Review: Linkin Park - Minutes to Midnight

Different strokes for different folks.

Isn’t that how the saying goes?

Linkin Park shows a few different strokes that people aren’t used to on their third album, Minutes to Midnight.

Twelve new songs can be found on Minutes, their first studio release since 2003’s Meteora.

The band said the work they put into Minutes totaled about three years.

Linkin Park had from over 100 songs to choose from for this album and were very selective in their choices.

“What I’ve Done” is the first single off the album and is a fairly mediocre song of the typical Linkin Park fashion.

The album starts off at a blistering pace after the intro.

“Given Up” is a fast paced, heavy song of the more normal sounding Linkin park.

“No More Sorrow” is an anti-establishment song and a very heavy track. The opening in particular sounds damn-near like an old Metallica song. It’s probably the heaviest Linkin Park song ever produced.

The question I have been asking (and undoubtedly Linkin Park fans everywhere) about Minutes is: Where is Mike Shinoda?

“Bleed It Out” is one of the few times Shinoda is distinctly heard on the album. It’s one of the best songs on the album and another great “normal” L.P. song.

Shinoda co-produced the album with Rick Rubin.

It may seem like he’s absent from the record but in reality, Shinoda is singing a lot more. He does a lot of the harmonies. He also sings a couple of songs solo.

“In Between” features Shinoda alone, first time ever singing solo on a Linkin Park record.

Shinoda is also by himself on “Hands Held High,” another anti-war song. It’s one of the high points on the album because of the raw emotion put into the song.

With Rubin producing, you can expect him to deliver a different sound from any given band on any particular album.

He has the power to bring out the different side of a band and that’s exactly what he did with this Linkin Park album.

You wouldn’t have dreamed hearing these types of songs on previous L.P. albums.

Instead of heavy techno-laced beats, you get a what seems like, crisper version of Linkin Park.

It’s evident with songs like “In Pieces” and “The Little Things Give You Away.”

“In Pieces” is a unique song with a fast paced techno beat mixed with an 80s sound, complete with a guitar solo.

“The Little Things Give You Away” closes out the album and is way different than any other L.P. song ever recorded.

It includes acoustic guitar AND a guitar solo. The song has more of a classic rock type song structure.

Chester Bennington is featured heavily on the album, which equals more singing.

Less Mike Shinoda equals less rapping.

Which all comes together to make a unique rock record.

All in all, Minutes is not the type of record you would expect to hear from L.P.

Some Linkin Park fans may discard the album, calling it blasphemy.

Critics may do the same.

But neither should EVER fault a band for exploring unchartered territory.

Album grade: B-

Stand out tracks:
“Given Up”
“Bleed It Out”
“Hands Held High”
“No More Sorrow”

Also read this review @ http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/06/02/215851.php

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Detroit Pistons playoff recap: 5/21

DEEEEEETRROOOOOIIIIIT BASKETBAAAAAAAAAAALL!!!

Ah yes, it’s nice to be in the Eastern Conference Finals for the fifth year in a row.

All without Benny Wallace!

Sorry Ben, your Bulls just didn’t have what it takes.

Yeah, you gave us a little scare for two games, but we handled it like the champions we are.

So sorry that you couldn’t come with us to the conference finals.

Kick rocks! SUCKER!

I won’t even discuss the Orlando Magic. One word: DOMINATED.

And like I said, the Bulls took two games from us. All for not though.

It was obvious that the Pistons were the better team the entire series.

I mean, if you can come back from being down 20+ it’s safe to say you’re pretty damn good.

Anyway, tonight we square off against the Cleveland Cavs, a team that took us to seven games in the conference semi’s last year.

That factor alone scares me personally.

The Cavs will be looking for revenge, big time.

Lebron will be looking to take over the entire series. I know he wants this one bad.

But really, who else does Cleveland have? No one!

This means if the Pistons can shut down Lebron, we should win with ease.

I see that happening.

I see Chris Webber having some big games to make up for the poor end to the Chicago series.

I see Chauncey and Rip continuing to do their thing and I see McDyess played like a crazed mad-man, as he has since the All-Star break.

I also see the Pistons winning the series in six and heading to the NBA Finals for the third time in four years.

YESSUUURRRRRR!!!

~ Mike D

Detroit Red Wings playoff recap: 5/21

They’re headin to Anaheim down 3-2, but don’t count the Wings out.

Sure, it’s desperation time. Their backs are against the wall. Do or die. All that good stuff.

But don’t forget that this is a veteran team, even with all the young stars they have.

Guys like Lindstrom, Maltby, Draper and Chelios have all been there before. They’re grizzled vets. They’ve faced elimination before.

Man…speaking of Chelios, he’s been playing like a man posessed this post season! Like his age was the number on his jersey, 24, and not 45.

I must say, I’m really surprised with the Wings playoff run thus far.

I mean, the Western Conference Finals? Wow.

I was happy with them finally getting out of the first round. Who woulda ever thought they would come this far?

San Jose especially made me nervous. They really had our number during the regular season.

But I will say that the Wings have outplayed every team they’ve faced this far, in my opinion.

They dominated Calgary and the Sharks. Hell, they’ve even outplayed Anaheim in this series.

A few mistakes here and there have cost them in close games.

Regardless, I have faith that the Wings will pull out the game six victory in Anaheim and bring it back to the Joe for a game seven.

They’re the better team and it’s shown.

LET’S GO RED WINGS!!! (*clap, clap, clap clap clap*)

~ Mike D

Get it together Pistons!

Alright, I don’t know what in the hell is going on, but the Pistons really need to get their shit together.

They’ve now had two chances to close out the Bulls and have not done so either time.

Safe to say they’re really blowing it.

I mean, you do NOT want to give the Bulls an opportunity to come back.

Now they’re headed back to Chicago only up one game.

Remember the first two games of the series, when the Pistons absolutely embarrassed and destroyed the Bulls?

Well, that’s what the Bulls have done to us the past two games.

I don’t know why the Pistons do this to themselves.

They get comfortable with a lead, whether it be in a game or a series, and they totally sit back and just expect to win.

They think they can wait till the fourth quarter when they’re down 20 and just make some miraculous comeback.

Well obviously, that ain’t the case.

This series is already reminding me of last year when we went seven games with the Cavs.

Sure if the Pistons lose game six tomorrow in Chicago and come back to Detroit for game seven, they’ll probably win.

But what the hell? They should have swept them or at LEAST beat them in five.

Now I know damn well the Pistons are a better team than the Bulls.

They’ve already proved it so I don’t get why they’re bullshitting around.

Chris Webber: STEP YOUR GAME UP! PLEASE! What the hell are you doing?!

Get it together Pistons…or else you’ll wind up losing just like last year.

~ Mike D

Mike D’s Top 10 Summer Songs

Here is my last Top 10 list I wrote for the paper. They never published it, so I decided to post it on here…enjoy!

Mike D’s Top 10 Summer Songs

Summertime! It’s right around the corner.

I know you feel it. Time to sit back and unwind.

School’s out and the clothes are coming off.

Barbeques, pools, riding with the windows down and the wind in your hair.

What else can you ask for?

So here we go again, another installment of Mike D’s Top 10: Summer Songs.

10. Bob Marley, “Jammin”
- Gotta start it off right with some Bob. “Jammin” is a feel good song. Nothing says warm weather and kickin’ back like a Mr. Marley song.

9. The Who, “Summertime Blues”
- This is the song for all of you who will be working your butts off this summer. Working a lot means you’ll have plenty of money, but not as much fun. Oh well. Ain’t no cure for the summertime blues!

8. The Lovin’ Spoonful, “Summer In The City”
- Really hot days can lead to really hot nights, if you know what I mean. Put this one on when it’s too hot to do anything outside. At night, it’s a different world.

7. Justin Timberlake, “Summer Love”
- I’m not gonna lie, I love this song! The beat is hot and JT describes every guy’s goal during the summer. Amazing weather, plus falling in love, equals summer love.

6. Bryan Adams, “Summer of ‘69″
- This song is all about the good ol’ days of summer. The days when you were a kid and nothing else mattered except having fun. Like he says in the song, “Those were the best days of my life.”

5. The Beatles, “Here Comes the Sun”
- I love playing this song when spring and summer roll around. After long, gloomy days of winter, this one can pep you right up and bring a smile to your face. “It seems like years since it’s been here.” Damn right George.

4. Phil Vassar, “Six Pack Summer”
- For the record, I hate country music. But in all honesty, this song just makes me want to crack a cold one on a hot summer day. Of course, if I would have written this song, it would have been called “Twenty-four Pack Summer.” Get on my level Phil.

3. Don Henley, “Boys of Summer”
- This is a classic summer song. In a way, it kind of makes me sad. If this playlist was a story or movie, this song would come right after JT’s “Summer Love” because it’s about what happens after that summer love.

2. Sublime, “Doin’ Time”
- “Summertime and the livin’s easy.” Now this, is what summer is all about people! Probably my favorite summer song to kick back to.

1. DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, “Summertime”
- How could this NOT be number one?! It is the ultimate summer song. The definition of summer. Like Will said, “It’s like the summer’s a natural afrodisiac.” Time to sit back and unwind yall!

Honorable Mentions:
- Kool & The Gang, “Summer Madness”
- Alice Cooper, “School’s Out”
- Notorious B.I.G., “Juicy”
- Incubus, “Summer Romance”
- R. Kelly, “Happy Summertime”

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