Honest Question: Have Linkin Park Gone Pop?

Over the thirteen years or so of their existence, I've had a somewhat tumultuous relationship with Linkin Park. Their first album, Hybrid Theory, put them on the map worldwide and garnered them a mass of screaming fans. However, as pleasant as I found a few of the tracks, the samey sound and trite lyrics on most of the album wasn't up to snuff for my personal tastes.

As their career progressed, I found myself less interested; still, every once in a while they'd release a single that absolutely torched the place. Think of Feint, or Bleed It Out and how they explode from the speakers and cover the room in blood.

Of course, the prevalent thought on Linkin Park in recent years is their diminished rock power. After flirting with M.O.R., bland Transformers soundtrack fare and skirting along the edges of adult alternative, they went full-blown electronic with previous album A Thousand Suns. That album was the product of studio experimentation more than it was songwriting sessions, and the result sounded like they skipped releasing a proper album altogether and just put out the remixes. Just the same, songs started to creep into the brain over time. By the time third single Waiting For The End was released, I came upon a startling realization; I liked that record, despite my penchant for their heavier moments.

Maybe it's because the band has changed its sound so drastically over the years; I've always admired bands who can stretch their sonic boundaries. Or maybe they graduated from the Nu-metal Bro School of Songwriting and actually became better, more mature songwriters. Whatever the reason, A Thousand Suns ended up becoming my favourite Linkin Park album. So, when they announced their new album would be out this summer, I approached with equal parts excitement and trepidation. While I liked A Thousand Suns, I didn't exactly want to see that album rehashed; part of its appeal was its shock factor. But, I could safely say I was anticipating a new Linkin Park release for the first time since... well, ever. Last week, we got our first taste of new album Living Things in lead single Burn It Down:

It sort of splits the difference between A Thousand Suns' soft groove and the dumbed-down anthemry (just invented that word) most prominently found on Minutes To Midnight. It's not exactly what I was jonesing for, but I'll reserve judgment on Living Things when it's released on June 26.

For now, in light of the song you've just heard, some questions to ponder: have Linkin Park gone pop? If so, is the grief they get from less open-minded fans of their older material justified? Does a band reserve the right to switch genres mid-career? If their new song sort of sucks, do we still have to respect them for having the balls to record it? And, most importantly, do I ask too many questions?

Year in Rock 2025

Alright, I've got some explaining to do. By now anyone who's visited this blog is well aware of how infrequently I've used this space in recent years; aside from the occasional fertile year of content, I really haven't posted all that often over the last five years or so. There are many reasons for this, which have already been outlined in previous apology posts; but, essentially, it boils down to my own laziness and the cold reality that blogs are, like Refused (again), fucking dead. So, I wouldn't hold my breath for a triumphant return to reviews, or even semi-regular posts, but: a) I feel like Year in Rock posts have always belonged here and, even though I've experimented with different methods of presentation recently and been satisfied, the "blink and you missed it" unveiling via Facebook stories this year was perhaps ultimately a disservice to the records I lauded. After all, cramming the list into short videos isn't too far off from ju...

Year in Rock 2013 Nominee: Arctic Monkeys

ARCTIC MONKEYS Do I Wanna Know? From: AM Released: September 10 That Year in Rock 2012's Single of the Year R U Mine? ended up on this album is pleasing, and it fits the motif well enough. But R U Mine? isn't what makes Arctic Monkeys' fifth album an Album of the Year contender. Sweaty, sultry and pulsing with sexual energy, AM is the kind of record that's just as effective whether you're chilling out after a long day, staring into a mirror prepping yourself for a late night clubbing session or setting the mood for some escapades in the boudoir.

Year in Rock 2023: Album of the Year #10-1

Now we're getting somewhere; the top ten, where there are no duds or mids, only bangers. Also, no more teasing it out; let's wrap this up! What I've learned this year from my ten faves this year is that it is indeed still possible for a dude approaching his fifties to more or less stay up to date on the new school. Of course, there are some listed here that got a boost from playing tribute to the old school, but there is an undercurrent happening in rock that points to the future. But, I'm getting ahead of myself; here come the champs. 10 MILITARIE GUN Life Under the Gun June 23, 2023 • Loma Vista Highlights Very High Will Logic Never Fucked Up Once Rising from the ranks of the still-potent L.A. hardcore scene, the debut record from Militarie Gun (following a trio of EPs) bears a dash of polish that's expected with backing from a larger label; the tension and energy remain, though, resulting in one of the catchiest hardcore albums I can think of in recent years. 9 ...

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