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Linkin Park

Minutes To Midnight

Linkin Park’s recent revelation that they were never really nu-metal couldn’t have been more disingenuous had they claimed to have been just following orders. They won’t let it lie, though; their fourth album opens with an instrumental called ‘Wake’ which could have been titled ‘Look Ma, No Ham-Fisted Raps!’ What follows is the sound of a band trying and failing to forge a new identity – boy-band balladry, U2-style stadium rock and Metallica-esque melodic crunch are all attempted with predictably patchy results. Album centrepiece ‘Hands Held High’, however, is far, far worse: an asinine anti-Bush diatribe on which multi-millionaire Mike Shinoda seethes that folk can’t afford gas no more, it climaxes with Chester Bennington chanting “Amen” over gospel keys and a marching band beat and is far and away the funniest thing you’ll hear all year.

Dan Silver

2 out of 10
 
 
 

Comments (11)

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stuligin 

Nov 14, 2007

dan obviously doesnt know his arse from his head.

linkin park has put out the best album yet in their career, with thought provoking songs, added to some of their mainstream stuff.

as for hands held high, well dan, obviously you never were in the armed forces, obviously you have no idea about US politics, and the disaster bush has led the us, and world into. this song says it all.

to sum it up: Linkin Park 1, dan silver 0

stuligin 

Nov 14, 2007

stuligin 

Nov 14, 2007

LeeTC 

Dec 3, 2007

Spot on Dan.

shafiq 

Jan 7, 2008

WTF!!!! f*** u DAN
u dont even seem like knowing what ur talkin about, or plz make sure u heard the right album!!! it shows that u hate linkin park, but u shouldn’t let ur feelings blind the common sense witch is missing in ur review for SURE!!! Critics should be ashamed u being one of them, if u don’t like the album u must at least have some decency or even some taste in music not to attack them that way,

linkin park:
great band
great album
5 stars
lp for life…………………..

dan silver:
“a bad critic who should be fired for speaking non sense”

waffles42 

Jan 17, 2008

I laughed at loud at the above fanboy's "comment". Don't be so attached, make a valid argument against it. In my opinion the reviewer couldn't be any more correct.

gas911 

Mar 6, 2008

appauling album.
a drastic style change from rap metal beauty mix to a savage techno, monophonic droop that would confuse rockers thinkin there in Abiza. yelling, belching, cutting and sure as hell sleeping. a loyal fan lost.

Whatshername13 

Mar 28, 2008

I love Linkin Park, but I like Hybrid Theory and Meteora so much better then MTM. I don't think the album's as bad as the reviewer says because it has some amazing tracks on it (like Given Up & Shadow Of The Day) but I don't think they should have really changed their sound.

seanbeanman 

Jul 20, 2008

I have just listened to this album. Unfortunately it is like so much of the top selling rock music of the last ten years, it has absolutely nothing to contribute in the way of originality. there is little to keep the listener interested or even entertained and is little more than background music. This is clearly designed just to make a lot of money for those involved in creating it - modern day "easy listenting" formula muzak.

oliridon 

Jul 23, 2009

Honestly i think that Dan is wrong well maybe minute to midnight is not the same type as hybrid theory or meteora but their song are still great. Dan in this review you're judging the band and not the album. So when you'll have understand what i mean talk me about that again.

Critics_are_stupid 

Oct 26, 2009

Dan, you call yourself a critic? Music means nothing to you. I dont see why people are not open to change. To me the change was different but the music is still amazing and Mike Shinoda is one of the most talented musicians I know and this is why you fail in life Dan.

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