In case you're not a Linkin Park fan, and you haven't found out about their latest album A Thousand Suns, you seriously need to check it out. It hit stores on September 14th, a month ago, and its first single was 'The Catalyst', released at September 8th, peaked at many music charts for the last 30 days.
So why do I write this so late? I have one confession to write about A Thousand Suns: I just bought the album yesterday. I didn't really pre-order or anything. I haven't worked yet, so I thought it would be a burden to my parents since they don't really approve expenses through internet. I then think of buying the album via iTunes, because my mom has bought me some iPod apps and I thought she wouldn't mind... but another problem concerned. iTunes Music Store still hasn't available at my country. I tried to be patient until it hits the local music store, but I couldn't handle it. Three days after ATS' international release, I dared to download it for free on a certain site that I believe had been shutted down. I was frigging guilty, you know. I couldn't bear seeing my oversea LP friends keep posting and discussing about ATS, so my curiosity won. Even though I've got the song, I couldn't really get satisfied. I spent the next 7 days getting patient for the album to come out of the store, but then I got desperate. I didn't know an album can drive you crazy until I experienced it myself. I visit music stores twice every week, but they always said it hasn't arrived yet. The desperation is paid now!!! I've bought ATS and nobody could ever upset me for a long time of period!! HAHAHAHA!!
But I hope no friends of mine will get mad because I've been pretending to get the album and discussing that stuff with them as if I've bought it legally :\ I'm so SORRY, Linkin Park, for not being a real supporting fan :(
OK, enough babbling. I want to review A Thousand Suns my version, so I can figure out it's gonna be one hell of a crap, I've tried anyway:
A Thousand Suns is totally epic and genre-busting, and it drives me speechless when it comes to 'describing' or 'reviewing' this album. My first reaction to the single The Catalyst still remains the same: stunned. The difference is now that I can sing along with it without fainting first :P ... my brother too. He totally fell in love with that song as much as I do :)
I sometimes feel upset for ATS because it only has 9 full songs out of 15. I can't call the other 6 as a song. Some of them are quotations with BGM, though sound matching. My most favorite track is, believe me it's hard to pick, Wretches and Kings. I don't know why, though in that song Mike raps and Chester barely screams, it gives me lots of energy. It's like everyone in the band had significant role of playing music throughout the track, even when it's obviously highly scratched by THE Mr. Hahn. It also has Martin Luther King Jr. quote opening the song. Chester sings the teeth-gritting chorus, and it's epic. I've heard Wretches and Kings live and it sounded great!
My next favorite song is Waiting For The End. It's the second single of ATS, and its MV has came out. The video was terrific, completing the already-great song. Mike opens the song with rapping, and Chester sings the slow, deep toned chorus. The song kinda represents regret and a hope to move on your life to me. It doesn't sound like highly-reproduced through music technology. Sounds less 'mainstreams' to public than other tracks.
The 3rd track, Burning In The Skies, doesn't have Mike rapping. Mike sings the verses with some backings. Chester sings again the chorus, sounded rather slow and backed with Mike. Well what can I say, I love the combination :) this song has cheerful atmosphere, mixed with deep dark tones. Imagine how it sounds, or listen to it :P
'When They Come For Me', one track ahead from BITS, has an intro that seems like declaring a war to you, but it's not. The next thing appears after the intro is Mike's rap. Slightly curses, but as usual, nothing addressed to you. The chorus only sounds like 'aaahh' from 6 of the band. Chester sings the bridge, backed by Mike :)
After that is 'Robot Boy'. A slow tempo song starts with a solo piano by Mike, and 'ooooh' by the whole LP. The piano then continued throughout the song, with touch of violin. Chester sings the whole song backed by Mike again :) No certain chorus, but the bridge may be indicated (sorry heavy words) with Chester's background scream.
In the song 'Blackout', Chester RAPS and screams in the chorus himself. Isn't that epic? I'm amazed by how advanced he is in managing his breath :) There's keyboard sound and Joe's scratching sound can be easily heard in it and uniquely, Mike sings this song's bridge, and it reached the outro with a fading atmosphere.
'Iridescent' is rather sad. With the intro of solo piano and Mike singing in deep voice and low tone, it's followed by Chester's backed singing. Then the instruments got louder, accompanying the lonely-seemed piano's initial play, and Chester backs Mike's second bridge. After the sound of solo guitar, the whole band sings together. This is the part where I mostly weep :') The drum then starts playing, and Chester sings by himself with now loud instruments. The song's sound represent the situation of someone getting hope. It's first deep and lone, and then slowly getting loud and cheerful.
'The Messenger'... It only has guitar solo as instrument and Chester sings by himself. It's talking about loving and supporting someone. Slow tempo, lasts so fast. :| I'm sure I've heard that song before, or similar song, but what and where? :s
OK, that's it. I ain't reviewing The Catalyst because I'm totally stunned and speechless. The whole ATS itself could sound like ONE long song, because one track's outro is like the next song's intro. I couldn't stop listening to it since I first bought it. I'm so proud of Linkin Park!!! :DD Thanks for making a terrific project!
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