1 - Across the Line: IMO this song just kills. It's no HT/Meteora but it's heavy, deep and creatively conceived. I approve seeing Linkin Park go on that direction on the new album, and adding some rap verses could make it epic. This track should definitely be on MtM.
2 - Blackbirds: Pretty nice song. I didn't really expect anything different from the track. I don't see the so called "Chester's whiny tone" here. The freestyle intro is understandable, but way too weird for me.
3 - New Divide: In the first days I've heard this song all I could think about was "this is What I've Done 2 semitones lower". After a while though, I kinda changed my opinion a bit. But still, I think it's overrated. Highlights on the bridge, reminds me of the good/old sample-creative Linkin Park.
4 - No Roads Left: I think the first big impression people get from this track is related to Mike's singing there, which I think is awesome. But I'm not really a fan of this song. It sounds like it was written in one week or so. Guitar riff is overused, the melody is kinda repetitive and the lyrics didn't grow on me.
5 - Lockjaw: Despite being just a random song to test Protools 8, that is a fairly nice song to hear. I like the way Rob comes in with the drums opposing Mike's electronic beat. The piano riff is used during almost the whole song, and that becomes kind of boring after a while.
6 - Not Alone: Okay, that is just my least favorite song. I know it was presented for a good cause, but it just doesn't work out for me. The song sounds REALLY incomplete, melody is tiring, the beat doesn't change at all during the song and Chester's voice can be compared to a child (I know there was a purpose on that aspect, but still, too whiny). They should've chosen another demo from MtM, or worked more on that one. The only part I really enjoyed was the sampling in the bridge, with the reversed strings and all that stuff and Joe's tiny scratching, which is better than no scratching at all.
