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Rating: Living Things - Linkin Park (2012)
Since 2000, the year "Hybryd Theory" was released, two factions have opposed each other. The supporters of Linkin Park and those who just can't stand them.
Now, if you are part of the first group and appreciated a masterpiece like "A Thousand Suns," continue reading without hesitation, you'll be happy; if you are part of the second group, this is your good chance to reassess the Los Angeles band.
The beginning is immediately spectacular. It opens with "Lost In The Echo." The electronic, Shinoda's rap, Chester Bennington's melodic singing complete with screams in the chorus, allow the song to immediately stand out as the best track on the album. It continues with another excellent piece, not up to the previous one but still spans high levels. The strong points of "In My Remains" are the aggressive chorus and the marching drums at the end, with the accompaniment of Shinoda and Bennington's voices.
If the previous two tracks could be considered great music, a completely different argument is needed for "Burn It Down" and "Lies Greed Misery." The first, released as a single to anticipate the album, is a good song but ultimately too simple and repetitive. Radio-friendly is the right adjective. "Lies Greed Misery" is without a doubt the worst track on the album. Shinoda's rap is good, but if electronics are the strong point of other pieces on "Living Things," in this track, it's precisely the Achilles' heel, suffocating Bennington's voice in the chorus.
Next is "I'll Be Gone." A pleasant song, but all too classic, which gives the impression of being something already heard.
On a completely different level is "Castle of Glass." The voices of the two singers blend so well they seem like one, perfectly accompanying the fast and engaging rhythm of the song. Equally surprising is the violent "Victimized." Deafening drums by Rob Bourdon and equally noisy guitar by Brad Delson form the base for Bennington's screams in the chorus and Shinoda's rap in the rest of the, albeit short, song.
After the opening song, "Lost In The Echo," with "Roads Untraveled" we return to talking about a masterpiece.
Background music box makes the track the sweetest piece of the album. A dreamy atmosphere that, before ending with guitars accompanying Bennington's voice, leaves us with this phrase: "May your love never end and if you need a friend, there's a seat here alongside me."
The following tracks are experimental with electronics in charge; "Skin To Bone" sees both Shinoda and Bennington singing, but not surprising too much, and the interesting "Until It Breaks." A song without a chorus that at the end also sees the participation of Brad Delson in singing.
As in every respectable Linkin Park album, there can't be a lack of the instrumental track, and the splendid "Tinfoil" perfectly opens the last song of the album, "Powerless." A splendid ballad that closes the album in the best way.
"Living Things" is not the band's best work, but it is certainly an excellent album. An example of how the Californian band has evolved over time, experimenting without losing credibility at all.
Tracklist
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Other reviews
By Mely
"Living Things is a very personal and, above all, complete album."
"Once again, Linkin Park has hit the mark and given us a great album."
By Aljik
Linkin Park was initiated into the sanctuary of cosmopolitan idols as a heap of pus and pubescent hormones in the form of a nu-metal band.
No need to add more regarding an album that, the more it tries to convince us of its validity, the more it instills among the audience a tender compassion, like a kitten vainly attempting to climb a ladder.
By Gallagher87
Linkin Park has never been a rock band in the classic sense of the term, nor will they ever be, the current 'Living Things' is proof of that.
The band represents today one of the cornerstones of international pop-rock/alternative, or as the directly concerned love to assert, the consecration of 'hybrid' music.
