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In 2010, without anyone really noticing, Linkin Park released one of the most innovative and astounding albums of the year. A Thousand Suns was not so much a collection of songs as a tapestry of sound that sometimes veered, sometimes glided, between the confrontational agit-pop of Public Enemy and sombre, expectations-eschewing acoustic selections.
On its sleeve notes, the group bent over backwards to explain that this was no ordinary body of work; and in doing so suggested that this was a band with no faith in the intelligence of those who paid money into their bank accounts. But even allowing for this slightly patronising stance, A Thousand Suns was a body of work startling enough that it gambled with the massive commercial success the group had achieved since their debut album, 2000’s Hybrid Theory.
Living Things is not an album of the same calibre as the one it succeeds. Whereas the promise of that album suggested that Linkin Park may have been on the way to becoming mainstream radio’s Radiohead, the feel of this follow-up gives the impression that quintet have pulled back from this brink.
While it’s impossible for an outside party to guess at a band’s motivation when recording new songs, to these ears Linkin Park are not trying as hard as they once did. That’s not to say that Living Things is a lazy album – in fact, far from it. Songs such as the pimp-rolling Lies Greed Misery and the electronic monster-balladry of Powerless are pieces that showcase this band’s approach that tracks are not so much composed as they are constructed.
With this architecture in place, overseen by bandleader Mike Shinoda, Linkin Park will always be a compelling and watchable entity. But Living Things doesn’t deliver music as interesting or as arresting as what immediately preceded it. Which comes as both a surprise and, more importantly, a shame.
--Marcus J. Moore
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Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Dw Myers
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I just love the fact that Linkin Park have got the guts to try all these different sounds and hence not go 'stale'. I'm not one of those people who compare a new album to the last album, the second album or whatever. I believe every piece of work should be taken and enjoyed on it's own merit and it's own sound.In other words judge it for what it is and not what it's not. No it's not Meteora or Hybrid Theory or Thousand Suns, it's Linkin Park doing what they do best and exploring and experimenting and I love the fact they can still suprise me. I for one love every album they've ever done but for different reasons and different moods with each one. Let's face it if they all sounded the same we'd be moaning they playing on past glories and living in the past etc etc. Hope that doesn't sound like the ramblings of a madman but there you go, buy it and just imagine it's the first time you've ever heard them, I love it, hope you do to :)
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By Liam
Format:Audio CD
As most other Linkin Park fans were, I was extremely disappointed with their last effort A Thousand Suns. There were so many tracks on there that just didn't work for me, a lot of it was made up of noises and different sounds. There was 1, maybe 2 decent songs at best. It just wasn't Linkin Park, and I think the band admitted that they took a risk with it. In my opinion they've realised their mistake and tried to rectify it here.
Let me just say that if you were put off by that album, don't let it prevent you getting this one. This is a HUGE improvement. The best two things about it are that some familiar features from the old albums have returned in a lot of the tracks here- Mike's rapping and the heavy baslines that made Hybrid Theory and Meteroa so iconic. The first 6 tracks almost sound like they could be from those two albums, the only difference being a slightly more elecctronic hint to them. Their single Burn It Down is not bad, but I wouldn't say it's the best on there. I'll Be Gone and Powerless have 'single' written all over them for the future. I love the rapping in Lost in the Echo and Burn it Down too.
Linkin Park will probably never return to the style of their original album, but this is pretty damn close. It's not perfect- some of the tail end of the album is a bit average. Overall though it really is an excellent album, much much better than a Thousand Suns which will hopefully just turn out to be a blip in their progression. If anyone thought Linkin Park had gone for good, well, they're back!
Let me just say that if you were put off by that album, don't let it prevent you getting this one. This is a HUGE improvement. The best two things about it are that some familiar features from the old albums have returned in a lot of the tracks here- Mike's rapping and the heavy baslines that made Hybrid Theory and Meteroa so iconic. The first 6 tracks almost sound like they could be from those two albums, the only difference being a slightly more elecctronic hint to them. Their single Burn It Down is not bad, but I wouldn't say it's the best on there. I'll Be Gone and Powerless have 'single' written all over them for the future. I love the rapping in Lost in the Echo and Burn it Down too.
Linkin Park will probably never return to the style of their original album, but this is pretty damn close. It's not perfect- some of the tail end of the album is a bit average. Overall though it really is an excellent album, much much better than a Thousand Suns which will hopefully just turn out to be a blip in their progression. If anyone thought Linkin Park had gone for good, well, they're back!
26 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's about time.
In the beginning there was Hybrid Theory and Meteora.
Then along came Minutes to Midnight, which I shall ever regard as the black sheep of the LP collection.
Three years later came A Thousand Suns, an album which I regard as art, and an amazing piece of work.
Now appears Living Things.
Combining the efforts of all four albums together, Living Things is Linkin Park "rebooted" for a new decade. This isn't another Hybrid Theory, nor is Minutes Part II or A Thousand Suns Part II. This is a unique body of work which some well-produced songs with matured-developed lyrics (remember, these guys are not young anymore!) For any die hard fans still crying and moaning about the evolution of this band, it's time to open your ears and remember the amazing musicianship this band has. Mike's rap, Chester's screams and melodic singing, Mr Hahn's electronic and turntable work, Brad and Phoenix's guitar and bass lines, Rob Bourdon's drumming mixed with the tribal sounds from ATS. It all comes together in an amazing package. If anyone hasn't listen to this yet, and wants to know what it sounds like; I'll say it kind of sounds like the bands Reanimation album from a decade ago, how everything was mixed, trashed and repackaged into a fun package of suns. But this goes deeper than that.
What are you waiting for!? Go buy this album now!
In the beginning there was Hybrid Theory and Meteora.
Then along came Minutes to Midnight, which I shall ever regard as the black sheep of the LP collection.
Three years later came A Thousand Suns, an album which I regard as art, and an amazing piece of work.
Now appears Living Things.
Combining the efforts of all four albums together, Living Things is Linkin Park "rebooted" for a new decade. This isn't another Hybrid Theory, nor is Minutes Part II or A Thousand Suns Part II. This is a unique body of work which some well-produced songs with matured-developed lyrics (remember, these guys are not young anymore!) For any die hard fans still crying and moaning about the evolution of this band, it's time to open your ears and remember the amazing musicianship this band has. Mike's rap, Chester's screams and melodic singing, Mr Hahn's electronic and turntable work, Brad and Phoenix's guitar and bass lines, Rob Bourdon's drumming mixed with the tribal sounds from ATS. It all comes together in an amazing package. If anyone hasn't listen to this yet, and wants to know what it sounds like; I'll say it kind of sounds like the bands Reanimation album from a decade ago, how everything was mixed, trashed and repackaged into a fun package of suns. But this goes deeper than that.
What are you waiting for!? Go buy this album now!
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4.0 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Xmas present
Bought for my sons girlfriend. One of her favourite bands so no complaints, what more can l say, very pleased!
Published 4 days ago by LINDA
2.0 out of 5 stars
Different... & not in a good way!
This album most likely won't be for you if you appreciated linkin park's earlier work as much as I do... Read more
Published 19 days ago by Nik
5.0 out of 5 stars
LP Back at their Best
Having been a fan of Linkin Park since their first album (Hybrid Theory) I bought this album in the hope that it would be a return to the sound that first drew me in. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. T. E. Rochester
3.0 out of 5 stars
Eh, nothing exciting
This is nothing exciting for the return of a band as great as Linkin Park. Still, it is the return of them and if you like them you should get it.
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Thomas D. Hill
1.0 out of 5 stars
Goodbye and thank you for the music
I am a big fan of LP's first three albums.
Their visceral fusion of genres that matured into a classic rock style was both ground breaking and refreshing. Read more
Their visceral fusion of genres that matured into a classic rock style was both ground breaking and refreshing. Read more
Published 1 month ago by M. Adil-smith
3.0 out of 5 stars
More Aware!
The CD is a great album and I was excited when I received the package very quickly in the post. Upon opening the package I found the item came in an open case, i.e. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Andy Goddard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it
Another great album from Linkin Park. Bought this for my brother as a present and ended up borrowing it myself.
Published 1 month ago by EmmaOlphert
5.0 out of 5 stars
Back to their best
This album is classic Linkin Park. Not a weak track on the album and back to the days of Meteora.
Published 1 month ago by C. Glover
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better
A far cry from the last album that I quite frankly did not buy after listening to some samples. Back to the sound we have all come to love.
Published 2 months ago by Colin
5.0 out of 5 stars
good cd
love Linkin Park. Have all there cds so needed this to add to collection. Great price and arrived quick. Cool
Published 2 months ago by Miss Nikki Wheelans
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