Exclusive: Hybrid Theory Demo (8-Track CD)

Summary

http://lplive.net/downloads/stream/hybrid_theory-she_couldnt.mp3

"Here's an exclusive that's sure to blow your minds: A previously unheard, 10 year-old demo CD that includes a never-before-released song and alternate versions of several other demos!" read the original post for this exclusive.

This 8-track demo CD was essentially an early version of the 9-track demo CD that was put together in early 2000. This version omits 'Rhinestone' and 'Esaul', while adding the previously unheard track 'She Couldn't'.

There has been some conflicting information about the timeframe this CD was produced; the seller of this disc on eBay reported that it dates to 1998, but in fact, the earliest it could've been made is the summer of 1999. This is because 'She Couldn't' features a prominent sample of the song '

As for the contents of the CD itself, 'Untitled', 'Points and Authority', 'SuperXero' and 'And One' are all identical to their counterparts on the 9-track demo CD. 'Crawling' features a few differences, with the Ahh, I hate you so much right now scream at the beginning of the track removed, as well as the quiet section before the first chorus and the short break between the first chorus and second verse also being absent. 'Carousel' and 'Part Of Me' are both musically similar to the demos on the 9-track CD, but feature different vocal parts, including some different lyrics from both the 9-track demo versions and the HTEP versions.

Of course, the big gem on this disc is 'She Couldn't'. This song goes against a lot of stereotypes regarding early Hybrid Theory/Linkin Park material. For one, the song clocks in at well over 5 minutes in length, and features an extended instrumental breakdown. It's also one of the softest songs the band has produced, particularly from this era. And as mentioned, this is an extremely rare case of a Linkin Park song sampling music from another artist (which may be part of the reason it was scrapped so early on and none of us had ever heard it until now).

Unfortunately, the quality of these songs leaves a bit to be desired, the last 3 tracks in particular are hindered by quite a bit of static, but that's how they are on the disc itself. It's a bit rough around the edges, but this CD offers some great insight into where Hybrid Theory was as a band at this point, still a year or so away from the release of their debut album.

Tracklisting

01. Untitled

02. SuperXero

03. Points and Authority

04. Crawling

05. She Couldn't

06. Carousel

07. Part Of Me

08. And One

Download

mp3 (zip)

FLAC (zip)

The forum thread for the release can be found here.

Other

Mike mentioned the song on his blog on July 3, 2009. You can read the post here.

Posted by Raiden, SINTIA, BIG BAD LUKAS, many others: Can you give us some info about the song called "She Couldn't"?

M: Many of you have asked about an old demo that is floating around. The song is called She Couldnt. We recorded it in 1999 during the making of Hybrid Theory, but it never made an album and was never released by us. For legal reasons, that's all I can say about the song, but I hope this clears things up!