Review Summary: Linkin Park returns with their second album, and manages to do a great job even after the pressure of following up the insanely popular Hybrid Theory.
We all know that Linkin Park is one of the juggernauts of nu-metal, and I'd assume most of you aren't interested in the history of the band, so let's just cut to the chase and begin the review!
Don't Stay
After an unnecessary intro track, we jump into Don't Stay. It's a fairly heavy song, for Linkin Park anyways, and is a nice way to kickstart the album. The guitar and drums are initially quiet, but then the song explodes shortly after and brings in the great Mr. Hahn, adding his turntables to a heavier riff and louder drums. The song becomes a bit quieter once Chester begins singing the verse, then once again erupting with Chester screaming, followed by a simple but catchy chorus. We then arrive at the bridge of the song. The guitar riff changes but remains heavy with Chester yelling on top before heading back into the chorus, and then repeating the verse as an exit to the song. Lyrics are fairly simple really, but it gets the message sent. While the song feels like it's become a bit repetitive by the end, it manages to remain heavy throughout, a pretty good start for Meteora.
3.5/5
Somewhere I Belong
One of my personal favorites. The intro starts off utilizing electronic sound effects and a clean guitar(this will later serve as the verse riff), then the guitar and drums kick in and demonstrate the chorus riff for us before heading into the verse. Mike Shinoda makes his debut on the album rapping while Chester occasionally chimes in with a few words on top of Shinoda rapping. The bridge is an extension to the chorus, not changing much, but still welcome. Mike and Chester work great together on this track, successfully writing a song about finding one's self. It's a rather moody track in comparison to others, and it fits perfectly on the album.
5/5
Lying From You
Starting with an electronic effect similar to Somewhere I Belong, it quickly bursts into a fairly slow but heavy guitar riff. Mike Shinoda raps over the intro riff while Brad plays a few chords periodically. Chester joins in once again before the two combine to sing the chorus. The chorus is calmer than the heavy riff we were hit with earlier, but still fits with the song. However, the bridge reintroduces that heavy riff on repeat while Chester screams and Mike offers a more aggressive rap. This fusion makes for an awesome, awesome bridge before ending the song with the chorus. The end result is one of Linkin Park's heavier, darker and best songs.
4.5/5
Hit The Floor
Another one of the heavier tracks, we begin with a quiet but darker intro consisting of electronic sounds yet again. Then we're treated to another heavy guitar riff that will be consistently used throughout this song unlike Lying From You, since it will also be used as the chorus riff. As usual, Mike raps in the verse, and joins Chester in the chorus. Chester mostly screams throughout the chorus and Mike, adding to the aggressive nature of the song. Nothing really changes for the most part, and while it is pretty repetitive it's still an enjoyable track.
3.5/5
Easier To Run
I'm really not a fan of this song, at all. It's rather boring for the most part, and the lyrics are a bit silly, even for me. It comes off as a generic radio rock song, and I almost always skip it. Probably the weakest song on the album.
1.5/5
Faint
One of Linkin Park's most popular songs. In the same style of previous tracks, we start off with a violin-like electronic sound before jumping into a guitar riff which once again will be used as the chorus riff. Verse comes in, Mike raps, Chester does the chorus alone this time. The bridge is a bit different, switching to a heavier riff and Chester screaming before we go into a verse where Chester softly sings and finishes with an extended chorus. Faint is a catchy, energetic song that has been used in way too many Dragon Ball Z AMVs.
3.5/5
Figure.09
Aww yeah, now we're at my favorite song on the album. The intro starts with electronic drums before bringing in a quiet yet heavy guitar riff that slowly builds up, then once again breaking out the drums and turning up the guitar to create a heavy section. The verse has Mike Shinoda rapping once again over Brad playing a few chords from the riff, and Rob drumming at a slower pace, but soon the drums become faster along with the guitar while Mike still raps. The instruments work great together and Mike's raps are the icing on the cake. Everything slows down before we enter the chorus, which features Chester by himself over a more 'catchy' guitar riff. Once we arrive at the bridge, the guitar changes slightly but remains heavy, the turntable joins in, and Chester screams while Mike raps in a more hostile tone, creating another heavy bridge. Everything on this track works fantastically together, leaving us with one of Linkin Park's best.
5/5
Breaking The Habit
Another moody song, similar to Somewhere I Belong. Mixing a calm electronic sound with a clean but swift guitar riff creates a beautiful, atmospheric instrumental. Chester is solo on this track and his vocals really shine here. While the song doesn't change much, it still comes out incredible and easily one of the best songs on the album.
5/5
From The Inside
Unfortunately, I don't really dig this song, it's not my cup of tea. Like Easier To Run, nothing really grabs me in this song and I simply find it boring. It's a bit heavier than Easier To Run, and even has Chester screaming over a slow but somewhat heavy riff towards the end, but I'm afraid this track does nothing for me.
2/5
Nobody's Listening
Adding a flute to the mix, we're treated to a cool background beat while Mike Shinoda raps. Chester joins in for the chorus and sings over the same beat with Shinoda, while Brad throws in a few guitar chords for good measure. This track is different from previous ones because it focuses mostly on Mike's rap. The formula is basic but effective. It sounds quite rad and is pretty unique in comparison to most Linkin Park tracks, fun to listen to.
4/5
Session
Oh neat, an instrumental. It's a fairly simple but cool industrial / trip-hop track, similar to Cure For The Itch from Hybrid Theory. It's a very mellow, relaxing sound throughout the entire song. I'm a sucker for anything trip-hop, and I'd love for LP to do an album with nothing but songs like this and Cure For The Itch. One can dream.
5/5
Numb
Eh, once again I'm not really into this song. The lyrics come off as silly once again and it sounds rather generic overall. I couldn't stand it on the radio back in the day, and I'm still not a fan. It has an eerily calm atmosphere to it, but regardless, it still bores / pains me to listen to it. Same basic formula as most other songs, nothing really changes.
2/5
Linkin Park's Meteora, although having a few weaker tracks, still ends up being a great album. I'd say it's a fine follow-up to Hybrid Theory and my personal favorite from the boys. If you're curious, I'd recommend giving this album a spin at least once. You might be pleasantly surprised with a few tracks.
