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Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda steps out for a wall-to-wall hip-hop project on which he faces his critics ("High Road"), gets autobiographical ("Remember the Name"), shares family history ("Kenji") and emerges as a hip-hop reformist ("Cigarette"). Standing shoulder to shoulder with, among others, John Legend, members of the Roots, and Styles of Beyond,
The Rising Tied shines brightest in its earliest moments, where the beats and rhymes feel and sound freshest and where the positive message feels most sincere. This limited edition includes documentary footage that follows the album's evolution, and Shinoda during the making of the video for "Petrified", all of which ultimately provides fans with interesting insights into the album and the artist himself. -
Jedd Beaudoin
CD Description
A hip-hop/electronica outing by Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda (aka Fort Minor), THE RISING TIED features surging synth lines, tight beats, and moody string passages (arranged by Beck's father, David Campbell). In addition to Shinoda's own thoughtful and potent rhymes, this 2005 album boasts cred-boosting guest shots from Black Thought (of the Roots), Common, John Legend, and others. Far from a vanity project, the disc reveals Shinoda's behind-the-boards skills, particularly on the standout track "Believe Me", which also benefits from Eric Bobo's frenetic Latin percussion. Although THE RISING TIED will undoubtedly appeal to many Linkin Park fans, the inventive and eclectic record is likely to find enthusiastic listeners beyond the nu-metal set.