP spectrum, but what the fug is up on this new albun? If I wanted Chuckie Douche or Pubic Enemy I would have wated my money on that crap. This is almost all Shinoda and Hahn with quite a bit of pussified Chester thrown in. Awful! Just awful! I will still go to concerts and wear my shirts and hoodies, but I won't waste a dime on this steaming pile.
Posted By: judosg (Guest) on September 18, 2010 at 05:06 PM
I tried to listen to 5 of these tracks and couldn't finish a one. Definitely their worst album thus far and from what it sounds like, I'm not missing anything from not listening to the others.
Posted By: Charles (Guest) on September 18, 2010 at 05:14 PM
Even I, a new Linkin Park fan, realizes that this album sucks wholeheartedly.
Posted By: Rachel (Guest) on September 18, 2010 at 06:50 PM
Having been a die hard LP fan since Hybrid Theory was released, I got everything these guys ever relased, have the LP tattoo and my cat is called Chester, I love them and when they released New Divide I was so excited by this album. I am GUTTED what a load of S***, first time I heard it I thought I must have made a mistake and played it again (it was even worse). Seen these guys play 6 times in concert and spent a lot of money following them, I am so pissed that after a couple of years they come up with this - so not good. Sounds like they got a load of idiots and stuck them in a room and asked them to whack some random sounds on a keyboard, throw in some techno /oasis / pink floyd / U2 / and some no place rapping and you have a thousand suns. This album sucks big time, probably the worst album I ever heard and it pains me to say it cos anyone who disses LP in my presence knows I'm gonna flip, back to the studio guys and do wot you do best - be yourselves, not some hippies high on crack
Posted By: lck (Guest) on September 18, 2010 at 07:13 PM
I'm tired of reading people and "fans' " comments whose narrow likes in music makes them upset at what LP comes out with. Don't mistake your like for rock music with the like of LP. LP is a group of people who change like the rest of the world. In fact, their newer albums prove they are in fact "artists". They don't just paint the same painting every album or only cater to one "type" of people. They are a group of guys who have a variety of interests and likes and their sounds express this (art). Yeah, you can listen to people like lady gaga for pop or Eminem for rap or whoever for whatever other genre of music but it wont be LP pop or rap music. Whatever their sound is, I listen to them because it's them. It's the same 6 guys making music the way they know in the manner that I respect them for and thus the real reason I listen to them. Go listen to the usual "rock" band music that caters to a specific crowd and quit saying you're mad or feel cheated from LPs new material. Listen to "When They Come for Me", Mike talks to all you haters in it and quit bad mouthing LP's ATS because it really is great! You have to realize that the intended audience isn't just "you" anymore, it's the world.
Posted By: Manuel (Guest) on September 18, 2010 at 09:29 PM
If I wanted art I would go to the fucking museum... This album is shit, and my 8 year old niece could paint a better picture of the world than Linkin Park try to with this crap....
We like them because we liked their music, not them trying to change....
I hope it bombs, because every song pretty much is background music.
Posted By: NZ Rules (Guest) on September 19, 2010 at 12:13 AM
Manuel: Dropping a steaming pile and wrapping it in plastic is not art. Growing up and maturing does not have to be synonymous with becoming lame and shitty, which this album clearly is. Cripes it's only been ten years and this is their fourth studio album. It's not like we're talking about Rush or Aerosmith after 40 years here.
As for Mike and his Bieber-do, When They Come For Me blows and all his rhymes on this album are as lame as Federline's.
I don't enjoying hating on them because I've loved everything to this point. This album stinks. Most people who will like this album will be outside the US where techno/pop is still relatively popular.
Posted By: judosg (Guest) on September 19, 2010 at 08:54 AM
I see a lot of fans of the "harder" LP disappointed here. And that's fair enough.
I'm sure the band won't mind it either. Because it seems like they didn't set out to do that in the first place.
This is a (very) different LP. I guess if you are stuck with the Hybrid Theory / Meteora style (and that's not a bad thing; just a matter of choice), you'll hate it.
If you're open to change and are not expecting a Hybrid Theory, you might love it. I do.
I know a lot of people didn't like Load, Reload and St. Anger either. But when I look at the entire Metallica discography, I love it because they dared to do something different and not just sit back and cut "sequels".
Posted By: Toto (Guest) on September 19, 2010 at 02:55 PM
This album is not what I expected from LP. It is horrible. I could barely sit through the whole thing, with prior albums I have pretty much loved every song on the album and I can not say that about every album I have bought. The songs seem almost repetitive and unoriginal. Having an entire album of sounds and ballads just does not cut it for me. ART? Deeper meaning? Please you do not have to be a genuis to figure this out. How bout we would like some music with our lyrics...
Posted By: Guest (Guest) on September 19, 2010 at 03:20 PM
come on...its not THAT bad...we are just expecting too much after sounds like meteora and hybrid theory...i think if we dont support LP with their work then we are all just fuckin hypocrites...come on accept the truth...this album is not as bad as the hype that has been created by hyper fans...we are true LP fans and we think LP is working really hard...its just the 4th studio album guys...give them time to become legendary///wait until their 8th or 9th album comes out..that day we would all regret sayin this album bullshit....Good work LP....
Posted By: afleetingfreesoul (Guest) on September 19, 2010 at 03:39 PM
Horrible album heh, I bought HT, Meteroa and even Reanimation, heck reanimation was fkin 2000x better than anything "new" they released and its fraekin REMIXES!! Not buyin anythin from them until they realease something WORTH listening to. Wretches and Kings was kinda dope though, guitar riff + rap i like that :D
everything else blew dick.
Posted By: Rome (Guest) on September 19, 2010 at 03:57 PM
"If you're open to change and are not expecting a Hybrid Theory, you might love it. I do."
you're a fucking virgin.
liking change has nothing to do with liking a steaming pile of garbage.
a previous poster chided those of us with functioning eardrums by saying that "real" LP fans would know that this is an anti nuclear war album or some such trash. Great. LP discovers politics and forgets how to make music.
Posted By: Guest#7934 (Guest) on September 20, 2010 at 12:20 PM
I like this better than Midnight. But ever since "Hands Held High", I cannot help but think that John Cena is doing uncredited guest vocals for these guys.
Posted By: Maidenist since 1989 (Guest) on September 21, 2010 at 06:53 AM
what were they smoking when they decided to make this album.
If this is the new linkin park, I am no longer a fan.
To say this album sucks is an honest to god compliment.
I got this thinking I got an album not a seditive.
Posted By: Chris (Guest) on September 21, 2010 at 06:28 PM
Ive waited for this album for years. when Mike Shinoda said this was going to be cutting edge, i was pumped because i thought they were going back to making music like Hybrid Theory and Meteroa (and maybe a sprinkle of minutes to midnight).When i heard "The Catalyst" i hated it at first but then it grew on me and i was even more pumped for this album...and its not what i expected. im a LP fan for life but this fucking album sucks.,,,thanks for the let down LP =/
Posted By: King (Guest) on September 21, 2010 at 07:47 PM
There are many things that need to be addressed here. First, to those who say this is an artistic approach stop trying to act like you are mature. You think this album is good because you think you need to be a musical genius to enjoy it. I was in music for years and I knew the difference between art and shit music. Rock is still a form of art and linkin park went away from that art and tried to enter a new form of it. They failed, their claim to fame was their rock/rap because they were good at it. If you want your artsy music go listen to classical. Each band is famous for their own unique sound and linkin park had that sound and it never got old like some bands tend to do when they repeat their sound in new albums. But linkin park is a good band and they have the ability to stay with the rock/rap and keep people interested. So to those who say this album is good because it is "artistic" fuck you. Next, people say that this band can not go back to what they were because they are "old" please think before you type. If they are the musicians we all make them out to be then they could make another hybrid theory type album and it would sell way more than a thousand suns ever will. If we the true linkin park fans who loved them for what they did to make us fans then we need to make a stand and get our message out that we want our rock/rap back. It does not matter if we are twelve or they are not in their 20's anymore. Those of us who are now in our 20's still love and appreciate good rock and I would buy a good old linkin park cd any day and to those of you who like this new shit and think that the old linkin park is outdated and wont ever come back just fuck off and get rid of your title as a true linkin park fan.
Posted By: Mike (Guest) on September 21, 2010 at 09:11 PM
Three LP concerts from the front row and now I am stuck wondering, "how the hell are they going to make this work live in concert without making me go to sleep?" I just don't feel the energy that made the band what it is. That's what impressed me about LP - they gave it their all, they really did. With the exception of Wretches and Kings, I don't see a crowd that will care like the ones that crowd surfed in 2005, or the endless mosh pits of 2003. I anxiously waited for this. It's over and I'm disappointed. Damn it.
Posted By: NotChester (Guest) on September 22, 2010 at 12:18 AM
This isn't Linkin Park. For starters, where are the guitars? The harsh vocals?
As a die hard LP fan, Hybrid Theory and Meteora brought me excitement and inspiration when I first listened to them: Minutes to Midnight and A Thousand Suns filled me with disappointment.
At least Minutes to Midnight paid some dues to the band's past, with tracks like What I've Done and No More Sorrow. This new album sounds like a cross between a limp Jack Johnson and a wannabe DJ. PLEASE, PLEASE LP, ditch Rick Rubin; he's poisoning your sound.
Posted By: AlexandraB (Guest) on September 22, 2010 at 10:09 AM
I listened to this before i bought it. And I have to agree with alot of people here. Its just a horrible album and i agree with Ben Czajkowski. Skip It. There's better albums out there right now
Posted By: Terdog (Guest) on September 22, 2010 at 12:56 PM
O goody more pop music..
Posted By: Guest (Guest) on September 23, 2010 at 06:18 PM
"heres the problem i think u gus face if u do falling linkin park at all u would have known it was going to be different its deff there best lyrical album while i agree the sounds suck the words are strong im so sick and tired of prick of peoples like u dissing a band cause they change if u dont like dont listen to but i almost guarnatee that u guys are the same ones who hated mintues to midnight but love it now compare to this and if guys can think u can do better then go make better cause regardless of what ya'll think or what hardcore park fans think its has sold well will sell well and u will see and here them on the radio while i agree with the way some of the songs are these guys have ghotten older so there music is gonna be different "
Is the above comment a joke? I hope so. Anyway, this is a terrible album.
Posted By: hobo face (Guest) on September 26, 2010 at 05:27 PM
why can't Linkin Park just Re-Animate Meteora. That album should sell and bring LP back!!!!
Posted By: FAN........i was (Guest) on September 28, 2010 at 01:31 AM
this album sucks.
linkin park is a product of the times and listening to this album makes me hate their older material a little more each day. numetal was the in thing to do at the time, then they turned to hip hop, then remixes, now this techno experimental hip hop non rockin art crap. there's nothing wrong with that but this is supposed to be a major release, not some solo side project.
disturbed has not changed ever and thank god for that.
fred durst tried to change his sound a little to mixed results but compared to lp's latest album his stuff sounds amazing.
corey taylor has shown that he can change the sound but still please the fanbase that made him popular in the first place.
can go on and on.
poetic, artsy, whatever...whoever considers this album that is insulting the work of everyone who can produce poetic artsy experimental material but can't get their name out there because they don't have the money that linkin park has. this album is a big fat kick to the nutsack.
Posted By: fran (Guest) on September 29, 2010 at 04:36 PM
Dude, wow its like they're wanna-be Justin Biebers! I noticed this, I'm not sure if I like or dislike the album (JB sucks of course btw guys) but if you go to youtube and look up "baby", the comment conflict there is much like the comment conflict here: more haters and trolls than fans.
my faves from the album are The Catalyst, Wretches and Kings, When They Come For Me and that's about it... Jornada De Muerto is pretty cool.
Then again, LP likes to change their sound but its not like we can read their minds; are they wanna-be's? are they experementing? Think about that. but I give the album here about 4.5/10... only because over half the album is a filler.
hopefully they don't waste another 3 years making an album like this again because I was waiting for something to blow my mind.. sadly did not.
But I'm sure they might come out with something, we gotta wait for what they say in 2011-2012 more than likely..
Posted By: Dude, Wow (Guest) on October 01, 2010 at 06:03 PM
The thing I find funny is that there really is no pleasing many of you so-called "music fans." Now while I understand, and often value the difference of opinions, let's still be realistic.
Despite the fact the Linkin Park is my favorite band, and despite the fact I've purchased everything they've released, it doesn't mean that I will automatically enjoy everything they release, and be a "fanboy."
A Thousand Suns is just behind Minutes to Midnight as my least favorite LP album. Minutes To Midnight finally grew on me, and the only song I can really say I don't like on there is Valentine's Day.
And as for A Thousand Suns, I agree with the consensus that the album has too many filler songs. They could've easily been attached as outros to the previous songs and not been credited as actual songs. And the speeches really didn't bother me, as I'm kind of a history buff. But as far as the actual songs go, the only song I don't really like is The Messenger. The juxtaposition of Chester screaming over acoustic guitars doesn't work for me.
But getting back to my point, the thing that makes me want to cringe, is how people will shit on Linkin Park for trying some new things on both Minutes To Midnight and A Thousand Suns, but when Meteora came out, they criticized it for sounding too much like Hybrid Theory.
What more do you people want? When they try something new, you hate it. Or when bands like Nickelback keep putting out the same exact album, you get on message boards and hate it.
But since Nickelback have discovered their "formula," their record sales have increased to levels they never dreamed of when making albums like Curb and The State.
So are bands really gonna make the "old stuff" just because we like it? Or are they going to produce what people will actually BUY? And yes I said buy. Not download, burn, or stream.
At least Linkin Park is trying to do something different, while still retain the elements that made you like them to begin with. If you don't like it, or think it's contrived, don't buy it. Plain and simple. But at least give it an honest listen before you feel compelled to comment.
And as it's like Jay-Z said:
"I be on that new shit, n**gas like how come? N**gas want my old shit, then buy my old albums."
Posted By: JustAThought (Guest) on October 02, 2010 at 01:39 PM
this is not rock. this is linkin park
this is not rap/hiphop. this is linkin park. linkin park is about changing style. that being said, i'm rather happy that they didn't release another album like hybrid theory/meteora. This album is just as good
Posted By: Abe (Guest) on October 02, 2010 at 05:10 PM
You last couple of fucking idiots really need to shut the fuck up. LP said clearly years ago that the first 2 albums they didn't get to make the music they wanted, so they built a fan base on shit they were told to do because a company thought it would make money.
Holy shit, it did, and they built a huge fan base, then took that and whatever money and power they had and said "hey, lets do what we wanna do" and basically said FUCK YOU to all the people that made them famous. Now they're trying once again to fucking change their sound to the shit that whoever tells them what to do, wants them to do to make more money, fuck linkin park, and fuck you for defending them.
It's one thing to be a tool to make people happy and make some bad ass music, it's another to be a tool and cave in under someones thumb.
Posted By: Serioulsly? (Guest) on October 02, 2010 at 07:36 PM
God, I'm just gonna put it out there, and it's something I'm wondering about, but this might be worse than Justin Bieber.
Posted By: Carlo (Guest) on October 04, 2010 at 12:00 PM
i think that now after a thousand suns linkin park for the first time ever manneged to reunite the fans. only this time its reuniting them against them the pop album manneged to piss off even the new MTM fans. and minuts to midnight is a good album, not like the old ones but its a good album. the new album has few good songs but this isnt LP i would have reather it as a solo project of chester or mike then a band album!!
Posted By: asgfdg (Guest) on October 04, 2010 at 02:58 PM
But that's just it. They didn't make it for you, or for me. They made it to experiment with different genres. And in this case, they did. They made an album, not a bunch of songs. The filler audio clips lead into epic lyric-filled tracks. I understand most people want Hybrid Theory back. And to be honest, So do I. But I can't deny I respect their new found genre. It isn't great, but it isn't terrible. Some of your reasoning for the badness of it was just retarded. But oh well. Opinions, opinions, and opinions.
Posted By: KJ (Guest) on October 05, 2010 at 02:03 PM
On a serious note, all those who are hating on LP are really starting to piss me off. So what? They've changed. Most artists/bands tend to do that over a couple of years or so. I'm sure that if they did come out with a sound similar to HT or Meteora, people would get real bored, real quick.
I suppose I'm just lucky enough to have a taste in music that's not restricted to just one genre, but that's just me. Besides, I'm not sure about anyone else, but I don't think that anyone else could of quite pulled this album off. In my opinion, it's still distinctly LP.
But then again, that may just be me... ;)
"Stop talking, everyones gonna have to catch up mother fucker!" Hidden Message maybe to all you haters? Lol
Posted By: Anon_XD (Guest) on October 07, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Totally agree, 5/5 on the review, 1/5 on the album. Listened to it twice and I can never see it growing on me, ever.
Posted By: PharCry (Guest) on October 10, 2010 at 01:45 AM
Jeez O Man! I get 2,800 characters on this thing. If only You Tube was like this. I feel like writing a book.
Personal album ratings:
Hybrid Theory: 5/5
Meteora: 5/5
Minutes To Midnight: 3/5
A Thousand Suns: 1/5
Posted By: vjohn16 (Guest) on October 12, 2010 at 07:24 PM
I have never doubted to go to a LP concert but after knowing that they now at their dispossal those awful songs, i feel really worried
Posted By: Frost (Guest) on October 17, 2010 at 10:17 PM
Notice how the review says to skip songs. DON'T. LISTEN TO THE WHOLE ALBUM. SEE IT FOR THE ART IT IS. I remember the days when music was an art. Nobody cares about that anymore. Now everybody's disappointed that Chester is a good enough singer that he doesn't need to unleash an awful scream every ten seconds. These songs were more created than written and the lyrics still are great and certainly not cliched. Skip Wretches and Kings? That's the only song that sounded like their roots. This review seems ridiculously off the mark. And there are nine actual songs on the album, not 6: Burning In the Skies, Wretches and Kings, The Catalyst, Iridescent, Robot Boy, The Messenger, Blackout, When They Come For Me, and my favorite, Waiting for the End. Most artists give you the same crap every year. LP changed it up, created their own genre, and will never be appreciated enough from this album because of all the screamo lovers on this earth :(
Posted By: New diehard LP fan (Guest) on October 19, 2010 at 01:37 AM
To all those who liked Hybrid Theory and Meteora and hate ATS, no one will stop you from going on ebay and buying HT and Meteora :)
Posted By: Garet (Guest) on October 19, 2010 at 01:41 AM
This album made me want to claw my ears off. No lie.
I bought it to do a review essay for my college english class, hoping to write a great review. Instead i get this crap that i cant even compliment on.
Why is LP trying to please everybody with this album? I mean, they have freakin reggae, techno, somewhat sorta kinda pop, indian soundin, horrible rapping, soul, and all different types of sounds and music in this album, hoping to make everybody happy. But they forget one type of music, the type that mattered the most to the majority of their fanbase, and that's rock. Where is the old LP and when are they gonna come back?
Posted By: kendall h (Guest) on October 19, 2010 at 10:27 PM
the new album does'nt sound like the there other albums ... it iz d second least album of my fav. linkin park albums ... although the name 'the thousand suns' makes up a perfect name but the songs dont follow the name ... all the way this time i expected a good rythm of rap of mike n screamo of chester(together) but it waznt to upto mark but name of the album 'the thousand suns' iz quiet BEST of all times
Posted By: Er.manish (Guest) on October 20, 2010 at 03:53 AM
while this album is different from the rest in uncountable ways...youre thinking of the album in the wrong way...listen to the lyrics carefully and read them like a story they are all connected...and i dont really care what anyone says catalyst is an amazing song.
Posted By: Reilly (Guest) on October 21, 2010 at 07:24 PM
you people are all stupid...wtf are you talking about....this is a great album....why are you comparing this to their other albums? does it sound like their other albums? no. so its obviously not supposed to be compared to the this is something new that they are trying and if you liked this style then you would understand that this is a very GOOD album.
All of you are stuck up on how they've changed. They started in 1996, of course they've fucking changed! its been 14 years...did you ever think about the fact that maybe they WANTED to change.....
And FYI(to those of you who know nothing about music) they arent fillers, they are transitions...they mean something...they take you from one song to next, LP didnt just put them in there to fill up the album...they are meant to set the mood for the next song...but since most of you are too set on hating the album, that you cant see that
If you dont like the album then fine, whatever, i dont care, but dont talk shit about something you obviously do not understand
Posted By: dcm (Guest) on October 21, 2010 at 07:54 PM
hey i love music. not really huge fan of linkin park, but i like them. you have to step back and look at this album by itself as a whole. You cant compare it to their previous albums. I enjoyed it for the most part for its artistic value. No, its not really radio friendly, like the rest of their music, but i still liked it. Music is an art form and linkin park is entitled to the freedom to produce albums that sound like they want, not always to impress their fans.
Posted By: aaron (Guest) on October 25, 2010 at 12:24 PM
On Robot Boy explain where this autotune is??? Chester can actually sing he doesn't need autotune. If you can't appreciate the work that went into this album then don't let me catch you at an LP concert fanboy
Posted By: David (Guest) on October 29, 2010 at 05:15 AM
Yeah...there's a couple catchy tracks, but this album was a waste of $10 (paying the other $2 for the nice lookin art is ok)...my biggest gripe is the general lack of guitar anywhere in the album. That said, I see the "art" and unique genre of this album - I just don't like it. I don't like art just because it's art. Some people look at an abstract painting and see something really awesome...but not me. I look at a big long formula of variables and numbers and see something awesome...but not most people. Opinions, perspectives, preferences...I think this album is a bit on the abstract or unpopular [among average people] side of art, and that's why people "don't get it" (or, more accurately, they just don't like it).
I'm sure they've lost many fans because of this album, but will probably pick up some new ones, and some people are devoted fans and would praise LP if they produced an album that was just an hour-long improv session based around peanut butter jelly time.
Posted By: Medigo (Guest) on October 29, 2010 at 11:51 AM
i really love linkin park they were a fave of mine but this album really fucking sucks. i brought the album thinkin that i would love it as i did there others, only to find that just about all the songs were instrumental!! if a had of wanted an album without words a would have brought one. and any of the songs that by some miracal have words and none of those weird speeches the songs sucks!
i dont no what they were thinking this album is just weird and unenjoyable!
i would no way go to there concert now in fear that all i would here is there new shit and none of the epic songs that made me love the. i really hope there next alubm, if ther is one, is better than this one coz if its not i would think twice about being a fan!
Posted By: nita (Guest) on October 31, 2010 at 03:19 AM
huge fan of lp. but this album just does not sound like what everybody loved them for
Posted By: ajit(guest) (Guest) on November 02, 2010 at 08:17 AM
huge fan of lp. but this album just does not sound like lp
Posted By: ajit(guest) (Guest) on November 02, 2010 at 08:26 AM
You guys make me laugh. You just want 15 more tracks that are all identical to each other, just like the first album. Expand your horizons. Get a life while you're at it.
Posted By: gues (Guest) on November 03, 2010 at 09:24 AM
I love the album,they try to bring new stuff and get slagged off for it.
Blackout,waiting for the End are brill along with Burning Skies etc.If this reviewer does not like LP then don't review thier work,it's like me reviwing Boyzone....By the way the LG arena gig in Birmingham was awesome(saw them in Nottingham 2008).
If u play the album play it load it works really well.
Posted By: STEVEMAC (Guest) on November 11, 2010 at 08:16 AM
This is a great album. Get it? ALBUM! Why buy a CD and skip tracks? Are you out of your mind? This reviewer sucks at reviewing "albums". Just go and download the fricking thing then and let us who enjoy music buy the album and enjoy it. Every time I hear someone say they skipped the "filler" it irritates me. Bands and artists put albums together so it can be listened to from start to finish, not just something you skip through on your player. If you listen to this album not as "this is a typical LP album" but as "this is a music album", you'll come out with a different result. Next time you review an album,try to actually listen to the whole thing.
Posted By: Jerry (Guest) on November 12, 2010 at 01:48 PM
I'm so glad I pirated this album then eventually deleted it to save space on my computer (even though my hard drive is massive). All I could think was "what the fuck happened?!" LP started going downhill with Minutes to Midnight, and has now fallen off the cliff. I will listen to their first 2.5 albums and cut my ties with these has been fuckfaces.
Posted By: danman (Guest) on November 18, 2010 at 03:05 AM
I agree with the above..huge LP fan in the past but this whole effort is a complete detraction from everthing that made this band a great!! I have tried listening to it a few times and it is just painful!
Posted By: Geoff (Guest) on November 18, 2010 at 01:36 PM
thank god i downloaded this abortion , i would ben pissed if i bought this , but if ur down for 3/4 of a cd of intro's have at it,i used to love these guys and now ...no sir
Posted By: jeremy g (Guest) on November 21, 2010 at 01:21 AM
Great review... you hit the nail on the head when you said that it's 'forced'. I can't help but think that these guys throw around political themes in their songs just for credibility > ref. to Linkin Park - 'Step Up' - "a Dj in the group just for crediblilty".
It seems the hypocrisy has come full circle and LP are victims to it. Don't get me wrong, I didn't think M2M was a bad album - it actually grew on me but 1000 Suns is just a throwaway album for me - unfortunately.
Posted By: Former Hardcore LP Fan (Guest) on November 27, 2010 at 07:30 AM
I will disown Linkin Park if their next album isn't back to the way it should be. I htink this album really was important for them, though. They tried something new and should now know that it isn't the way they should go. Please come back Linkin Park; we miss you.
Posted By: Ben (Guest) on November 28, 2010 at 06:40 PM
I agree with all the comments; it's the worst production ever!
The Taco Bell reference made me laugh. I was there (Taco Bell) the other day and that is exactly the way I felt when I left. Too, too funny!
ptc
Posted By: ptCardwell (Guest) on November 29, 2010 at 12:44 PM
its horrible they really need to stop trying to find a new sound and remember who they are every new album they come out with gets worse and worse i hate seeing a favorite childhood band suck this much
Posted By: ksboy (Guest) on December 08, 2010 at 02:53 PM
I'm a massive LP fan have been since HT and been to a few live shows but I saw them do a few tracks off there new album on TV and I gotta say......it's Utter garbage
Posted By: Greg B (Guest) on December 25, 2010 at 11:20 AM
I agree 1000% this a terrible album by such a talented band. I didn't like Minutes and hoped for a bounce back, but was shocked with how many steps they took back. Minutes had some bright spots (No More Sorrow, What I've Done, and Given Up and I liked Leave Out All the Rest). But this album didn't have any. I put Wretches and Kings, When They Come for Me, and Waiting for the End on my iPod. Wretches and When They Come for Me are only on there because they somewhat remind me of the old LP minus Chester. And Waiting for the End has really started to grow on me, even though it isn't true LP. I love this review because it's spot on. New LP fans (those who joined on after Minutes) might like this CD. But for those of us who have liked LP since Hybrid Theory will come to hate this CD. The last truely good song LP made was New Divide and that came after some crappy stuff as well (Live in Texas, Collison Course). LP needs to step up their game. As of right now I'm listening to their older stuff because the new "direction" that they have went is just horrible. They have become a cheap pop/techno band and have strayed so far away from what made them so unique.
Posted By: Dylan (Guest) on January 16, 2011 at 11:17 PM
I have to agree its sad that noone can see the message of this album. Sometimes music is about making an album with a message and I do believe LP was succesfull it this attempt. Look around you at whats going on in the world and not your small little bubble. Yes perhaps this isnt thier old style and perhaps the guitar work is not being improved with anything fancy but listen for what they are really tryin to say. Perhaps you may not judge so harshly if yiu knew the truth about what is going on. Do some research, even if its just on you tube, I L L U M I N A T I
Posted By: JOHN DOE (Guest) on January 30, 2011 at 03:35 PM
You're an idiot! "Everybody wants the next thing to be just like the first!"
This is music, give it a minute and you'll realize that, at first I thought "WTH" it took me 2 months to listen to it aside from the 20 second clips on amazon and when I did I was like WOW, just as great as Minutes to midnight. LP is digs deep and pulls out ONLY the best and REAL people can relate.
Posted By: Jinjer (Guest) on January 30, 2011 at 10:23 PM
I will admit it, I downloaded this off of PB. I seriously thought that some indy band uploaded their album with LP's name on it to get it out there. Did not sound like LP at all. Highly disappointed and glad I did not lose any $s on it.
Posted By: Bummed (Guest) on February 04, 2011 at 06:23 PM
Okay, to all you people who keep saying, "this is just them maturing" just shut up. I do understand that every band changes along the way and that many of them lose some of their fanbase in the process. But you can't even really call this Linkin Park...
Yeah, I do wish they came out with something like Hybrid Theory or Meteora I admit. But before this album came out, I knew that probably wasn't going to happen and that I would be kind of disappointed like I was with Minutes to Midnight. I thought it would be a much softer album with only a few tracks that I actually liked, but this is just kinda shitty.
When The Catalyst came out, I listened to it and hoped it would grow on me but that was a failure.
The main thing I don't like about this album is the fillers as mentioned. But the utter lack of guitar is what kills me. I knew they were getting softer, but really?
Think of how the post-production Thousand Suns single New Divide was. The album did not reflect that song at all. A band maturing is not changing the band entirely.
Anyhow, I think this album blows and I hope that at least some of the band's original ideals come back into future releases.
Posted By: Kevin (Guest) on March 10, 2011 at 09:30 PM
This band sucks big time ........they just proved it
Posted By: Nikhil (Guest) on May 21, 2011 at 04:22 PM
I cant understand why everyone is so upset and hurt inside about the album. Everyone says this, but you go ahead and make a better album. I for one love LP and this new CD i love even more so. I find the lyrics amazing and ill admit some songs and bad, but overall i think it isnt just 'uninspiring; in fact its the total opposite.
Posted By: Tom (Guest) on July 22, 2011 at 06:46 AM
This album was absolutely abysmal. Minutes To Midnight was actually pretty good and well written. They definitely need to rehire Don Gilmore as their writer!
Posted By: James (Guest) on July 26, 2011 at 08:48 AM
This album was absolutely abysmal. Minutes To Midnight was actually pretty good and well written. They definitely need to rehire Don Gilmore as their writer!
Posted By: James (Guest) on July 26, 2011 at 08:52 AM
This album is very dissapointing. I've been a fan of LP for a very long time. I've taken a lot of their songs to heart, and can relate to alot of their songs. I am a true fan, even tho this last album truly blowed, I will buy the next one, and give it a chance. i wont let one bad album change the what I think about linkin park..hybrid theory is still in their somewhere, and when I hear their next album I WILL ROCK OUT WITH MY COCK OUT!!!!!
Posted By: GREATwithinNESS (Guest) on August 08, 2011 at 07:15 PM
For the first time, not a single song amused me on a linkin park album. the vocals were very distorted, inhuman. the rapping had no flow. the instrumental was either unnecessarily loud or soft to cover up for a lack of melody. This album was poorly put together even worse than Minutes to Midnight which actually had a few notable tracks. I know artists change over time, but it's sad to see the band that brought Breaking the Habit and Somewhere I Belong become a disorganized, narrow group that does not even know its own fans.
Posted By: Guest#6532 (Guest) on September 12, 2011 at 07:43 PM
They need to go back to hard rock/metal. The nu-metal sound needs to return on their next album. LP was awesome when they mixed hip-hop with rock
Posted By: Mike (Guest) on September 14, 2011 at 07:57 PM
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