Tracklisting:
1. Lost In The Echo
2. In My Remains
3. Burn It Down
4. Lies Greed Misery
5. I'll Be Gone
6. Castle Of Glass
7. Victimized
8. Roads Untraveled
9. Skin To Bone
10. Until It Breaks
11. Tinfoil
12. Powerless

First, I should probably admit that I have never been a Linkin Park fan. I like some of their songs,typically the ones that top charts, but I have never gone out of my way to listen to Linkin Park. Theirnew album, Living Things, however, has created a bit of a stir among my peers, so I decided I shouldgive the band a try. My first impression of this album was that it was typical Linkin Park. A little bit ofscreaming? Check. A little bit of rap? Check. Whiney lead singer? Check. But, all in all, this album wasgood. Not bad, not great, but good.

I doubt that anyone, even die hard Linkin Park fans, would accuse the band of being the best at anythingthey do. The California band has been making music, and producing chart-topping singles since 2000.Yet, every aspect of their music that is easily defined is done better by a different band. No one islistening to Linkin Park for the rapping, the screaming, or the whiney lyrics. The combination of thesetraits does, however, create a unique acoustic environment. Regardless of why you listen to Linkin Park,chances are you really dislike some of their sings, or at least parts of most of their songs. The band is great at keeping you on your toes and never sounding exactly the same, from track to track, and even within each song.

On this album specifically, I found myself really getting into some songs, only to be jarred by a suddenchange to screaming or passionate whispering. On the flip side, just as I was about to give in, admit defeat, and turn the album off and search for a different CD to review, they did something that reallycaught my attention. They have moments of intense emotion, or minutes of adrenaline-pumping,testosterone-boosting drum/guitar combos.

Again, few would argue that this album is not good. Almost everyone can find something to appreciateand enjoy. The hit single on the album, “Burn It Down” is par for the course. It is not as good as some ofthe other singles they have produced, but it is arguably one of the best songs on this album. My advice?Go ahead and give the whole album a listen, then go back and pick through which songs you like. And,absolutely do not go through the album, listening to the first fifteen seconds of each song, making upyour mind based on the intro; because almost every song on this album has a nugget of gold, a diamondin the rough, and sometimes is buried closer to the end.