UGO.com
Given the way in which Linkin Park has embraced the rap side of the rap-rock equation, it was inevitable that the band - or, one of its members, anyway - would just go all the way and record a hip-hop album. Unsurprisingly, the member in question is Mike Shinoda, who lent his MC skills to Linkin Park's previous efforts. With the help of the estimable Jay-Z ,Shinoda has unleashed his showcase debut, The Rising Tied, under the name Fort Minor. And, for the most part, the music justifies the move.
To be sure, this record is Shinoda's show from start to finish, as he's not only the main man on the microphone, but also heads up all the production duties. As such, he gets a lot of praise for the record's strengths, as he's churned out some chunky beats, with a perhaps-unexpected rock influence, and has a decent enough flow. On the other hand, he also has to shoulder some of the blame for its faults, which boil down to a general thin feeling to some of the music and Shinoda's somewhat limited verbal skills. Honestly, it wouldn't be that much of an issue, except that there are some great guest stars on this album, such as Common, Black Thought (of the Roots) and the MCs from Style of Beyond (who are all over this record), and when he's trading verses with them, Shinoda comes off a bit lacking. I guess having cool friends can be a double-edged sword.
Still, this is an admirable effort, and there are more than a couple tracks that are worth repeated listening. The highlight is definitely "Remember the Name," which features a catchy-as-hell strings-based hook and lyrics that put a fresh slant on the "I'm a really good musician/rapper" formula. What's notable is that it really seems like Shinoda has something to say in his rhymes, which is more than can be said for a lot of other artists out there. He may not have the most personality in the world as an MC or producer, but he gets his point across. That may sound like somewhat faint praise, but given that a lot of Shinoda's contemporaries don't even have a point to get across in the first place, it's not.
Teksty: 5+/6
Muzyka: 5-/6
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