Linkin Park explode onto the scene (Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park)

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park
Date:	28/02/08 (31 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great mix of nu-metal and radio-rock!

Disadvantages: Metal music needs to be acceptable if you are to enjoy the whole of this album

Linkin Park exploded onto the nu-metal scene with a loud commercial bang with their hit single 'Crawling', track 5 on this album, shortly followed by 'In The End', the 8th track. They provide a style of the genre that is friendly to the commercial market as a whole, whilst keeping in true form to the label of a nu-metal group. The band is fronted by the two lead vocalists Mike Shinoda (original member) and Chester Bennington (amazing vocal range).

'Hybrid Theory' is Linkin Park's first album, released in 2000 with immediate success. The title of the album also happens to be the band's previous name. This was changed to Linkin Park shortly before the album was produced.

The album combines some heavy rock anthems with nu-metal sounds and a melodic vocal set, making this a very well worked album. It has the right balance to stretch across genres. There are not many albums you can say are perfect, and while this is not so with Hybrid Theory, it does come close. It is the album in my collection I most listen to, and for this simple reason: all 12 tracks are of a high standard and could have been released commercially and enjoyed success. At least, that is my opinion.

These are the tracks:

1. Papercut
2. One Step Closer
3. With You
4. Points Of Authority
5. Crawling
6. Runaway
7. By Myself
8. In The End
9. A Place For My Head
10. Forgotten
11. Cure For The Itch
12. Pushing Me Away

My favourite track is track 6, Runaway. In this track, we see the full force of the metal side of Linkin Park mixed beautifully with the melodic tones of Bennington. My wife often tells me she would be more of a fan if there was more of the melodies from Bennington.

I love this album, and I won't hold back in saying so. Nu-metal is not everybody's cup of tea, I accept that, but this is not pure nu-metal - there is a good mix of music which, even though still on the heavy side, is much more appealing to listeners of regular 'chart' music, and this is perhaps the main reason behind its widespread success.

The album is currently available from amazon.co.uk for £4.98 new or £2.24 used.

This review may also be posted on ciao.co.uk

Thanks for reading.

Summary: Great album - extremely well balanced and one of my favourites