Album Review #2: Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns (2010)

Linkin Park is "One Step Closer" To A Thousand Hearts!!

Linkin Park has always been misconstrued and fans always had one idea of them. They were a nu-metal rap, hard rock band. If you ask mostly an Linkin Park fan what their best album was, Most people will say "Hybrid Theory". Do I believe that? No, actually. Hybrid Theory and Meteora were great records, but their newer albums show MUCH more maturity lyrically and musically. Try to understand. If a band does the same kind of albums with the same sound over and over again. They are not growing as artists. And to every fan saying "Their new stuff is shit, We want HYBRID THEORY back": If they kept that same sound over the years, you guys would have gotten bored.



Linkin Park have always been a classic case of "Damned if you do, Damned if you don't". In the early days, they were criticized for their lyrics and apparently "simple" instrumentation. After their second album "Meteora" (2003), the band took a break while founder and rapper Mike Shinoda came out with a rap side-project, "Fort Minor". When they returned in 2007 with "Minutes To Midnight", an album that polarized and divided fans. Most were outraged that they changed their sound and saying the band had "lost their edge" and sold out. That album I actually thought was very good but that's another review.

So onto this album "A Thousand Suns".
Linkin Park has never wanted to be stuck in a box. A common misconception about them is that they are a rock band. They can be at times but really they are an experimental rock, electronica, hip-hop band. Or at least that's what they've evolved to. With their previous album they started experimenting and there's even more experimenting on here. Although this even polarized and divided fans even more. People were saying "this didn't sound like the band I fell in love with" and "This is shit, where's the ROCK". People thought they had sold out which I disagree. If Linkin Park had sold out, they would have done what everybody is doing and trying to appeal to the mainstream like Maroon 5 did. At least they're not singing about the club on here. So learn what the term "selling out" means before you accuse.

So this is an album unlike any other Linkin Park album or any other album in the past 10 years. It's a concept record about Nuclear Warfare and the fears of technology.
The main idea is this one question: "Will technology be the death of us"
 The band wanted to create something conceptual and experimental. They reunited with legendary producer Rick Rubin who produced "Minutes To Midnight". Shinoda wanted everything to be top notch and quality over quality. And while he and the rest of the band wanted to send a message and be political, they don't want to "Preach" at us and they succeeded at that. Critics compared A Thousands Suns to a similar album with a similar theme which was Radiohead's "Ok Computer" which I've never listened to but I want to though

One thing that is interesting about this is that there are famous speeches by historical figures (Like Martin Luther King Jr.) woven through this record. Which upon first listen may not make much sense, it does when you listen to the record full though.
If you listen to this the first couple of times, it may be REALLY hard to interpret. But you get the idea. What I loved about this record is that each song has a double meaning. You can listen to just one song off of this and get one meaning but listen to the whole album and the tracks have a different meaning and form into a life of their own. Track 8 "Waiting For The End" is a perfect example. It may be about moving on from a relationship as a single song but put it with the album and it fits with the theme perfectly.
The album like I said is VERY hard to interpret and it is meant to tell a Post-Apocalyptic story that could be our real life story in the near future. I listened to it about 4 times and upon the fourth listen, I think I came up with a great interpretation of the story which I will give in a second.

Let's go through it full on, shall we?

Track 1: "The Requiem"

This is an instrumental track that opens up the album very calmly but chilling and haunting. By the way, if you hate instrumental tracks or interludes, you're going to hate this album because it's chock full of em'. It has a very melodic humming to start, then a robotic voice then starts singing lyrics from "The Catalyst" 

"God save us everyone
Will we burn Inside the fires of a thousand suns
For the sins of hand, The sins of our tongue
The sins of our father, The sins of our young" There is a lot of repeated lyrics in this album that make the record flow, so pay attention to those lyrics because they are important. 

Interpretation: It's sort of a warning or prediction of what's to come. 

Track 2: "The Radiance"

This is pretty much a part of "The Requiem". It's the first to have a speech woven into the song. The man speaking in the audio clip is Robert J. Oppenheimer. He spoke those words (the quote from the Hindu scripture), after they tested the atomic bomb. He was describing the peoples reactions during the testing. After witnessing the explosion he knew that thousands of innocent people would die in the blasts. He felt it was a hollow victory for science and mankind.

Interpretation: War is about to start. The bombs have already been built and something big is about to happen.

 Track 3: "Burning In The Skies"

That flows into this track. This is a very mellow and sad song. Some reviewers thought that this song was too dancy to be fit for the end of the world. But I don't see the dancy-ness. It has a very great beat. And starts off with Mike Shinoda singing the verses and Chester singing the chorus that brings chills 

"I'm swimming in the smoke
Of bridges I have burned
So don't apologize
I'm losing what I don't deserve" That is so great because it's true. Do we really deserve the world if we act the way that we do? It has a chilling bridge of a guitar breakdown and we have this song

Interpretation: This song has a double meaning. It can be about a relationship, or it can be a call to help the environment, or this track in it's place on the album, it's about the nukes threatening to go off and we know what's coming and we are afraid and remorseful. 

 Track 4: "Empty Spaces"

This is not much really. It's an 18 second interlude that goes into "When They Come For Me". It's just cricket noises and gunshots going off and army guys shouting. This symbolizes that battle is about to erupt. Honestly, this is really not needed to be a single track. It's just 18 seconds of noises so it really doesn't need to be a single track. It's better off as an intro to "When They Come For Me" but that's not really important.

Track 5: "When They Come For Me"

So this track is known by many fans for being Mike Shinoda's stupidest rap ever, the worst song on the album, and has horrible lyrics..... I disagree!! This track has a thumping in your face beat. A great use of tribal drums, and a punching distorted guitar. When Mike Shinoda raps, something inside you just rises and makes you feel alive. His rap in this song is just pure epicness. Although the lyrics can be a little silly at times: "I'm not a robot, I'm not a monkey, I will not dance even if the beat's funky"

Regardless, this track pretty much symbolizes new Linkin Park and where they've come to. This song has a double meaning as well. As a single track, it's about Mike firing back at the band's critics and fans of "Old LP" who hate on their new style because it's not the same. It makes sense because it makes a very clever reference like this: 

"And it seems ugly, but it can get worse,
'Cause even the blueprint is a gift and a curse
'Cause once you have the theory of how the thing works
Everybody wants the next thing to be just like the first".  It just genius and a great angry track. The other meaning relating to the theme of  A Thousand Suns, is that it's a soldier who is fighting for the enemy but he doesn't agree with the war. So he decides to flee and run away. Saying "When they come for him" and it's time to go off to war and fight which he knows will cause the destruction of the world, "He'll be gone"

Track 6: "Robot Boy"

This is a very melodic and mellow song. It's very gorgeous. It starts with a piano riff and then turns into this dreamy, atmospheric electronica song. It's a very uplifting song and the lyrics are simple but uplifting. Many people wouldn't like this song at first as the vocals kind of sound like a boy band here. But listen with an open mind and it's very beautiful. Especially the line "Someday, the weight of the world will give you the strength to go"  

Interpretation: It has a double meaning. As a single track, it's about a person who is lost in their life and it's kind of a hopeful statement that everything will be alright. The other meaning relating to the album is that it's a boy who has lost someone to the war and has become pessimistic and hopeless. He's become emotionless (Like a robot, get it?) and it's kind of the voice inside his head to hold on, that someday everything will be alright again. 

Track 7: "Jornada Del Muerto"

The title means  Journey Of The Dead...."Mochiagete, tokihanashite" (Lift me up, Let me go) The last words of the dieing. It's a small instrumental track that uses elements of the beginning music from "Burning In The Skies" and uses the lyrics from "The Catalyst" translated into Japanese I think. 

Track 8: "Waiting For The End"

This is one of my track picks and one of my favorite LP songs of all time. It starts with Mike rapping (sort of), it's more of a ragga or reggae type singing, then we hand it over to Chester. It's so beautiful and Chester's vocals are outstanding. If you do not get goosebumps from this song, you have no heart. The lyrics are astonishing. And I think it's definitely a highlight

Interpretation: Like I said earlier, this is a great example of the double meaning you can get from these songs. As a single track, it's about holding on to a broken relationship and trying to find the strength to let go. The other meaning relating to the album is that it's about the survivors of a battle, most likely referring to the interlude on Track 7. Many people have died and the survivors get together and fight back. Then one man realizes all that has happened in so little time. He knows that the end is about to come, this wasn't how he planned his life, he wants something new to come and he's holding on to his life which is as good as gone. I think this is one of the best songs on here and it helped me get through a heartbreak I had with a girl who lead me on pretty much and this song pretty much told me to let go, I don't have her. So this really means a lot to me. :)

Track 9: "Blackout"

This is my most favorite song on this album. It's kind of the only AGGRESSIVE Chester scream track on this album. It has a rising electro beat, that sounds like a video game or a Depeche Mode song. The Chester screams out the verses and screams louder in the chorus. The lyrics are amazing and my favorite part when it gets quieter, then Mike sings. That gave me goosebumps. Mike has been singing a lot on this album. The first track where he sang was "In Between" from Minutes To Midnight, and that was so lovely. I love it when Mike sings. It's very soothing. 

Interpretation: This is a VERY political song. It's about how our government lies to us. Or it's about a partner who lies to you. Tied with the album, it's about the people of the country are outraged with their leader. They blame him as he could have prevented it. The leader just sugarcoats everything and acts like nothing is wrong when obviously there is. The citizens rally up and protest outside the White House or somewhere. By the time Mike sings his part in the middle of the song. The missiles are launched. The people see bombs and missiles coming from a distance and everything quiets down. The missiles coming down that are very bright, so bright in fact that it turns the ground white ("Fields of paper-white"). As people watch them rise and fall from the sky. When Mike sings "Come down far below" he means the bomb shelters. But not everyone survives. 

Track 10: "Wretches & Kings"

This is my second favorite track. It features a speech at the beginning from Mario Savio who sounds VERY pissed off. I don't know much about him but I do know he was a big advocate for workers rights. His speech really ties to this album and song. The "Machine" he's talking about, could represent the bomb. This is a great track. After a speech, we hear Mike rap again with a distorted guitar beat repeating and grinding against you. Then Chester sings the chorus in what it sounds like a Jamaican accent. 

Interpretation: This is also a VERY political song. I kind of relate it to Obama and how he has too much power. But I think this is the part in the album where the enemy takes over the country after the attack in the previous song, and the people are outraged and pissed. They know another nuclear bomb is gonna be dropped and will kill the rest of the country. 

It's a great song. Don't tell me you don't listen to the middle when Mike says "From the front to the back to the side to side. If you fear what I fear put em' up real high" you don't fist pump and chant.

Track 11: "Wisdom, Justice, and Love"

This is an interlude featuring a speech from MLK Jr. As the speech goes on to say that war cannot be reconciled with wisdom, justice and love. Then more nuke(s) are launched. This time, it does much more severe and catastrophic damage. Notice how This speech by Martin Luther is about how we as human beings are becoming more and more ruthless towards each other. As the song progresses onwards, King's voice becomes increasingly more emotionless and robotic... just like we humans are becoming so emotionless to the point that we can do such horrible things, as mentioned in the speech, to each other.

Track 12: "Iridescent"

I didn't care for this song too much when I first heard it. My main complaint was that the chorus sounded too similar to "Burning In The Skies". Although, I just recently re-listened to it and I fell in love. It starts out with a very haunting piano. Then Mike sings the first verse. It's probably the most haunting track on the album. Chester comes in for the chorus and then we get a electronic beat that brings the song up. It's one of those songs that keeps rising and rising. 

Interpretation: In the wake of the impact. One of the survivors feels as though everything has been destroyed or lost. He/she feels so much pain and anger, however voices are telling this person to let these feelings go. 

Track 13: "Fallout"

This is an interlude. It repeats lyrics from "Burning In The Skies" in a very robotic voice. It's pretty much saying we don't deserve what the world if we treated this way

Track 14: "The Catalyst"

This is pretty much the theme and turning point of this whole record. It starts with Mike singing with a reverb effect on his voice. Then Chester comes in who really steals the show. It's the song on the record that mostly resembles Old Linkin Park. It's definitely an EPIC post-apocalyptic theme song. That's what it sounds like. I just can't describe it, Just WOW!! 

Interpretation: I don't think this has a double meaning. The song is about a worry about what's gonna happen in the world and kind of a plead to God to save us. It's meaning relating to the album is by this point after the nuke(s) were dropped, it united people like never before; even people outside of the conflict. With thoughts of "Are we really going to just sit around and let that happen to those people? If something isn't done, that could be us." Then we are taken to that place, where the people are uniting and praying for help....while some of critically injured wish to just be "let go" and allowed to pass on... 

Track 15: "The Messenger" 

So the final track on the record is a bare-bones, raw acoustic track. While the lyrics may be a little sappy, it's a beautiful way to end the album. Chester's voice really shines behind all that production. Chester said in an interview it is about his kids and they will have trials in the world but they will always be loved and have a place to go to.

Tied with the album. It's either God came to save everyone, or Through all of the destruction that has occurred, through all of the pain everyone has, and the loss. We need to stick together. Even when you think you're lost and the only one, there are others that love and care about you. You need to remember this because love is what keeps us kind. It's what can prevent these things from happening again.

Like I said, it's a beautiful way to end the record. It does come out of nowhere, but who cares when the track is that beautiful. 

RECAP: Wrapping this up, "A Thousand Suns" is EXACTLY where Linkin Park needed to go. While it may have divided many fans, it gained them new fans and I think much more respect from critics. I'm probably the only Linkin Park fan who thinks that THIS is their best album to date. 

I did like Hybrid Theory and Meteora, but the main problem with those 2 is that they played it safe. Most of the songs sounded the same and had the same structure. Starting with "Minutes To Midnight" and then to "A Thousand Suns", Linkin Park got the courage to do an album where they would experiment with different sounds and that would make people think.

You should watch the "Meeting of A Thousand Suns" where you see how LP made this album and you'll see that they're stressed and put under a lot of pressure, but they pulled through. 

Overall: This is my favorite album by them, it's better than their next and newest record "Living Things" while that is still great. And Linkin Park pushed beyond their horizons and made what is a perfect record. 

This will make you think, love, get angry and learn the importance of love and humanity. "A Thousand Suns" tells a great story that will leave you speechless at the end. Clocking in at just under 50 minutes, it feels shorter than that. I leave this review with this message. Will we burn inside the fires of A Thousand Suns? There is a way to prevent that fire. By learning how to live as humans and learning how to love and not fight.

Score: 10/10 

Maybe a 9. But I'm feeling a heavy 9 to a 10 here

Album Review #1: Madonna - Ray of Light (1998)

Madonna's "Ray of Light" is truly a Ray of Light!!! :)

In 1998, Madonna had been through a lot. She had just become a mom, she rediscovered her spirituality, and it seemed she had matured in the best way musically and emotionally as well. During from her acting role as Evita in the 1996 film (Her only movie that wasn't ripped to shreds by critics), she had vocal training to increase her range for the role and it payed off and it is shown throughout "Ray of Light"

Album History: Madonna began work on this record with a few producers but those didn't quite work so eventually she turned to British electronic/ambient producer William Orbit. Orbit brings this sort of ambient, dreamy, darker scenario and atmosphere. It's quite a shocking sound for the legendary Queen of Pop, whose sound in this record is well to simply put it.... Less poppy, less mainstream, and more of a move toward Electronica, Techno, and dance elements. A sound that she would continue to use in her later albums. William Orbit's production is quite astonishing. And even people who are not fans of Madonna have to hear how beautiful and real this is.

One thing that is a major key point in this record is the songwriting. It's very emotional, sad, and poetic. Madonna's songwriting abilities have been overlooked. But at least a few people saw when this came out, that she was a better vocalist and songwriter than what people give her credit for. Don't get me wrong, she's no Celine Dion or Whitney. But she made it in this business for a reason.

Madonna's lyrics are very poetic and self-reflecting as some of Major themes in this are about motherhood, fame, love and spirituality And here she talks about fame and love
"I traded fame for love
Without a second thought, It all became a silly a game
Some things cannot be bought" M sings on the opening track "Drowned World/Substitute For Love" or the bittersweet breakup song "The Power of Goodbye" she sings
 "Your heart is not open so I must go
The spell has been broken, I loved you so
Freedom comes when you learn to let go
Creation comes when you learn to say no"




These are the most beautiful lyrics I ever heard on an album and Orbits production combined make it a dreamy, emotional, self-reflecting experience.


Let's go through it full on shall we?




Track 1: "Drowned World/Substitute For Love.
The album opens up with a quiet atmospheric sad sound. Almost like wind blowing. Then she sings as if she's about to cry
"I traded fame for love
Without a second thought
It all became a silly a game
Some things cannot be bought"  She sings. The song mainly about her experiences with fame and how it caused her to not really find love. And she sings "I find that I changed my mind"
"The face of you, my substitute for love" She sounds in despair, but it's calm despair. In the last line, she sings "This is my religion" declaring her newly discovered spirituality. It's probably one of my favorite tracks on the album and probably my favorite Madonna song ever. Just because I can relate to it. And it really sets the album up perfectly

Track 2: "Swim"
 Another gorgeous song. It brings more of a quiet indie-rock sort of element to it with it's atmospheric guitar and the albums same Orbit electronica sound. Madonna sings about all the hate and bad things in the world and wanting to "Swim to the ocean floor" as she says. Really good musically and lyrically. It's another fav for me.

Track 3: "Ray of Light"
Okay, the title track and probably the most memorable off the record. It's a happier sounding song but it's so beautiful how it starts and then it suddenly turns into a trancy techno dance track but don't mistake this as just another pop song. The lyrics are so moving and you really feel like you're flying as you listen and it makes you want to dance... IN THE SKY FASTER THAN THE RAY OF LIGHT haha. You might remember it being joke on Family Guy when Peter drank the red bull and he started singing the song and mimicking the video.

Track 4: "Candy Perfume Girl"
Not my favorite, but it sounds cool. The lyrics are just too random. I guess I just don't get what the song is about, And the title confuses me. I kinda wish they'd cut this song out, skip to "Skin" and then the album would have room for "Has To Be" at number 12 before "Mer Girl" but whatev, it's a cool song, just not the best on the record  :)

Track 5: "Skin"
A haunting highlight on this album. I don't listen to it much. But it really is a highlight. It makes you want to dance but it's a calming dance song (Oxymoron I know but it's the truth) that you just go "Wow". Madonna and Orbit really glow on this song

Track 6: "Nothing Really Matters"
A pretty simple song lyrically about self-reflection and maturity. Probably the most pop song on the record. And I commend it for it's simplicity and it's relate-able lyrics.

Track 7: "Sky Fits Heaven"
One of the most beautiful songs on here. Who knew Madonna was a poet? Another song about self-relfection and wanting to move forward with life. It's about her about to follow her own road, pay attention to the signs of life and destiny but also listen to her heart, cause that's the way to stay in the " light ".
Its a very positive song, makes me feel good. When the chorus hits with that piano, It gives you goosebumps. And the bridge when it gets fast, I have no words to explain it, Just WOW. It's definitely a highlight, and a beautiful song. I sound like a broken record saying that but it's true

Track 8: "Shanti/Ashtangi"
Umm is that how you pronounce it? It's certainly the weirdest song on the album. This is actually a prayer of some sort or chant based on her new found spirituality called "Kababblah" or something. And it's not in English but I'll translate it for you.
"I worship the gurus’ lotus feet
Awakening the happiness of the self revealed
Beyond comparison, working like the jungle
Physician
To pacify loss of consciousness from the
Poison of existence
In the form of a man up to the shoulders
Holding a conch, discus and sword
Thousand headed, white
I bow respectfully
Peace"
 I honestly like it, A lot of people don't but it's very different and even though you can't understand a word she's saying, You don't know what it means and you don't follow that religion, It has an awesome beat and Orbit's beat and instrumentation on this song is one of the best on the album.

Track 9: "Frozen"
Ok, here is our first single. Firstly, the video is soo dark and beautiful so I suggest you check that out, but this track speaks the truth. Madonna expresses the dark side of love... the depression you go through, the hurt, the heartache, the breaking-up... even though, you will never leave because the love is that strong. It's about opening that other person's heart; trying to get in there... with them. It does a great job of blending Classical Music, and Electronica/Trip-hop influences. It has somewhat of a Bjork influence. It starts with a beautiful classical string section, then kicks in with Orbit's signature production and ends with the haunting strings. Madonna's vocals sounds the best here in my opinion. It's definitely easy to relate to. And I certainly can.  It's so well produced and it's certainly a track-pick

Track 10: "The Power of Goodbye"
Here is my personal favorite besides "Drowned World". This I guess is the Ballad of the album. It's somewhat reminiscent of her 1994 ballad "Take A Bow" but this is better in my opinion. In this song, she speaks of love lost and moving on, She really captured the emotion and you can feel it when she sings. The video is beautiful too. If you need a sad break up song, here it is. This is pretty poppy but it's a gorgeous track. And Madonna captured that aesthetic emotion of lost love. Track pick :)

Track 11: "To Have and Not To Hold"
One might say that this is where Ray of Light gets boring. But this is a boring track if you're not in that kind of mood. but it is catchy when she hits the chorus with that "ba ba da ba ba ba", you find yourself in a dreamy landscape. It's a sad and mellow song but it's an acquired taste. This is probably the darkest song on the record (besides "Drowned World" and "Frozen) Not the most exciting on the album but certainly worth a listen when you're depressed or just in a calm mood.

Track 12: "Little Star"
This is a sweet moment on Ray of Light. Some fans have called this song cheesy but come on!!! You can't make an album like Ray of Light and not have a song dedicated to her newborn daughter. Madonna tells her child, to never forget how to dream and who she is and how much she has changed Madonna. It really is a tender and happy moment on this record. Parents of newborn babies would love this and moms could sing or play this track to their babies as it does sound like a dreamy lullaby. Personally, I think of my baby niece Brianna when I hear this song. :)

Track 13: "Mer Girl"
The album ends with a very quiet, lush and haunting song. Madonna sings about her experiences and the troubles in her life but it's a pretty hopeful sentiment.
"I ran from my house
That cannot contain me
From the man that I cannot keep
From my mother who haunts me
Even though she's gone
From my daughter that never sleeps
I ran from the noise and the silence" sings Madonna referring to her late mother mostly. It's a pretty dark song but it is hopeful. People say this is the most boring song she has done but it's the perfect way to end the album. The album ends with the line "I ran and I ran and I'm still running away" Saying that she still has problems but that there is hope because she has found the light in her life. At that line, she sounds so emotional and almost like she's crying. You can tell all the emotion she put into this song and the rest of the album.

*UNRELEASED BONUS* TRACK 14: "Has To Be"
This is the only problem I absolutely HATE about this album!!! This wasn't on there (Although it was on the Japanese version of the album). I heard this and I fell in love. Anyone who is lonely and looking for love can relate to this song. Says the lyrics "I know there's someone out there Waiting for me
There must be someone out there There just has to be" William Orbit's instrumentation on this song is plain awesome. It sounds so spiritual and has a lovely aesthetic. This in my opinion should have been on the album but Madonna said she only wanted 13 tracks because 13 is the lucky number for Kabablah or something like that. But she should have cut out "Candy Perfume Girl" and put "Has To Be" before "Mer Girl". That's the only thing I hate about this album but that's a selfish reason.


RECAP: Okay, so wrapping this review up. This was Madonna's peak. Her later work was still awesome and retained the electronic qualities of "Ray of Light" (Except the disaster that was "Hard Candy" ughhh). But those never captured the magic of the original. Our female pioneer matured as a musician, songwriter, and most importantly a human being by the looks of it. William Orbit as a producer was GENIUS and his instrumentation is awesome (Check out his solo instrumental work, they are awesome. I recommend "Sea Green"). William Orbit would later work with Madge on her follow up "Music" (2000) and on her newest record "MDNA" (2012) (Which made me really happy). Without him, this album would not have been possible so I consider this his album too.

This is one of my favorite albums of all time and this is the album that made me fall in love with Electronica music and some of Madonna's music (I'm a straight 16 year old dude saying this lol)
Overall: Madonna's "Ray of Light" truly is a Ray of Light :)

Score: 10/10

Welcome to my review blog!!!

Here I will review a lot of albums and tell you if it's worthy or not. I am a hardcore music nerd and am very critical so yeah. Enjoy!! XD