Linkin Park
Meteora

Release Date: 2003 | Tracklist

There is no doubt; Hybrid Theory was as groundbreaking as everyone says. When expectations are set so high by a band so quickly, you’re usually set up for disappointment. There are many examples of this (Evanescence's transfer from their rock-influenced sound of Fallen to the mellow beauty of The Open Door, for example) and most people would throw Linkin Park's second project Metora in this category of sophomore slumps. I, however believe this album is a more complete listen than Hybrid (as good as it was), and Metora focused on the positive points of Hybrid and added better lyrics and some gutsy ideas that worked beautifully.

The lyrics on Hybrid Theory weren't bad by any definition, but they are more mature in this album. You can easily tell that when listening to tracks like "Somewhere I Belong" and "Easier To Run". Both these tracks have motivational lyrics hidden behind the sorrow of past mistakes. They are easy to relate to and both make for great listens (if you like the softer side of Linkin Park). The instrumentals are less impressive in both of the tracks, but more complex beats, guitars, or piano parts would take away from the meaningful lyrics (which are the obvious focal points of these tracks). "Nobody's Listening" is another highlight where Mike shows off his fantastic rapping ability (like he does in older tracks "Step Up" and "High Voltage"). This is a hip hop influenced track before rock influenced. The beat is one of the catchier ones I've hear LP come up with, and the chorus involves chester enough, but not too much (like other tracks can do); LP does start toward their current state on this record where Chester is he frontman and Mike is just an accessory.

Most of the other songs, excluding "Hit The Floor" (Easily the worst track on the record) and "From The Inside" (Never could get that into this song), are good listens. "Firgure.09" is a song old Linkin Park fans might recognize as "Part of Me" from the original Hybrid Theory Demo. It was my favorite track from the demo and the newer version is my favorite off this one. The screaming bridge is easily my favorite part with Chester screaming while Mike raps behind him. "Faint" and "Lying From You" are both live favorites with "Faint's" fantastic bridge and catchy string beat became iconic memories from this album. "Session" is one of my favorites (also making a reappearance from the demo) with it's catchy drum machine line at the beginning which transitions to great synthesized scratches and an altered version of the original beat. "Don't Stay" is another heavy tracks with a great beat and the live drums stand out to me for some reason (even though it's a simple beat). The guitars also make a bigger impression of this song and add to the angry feel of the song. "Numb" is the big radio hit off the record and is easily recognizable by anyone who turns a radio on. It really isn't a standout track if you were into the heavier tracks that made Hybrid famous (instead of just listening to "In The End" and "Pushing Me Away" on repeat), even though I love Mike's small part in the song ("Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow"). Love it, and "Breaking The Habit" won't turn many heads either, but I enjoy the mostly electronic beat and it mixes with Chester's clean vocals well.

I understand why people don't really enjoy this album compared to their debut, but this album manages to go mainstream while keeping the elements people enjoyed off the original. At least there is still Mike rapping on this album and guitars present (listen to A Thousand Sun to understand LP's further sound changes). When anyone asks me about LP, I make sure I show him or her this album as much as I show him or her Hybrid.

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3.5 great

Rank: #0 for 2003