Had to post my review. I was expecting a mix of Minutes To Midnight and A Thousand Suns, with some Hybrid Theory/Meteora influence in lyrics, etc. Overall, I think that's what it was, with more ATS than I expected.

1. LOST IN THE ECHO - Chester's vocals in the chorus were less aggressive than i expected/hoped for. But, after a few listens, the song has grown on me. I liked the raps/screams. 8.5/10

2. IN MY REMAINS - Sounded a little to similar to Burn It Down in some areas, but overall a nice song. I liked Mike's vocals at the end. 8.5/10

3. BURN IT DOWN - Not bad, but a little too poppy for my taste. Liked the rapping. 8/10

4. LIES GREED MISERY - Still not sure what to think about this song. I want to like it, but it seems like something's missing and like it was rushed. Not a huge fan of the lyrics either, but it's still a fun song and the ending is pretty cool. 8/10

5. I'LL BE GONE - Really good song. Nothing really jumps out at me to make it amazing, but it's one of those songs that really has nothing wrong with it either. Just a nice mid-tempo song with a big chorus. 9/10

6. CASTLE OF GLASS - Pretty different from what I expected. It's definitely folky, but still good. Mike's vocals are really good as usual. This is the first track that really strays from the standard-ish formula used in the first part of the album. I would have preferred a bigger climax, like the vocals going higher at the end. 8/10

7. VICTIMIZED - This track confuses me. I feel like they made it to satisfy the older fans, not because they wanted to. I like the verses, but the chorus sounds very forced. And the drums didn't make much sense to me. 1) The punk-ness bugs me 2) They sound different from all other LP drums, like they were recorded in a garage or something. 7/10

8. ROADS UNTRAVELED - I like it, but I wish it had a chorus. It feels like it was really close to being REALLY good, but didn't quite get there. Maybe it needed a bigger climax, like Castle Of Glass. 8.5/10

9. SKIN TO BONE - Decent I guess, but it didn't really go anywhere. Kind of a consistent, almost boring-ness. Not awful, but it needs to go somewhere, it was too repetitive. 6.5/10

10. UNTIL IT BREAKS - This felt like a medley. I know it came from like 3 demos, and I don't think it really worked. The verses were OK, but they really needed a different, more aggressive chorus. Brad's part was good, but again, it didn't really belong there. 6.5/10

11. TINFOIL - Good I guess.

12. POWERLESS - Great ending to the album. Best slower song on the album. Really liked when Chester started singing "Powerless" higher toward the end. 9/10

OVERALL LIVING THINGS RATING - 8/10

My early rankings (these will probably change):

1. I'LL BE GONE
2. POWERLESS
3. IN MY REMAINS
4. LOST IN THE ECHO
5. ROADS UNTRAVELED
6. LIES GREED MISERY
7. BURN IT DOWN
8. CASTLE OF GLASS
9. VICTIMIZED
10. UNTIL IT BREAKS
11. SKIN TO BONE
12. TINFOIL

Like most have said, I really like the first half more than the second half. I really like these big choruses that appear early on, but those kind of disappear from COG through UIB. That said, the only songs that I didn't like very much were Victimized, Skin To Bone and Until It Breaks.

Overall, I was a little disappointed. I expected to like this a lot, and early on, I like it, but not as much as I hoped. But, as I type this, I can already feel it growing on me, so my hopes are up for my future opinion improving. A lot of the songs' ratings are close together, so I hope they start to separate more.

Listen carefully at 2:30 here... I got the original single CD and you can hear this sound in every version, rip, original or what else. It sounds definitely like a self-excitation or acoustic feedback. Sorry I don't know, what is the correct translation for "Rückkopplung"?

I'm so happy that Powerless was apparently cut wrong. Listening to my copy of the album and it sounds much better this way.

Damn you I hear it too.

Not a fan :/

The self-excitation? I cant, damn it! Is it a vocal thing?

Loving the record as a whole, will post my review in the appropriate place after more listening.
I will say, though, that Castle of Glass is absolutely amazing. It's funny how with every LP record (and most records from my favourite bands) there is one song that stands out to me as utterly fantastic, and COG is definitely this record's "Iridescent".

Yes, it sounds like "normal" microphone self-excitation or maybe a "slide" from a guitar. But this sound is definitely not correct. Mistake at the final mix or something...

haha you waited all this time just to be disappointed?

All I can hear is synthesized vocals, and then a clear voice saying "so give me reason".. the guitar sounds the same i think. Oh well, the less I know the less it'll bug me

OK, this is the end of my off topic. After three years I got it.
It's a mistake from the vocal line, because the instrumental version doesn't have it.

For all of you, compare 2:30 with 3:20 and you got it. You have to "ignore" Chesters vocals to notice this self-excitation.

Oh, I see now..

Pretty much exactly at 2:30 in the video he linked, a distant sounding squeaking noise.

wow i almost cared, joking, not even close

Yes, here you go (2:49). "...this PIIEEEPPP memory...", I'm so happy to clear this thing up.

Now back to LT!

THIS ALBUM IS A FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT!!!!!!! I can't fucking stand these guys. I would rather have an elephant shitting in my ear and listen to that than listen to a song off of this record again.. Who th..............

Oh wait. That's my review of the latest Nickelback album. Sorry. Living Things album should be posted soon =)

Wooooooooooooooooooow. I love you.

There's no way an elephant's shit would fit in your ear unless you have the ear of an elephant.

Thank you for ruining all of my fun. Y U SO technical?

I guess this is where I'll post my review. I've had over a week with this album and now I can really give a honest thoughtful review of it.

1. Lost In The Echo - The album wastes no time getting kicked off and you are quickly introduced to what Mike & crew have been working on for the past 13+ years. The true Hybrid Theory (Electro/Rock/Rap/Pop) has finally been created. The sonic wall of electric distortion lets up for the verse as Mike gives a rap that puts him back in his Hybrid Soldier boots. The lyrics flow quickly and soon you're attacked with Chester on the chorus, "These promises broken / Deep Below / Each word gets Lost In The Echo". Great way to start off the album. - 10/10

2. In My Remains - DJ Joe Hahn kicks off the 2nd track and erupts in classic LP fashion. Chester gives the vocals emotion and you truly feel what he is singing. The track is a little repetitive, until the bridge. In comes Shinoda and drummer Rob Bourdon to save the song. The song is given new energy with the Army-like drums and the final chorus ends with a bang as the song echoes "One by One". - 8/10

3. Burn It Down - I normally don't care for the first single off any LP record. 'Burn It Down' hasn't changed this, however it does have the growing power all LP songs have. An infectious chorus and chord progression gets stuck in your head easier than the Lamb Chop's "The Song That Never Ends". The rap feels a little out of place but Mike Shinoda's delivery quickly erases any doubts that it belongs in this song. - 8/10

4. Lies, Greed, Misery - This is the first sight of the MTM/ATS experimentation on this album. The song is backed by a poppy electronic cadence. Shinoda starts in with powerful raps, which is standard pop fare. Then comes in Chester with his sing/scream. This is the wrench in the machine. The song is so happy, yet Chester is so angry. It was a gamble, but it pays of beautifully as it blows the energy of the song through the roof and it wiill clearly get a crowd going at every concert this year. 9/10

5. I'll Be Gone - If there is one thing LP knows how to do, it is how to write big choruses. In The End, Crawling, Faint, and What I've Done are clear examples of memorable choruses. This song will be chanted in arenas across the world. This is clearly single material for LP. The lyrics are sung powerfully by Chester and the band explodes in pure LP fashion. The bridge could use some work, but this is a another strong showing for LP. - 8/10

6. Castle of Glass - The first thing you can hear is the clearly folk inspired shuck of a guitar, except it isn't done on a guitar. It is done with a combination of drums and a electric sample. This is the folk of new age. The lyrics are somewhat 'folky' - "Take me down to the river bend / Take me down to the fighting end", but soon take on a bigger scope. Shinoda's singing has improved over the years and it is shown put on display in this song. - 8/10

7. Victimized - What just happened? Death drums, screams, rapping, guitars. All mashed together, mixed in and spit out. This can go either way for some people. It is simple for me, I'll headbang to it anywhere. - 9/10

8. Roads Untraveled - In stark contrast to the previous song, soft chimes introduce this song. It is welcoming and pleasant way to start a song. The ballad is unique with it's no word chorus, but it works. Guitars swell and take you down 'Roads Untraveled'. Chester's soft bridge is great and the final chorus explodes with great force. - 8/10

9. Skin To Bone - LP must have came up with this song on a carnival ride. The music is whacked out clown music. The lyrics are simple and very amateur. They just sing simple opposites for most of the song. The end of the song sounds like it is building up to something, but never does. Sounds like a lazy song. - 5/10

10. Until It Breaks - This song is Fort Minor. Shinoda is all over this track. The rapping is top notch and you can really tell Mike is in the groove. Chester comes in for a surprising 'mini chorus?' and then Mike comes back with a different rap style. That makes 3 different demos in one song which is crazy. When you expect Chester's chorus to kick back in, you are left with a surprise performance. A 4th demo emerges with LP's own Brad Delson giving his first solo vocal performance. It is eerily creepy and is a complete 180 turn from what the song was 10 seconds before. For any other band this could have failed miserably. However, LP manages to pull it off, and it works. 10/10

11. Tinfoil - Like HT and Meteora, the eleventh track is an instrumental. This track is unique, as it has been a demo of LP's for a while. I can't remember/find when it was first introduced as a demo, but the name has floated around for a while. Anyways, it is pretty much a long intro to 'Powerless' and that's it. It sets the vibe for the last song and isn't much on it's own. I don't see Hahn doing much on this track like has has on past instrumentals. He can pretty much press play and walk off stage on this one. Still, it sounds good and I'll give it something for that. - 6/10

12. Powerless - The buildup from 'Tinfoil' sends you into LPLand. This is a universe controlled by 6 guys making the music they want to make. The songs twist comes with that it is a powerful way to end the album. The atmosphere, the delivery, the music, all have so much strength that it almost breaks the song. However, it stays below the breaking point and ends the album on a high note. - 10/10

Overall - Instant Classic. There are a couple of hiccups, but this is as close as LP has come to recreating the energy that Hybrid Theory created in 2000. There will be some turned off by the use of electronics and the guitars being mixed in the background, but then they never really understood LP. They are not just one genre, they are several, mixed together and melted into a beautiful frenzy that have no signs of slowing down. This is the year of Linkin Park, and this is the year of Living Things. - 8.25/10

Lol

I really don't hear it.

EDIT: Perhaps barely. But who knows what it is.

True. But you don't hear unless someone points it out to you. So thanks. Thank you! Lol

really? That's too bad. I hope it grows on you.

I felt the same way after the first listen, but after a couple dozen plays I love the album, or at least the first 2/3 of it. Everything up to "Tinfoil" is cool, and then it feels like they're filling time to drag out the end of the album. One of these days they'll end a studio album with Chester going crazy with screams instead of insisting on the soft pop ballad.

Not sure how anyone heard it.

i really enjoy TLTGYA, messenger and powerless is bad though, especially messenger

Well, I ordered this on Amazon last week and it came in the mail this morning at about 10AM (not bad Amazon!).

A little back story: When rumors of ATS were that it would be a somewhat of a concept album, I was stoked. As it turned out, it was my favorite LP album. From start to finish, it was a great experience (I know, I know... that's what she said). Actually, the ATS era was the only time I saw them live. I had the CD in my car from release (sep 2010, I think?) til today, when I swapped it with LT. So, in other words, the band set the bar pretty high.

I've been listening to the album for a few days and I really like it a lot. My favorites are Roads Untraveled, Castle of Glass and Skin to Bone, though those are all subject to change.

I will say this, Tinfoil as a standalone track is nothing special, but it fits perfectly as an intro to Powerless. When I want to listen to that song, I'll start with Tinfoil. It reminds me of some of the bands live intros. Just a neat way to set the mood.

I'm not gonna rate it on a scale or anything; either I like it or I don't


EDIT: Also, Thanks for the mention of the BID EP, Geki! I didn't know Walmart was selling them, but since they're $5, I might stop by and pick one up!

After all, the most "old school sounding" thing on the album is the way Chester sings the line "so one last lie" in "Lost In The Echo", no bad blood, it was just funny to notice.

Aaaaaw the LT reviews are back! I've missed those!

Apologies it too so long. Gave the album a few listens. Sorry if this sounds like other reviews. I'm not a professional. lol But here goes...

LOST IN THE ECHO

A really fantastic opener. Mike begins rapping over the beat. Chester can be heard singing harmonies in the background. They fit the song really well. Extremely well paced chorus. After the second chorus, scratches can be heard and it sorta reminds me of "Blackout". It's not bad, but I'd have preferred just the 20 second instrumental interlude into the last chorus but it works.

IN MY REMAINS

The song starts off with a guitar with some scratches as Chester takes the lead singing to a beat and some piano in the background. The chorus comes in and it hits you right in the face. Another verse followed by another chorus. The bridge hits and you can hear the military style drums with Mike singing those familiar lyrics "Like an army, falling, one by one by one." I would be shocked if this doesn't happen to be a single.

BURN IT DOWN

We've all heard it by now. The chorus is very catchy and you will see yourself singing it before the song is over. The rap/rock element shows here once again. Meant to be a single. Let it pass...

LIES GREED MISERY

Mike begins rapping over a distorted beat which honestly, to me, goes together really well. The bridge slows down the pace of the song but then builds back up and everything just goes nuts. Screams. Distortion. Beats. Guitars. All at once. Holy shit... I bet the last 30 seconds of this song is what many believed VICTIMIZED to sound like. More on that in a bit...

I'LL BE GONE

I think it was Astat who mentioned the connection between this song and "When They Come For Me" on A Thousand Suns. I definitely get the connection. Not to mention both tracks are #5 on their respective albums. A mind blowing fact all in itself. I like the pace of this song, and the chorus just destroys anything I have heard up until this point. Possibly my favorite chorus of any LP song. Another single worthy song.

CASTLE OF GLASS

I will go on record and say that this is the song I was looking forward to that had me intrigued the most. The intro sounds like nothing I've ever heard from the band up till this point. Brownie Points!! Every element of this song is great. I love the use of the background melodies and I am a fan of Mike having the lead singing. It was one of the main things I loved on ATS with "Burning in the Skies" and "Iridescent".

VICTIMIZED

The song EVERYONE was waiting to hear. It starts off like how people thought it would but 20 seconds in, the vibe changes. I thought it was going to be 2 full minutes of Chester screaming like it would be the last song that he ever screamed on. We didn't get that and I am okay with that. There are some songs where I like to be able to understand what is being said in the lyrics and if it was just scream-o, I wouldn't be able to understand it. I guess my only complaint about this song is that it would have easily been twice as long.

ROADS UNTRAVELED

Right away, you can tell it will be a ballad. That put a smile on my face. Anything with piano makes me a happy guy. Mike begins singing once again to open this track. I like this trend. The chorus might be one of the most beautiful things I will ever hear. The "Woaoooohhhhhh....Woaoooohhhh..." got me singing alongside right away. The song dies down near the end and then just explodes with power once again. Just beautiful.

SKIN TO BONE

This is my "meh" song off of the album. Where the song isn't bad it it's own right, it just doesn't seem to fit for me. I think someone already said that this felt like a filler track. I think they hit the nail right on the head with that comment.

UNTIL IT BREAKS

Essentially four songs in one. Well, I get the folk feel from it. I was pleasantly surprised when I listened for the first time. I thought I heard Brad it in and after rereading some reviews, that confirmed it. I get a Fort Minor feel in the first half of this song. I liked Brad's part. I am looking forward to seeing how this will be portrayed live.

TINFOIL

After listening the first time, I couldn't tell where TINFOIL ended and where POWERLESS began. This IS the intro to POWERLESS which in my mind, clocks in at 4:55 and not 3:43. I will just count the two as one song.

POWERLESS

Right away, I am pulled in by the piano for this beautiful ballad. Chester takes the lead this time with the lyrics "And you held it all. But you were careless to let it fall. You held it all. And I was by your side........Powerless". By the second chorus, I was singing along. I believe Mike chimes in with the "ohhhhhhhh". The song ends with Chester in the distance almost screaming "powerless". One of the most amazing outros to a Linkin Park album. It's hard to choose whether I love this one or "The Little Things Give You Away" more. They are both just absolutely amazing. TLTGYA might have a slight edge.


Overall, it is just an incredible album. It is full of immense energy. I recommend this album to anyone who has a chance to get it. Definitely something I can listen to at least a few times a day. I waited until the day of the official release and I can honestly say I am happy I did.

My Rating - 8.9/10

I think that is a fairly accurate rating. If SKIN TO BONE wasn't included, I believe it would have been higher.

No problem! I got mine like a month or two back, but they might still have them at your Wal-Mart, they don't at mine. The live tracks are decent though.

imo the messenger was only bad on the album, the live versions are great

I noticed that the stream cut Victimized and Roads Untraveled incorrectly, too. Personally I preferred the stream version with those two, I don't like the noises at the end of Victimized tacked onto RU.

neither do I it just sounds weird when I listen.

On another note, anyone like the sublties thrown in throughout the album like the synthesized voices in the very very background of In My Remains, or the way that Victimized sounds like a record.

Or just how layered the album is in general

I love the layered vocals during In My Remains, most noticeably in the second verse. But I also hate how Owen Pallet's string arrangements in I'll Be Gone are turned down so much in the mix you can barely hear it. So all in all, the mixing has it's ups and downs for me. I also hate how the noise from Victimized is added on to the intro of Roads Untraveled. The mixing and mastering if polished but annoying on this album. Still good songs though.

Agreed. I find myself listening to the minute details in the background and finding little pieces of awesome. Pretty sure I've heard what sounds like Chester screaming a few times in certain intros.

Can anyone hear the horns that are supposedly in Castle of Glass? I can't hear them at all. It says they're there in the booklet, though.

I especially agree about I'll Be Gone, I am a sucker of strings lol, so it was sad they they are basically put down to the bg.

Actually yeah.....they are in the background providing almost a harmony to everything. In the choruses' and in the instrumental bridge.

LP should really release an alternate mix of I'll Be Gone (Maybe a demo mix like Robot Boy on LPU11) for the fanclub, in which you can hear the strings very well. That'd be amazing.

Any Deftones fans out there?
The "gone, gone, gone" bit at the end of the chorus of Lost in the Echo reminds me so much of the bridge of Passenger.

Am I the only one that loves Skin to Bone? It's got almost like a vaudeville vibe but done in an electro style, for me it's the album's hidden gem.

this (these)


no, nor me



I'm not taken by it, the mixing (a la the above quotes) is not what I'd like in that song. i think the sample is too loud through the verse, perticularly at the start and it distracts from the lyrics, I've only listened to it on my Dad's headphones so it might be different on my own (cheaper ) ones though

I love it. I like the ''dirty'' feel it has.

I think I like Skin To Bone more as the track progresses

Skin to Bone is one of my favorites.

I think that LITE was the only song on the album that brought me back to Meteora days.

LITE's guitar/electro sound together is actually pretty "heavy" sounding (to my ears at least)

could explain the "Meteora-esque" sound

"Until it breaks" for me reminds me most of early 2000s late 90s. The demo-ish rap and guitar harmonies in the second verse

I actually love Skin To Bone, such a good song. Chester described the track as ''these huge beats just pounding you in your face''. He also said it started off as a simple folk song, and evolved into what we hear on the album. That's pretty insane. I seriously hope the band puts some of these demos onto LPU12. But anyways, I love the vocals in Skin To Bone, and the beat is pretty amazing. The lyrics are meant to be simple, IMO, I think the band wanted to write those lyrics the way they did.

^ I'd love for LPU12 to consist of Living Things in demo form. I really wanna hear Victimized with the gang vocals and any takes of the song with alternate lyrics.