Living Things
Lost in the Echo, marks the beginning with a vibrant synth tune and a visibly Shinoda influenced drum beat. The song picks up with Mike rapping as brilliantly as ever while Chester blends in his gifted awesomeness starting off with ‘With these promises broken…‘. Overall a pretty impressive track. Using quite a few the tools from the toolbox, it fits in perfectly as the starter for me as far as the thought I infer was behind this album goes. (4/5)
In My Remains, again uses a lot of tools from the toolbox. A promising, exciting digital sound evolves to a beautiful rock edged song, in classic Linkin Park style. ‘Like an army falling one by one by one…’, reminds me of ‘So come down, far below…’ on ‘Blackout’. I don’t mind people calling a hugely Hybrid Theory influenced track, but seriously I don’t get it. Seemed more like MTM+ATS with a only tiny little tinge of HT, to me. (4/5)
Burn it Down, I’ve never heard a catchier synth based bass riff ever before! Chester’s melodious vocals decorate the song beautifully. A hard, constant drum beat only adds to the the beauty for me. Can’t seem to justify the music behind Mike’s rap though, it’s a bit too electronic for me. But this heavily ATS influenced song with Mike’s back-in-the-day Meteora style rap, still stands out for me for being unique. However, unfortunately some song had to be it, and it’s the worst song on the record for me. (4/5)
Lies Greed Misery, now this might sound a new version of ‘Wretches and Kings‘ to some, but for me this song is far more impressive. A pumped-up beat, aggressive lyrics (tops list of features I look for in a hip-hop influenced track) and Mike’s recognizable, dynamic style of rap make it the 3rd best song on the record for me. (4.8/5)
I’ll be Gone, marks the beginning of the best off the album for me, which now proceeds all the way to the end by the way. I love the way it starts, the riff moving into Chester’s calm, relaxing vocals and then an impressive upbeat chorus. NOT AT ALL 30STM influenced I say. I don’t want you gone Chester, I really don’t! This record in fact is a beautiful example of this very talented singer’s versatility, however, not as much as ATS I must mention. (5/5)
Castle of Glass, by far the best track off the album. A characteristic way to describe it should be calling it what you’d expect on a new Linkin Park song, the unexpectable. This is a song that could set your mood in the worst case scenarios too. A never-heard-before class of interplay between Chester and Mike on this one. In love with this song, my rating scale falls short of digits to express how awesome this track is. Deserves being a single, and it’d be actually. My call for the Grammy for the ‘Best Rock Song’. (10/5)
Victimized, starts off with an awesome distorted guitar riff, with drums you come to expect from a drummer of Rob’s caliber (Rob totally stands out for me on this one!) which moves into Mike’s echoing vocals. It develops into a classic scream from Chester, a bit immature I think though. What comes next is the most favorite part of this album for me, the awesome riff between the scream and Mike’s rap is eternal, too catchy for anyone to forget. Mike’s rap is again a beauty, one of the higher paced ones you’d have heard to, awesome nevertheless. (4/5)
Roads Untraveled, 5th best track off this record for me. Blends in perfectly with ‘Victimized‘, a jingle moves through to Mike’s relaxing and impressive vocals blended with Chester’s voice. The howls and the guitar solo are all awesome. Classic Linkin Park for you, something unforgettable and unbelievably awesome. Something only Linkin Park can do, keeping the things in balance perfectly. (5/5)
Skin to Bone, those interested in American folk music would find this song uber-cool. Folk blended in with electronic and rock music never worked this well before. Of course, Mike and Chester’s vocals own this track. The beat is hard, another impressive aspect. (5/5)
Until it Breaks, yo! One of the catchiest raps by Mike Shinoda ever, over an insanely cool beat and synth, which move into an awesome piece by Chester. The song structure is peculiar, strange, hence so Linkin Park. Only one thing beats Shinoda’s rap on this, ‘I have not Begun‘ off LPUX disc, but that wasn’t on an official album release so, UIB wins! (4.2/5)
Tinfoil, an interlude. Needs no description really. (Not rating)
Powerless, is an awesome power-ballad. Probably the best I’ve heard since ‘Shadow of the Day‘. My 2nd most favorite track off the record, beyond any doubt. The beat is cool, the lyrics beautifully written and of course Chester’s vocals blow you off ‘while you’re with your headphones on you, powerless,’ relaxed, embracing the song with all you have. At least I was! (9/5)
How I rank the songs:
1. Castle of Glass
2. Powerless
3. Lies Greed Misery
4. Skin to Bone
5. Roads Untraveled
6. I’ll be Gone
7. Until it Breaks
8. In My Remains
9. Lost in the Echo
10. Victimized
11. Burn it Down
Overall, LIVING THINGS is not as special as A THOUSAND SUNS was, but still a very good record. One for the alienated fan base, with something in store for fans who loved the band’s out of the way approach on ATS. Beyond the songs exhibiting Chester and Mike’s interplay and ‘Powerless‘, songs are quite repeatable, something a lot of bands out there could replicate or play. Over all, I’d rate it 4.2/5.
Chirag Shekhar's Doctrine 