Product Description

Four years after the monumental success of Linkin Park's Sophomore album 'Meteora', the California based Nu-Metallers return with their third studio album. Recorded over fourteen months at The Mansion in Los Angeles and produced by Mike Shinoda and Rick Rubin, the album takes a more melodic and progressive direction than its predecessors, with the band utilising new instruments and recording techniques. Includes thesingle 'What I've Done.'

Track Listing

1. Wake
2. Given Up
3. Leave Out All The Rest
4. Bleed It Out
5. Shadow Of The Day
6. What I've Done
7. Hands Held High
8. No More Sorrow
9. Valentine's Day
10. In Between
11. In Pieces
12. The Little Things Give You Away

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #244 in Music
• Released on: 2007-05-14
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics

Amazon.co.uk Review
Minutes to Midnight stands to defend Linkin Park's status as the hardest-rockin' softies in mainstream music. Like its predecessors Hybrid Theory (2000) and Meteroa (2003), Minutes to Midnight flexes plenty of decibel-heavy muscle ("Given Up," "Bleed It Out," "No More Sorrow") and made-to-order, melodic radio fare ("Leave out All the Rest," "Shadow of the Day," "In Pieces"). But for all its volume, Linkin Park likes to paint its heart openly on its sleeve with suspicious sonic drama, as in the palpably saccharine "Valentine's Day." Fortunately, co-producer Rick Rubin brings all these elements to pinnacle effect with the surprise "Hands Held High." On past efforts, the combination of breezy keyboard, arpeggiated guitar, choral vocals, and a military snare-beat would yield another slab of smarm, here MC Mike Shinoda drops the two best verses of his career, blending vocal styles with singer Chester Bennington for a moving piece that's as welcome a repertorial addition as Linkin Park is ever likely to muster. --Jason Kirk

Customer Reviews

Honest Rock...And Less Rap...
Big change in direction here. After the nu-metal aesthetics and the electro/sample/rap dominance of the first two albums, Linkin Park have produced a far more organic record then before. Vocals are far more blended instead of shifting from singing/growling to hip-hop and back again. And all the instruments now have a much more natural sound - guitars and drums now sound far more 'rock' than before with far more natural riffs and one or two solos now in the mix. Special mention on the Bass guitar - the bass lines seemed of limited presence on earlier albums but they really chug along now with far more bite (bit like the bass tone on Feeder's Buck Rodgers)so well done Phoenix Farrell. It has to be said the rap/hip hop is still there but its clear the direction Linkin Park are heading in now - Mike Shinoda actually sings here (Check out his solo project, Fort Minor for more of his urban side). Joe Hahn probably takes a
reduced role here in terms of samples, keyboards and DJ'ing but with songs this good , maybe someone had to take a step back. Chester Bennington continues to mature as a singer and develop more range with each release.
There are some surprisingly political lyrics on here with Hands Held High a particularly vitriolic attack on the US led War In Iraq & the Bush administration.
What I've Done may just be Linkin Park's first truly classic bona fide Rock song.
Plenty of influences shine through here, Depeche Mode, U2 (strongly), Metallica (Load era). Its not Heavy, HEAVY but it will appeal to any open minded rock or metal fan in the mood for decent tunes.
Special mention for Rick Rubin's production - perhaps He can reboot Metallica?! He's allowed Linkin Park room to breathe in the same way as his work with the Chilli Peppers on '91's Blood, Sugar Album. Every instrument sounds clear and distinct and REAL (I think a lot of Linkin Park's earlier stuff was maybe too over produced & sterile at times)
This album is fairly reminicent of Papa Roach's recent direction in the way that the rapping takes a back seat and bass/guitar/drums are ramped up for a more rock/metal vibe.

In short, a decent modern rock/metal album for our times

What a shame
I know there is no point adding another review as there are already plenty, but just felt I wanted to add my take. Yes, like many people I loved the first two albums, and by loved I mean that they are still 2 of my fave albums of all time. That's quite a big statement but perfectly true.

As for the new album I have really given it a go and listened to it all the way through four times, and far from growing on me I cringe more and more at some of the songs. It's an album made mostly of bland ballads, and in fact if someone had said "Leave Out All the Rest" was by the Backstreet Boys I would not have been surprised.... just awful.

Yes, of course I agree that all bands should change, adapt etc, but this is a totally different direction. I had it on in my car when I first got it, and my 67 year old mum said 'this is nice, what is it'. And she's right. It's very nice, and without substance. Suddenly the end of the album approaches and I am glad. I did my best.

Linkin Park Grown Up
Like most of the reviewers here I have taken a few listens to really appreciate this album. Best listened to properly rather than as background it rewards with grown up lyrics, political themes and in some places real emotional heart. If you like rock buy it now, even if you're not a 'fan'.