This was literally the first album I owned. I was 4 and heard it on the radio and thought it was so cool I begged my dad to buy it. Still have the copy and listen to it. Glad you got to try it out.
For me, Meteora is Linkin Park's best project to date. Hybrid Theory is a well loved one as well, but I think they perfected their angsty nu-metal / pop sound in Meteora. It's akin to the evolution from Ride the Lightning to Master of Puppets. Same sound, but perfected. Love the albums to death as a kid because of its great pop songwriting, honestly. However dated the sound, the songwriting is solid, catchy, and memorable.
Honestly I still put Meteora on sometimes. Not Hybrid Theory as much, but I really like the Reanimation remixes. Hybrid Theory has more cringe moments, Crawling and In The End just didn't age very well. Meteora has a few cringe moments too - Faint, I guess, and a couple others. But when it hits it HITS. Even Faint! Breaking the Habit, Somewhere I Belong, honestly I even think Numb is fucking sick.
I highly agree with this comment. Yes, they perfected the sound on Meteora and the songwriting was better when compared to Hybrid Theory. I personally always revisit Meteora because it was such a highly produced record (mixing and mastering etc.)
4:27 you're actually right. *Points Of Authority* it's song about child abuse and how it marks you for life. Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bannington was sexually abused throughout a long period of his childhood. However, he wasn’t abused by his parents, but by an older man. which caused him many traumas. A lot of LP songs reflect that trauma and depression he was dealing with 6:15 *Crawling* This is about Chester's past drug addiction to crystal meth and other hard drugs such as cocaine. Chester felt like he would never get over this addiction. In an interview Chester said "Crawling has caused me the most trouble live more than any other song, Crawling is about feeling like I had no control over myself in terms of drugs and alcohol…"
You know this means you gotta face the final boss of shitty late 90's/early 2000's nu-metal, right? THE CULTURE NEEDS A LIMP BIZKIT "SIGNIFICANT OTHER" OOME, MYKE.
Myke I'll put this out there, they (LP) have an album called Reanimation where it's a remix album of Hybrid Theory, they turned it into a Hip-Hop/Electronic sound. Here's the part that will interest you, the features include: Pharoah Monch, Black Thought, Chali 2na, Alchemist, and a host of other dope rappers. It's my personal favorite LP album by far. Better than Collision Course with Jay-Z by a mile.
I agree with you. The DJ's moments of doing actual DJ stuff are great. I thought their remix album "Reanimation" where most the Instrumentals are remixed to be more glitchy/Hip-Hop oriented while also getting some good rappers for guest verses was good. They had people like Pharoahe Monch, Black Thought and Chali 2na for example.
Lol knew Myke wouldn’t like this one, I enjoy this because of nostalgia purposes. First stuff I cared to listen to as a young kid, but his points are obviously good ones.
MrShaiya96 his point on mike shinoda rapping being poor, the simplicity of the lyrics, the basic guitar riffs as well as the point on singing of Chester when he isn’t screaming. Did you watch the review haha?
MrShaiya96 did you take this way too much to heart and get in your feelings? Poetically speaking, certain lyrics can be much more intricate and meaningful than others. I’d argue their lyrics are fairly straight forward and lack complexity. The guitar riffs are very common within the genre so you could argue that would be considered basic. And you tried to logic your way into an argument without saying anything. You made zero compelling points to combat mine. Or maybe a laymen like me missed it lol
This album is a great gateway album. That’s all I can say. Looking back in high school, I got through most of the time listening to music that sounded similar to Linkin Park.
Even if it’s technically not nu-metal you should check out their project “thousand suns”. I don’t think you’ll love it but it has more of what you did enjoy off of this album. Mike Shinoda also doesn’t rap that much and Chester is more chill with his vocals for the most part. Also the song writing is substantially better and more mature imo
I enjoy A Thousand Suns a lot but I still don’t really see Myke enjoying it I can easily picture him shitting on tracks like Wretches & Kings or Iridescent lol
Thousand Suns is my favorite album from LP. It’s in an interesting spot in their discography. Not quite the sound and feel of their previous albums but also doesn’t have a lot of the pop/electronic elements of their later ones. For me, it really is an album that stands by itself in their discography.
To me, this album is not just a moment in time. It is the best-selling rock album of the century for good reasons. Chester, with his emotive and intense vocals moved seemingly millions of people and is still influential to this today. And God have you heard all these mashups that feature 'Crawling'? I won't go as far as saying that the album is timeless or ahead of its time, but that's a sign of 'Hybrid Theory' still being relevant for sure.
Can't say I agree with his opinion 99% of the time. You don't like when Chester hollers? Man he sounds/sounded amazing. This was a great album and also Mike's rapping and lyrics definitely aren't that bad. At the end of the day everyone's entitled to their opinion and my opinion is Linkin Park is legendary.
I like these nu-metal reviews as its 1) a historical trip back to get a sense of a musical movement and 2) a different perspective (especially if you do find one thats decent-to-good but I wont place my bets on that anytime soon lol)
check out the podcast Roach Koach. they've been digging through nu-metal albums since 2016 to put together the list of the albums that were actually worth your time. its a funny show
If you were born in the mid ‘90s, there’s a good chance this album was your introduction to music in general. I’d say the best song on the album is “Place for my Head.” It’s definitely Mike’s best flow, and the overall structure isn’t ass basic. You said the word “basic” a lot in your review, and I think that’s the main issue with rap metal. Combining generic rapping with generic riffs doesn’t make either one more interesting. Funny you mentioned “Cure For The Itch,” because I would say that was my gateway into instrumental hip-hop.
I love these videos man, I don't even care that you don't like the stuff. It's interesting to hear someone else's perspective, especially when they are able to articulate it well and explain why they do or do not like something. As someone who went through middle school being in love with Linkin Park, it's cool to hear an opinion from someone who is listening to it for the first time not wrapped up in the nostalgia. So keep it up, my dude, and be safe out there.
Even though you completely tore the album apart, that was really insightful to me. Having grown up listening to them, I really can't objectively critique it at all, it just sounds so damn nostalgic. I respect the fact that you managed to justify everything that you didn't like instead of just hating on it. I'd be really interested in hearing what you got to say about Reanimation and Meteora, and I'll definitely be checking out your other videos.
God damn, every negative point Myke raises about this album is the exact opposite of how I feel. By Myself is my favorite song on the album even, haha! Great review anyway, nice to hear a fresh perspective on such a (personally) classic album.
You should check A Thousand Suns by them it's not nu metal and expands on their electronic elements. Also the electronic parts were mostly done by Mike.
Not gonna lie, it is refreshing to hear a critical opinion on this album (full disclosure it’s one of my favorites) because I’m tired of people on RUclips putting the album on a pedestal like it’s invincible. Linkin Park is my favorite band of all time but even I can say this album has its issues like some laziness and...clutter? I don’t have the right word but it’s like there’s too much going on at some points. To me, Meteora is much cleaner and refined, not perfect, but it’s my favorite album of all time. I think it’s because they found their sound. Then they went more experimental with Minutes to Midnight through One More Light (with tons of songs I like) but I think Meteora is peak Linkin Park. Thanks for your honesty, man. I’m mature enough to know that not everyone can get into this album lol and thanks for not faking that you liked it to get views and subscribers. Kudos
I was legit so happy when you said cure for the itch was your favourite because that’s actually the only song I still have left on my phone from that album.
I honestly don't think Shinoda is a terrible rapper. He's just an okay rapper but it works in the context of Linkin Park imo. Good chemistry with Chester . Certainly much better than other rap rock vocalists like Fred Durst, the guy from Papa Roach etc but I guess that's not setting the bar particularly high lol. His catchy rhymes may be a bit simple, but I think it works here- more than the lyrical miracle rapping style. I like the range in Chester's vocals and am a bit of a sucker for the hooks- especially on the tracks you disliked the most. I don't listen to as much guitar based music as you do; so I wouldn't be able to notice the riffs being "generic". On an intellectual level, I can see where you're coming from but I guess on a visceral level, Linkin Park really works for me haha
Sir you have a refreshing way of exploring music which I believe is lacking in the world of reviews and critics; I especially enjoy the authenticity you bring - giving the reader a raw understanding of the artists’ intent along with the subtle intricacies perceived in their music in a uniquely relatable yet firm well informed manner.
Hybrid Theory was the only rock album I bought back in 2000, I was kinda fazed out of the rock genre by that point, with the exception Linkin Park and System of a Down
I think this album mixtape is way better you might like it myke please review it and keep up the good work I like your reviews an you should show some of your albums you have on CD 💿
This was my favorite album in middle school, but I distanced myself a lot when I disowned nu-metal and started listening to "real" metal. Over time I started listening to stuff from this period again out of nostalgia and enjoyed LP's music as a guilty pleasure. I still think nu-metal is pretty ridiculous, but I've gotten to a point where I can enjoy this band at least unironically and unashamedly. I agree that the electro elements are the best part, always thought so, and it's the one aspect I would defend without reservation. TL;DR Used to love it, then I didn't, now I do again, and the electro stuff is the best part, but nu-metal is still dumb.
I know a lot of people diss Linkin Park, but they have a special place for me. If it wasn't for their first two albums Hybrid Theory and Meteora, I wouldn't have gotten into the plethora of metal that I'm into today.
Myke C-Town well if you like ratm instrumentally and if you like some of the elements of hybrid theory, then I think you’ll probably like some of incubus, and no they don’t rap lol
The thing about Mike Shinoda is he's the big brain of the band. The electro sound that a lot of people (including you) like came from him and as time progresses he started to rap less and deal with instrumental more. It got me bummed when I was younger though, because I learned how to rap by being in Linkin Park cover band, and less rapping from him means less chance for me to perform, but I do get why he's decided to go that route.
Since you got tried this out, Reanimation would be a good suggestion. It takes hybrid theory and mutates it to an experimental direction. I actually think Reanimation improves on hybrid theory by making some interesting retextualisations on all of the songs
Maybe give "Reanimation" a listen, it was basically a remix album, with all electronic versions of the songs (done by Mr. Hahn, the member who handled all the electronic stuff you liked), and has some features from some different rappers as well.
You HAVE to give ReAnimation it’s due now. It’s a remix of Hybrid Theory with MUCH better production, heavier emphasis on the electronic elements, re-recorded vocals and all. Improves most of HT’s issues. You should also know that Linkin Park changed their sound constantly after Meteora. Mike Shinoda only ever got better as a rapper. He’s still not amazing but his styles gotten more bearable over the years.
Have you listened to Fort Minor's album? I know you said that Shinoda was your least favourite part of the album, but considering he is the main songwriter and plays the piano, the guitar and a lot of the electronic/programming parts of the album (which you enjoyed), you might find For Minor to be a better, more distilled version of the best things about his sound. I love it, anyway.
Man that riff on Points Of Authority sure is basic but it's fire, the production elevates it to another level. Also shocked you liked this more than SOAD and Slipknot, I guess it has stronger pop-songwritting?
You should review Reanimation by LP. It's a remix of this album and it's way more hip hop than nu metal. It's got a shit ton of features with genuinely good rappers. I think you, and even the whole DEHH crew would really like it.
I could never stand Shinoda's Raps, he was the main reason besides the lyrics that i just couldn't waste time on Linkin Park. I never had much of a problem with Bennington besides the angsty screaming but i could let that slide. I liked a few of their songs later on in their career when Shinoda ceased with the rapping at least on the hits i honestly don't know if he kept rapping or not on the albums non hits or not cause i never investigated past the hit singles because i just didn't care enough about the band to.
I had to laugh at Myke's critique of Shinoda's rapping. Now the 1st time I heard LP, I wasn't digging Shinoda's bars. Then, I just got used to it. Keep in mind, Myke C Town doesn't like nu-metal. But yeah, him roasting Shinoda's bars is true. But as fans of LP, i think as a fan of the group I'm just used to it. We're like, okay, we get what he talking bout. And we just accepted it over time, i guess. Meteora u might like more Myke because it's a bit more Chester and a little less Shinoda on the songs. Songs like Numb are on that album.
Yeah mike shinoda was never good but at some point it was okay enough. And broke things up between Chester parts. There’s a couple verses I think are tolerable on meteora. But shinoda always has this early 00s “white boy rapper “ tone to his voice. Glad no one sounds like that anymore.
I would love see your comments about the 1erst two korn albums. I undertand if you don t like them, but i found more sonically risky and harsh than a lot nu metal after.
Lol this album has aged like milk. It seemed cool when I was younger but quickly grew out of it once I started to move beyond listening to alt and nu metal
i think trapt's headstrong has the early 2000s WWE vibe that people find nostalgic if they were around that vibe when they were kids so that's probably where it comes from, it's hella booty but i can see the nostalgia, you prolly wouldn't find it nostalgic tho lmao it's an early zoomer thing mainly
I remember when I was in high school and we had a class presentation on Jewish concentration camps. One of the kids put “In the End” as their background music for it. This was two years ago
"Crawling is about feeling like I had no control over myself in terms of drugs and alcohol, hence the line 'These wounds they will not heal."" - Chester Bennington OK...
Not sure if you're a fan of Little Dragon or Tame Impala, but if you aren't those would fit this narrative perfect, especially LD, they're both great bands I literally just gotten into a couple of days ago and I'm already obsessed with Little Dragon, 1 of the most unique, beautiful bands that's come in over a decade
I propose a question and it applies to myself as well. Do you think certain arts like music and movies are good because you had to hear them at the time they were released and because they felt like such a breathe of fresh air and now decades later that fresh of breathe air is suppressed by the music/movies that came after ? For example, The Fast and the Furious (2001) I recall seeing as a kid and being amazed/blown away and I can re-watch and feel happy for the nostalgia but I would assume someone who has never seen a Fast and Furious movie seeing The Fast and The Furious (2001) in 2022 would be a little under whelmed. Now does this mean " you just had to be there and seen in it when it was new and fresh " or does this mean it was never really good in the first place. Same for music like If your listening to Linkin Park in 2022 for the first time and you don't enjoy it is it because you did not hear them in 2000s and missed the train and now you will never feel the same as someone who heard them in 2000s. I'm literally stuck in this situation all the time. I watched Predator (1987) and I thought it was okay not bad for its time but am I just never going to feel the way someone who saw it in 1990s and now can rewatch it in 2022 and say "how can you feel that way about such a great movie"
Love the review! I love this album,but I don't get butthurt when someone doesn't like what I like. It's nice to see a different POV on it. Hope to see more videos like this. Stay safe,Myke. Could you review one of the Nothingface albums? I'm a fan of An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity.
I never really thought of LP as nu-"METAL." More like... nu alternative or something. They weren't necessarily trying to be heavy IMO. I'm also glad to be old enough to have missed the boat on all this bullshit... but I am LOVING these reviews. Coal Chamber next!
I dunno, dude. There's some pretty heavy stuff on this album. Not Slipknot heavy, but still kinda heavy. I think the "metal" title just got attached fairly easily cuz anything heavier than, say, Nirvana was considered metal to most people. But I've never heard a single Coal Chamber song! I, for some reason, thought they were a goth metal band or something. Haha! So I'm definitely adding this to the list cuz I'm super curious now!
@@mykectown I liked Coal Chamber when i was a teenager but they are a very rudimentary Drop-D tuned Nu-Metal band that just added the goth shit cause it was popular at the time. Their albums were catchy but had horrible production and i dropped them soon after their third album cause it was just to boring.
Linkin Park was my gateway to metal, but this pretty much sums up my opinion on it now. I do think Points of Authority and maybe With You (most of the songs that aren't singles basically) would be better songs that I might actually listen to if it wasn't for Mike Shinoda's rapping, though I do think he's responsible for Cure for the Itch, which is the only track I've revisited semi-recently. I think i saw a couple of people recommending Meteora, skimming through these comments but I doubt you'd like that either for different reasons. I remember Lying from you, Somewhere I Belong, Faint and Numb being cool songs, and it comes off a bit less macho and "SHUT UP dont make me fuck you up bruh" than Hybrid Theory, but the rapping and record scratching is still all over the album, and the sound is very nu metal anthemic in a bad way. It's not hard to imagine sweaty shirtless guys in cargo shorts with a snapback on moshing to it and maybe chanting along a bit.
Linkin Park's strengths are their generalized, but soul-felt lyrics. They're not poseurs, there's real pain and honesty behind their words. That being said, they're about 50/50 hit and miss throughout their entire career, struggling to find a sonic identity. I recommend their fourth studio album, 2010's A Thousand Suns, which is their masterpiece and one of the best rock concept albums of its decade, really great stuff. Even though I love Hybrid Theory, this was an awesome breakdown, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thanks for posting. I appreciate your willingness to give stuff you don't think you'll like a shot. As far as Nu Metal goes I'm OK with the first Korn album, some Slipknot, System and maybe a Deftones record two. I'm not sure if you're a Grunge fan but if not it would be interesting to hear you tackle that scene in a similar way.
Yeahhh, this one didn’t age too well. Meteora was always better but I doubt you’d like that one much really. The lyrics aren’t much better but I think the songs are harder hitting and it’s mostly pretty fun to listen to
I honestly will say " meteora" is their better album they improved a lot ....I'm a fan of you and linkin park and I would've never suggested this to you ...if you see this I would love for you to check out their album "reanimation" The rapping is stepped and the production is great in my opinion and I definitely think some track will jump out to you
Mike was the main songwriter in the band. The electronic touch all over the LP sound was him and their DJ Joe Hahn. Also, if you think Shinoda's raps are weak, you should check out and review his album The Rising Tied under the moniker Fort Minor. Jay-Z was the executive producer on that album. All of it was Shinoda produced, top to bottom. Genius level production. Watch the making too, its on youtube, if you really want to be entertained.
I think you'll dig Reanimation a lot more, it does solve that major problem you have with Hybrid Theory which is Mike's rapping and has a lot of underground early 2000s MCs on it, though to be fair he for some reason deliberately holds back his ability to actually rap, the bonus track High Voltage shows he can rap really fucking good whenever he feels like it.
Mike's lyrics were toned down because Warner wouldn't let them release the album otherwise, They wanted to get rid of Shinoda entirely. If you listen to The Untitled (In The End Demo), Esaul (A Place For My Head Demo), Rhinestone (Forgotten Demo) you'll see that Shinoda was very solid, But he wasn't what the label wanted, So he was forced to tone his lyrics down, And even after that they were STILL reluctant to release the album. The band had to fight like hell to get it out.
I may be the only person in the world that prefers Meteora and Minutes to Midnight, the latter of which everyone seems to hate. I know Rick Rubin's production isn't everyone's cup of tea, but the cheesy nu-metal elements that I always ignored weren't even present. And Meteora is just an advancement on the Hybrid Theory style that aged a little better. Just my two cents; I still love Hybrid Theory but I think outside nostalgia it's not their strongest work.
Linkin Park was one of the first bands I got into at a young age. Many fans call this album their best but personally, I think their next album Meteora is their best. Nice to hear that you enjoyed Cure For The Itch. Thanks for checking out this album. I am personally enjoying seeing you look deeper into Nu Metal and hearing your thoughts. If you want more Nu Metal, I suggest checking out either Home by Sevendust or Wisconsin Death Trip by Static-X next. Keep up the good work man.
Bro, I know you said Mike isn't your favorite but just so you know he's the one that's doing all the writing like 98% of the time as well as coming up with all the beats instrumentals for them to play. He also does all the art and animation for music videos and album covers. He produces all the tracks. He mixes most of it too. Without him there is no Linkin park.
I do agree that this is the best album of the other nu-metal albums Myke reviewed (Slipknot’s debut and toxicity), contrary to popular music critics’ consensus
Myke! I think after listening to Hybrid Theory, you should listen to Reanimation. Its a remix album of hybrid theory tracks that's more hip hop oriented and features a remix from Alchemist and verses from Black Thought and Pharoahe Monch.
This was literally the first album I owned. I was 4 and heard it on the radio and thought it was so cool I begged my dad to buy it. Still have the copy and listen to it. Glad you got to try it out.
:D
Didn’t expect to see you here History Master
@@awc6007 me too
For me, Meteora is Linkin Park's best project to date. Hybrid Theory is a well loved one as well, but I think they perfected their angsty nu-metal / pop sound in Meteora. It's akin to the evolution from Ride the Lightning to Master of Puppets. Same sound, but perfected. Love the albums to death as a kid because of its great pop songwriting, honestly. However dated the sound, the songwriting is solid, catchy, and memorable.
Also, if you love Cure for the Itch, 100% definitely recommend you check out Sessions from Meteora!
Honestly I still put Meteora on sometimes. Not Hybrid Theory as much, but I really like the Reanimation remixes.
Hybrid Theory has more cringe moments, Crawling and In The End just didn't age very well.
Meteora has a few cringe moments too - Faint, I guess, and a couple others. But when it hits it HITS. Even Faint! Breaking the Habit, Somewhere I Belong, honestly I even think Numb is fucking sick.
Great comparison to the Metallica album. Meteora was their benchmark album that I compare everything else they did afterwards.
I highly agree with this comment. Yes, they perfected the sound on Meteora and the songwriting was better when compared to Hybrid Theory. I personally always revisit Meteora because it was such a highly produced record (mixing and mastering etc.)
Living things was also good it was like a return to form
Hybrid Theory was my shit. One of the first bands that got me into more harder sounding music before metal took over my life when I was 10 years old.
4:27 you're actually right. *Points Of Authority*
it's song about child abuse and how it marks you for life. Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bannington was sexually abused throughout a long period of his childhood. However, he wasn’t abused by his parents, but by an older man. which caused him many traumas. A lot of LP songs reflect that trauma and depression he was dealing with
6:15 *Crawling* This is about Chester's past drug addiction to crystal meth and other hard drugs such as cocaine. Chester felt like he would never get over this addiction.
In an interview Chester said "Crawling has caused me the most trouble live more than any other song, Crawling is about feeling like I had no control over myself in terms of drugs and alcohol…"
This is one of those nostalgia kinda albums. Reminds me of Dragon Ball AMVs on burned DVDs.
Pasicho
Dragon Ball AMWs and Kingdom Hearts AMWs 😅
Naruto AMVs for me
@@darseiy7934 facts. Naruto AMVs In the End , Faint, & Somewhere I belong
This comment and replies just unlocked some deep childhood memories 😂
this comment brought nostalgic tears to my eyes... thank you😭
Myke C-Town's Nu Metal Adventures is my new favorite show.
I'm so angery he doesn't like it but I'm not mad lmao he really tried between this and toxicity it sucks but oh well his thoughts and opinions
Love that he mentioned trapt since the whole rock community banded together to bring them down on Twitter. It was hilarious 😂
I saw that, it was pretty funny. I guess they live their Jock Rock label 100%.
You know this means you gotta face the final boss of shitty late 90's/early 2000's nu-metal, right?
THE CULTURE NEEDS A LIMP BIZKIT "SIGNIFICANT OTHER" OOME, MYKE.
Yeah, give us something to break.
Limp Bizkit is a good band in my opinion.
Was my first contact with Rock/Metal and I've never understood the massive hate.
Chocolate Starfish is a good album. I’ll die on that hill.
Yes!!!!
@@radamtv4779 mainly because the guitarist wes borland is like one of the greatest
Myke I'll put this out there, they (LP) have an album called Reanimation where it's a remix album of Hybrid Theory, they turned it into a Hip-Hop/Electronic sound. Here's the part that will interest you, the features include: Pharoah Monch, Black Thought, Chali 2na, Alchemist, and a host of other dope rappers.
It's my personal favorite LP album by far. Better than Collision Course with Jay-Z by a mile.
Rufin Fury pls do Reanimation
I agree with you. The DJ's moments of doing actual DJ stuff are great.
I thought their remix album "Reanimation" where most the Instrumentals are remixed to be more glitchy/Hip-Hop oriented while also getting some good rappers for guest verses was good.
They had people like Pharoahe Monch, Black Thought and Chali 2na for example.
Much love for Reanimation! I wish there were more projects like that
Reanimation hype
also has production from Alchemist and Evidence
Lol knew Myke wouldn’t like this one, I enjoy this because of nostalgia purposes. First stuff I cared to listen to as a young kid, but his points are obviously good ones.
MrShaiya96 his point on mike shinoda rapping being poor, the simplicity of the lyrics, the basic guitar riffs as well as the point on singing of Chester when he isn’t screaming. Did you watch the review haha?
MrShaiya96 did you take this way too much to heart and get in your feelings? Poetically speaking, certain lyrics can be much more intricate and meaningful than others. I’d argue their lyrics are fairly straight forward and lack complexity. The guitar riffs are very common within the genre so you could argue that would be considered basic. And you tried to logic your way into an argument without saying anything. You made zero compelling points to combat mine. Or maybe a laymen like me missed it lol
This album is a great gateway album. That’s all I can say. Looking back in high school, I got through most of the time listening to music that sounded similar to Linkin Park.
This album was amazing but I understand why Myke didn’t like it. Lol a lot of songs I like during this time aged horribly
Your favorite song is the instrumental? Hahahaha, I’m dyinggg
It is a good instrumental tbf.
Well, I actually really like this album and I still think it's one of the best tracks here. The remix on Reanimation is even better.
Lonerunner89 I mean, it’s his opinion. I love this album, but I can see someone who doesn’t like Nu-Metal not caring for it
Even if it’s technically not nu-metal you should check out their project “thousand suns”. I don’t think you’ll love it but it has more of what you did enjoy off of this album. Mike Shinoda also doesn’t rap that much and Chester is more chill with his vocals for the most part. Also the song writing is substantially better and more mature imo
Jamie Muller linkin park is Nu Metal
Derf Gerps I know they are but there later stuff after meteora deviated from that sound
I enjoy A Thousand Suns a lot but I still don’t really see Myke enjoying it I can easily picture him shitting on tracks like Wretches & Kings or Iridescent lol
Thousand Suns is my favorite album from LP. It’s in an interesting spot in their discography. Not quite the sound and feel of their previous albums but also doesn’t have a lot of the pop/electronic elements of their later ones. For me, it really is an album that stands by itself in their discography.
@@derfgerps4016 nope,their nu metal sound died in 2003
It's interesting that Myke liked this one the best.
I hope he tries out A Thousand Suns or Meteora.
To me, this album is not just a moment in time. It is the best-selling rock album of the century for good reasons. Chester, with his emotive and intense vocals moved seemingly millions of people and is still influential to this today. And God have you heard all these mashups that feature 'Crawling'? I won't go as far as saying that the album is timeless or ahead of its time, but that's a sign of 'Hybrid Theory' still being relevant for sure.
Can't say I agree with his opinion 99% of the time. You don't like when Chester hollers? Man he sounds/sounded amazing. This was a great album and also Mike's rapping and lyrics definitely aren't that bad. At the end of the day everyone's entitled to their opinion and my opinion is Linkin Park is legendary.
I like these nu-metal reviews as its 1) a historical trip back to get a sense of a musical movement and 2) a different perspective (especially if you do find one thats decent-to-good but I wont place my bets on that anytime soon lol)
check out the podcast Roach Koach. they've been digging through nu-metal albums since 2016 to put together the list of the albums that were actually worth your time. its a funny show
You’ve never heard reanimation? And Chester was tired of doing the songs from this era before his death, because he was a kid when he wrote them.
Travis Douglas honestly their last album was even worse than this era in every way...
I agree, but I’m kind of shocked Myke didn’t like them when he was younger. Reanimation is a classic album
If you were born in the mid ‘90s, there’s a good chance this album was your introduction to music in general.
I’d say the best song on the album is “Place for my Head.” It’s definitely Mike’s best flow, and the overall structure isn’t ass basic.
You said the word “basic” a lot in your review, and I think that’s the main issue with rap metal. Combining generic rapping with generic riffs doesn’t make either one more interesting.
Funny you mentioned “Cure For The Itch,” because I would say that was my gateway into instrumental hip-hop.
Totally agree, Place For My Head is my favourite track on Hybrid Theory. I was very sad when Myke didn't even mention it.
I like the guitar riff and how it pauses then unpauses haha
MrShaiya96 own half of their discog on vinyl 😊
I love these videos man, I don't even care that you don't like the stuff. It's interesting to hear someone else's perspective, especially when they are able to articulate it well and explain why they do or do not like something. As someone who went through middle school being in love with Linkin Park, it's cool to hear an opinion from someone who is listening to it for the first time not wrapped up in the nostalgia. So keep it up, my dude, and be safe out there.
Mike Shinoda does most of the electronics with some help from Mr Hahn, you might be surprised to know he's the main songwriter and lyricist as well.
That doesn't surprise me. He should do that and not rap.
Even though you completely tore the album apart, that was really insightful to me. Having grown up listening to them, I really can't objectively critique it at all, it just sounds so damn nostalgic. I respect the fact that you managed to justify everything that you didn't like instead of just hating on it. I'd be really interested in hearing what you got to say about Reanimation and Meteora, and I'll definitely be checking out your other videos.
God damn, every negative point Myke raises about this album is the exact opposite of how I feel. By Myself is my favorite song on the album even, haha! Great review anyway, nice to hear a fresh perspective on such a (personally) classic album.
You should check A Thousand Suns by them it's not nu metal and expands on their electronic elements. Also the electronic parts were mostly done by Mike.
I'm absolutely a nu-metal guy, and I love you talking about it. It's a unique perspective that I never had. I fuck with it heavy
This is my favorite out of my element episode! “Please Mike Shinoda don’t fucking rap on this and ruin this beat”😂
Your review about papercut song is totally wrong for me (my openion )
Just once I want Mike to actually like something in this segment
Yeah we are very protective over Chester ❤
Would be very interested to see you do a Breaking Benjamin album
yes!
I agree, but for a better spread for stuff by them in a single album I would say Saturate, Dear agony, and dark before dawn,
Not gonna lie, it is refreshing to hear a critical opinion on this album (full disclosure it’s one of my favorites) because I’m tired of people on RUclips putting the album on a pedestal like it’s invincible. Linkin Park is my favorite band of all time but even I can say this album has its issues like some laziness and...clutter? I don’t have the right word but it’s like there’s too much going on at some points.
To me, Meteora is much cleaner and refined, not perfect, but it’s my favorite album of all time. I think it’s because they found their sound.
Then they went more experimental with Minutes to Midnight through One More Light (with tons of songs I like) but I think Meteora is peak Linkin Park.
Thanks for your honesty, man. I’m mature enough to know that not everyone can get into this album lol and thanks for not faking that you liked it to get views and subscribers. Kudos
i completely disagree with you but found your reactions interesting, i have huge rose tinted glasses when it comes to hybrid theory though
I was legit so happy when you said cure for the itch was your favourite because that’s actually the only song I still have left on my phone from that album.
I honestly don't think Shinoda is a terrible rapper. He's just an okay rapper but it works in the context of Linkin Park imo. Good chemistry with Chester . Certainly much better than other rap rock vocalists like Fred Durst, the guy from Papa Roach etc but I guess that's not setting the bar particularly high lol. His catchy rhymes may be a bit simple, but I think it works here- more than the lyrical miracle rapping style. I like the range in Chester's vocals and am a bit of a sucker for the hooks- especially on the tracks you disliked the most. I don't listen to as much guitar based music as you do; so I wouldn't be able to notice the riffs being "generic". On an intellectual level, I can see where you're coming from but I guess on a visceral level, Linkin Park really works for me haha
Sir you have a refreshing way of exploring music which I believe is lacking in the world of reviews and critics; I especially enjoy the authenticity you bring - giving the reader a raw understanding of the artists’ intent along with the subtle intricacies perceived in their music in a uniquely relatable yet firm well informed manner.
I replayed u singing headstrong like 10 times I’m in tearssss
Hybrid Theory was the only rock album I bought back in 2000, I was kinda fazed out of the rock genre by that point, with the exception Linkin Park and System of a Down
You should do a review of this album linkin park reanimation
black thought is Featured on the album
I think this album mixtape is way better you might like it myke please review it and keep up the good work I like your reviews an you should show some of your albums you have on CD 💿
Hey Myke, you're the first person to crave the more electronic side to them surprisingly (which they do later on). Interesting review.
I highly doubt I'm the first person.
This was my favorite album in middle school, but I distanced myself a lot when I disowned nu-metal and started listening to "real" metal. Over time I started listening to stuff from this period again out of nostalgia and enjoyed LP's music as a guilty pleasure. I still think nu-metal is pretty ridiculous, but I've gotten to a point where I can enjoy this band at least unironically and unashamedly. I agree that the electro elements are the best part, always thought so, and it's the one aspect I would defend without reservation.
TL;DR Used to love it, then I didn't, now I do again, and the electro stuff is the best part, but nu-metal is still dumb.
I know a lot of people diss Linkin Park, but they have a special place for me. If it wasn't for their first two albums Hybrid Theory and Meteora, I wouldn't have gotten into the plethora of metal that I'm into today.
Tbh I think hybrid theory actually has the best use of turntables out of all the nu metal stuff Joe Hahn is supremely talented
I prefer Mike Shinoda as a producer than as a rapper or a singer. That beat he made for Lupe on Food & Liquor was fantastic.
I’m curious on what you have to say for incubus-make yourself. I feel like they use the turntable more wisely
I don't think I ever heard them.
Myke C-Town you might’ve heard a few songs from them back in the day. They were on heavy rotation on mtv and radio.
@@HardLiquor45 Yeah, maybe. But MTV and radio were definitely far from my interests back then.
Myke C-Town well if you like ratm instrumentally and if you like some of the elements of hybrid theory, then I think you’ll probably like some of incubus, and no they don’t rap lol
@@HardLiquor45 Cool. They're next on the list.
This album is the epitome of everything I thought was cool in the early 2000s. Still love it.
You might line their album Minutes to Midnight more. It's less heavy, but it has that calm Chester voice throughout. It's my fav of theirs.
The thing about Mike Shinoda is he's the big brain of the band. The electro sound that a lot of people (including you) like came from him and as time progresses he started to rap less and deal with instrumental more. It got me bummed when I was younger though, because I learned how to rap by being in Linkin Park cover band, and less rapping from him means less chance for me to perform, but I do get why he's decided to go that route.
I still vibe with this album..... You might like metorea or minutes to midnight more
Since you got tried this out, Reanimation would be a good suggestion. It takes hybrid theory and mutates it to an experimental direction. I actually think Reanimation improves on hybrid theory by making some interesting retextualisations on all of the songs
Maybe give "Reanimation" a listen, it was basically a remix album, with all electronic versions of the songs (done by Mr. Hahn, the member who handled all the electronic stuff you liked), and has some features from some different rappers as well.
You HAVE to give ReAnimation it’s due now. It’s a remix of Hybrid Theory with MUCH better production, heavier emphasis on the electronic elements, re-recorded vocals and all. Improves most of HT’s issues.
You should also know that Linkin Park changed their sound constantly after Meteora. Mike Shinoda only ever got better as a rapper. He’s still not amazing but his styles gotten more bearable over the years.
Have you listened to Fort Minor's album? I know you said that Shinoda was your least favourite part of the album, but considering he is the main songwriter and plays the piano, the guitar and a lot of the electronic/programming parts of the album (which you enjoyed), you might find For Minor to be a better, more distilled version of the best things about his sound. I love it, anyway.
Mr. Trapt is about to drop his Pandora stats on you
Man that riff on Points Of Authority sure is basic but it's fire, the production elevates it to another level. Also shocked you liked this more than SOAD and Slipknot, I guess it has stronger pop-songwritting?
This album was my shit back in the day. Was one of the only albums I listened to when I was a kid before I discovered metal.
You should review Reanimation by LP. It's a remix of this album and it's way more hip hop than nu metal. It's got a shit ton of features with genuinely good rappers. I think you, and even the whole DEHH crew would really like it.
In the end is an anthem in India. Every keed who was in HS in mid 2000s knows it by heart.
R.I.P Chester
How about King 810 , are they nu metal ?
I could never stand Shinoda's Raps, he was the main reason besides the lyrics that i just couldn't waste time on Linkin Park. I never had much of a problem with Bennington besides the angsty screaming but i could let that slide. I liked a few of their songs later on in their career when Shinoda ceased with the rapping at least on the hits i honestly don't know if he kept rapping or not on the albums non hits or not cause i never investigated past the hit singles because i just didn't care enough about the band to.
Glad that you didn't do the Trapt album. Nobody like that shit.
I had to laugh at Myke's critique of Shinoda's rapping.
Now the 1st time I heard LP, I wasn't digging Shinoda's bars. Then, I just got used to it.
Keep in mind, Myke C Town doesn't like nu-metal. But yeah, him roasting Shinoda's bars is true. But as fans of LP, i think as a fan of the group I'm just used to it. We're like, okay, we get what he talking bout. And we just accepted it over time, i guess.
Meteora u might like more Myke because it's a bit more Chester and a little less Shinoda on the songs. Songs like Numb are on that album.
Yeah mike shinoda was never good but at some point it was okay enough. And broke things up between Chester parts. There’s a couple verses I think are tolerable on meteora. But shinoda always has this early 00s “white boy rapper “ tone to his voice. Glad no one sounds like that anymore.
I would love see your comments about the 1erst two korn albums. I undertand if you don t like them, but i found more sonically risky and harsh than a lot nu metal after.
If you haven't listened to Korn's first album it's definitely worth it. It has some amazing riffs regardless of your opinion on the vocals
Just wanna say that that opening is absolutely hillarious. Fuck Trapt!!
Lol this album has aged like milk. It seemed cool when I was younger but quickly grew out of it once I started to move beyond listening to alt and nu metal
i think trapt's headstrong has the early 2000s WWE vibe that people find nostalgic if they were around that vibe when they were kids so that's probably where it comes from, it's hella booty but i can see the nostalgia, you prolly wouldn't find it nostalgic tho lmao it's an early zoomer thing mainly
If I had to boil down nu-metal to a song snippet ringtone on an old Nokia phone, I would use the 'shut up when I'm talking to you' part.
I remember when I was in high school and we had a class presentation on Jewish concentration camps. One of the kids put “In the End” as their background music for it. This was two years ago
"Crawling" Isn't about addiction. It's about depression, its quite obvious although I see why you would've thought otherwise.
"Crawling is about feeling like I had no control over myself in terms of drugs and alcohol, hence the line 'These wounds they will not heal."" - Chester Bennington
OK...
You gotta do Meteora too. I think you may appreciate some of the hip hop production elements on it. But I still think you won’t line the album haha.
Shout out to Biff, Chip, and Sterling haha. Thanks for another dope review Myke, I admit I didn't really check out this album but I knew the singles.
Not sure if you're a fan of Little Dragon or Tame Impala, but if you aren't those would fit this narrative perfect, especially LD, they're both great bands I literally just gotten into a couple of days ago and I'm already obsessed with Little Dragon, 1 of the most unique, beautiful bands that's come in over a decade
He already did Tame Impala and he didn't like it
Chad Thundercock Oh really, thought he might dig them, but I could see why he wouldn't like them
I was 14 or 15 when this album was out. I loved it. Even as a teenager, though, I could tell it would be corny as hell to hear as an adult.
I propose a question and it applies to myself as well. Do you think certain arts like music and movies are good because you had to hear them at the time they were released and because they felt like such a breathe of fresh air and now decades later that fresh of breathe air is suppressed by the music/movies that came after ? For example, The Fast and the Furious (2001) I recall seeing as a kid and being amazed/blown away and I can re-watch and feel happy for the nostalgia but I would assume someone who has never seen a Fast and Furious movie seeing The Fast and The Furious (2001) in 2022 would be a little under whelmed. Now does this mean " you just had to be there and seen in it when it was new and fresh " or does this mean it was never really good in the first place. Same for music like If your listening to Linkin Park in 2022 for the first time and you don't enjoy it is it because you did not hear them in 2000s and missed the train and now you will never feel the same as someone who heard them in 2000s. I'm literally stuck in this situation all the time. I watched Predator (1987) and I thought it was okay not bad for its time but am I just never going to feel the way someone who saw it in 1990s and now can rewatch it in 2022 and say "how can you feel that way about such a great movie"
Love the review! I love this album,but I don't get butthurt when someone doesn't like what I like. It's nice to see a different POV on it. Hope to see more videos like this. Stay safe,Myke. Could you review one of the Nothingface albums? I'm a fan of An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity.
You should do Make Yourself by Incubus. It’s nu-metal lite so I think you’d like it a little better than most of these.
I never really thought of LP as nu-"METAL." More like... nu alternative or something. They weren't necessarily trying to be heavy IMO. I'm also glad to be old enough to have missed the boat on all this bullshit... but I am LOVING these reviews. Coal Chamber next!
I dunno, dude. There's some pretty heavy stuff on this album. Not Slipknot heavy, but still kinda heavy. I think the "metal" title just got attached fairly easily cuz anything heavier than, say, Nirvana was considered metal to most people. But I've never heard a single Coal Chamber song! I, for some reason, thought they were a goth metal band or something. Haha! So I'm definitely adding this to the list cuz I'm super curious now!
@@mykectown I liked Coal Chamber when i was a teenager but they are a very rudimentary Drop-D tuned Nu-Metal band that just added the goth shit cause it was popular at the time. Their albums were catchy but had horrible production and i dropped them soon after their third album cause it was just to boring.
Its one of the last albums 8ve ever heard, objectively, that you DO NOT skip tracks on. 😎💯
yep my favorite album rn
Really liking your content overall whether it’s on this channel dehh frames per second or is the mic still on keep killing it.
That 20 sec review of Trapt was hilarious 😂😂😂 even though I enjoy/love this album, your descriptions on everything were funny and interesting
Linkin Park was my gateway to metal, but this pretty much sums up my opinion on it now. I do think Points of Authority and maybe With You (most of the songs that aren't singles basically) would be better songs that I might actually listen to if it wasn't for Mike Shinoda's rapping, though I do think he's responsible for Cure for the Itch, which is the only track I've revisited semi-recently.
I think i saw a couple of people recommending Meteora, skimming through these comments but I doubt you'd like that either for different reasons. I remember Lying from you, Somewhere I Belong, Faint and Numb being cool songs, and it comes off a bit less macho and "SHUT UP dont make me fuck you up bruh" than Hybrid Theory, but the rapping and record scratching is still all over the album, and the sound is very nu metal anthemic in a bad way. It's not hard to imagine sweaty shirtless guys in cargo shorts with a snapback on moshing to it and maybe chanting along a bit.
BRO DO S.C.I.E.N.C.E BY INCUBUS
Linkin Park's strengths are their generalized, but soul-felt lyrics. They're not poseurs, there's real pain and honesty behind their words. That being said, they're about 50/50 hit and miss throughout their entire career, struggling to find a sonic identity. I recommend their fourth studio album, 2010's A Thousand Suns, which is their masterpiece and one of the best rock concept albums of its decade, really great stuff. Even though I love Hybrid Theory, this was an awesome breakdown, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thanks for posting. I appreciate your willingness to give stuff you don't think you'll like a shot. As far as Nu Metal goes I'm OK with the first Korn album, some Slipknot, System and maybe a Deftones record two. I'm not sure if you're a Grunge fan but if not it would be interesting to hear you tackle that scene in a similar way.
Yeahhh, this one didn’t age too well. Meteora was always better but I doubt you’d like that one much really. The lyrics aren’t much better but I think the songs are harder hitting and it’s mostly pretty fun to listen to
Tbh this album & Meteora are kinda influential to modern rap. Maybe even more than rappers of that time.
I honestly will say " meteora" is their better album they improved a lot ....I'm a fan of you and linkin park and I would've never suggested this to you ...if you see this I would love for you to check out their album "reanimation" The rapping is stepped and the production is great in my opinion and I definitely think some track will jump out to you
Mike was the main songwriter in the band. The electronic touch all over the LP sound was him and their DJ Joe Hahn. Also, if you think Shinoda's raps are weak, you should check out and review his album The Rising Tied under the moniker Fort Minor. Jay-Z was the executive producer on that album. All of it was Shinoda produced, top to bottom. Genius level production. Watch the making too, its on youtube, if you really want to be entertained.
I appreciate your insight. As a huge Linkin Park fan, I think this album is an absolute classic!
I think you'll dig Reanimation a lot more, it does solve that major problem you have with Hybrid Theory which is Mike's rapping and has a lot of underground early 2000s MCs on it, though to be fair he for some reason deliberately holds back his ability to actually rap, the bonus track High Voltage shows he can rap really fucking good whenever he feels like it.
Mike's lyrics were toned down because Warner wouldn't let them release the album otherwise, They wanted to get rid of Shinoda entirely. If you listen to The Untitled (In The End Demo), Esaul (A Place For My Head Demo), Rhinestone (Forgotten Demo) you'll see that Shinoda was very solid, But he wasn't what the label wanted, So he was forced to tone his lyrics down, And even after that they were STILL reluctant to release the album. The band had to fight like hell to get it out.
I may be the only person in the world that prefers Meteora and Minutes to Midnight, the latter of which everyone seems to hate. I know Rick Rubin's production isn't everyone's cup of tea, but the cheesy nu-metal elements that I always ignored weren't even present. And Meteora is just an advancement on the Hybrid Theory style that aged a little better. Just my two cents; I still love Hybrid Theory but I think outside nostalgia it's not their strongest work.
Linkin Park was one of the first bands I got into at a young age. Many fans call this album their best but personally, I think their next album Meteora is their best. Nice to hear that you enjoyed Cure For The Itch. Thanks for checking out this album. I am personally enjoying seeing you look deeper into Nu Metal and hearing your thoughts. If you want more Nu Metal, I suggest checking out either Home by Sevendust or Wisconsin Death Trip by Static-X next. Keep up the good work man.
Bro, I know you said Mike isn't your favorite but just so you know he's the one that's doing all the writing like 98% of the time as well as coming up with all the beats instrumentals for them to play. He also does all the art and animation for music videos and album covers. He produces all the tracks. He mixes most of it too. Without him there is no Linkin park.
Sounds like you might like their newer albums more than most. Try A Thousand Suns.
I do agree that this is the best album of the other nu-metal albums Myke reviewed (Slipknot’s debut and toxicity), contrary to popular music critics’ consensus
8:23
same shit but in reverse ,when rap dudes trying to do some heavy/aggressive instrumental/scream parts but always failed
Myke! I think after listening to Hybrid Theory, you should listen to Reanimation. Its a remix album of hybrid theory tracks that's more hip hop oriented and features a remix from Alchemist and verses from Black Thought and Pharoahe Monch.
Myke reviewing and possibly hating one of my most treasured albums ever? Oh hell yes I'm here for this one.