Linkin Park "Hybrid Theory" Album

	Title: Hybrid Theory Format: Album Label: Warner Brothers Released: 2000-10-24
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Tracklisting & Lyrics

Reviews

Linkin Park originally called itself Hybrid Theory and has retained that phrase for the title of its debut album. The "hybrid" in question is one of rap and metal. The guitars and drums lock into standard thrash patterns, over which singer Chester Bennington and rapper Mike Shinoda alternate in furious expressions of rage and frustration. "One Step Closer," the track released to radio in advance of the album's release, is a typical effort, with lyrics like "Everything you say to me/Takes me one step closer to the edge/And I'm about to break." ~William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide.

It may be too cynical to assume Hybrid Theory changed its name to Linkin Park in order to appear right next to Limp Bizkit in your local record bin. But rock-rap workouts like "One Step Closer" and "Papercut" do make Linkin Park a comfortable fit with Fred Durst and his ilk. Producer Don Gilmore (Pearl Jam, Lit, Eve 6) and twin vocal threats Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda serve up industrial-strength rap and rock melodicism with equal aplomb on this woulda-been-self-titled debut effort. "Points of Authority" aims to sound like Trent Reznor wanking it up with Lars and company, whereas guitarist Brad Delson's Edge-y harmonics help "In the End" and "Pushing Me Away" evoke a dark romanticism akin to A Perfect Circle. Curiously, the band gets by with no bass player, while sample-happy DJ Joseph Hahn's step into the spotlight on the instrumental "Cure for the Itch" suggests a potential for eclecticism that could help Linkin Park outlive its seemingly transient genre. ~Bill Forman, Amazon.com.

The longevity of heavy rock is due to its ability to constantly develop and evolve; what worked for AC/DC and Judas Priest in the late '70s, or Metallica and Anthrax 10 years later is not going to cut it today. At the moment, hard music is nearing the end of a phase that began somewhere around Korn--harsh, extreme and edgier than ever before. Along the way, various bands have added elements of hip-hop and electronic noise. Linkin Park is a solid, meaty outfit and if it doesn't quite have the distinction of some of its predecessors, that's only because it's so hard at this late date to bring something new to the mix. Keeping this handicap in mind, the group's debut disc has quite a bit to offer.
One thing Hybrid Theory has in abundance--besides volume--is catchy hooks, as evidenced by "With You" and the single "One Step Closer." And having two vocalists--Chester Bennington and MC Mike Shinoda--enables the Southern California sextet to offer singing, screeching and/or rapping without a compromise in any area. This disc is loud to be sure, but the group also understands dynamics; "In The Head" lays back with attitude and "Cure For The Itch" is intriguingly atmospheric. If, at times, there's a bit too much anxiety-ridden navel-gazing (as in "By Myself," for example), that's about par for the course these days. Overall, Hybrid Theory is a skillfully done album which deserves the brisk sales it got coming out of the box. It'll do until heavy music reinvents itself yet again. ~Janiss Garza, LAUNCH.