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Rating:
Perhaps since its release, some people might have expected a little more... but the fact is that "Minutes To Midnight," the new album by Linkin Park available in Europe from May 11, 2007 (May 15 in America), has achieved a fair amount of success which, as of a few weeks later, continues to grow.
We could say then that Mike Shinoda and Rick Rubin were right in their decision to produce this new album. "An album," as the rapper himself declared in an interview with Chester Bennington and Joseph Hahn, "that will change the Linkin Park universe forever." These statements may have caught some by surprise and raised doubts and disappointments in others. However, the fact is that on Friday morning, when many surely headed to the nearest music store and purchased "Minutes to Midnight," as they inserted it into the CD player, they heard something of incomparable beauty that had nothing to do with the more famous Rock, Nu-Metal, and Rapcore group in the world.
These are the twelve tracks (11 if not considering the brief intro "Wake") that make up "Minutes to Midnight." The CD opens with "Wake," a brief but intense intro that leads into a song that at first listen might make the naïve listener believe that nothing has changed: "Given Up." This song, along with "No More Sorrow," could be described as the remnants of a group that loved hard, aggressive rock, expressed through the (albeit wonderful) shouts and screams of Chester Bennington. The first of the two mentioned, already released as a preview long ago (a 30-second snippet was circulating on YouTube for weeks), presents a rhythmic background that, accompanied by Dave "Phoenix" Farrell and Brad Delson, once again showcases how far Chester's infinite voice can reach. A full 17 seconds of uninterrupted vocalizing delight this song towards its end, only to start again with the bright chorus. One can't help but wonder: Where does that voice come from?
Of the following songs, there are some that, if not for the sake of reporting, I wouldn't even mention. "The Little Things Give You Away," a lauded song, described by Chester as even the best they've ever made, is a long and syrupy 6-minute lullaby that I'd readily recommend to anyone suffering from insomnia. In this song, despite a profound acoustic and melodic study, there's a long guitar solo that, despite its beauty, I tend to find a bit soporific. Besides this, "Hands Held High," Mike Shinoda's attempt to perhaps for the first time create a song entirely his own, is in reality a piece that I could describe as a church song (in the chorus it seems the choir sings "Amen"), only partially enlivened by the melodic entry of the rapper in the final chorus.
For all the other songs, I could say that the change is evident, but I can't dispute their infinite beauty. "Leave Out All the Rest," like "Shadow Of The Day" and "Valentine's Day," are demonstrations that Chester Bennington can create wonderful music even without unleashing his vocal cords to the highest levels. Sets of melodic and harmonious sounds that, in my opinion, appear marvelous to the ears, even in their slowness and apparent delicacy. Even "Valentine's Day", in its final explosion, steps out of the usual boundaries, achieving an effect that I would consider exceptional.
Among the remaining, the now-famous "What I've Done," which, perhaps due to its early release, seems external to the album's context. However, the song's beauty is indisputable, not only for its rhythm and sounds but also for its meanings: just and profound (as already revealed by Linkin. Other politically relevant thoughts are present in the CD's songs). "In Between" and "In Pieces" are finally the two songs that close the album, not considering the final 6-minute lament. All things considered, these two songs are very beautiful and fully express the vocal intensity of the two singers Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda, no longer confined to Rock and Rap but rather to a music I might even dare to call Pop.
Concluding my review, I would like to include a personal comment which, let me be clear, remains separate from my evaluation. A change, this one undertaken by Linkin Park, that I would dare to call successful, even though it left a bitter taste in the mouths of many die-hard listeners of the American band (myself included). I don't know, perhaps we liked them more before, or maybe we're just a bit slow to absorb changes; the fact is, the change happened, and I'm not sure whether to define it for the better... but it's clear that the value of this band remains and will remain unchanged forever. Many have never liked Linkin Park; who knows, maybe now they might enjoy them, and they might not recognize them as the wild rockers of "Hybrid Theory" and "Meteora"... which, however, we liked so much...
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
02 Given Up (03:09)
Wake in a sweat again
Another day’s been laid to waste
In my disgrace
Stuck in my head again
Feels like I’ll never leave this place
There’s no escape
I’m my own worst enemy
I’ve given up, I’m sick of feeling
Is there nothing you can say?
Take this all away, I’m suffocating
Tell me what the fuck is wrong with me
I don’t know what to take
Thought I was focused, but I’m scared
I’m not prepared
I hyperventilate
Looking for help, somehow, somewhere
And no one cares
I’m my own worst enemy
I’ve given up, I’m sick of feeling
Is there nothing you can say?
Take this all away, I’m suffocating
Tell me what the fuck is wrong with me
GOD!
Put me out of my misery!
Put me out of my misery!
Put me out of my…
Put me out of my fucking misery!
I’ve given up, I’m sick of feeling
Is there nothing you can say?
Take this all away, I’m suffocating
Tell me what the fuck is wrong with me
03 Leave Out All the Rest (03:29)
I dreamed I was missing, you were so scared
But no one would listen ‘cause no one else cared
After my dreaming, I woke with this fear
What am I leaving when I’m done here?
So if you’re asking me, I want you to know
When my time comes, forget the wrong that I’ve done
Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed
And don’t resent me, and when you’re feeling empty
Keep me in your memory, leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest, don’t be afraid
I’ve taken my beating, I’ve shared what I made
I’m strong on the surface, not all the way through
I’ve never been perfect, but neither have you
So if you’re asking me, I want you to know
When my time comes, forget the wrong that I’ve done
Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed
And don't resent me, and when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory, leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
Forgetting / all the hurt inside you’ve learned to hide so well
Pretending / someone else can come and save me from myself
I can’t be who you are
When my time comes, forget the wrong that I’ve done
Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed
And don’t resent me, and when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory, leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
Forgetting / all the hurt inside you’ve learned to hide so well
Pretending / someone else can come and save me from myself
I can’t be who you are
I can’t be who you are
04 Bleed It Out (02:45)
And here we go for the hundredth time
Hand grenade pins in every line
Throw 'em up and let something shine
Going out of my fuckin' mind
Filthy mouth, no excuse
Find a new place to hang this noose
String me up from atop these roofs
Knot it tight so I won't get loose
Truth is you can stop and stare
Run myself out, and no one cares
Dug the trench out, laid down there
With a shovel up out of reach somewhere
Yeah, someone pour it in
Make it a dirt dance floor again
Say your prayers and stomp it out
When they bring that chorus in
I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away
I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away
I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away
Just to throw it away, just to throw it away
I bleed it out, go, stop the show
Choppy words and a sloppy flow
Shotgun opera, lock and load
Cock it back and then watch it go
Mama help me, I've been cursed
Death is rolling in every verse
Candy paint on his brand new hearse
Can't contain him, he knows he works
... this hurts, I won't lie
Doesn't matter how hard I try
Half the words don't mean a thing
And I know that I won't be satisfied
So why try ignoring him?
Make it a dirt dance floor again
Say your prayers and stomp it out
When they bring that chorus in
I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away
I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away
I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away
Just to throw it away, just to throw it away
I bleed it out, I've opened up these scars
I'll make you face this
I pull myself so far
I'll make you face, this, now
I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away
I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away
I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away
Just to throw it away, just to throw it away
I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away
I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away
I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away
Just to throw it away, just to throw it away
I bleed it out
I bleed it out
I bleed it out.
05 Shadow of the Day (04:50)
I close both locks below the window,
I close both blinds and turn away,
Sometimes solutions aren't so simple,
Sometimes goodbye's the only way,
And the sun will set for you,
The sun will set for you,
And the shadow of the day,
Will embrace the world in grey,
And the sun will set for you,
In cards and flowers on your window,
Your friends all plead for you to stay,
Sometimes beginnings aren't so simple,
Sometimes goodbye's the only way,
And the sun will set for you,
The sun will set for you,
And the shadow of the day,
Will embrace the world in grey,
And the sun will set for you,
And the shadow after day,
Will embrace the world in grey,
And the sun will set for you,
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
08 No More Sorrow (03:42)
Are you lost… in your lies?
Do you tell yourself "I don’t realize"?
Your crusade’s a disguise,
Replaced freedom with fear, you trade money for lives.
I’m aware of… what you’ve done.
No, no more sorrow!
I’ve paid for your mistakes!
Your… time is borrowed!
Your time has come to be replaced!
I see pain, I see need,
I see liars and thieves abuse power with greed.
I had hope, I believed,
But I'm beginning to think that I've been deceived.
You will pay for… what you've done!
No, no more sorrow!
I’ve paid for your mistakes!
Your… time is borrowed!
Your time has come to be replaced!
Thieves and hypocrites!
Thieves and hypocrites!
Thieves and hypocrites!
No, no more sorrow!
I’ve paid for your mistakes!
Your… time is borrowed!
Your time has come to be… replaced!
No more sorrow!
I’ve paid for your mistakes!
Your… time is borrowed!
Your time has come to be… replaced!
Your time has come to be… replaced!
Your time has come to be… erased!
11 In Pieces (03:38)
Telling me to go
But hands beg me to stay
Your lips say that you love
Your eyes say that you hate
There's truth in your lies
Doubt in your faith
What you build you lay to waste
There's truth in your lies
Doubt in your faith
All I've got's what you didn't take
So I, I won't be the one
Be the one to leave this
In pieces
And you, you will be alone
Alone with all your secrets
And regrets
Don't lie
You promise me the sky
Then toss me like a stone
You wrap me in your arms
And chill me to the bone
There's truth in your lies
Doubt in your faith
All I've got's what you didn't take
So I, I won't be the one
Be the one to leave this
In pieces
And you, you will be alone
Alone with all your secrets
And regrets
Don't lie
So I, I won't be the one
Be the one to leave this
In pieces
And you, you will be alone
Alone with all your secrets
And regrets
Don't lie
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Other reviews
By Gallagher87
"We will be original, no more nu-metal... these were the official statements... nothing more false."
"Titanic disappointment 'The Little Things You Give Away'... a sleeping pill."
By prince22
The Linkin guys have mellowed.
Credit must be given to Linkin Park for having had the courage to change their style and not having done what most artists do.
By ascensions86
It seems like the album is in search of new sounds, with the band in a mood for experimentation both in terms of musical genres and the roles of its members.
Ultimately, 'Minutes to Midnight' is an undoubtedly good album, although after a four-year wait, more might have been expected.
By Mariano90
It’s like a hand gives me such a strong slap on the ear that it liquefies my eardrums and the entire auditory system.
The essential element that had distinguished them is missing: the ROCK.
By wish
An ugly release therefore, perhaps the worst of Linkin Park’s career; a boring extended play from start to finish.
A true insult to my ears.
