Minutes to Midnight

Description

2007’sMinutes to Midnightstands to defendLinkin Park‘s status as the hardest-rockin’ softies in mainstream music. Like its predecessorsHybrid Theory(2000) andMeteroa(2003),Minutes to Midnightflexes plenty of decibel-heavy muscle (“Given Up,” “Bleed It Out,” “No More Sorrow”) and made-to-order, melodic radio fare (“Leave Out All the Rest,” “Shadow of the Day,” “In Pieces”). But for all its volume,Linkin Parklikes to paint its heart openly on its sleeve with suspicious sonic drama, as in the palpably saccharine “Valentine’s Day.” Fortunately, co-producerRick Rubinbrings all these elements to pinnacle effect with the surprise “Hands Held High.” On past efforts, the combination of breezy keyboard, arpeggiated guitar, choral vocals, and a military snare-beat would yield another slab of smarm, here MC Mike Shinoda drops the two best verses of his career, blending vocal styles with singer Chester Bennington for a moving piece.

1. Wake
2. Given Up
3. Leave Out All The Rest
4. Bleed It Out
5. Shadow Of The Day
6. What I’ve Done
7. Hands Held High
8. No More Sorrow
9. Valentine’s Day
10. In Between
11. In Pieces
12. The Little Things Give You Away