Review of Minutes to Midnight

Can’t shake the disease. Even with the legendary Rick Rubin at the helm, Linkin Park gets on my damn nerves. Yes, they have gotten away from the rap-rock sound, but still come off predictable. There are a few glimmers of hope here—“Shadow of the Day” is their U2 moment and “Hands Held High” is the obligatory patriotic anti-war rap, a sincere effort devoid of a phat beat and hooky chorus. There’s a strange folky feel to songs such as “Bleed It Out’, while the Katrina ode “The Little Things Give You Away” mixes in a touch of electronics, a direction worth exploring. With Minutes to Midnight, Linkin Park shows that they are a little older, a little wiser, yet still have room for improvement.

6/10