Darth Groovy Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Yet another review published at http://www.themanipulation.com, Linkin Park Meteora Warner Bros Records, 2003 By Darth Groovy In the wake of Linkin Park’s Runaway smash debut, fans were left wondering if they would become anything more than a T-Shirt band for high school girls. There was a successful DVD, and a clever remix album of past works, and a great deal of web site promotion. Linkin Park is a hybrid of hip hop, and alternative rock, spliced with elements of electronic and ambience. What separates LP from most of the other hordes of Nu-Metal acts, is their genuine ability to build on a catchy hook, either sampled, or performed, without sacrificing the beauty of the melody. Chester Bennington’s dynamic vocal range and Mike Shinoda’s rapping compliment each other, while Brad Nelson’s guitar hooks and Joseph Hahn’s DJ work drive the melody with positive aggression. They work best on tracks where neither the rap nor, metal seem to prominent, even when Chester screams loud enough to crack concrete. Three years later we finally have Meteora, the band’s sophomore release, which is usually the make or break point of most upcoming artists. Meteora opens up with “Don’t Stay”, which seems as somewhat of a re-tread on Hybrid Theory’s “Papercut”, but without the same energy in the vocal work. “Somewhere I Belong”, is a fine example of LP doing what they do best. A catchy acoustic riff builds into a lovely melody as Mike injects his heart rap poetry, that flows smoothly as Chester croons in with; “I want to feel, I want to heal, what I thought was never real, I want to let go of the pain I’ve had so long”. Mike’s rapping skills are even stronger on the next track, “Lying from you”. “Easier to Run”, is the shooting star of Meteora, and most likely the next big hit since “In the End”. What works for this song so well, is the slower tempo, with its brilliant electronic ambience. Chester croons softy as Mike once again bridges the gap between verse and chorus. The tracks on this CD fit together nicely, however comes to a screeching halt with “Braking the Habit”. The linear notes claim this song took 6 years to make, yet ultimately becomes LP’s first throw away track to date. The drums are 100% electronic on this one, and come in way too fast. Both the guitars, and Mike’s rapping is absent, and then LP does a horrible, horrible thing, when the song evolves into a full blown techno track. In fact, this song is so techno, that Moby himself would bend over backwards and crack his own spine. Also, Chester’s vocals seem to be struggling to catch up with the ridiculous speed of this song. The album then steers back on track with “From the Inside”, where LP returns to the formula that works. Things get interesting with “Nobody’s Listening”. A Japanese flute loops, as the beat kicks in like a tribal cadence. Mike does his best rap work to date since “High Voltage”, as Chester blends the chorus and verse, with his singing. Guitars are also absent on this track, yet it becomes amusing as Mike raps; “Heart full of pain, head full of stress, hand full of anger held in my chest”, a break from the usual LP formula, but perhaps a step in the right direction in terms of creativity. Over all, Meteora is a decent set of songs, with a few misses, yet nowhere equal to Hybrid Theory. The biggest flaw is the length of the material, most of the songs average at about three minutes or less, which makes the overall CD clock in at a mere 36 minutes and 41 seconds. The bonus edition comes with a DVD, documenting the making of Meteora. The CD itself contains yet more material to once again pimp their website, as well as a 17 minute documentary on the “Art of Meteora.” One is left to wonder if more time was spent on painting murals to promote the album, than on the actual album itself. Score: 82% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C'jais Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Great review. Personally I'm very fond of "Breaking the habit", but each to his own. I can't see the problem in electronic music, really. But I agree, Hybrid Theory was a notch better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acrylic Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 I know its a review and all, but I already posted a thread about Meteora a couple days ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C'jais Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Originally posted by AcrylicGuitar I know its a review and all, but I already posted a thread about Meteora a couple days ago. Link? BTW, I forgot to mention that I'm getting a bit tired of the recycled lyrics on the new album. It's apparently always about running away (runaway/easier to run), about not trusting anybody and how we hate people so much. Sigh. But the music is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acrylic Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Originally posted by C'jais Link? http://www.lucasforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=95741 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratmjedi Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 I disagree with the review. I absolutly love the album in every aspect. I find it not as hard as Hybrid theory and find Meteora smoother and a little more soothing. "Breaking the habit" is one of my favorite tracks and I think is a lot diffrent then any of there other songs. If you also knew and had purchased the DVD. There are live orchestra strings in the song instead of the ones from a keyboard, so I don't know were you got that it's 100% techno from . I also find the Mike not rapping in song is good. He mostly sings most of the songs and I think that Chester has a much better voice and that it was time for a little break from Mike. Everyone has their views and here is mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acrylic Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Originally posted by Ratmjedi I disagree with the review. I absolutly love the album in every aspect. I find it not as hard as Hybrid theory and find Meteora smoother and a little more soothing. "Breaking the habit" is one of my favorite tracks and I think is a lot diffrent then any of there other songs. If you also knew and had purchased the DVD. There are live orchestra strings in the song instead of the ones from a keyboard, so I don't know were you got that it's 100% techno from . I also find the Mike not rapping in song is good. He mostly sings most of the songs and I think that Chester has a much better voice and that it was time for a little break from Mike. Everyone has their views and here is mine. I like your view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swphreak Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 I liked Hyrbid Theory more than Meteora. Then Meteora and then Reanimated in last place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZBomber Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Pft. We all know its coming. Lets make "the Manipulation thread" Until then... *locks Groovy in cage* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogue15 Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 I like it all. There's not one linkin park song that I don't like, which is why I can listen to the cd a total of 66.6666666666666666666666666666667 times per day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomHelix Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 I got Meteora last week I just want to congratulate Linkin Park on overcoming the sophomore curse. Very good job! As for the album, it is amazing. All the songs are good, each one is unique, but not too diverse, and it is just as good as the last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Groovy Posted April 4, 2003 Author Share Posted April 4, 2003 Originally posted by AcrylicGuitar I know its a review and all, but I already posted a thread about Meteora a couple days ago. Well, I been very busy, but from this and another thread here, I shall not post any more reviews in the swamp. For the record, I am a Linkin' Park fan, I don't think the CD is bad, I guess it is just hard to surpass Hybrid Theory. Sorry if you all disagree with me, but as Ratmjedi said, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. That being said, I hope to catch them on tour very soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogue15 Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 i liked your review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acrylic Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Originally posted by Rogue15 i liked your review. I liked it a bit too....but only thing that made me not like it is the one about Breaking the Habit....its not really that techno...and I thnik it r0x0rz.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogue15 Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 ya that's not techno..... V V V V V V VV V V is techno! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leXX Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 I didn't think I'd like Linkin Park but being me I decided to check out a couple of their songs what with all the hype with the new album. I must say, I really like 'Somewhere I belong'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C'jais Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Originally posted by leXX I must say, I really like 'Somewhere I belong'. That's because it's good enough for me as well. Now try out some of their other stuff. From the Inside Hit the Floor Faint Numb That is all from today's music police -C' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ack Posted April 5, 2003 Share Posted April 5, 2003 I actually think Meteora is slightly better than Hybrid Theory... And my favorite is 'Easier to run' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acrylic Posted April 5, 2003 Share Posted April 5, 2003 Originally posted by ackehallgren I actually think Meteora is slightly better than Hybrid Theory... And my favorite is 'Easier to run' Thats my favoritest of all of their songs! I hope it'll be their next single. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pisces Posted April 6, 2003 Share Posted April 6, 2003 Originally posted by C'jais From the Inside Hit the Floor Faint Numb I like the last three best. And like Rogue 15 said, I like all of their songs so it never gets old for me really. As for placing the CD's in order...too close too call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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