InternetEd
Linkin Park has brought something new to the rap/rock table with Hybrid Theory. True, not all of the songs are the best, and after a while the vocals begin to wear on you, yet the band manages throughout the entire album to effortlessly fuse together numerous musical genres. Basically, the music on Hybrid Theory is mostly of the rap/rock variety, but there are hints of metal, industrial, techno, and even softer alternative moments. Another interesting thing about Linkin Park is their dual vocal interaction: one vocalist generally raps while the other sings in a grungy but emotionally convincing way. Despite occasional comparisons to other rap/rock contemporaries, this band indisputably stands out because of their ability to provide a musically varied listening experience.
The first track, “Papercut” sounds like a combination of industrial similar to Orgy and rapping in the vein of Limp Bizkit. “One Step Closer,” the band’s first big radio song, is a high energy rock/rap tune that is hard-edged and has an effective chorus, while “With You” is inflected with snarling vocals and echoing rap that reminds of Faith No More’s “Kindergarten” in the verse. The soft ringing keyboard notes that start off “Crawling” belie the intensity of the vocals therein, and “Runaway” utilizes some very low and heavy Korn style guitar playing. Additionally, the industrial-tinged “In The End” has a powerful chorus with screaming guitars plus a surprisingly expressive rapping verse, and “Forgotten” is a lighter alternative type song. Sampled vocals and DJ performances dominate the mostly instrumental “Cure For The Itch,” and “Pushing Me Away” focuses on the band’s melodic alternative rock side. Hybrid Theory is really a pretty good record if you aren’t sick of the band’s radio hits by now.
Summary: An interesting hybrid of rap, metal, rock, and alternative music
