Hybrid Theory (CD - 2000)

Linkin Park: Mike Shinoda (vocals, programming, samples); Chester Bennington (vocals); Brad Delson (guitar, bass, background vocals); Rob Bourdon (drums, background vocals); Joseph Hahn (turntables, programming).

Additional personnel includes: Ian Hornbeck, Scott Koziol (bass); The Dust Brothers (programming).

Recorded at NRG Recordings, North Hollywood, California.

"Crawling" won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.

Personnel: Mike Shinoda (vocals, sampler); Chester Bennington (vocals); Brad Delson (guitar, background vocals); Rob Bourdon (drums, background vocals); Joseph Hahn (sampler, background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Andy Wallace.

Recording information: NRG Recordings, North Hollywood, CA.

Illustrator: Joseph Hahn.

Photographer: James Minchin.

Linkin Park originally called itself Hybrid Theory and has retained that phrase for the title of its debut album. The "hybrid" in question is one of rap and metal. The guitars and drums lock into standard thrash patterns, over which singer Chester Bennington and rapper Mike Shinoda alternate in furious expressions of rage and frustration. "One Step Closer," the track released to radio in advance of the album's release, is a typical effort, with lyrics like "Everything you say to me/Takes me one step closer to the edge/And I'm about to break." ~ William Ruhlmann

Linkin Park originally called itself Hybrid Theory and has retained that phrase for the title of its debut album. The "hybrid" in question is the overly familiar one of rap and metal, to which the group has little new to add. The guitars and drums lock into standard thrash patterns, over which singer Chester Bennington and rapper Mike Shinoda alternate in furious expressions of rage and frustration. "One Step Closer," the track released to radio in advance of the album's release, is a typical effort, with lyrics like "Everything you say to me/Takes me one step closer to the edge/And I'm about to break." It might be easier to believe in all this angst if the group members didn't take such pains to thank their families in the lengthy acknowledgments in the CD booklet, followed by an extensive list of product endorsements. But even without the fine print to undermine its sincerity, Linkin Park sounds like a Johnny-come-lately to an already overdone musical style. ~ William Ruhlmann

Linkin Park's mixture of metal, industrial rock, and rap fits comfortably into the niche created by the likes of Kid Rock, Korn, and Limp Bizkit. The opening "Papercut" is every bit as angular and unavoidable as its title. "With You" opens with electronic squeaks and squiggles before leaping into a mix of heavy guitar riffs and hip-hop rhythms. "Crawling" bears a largely subdued tone and atmospheric synth coloring that provides a respite from the crushing riffs and grinding rhythms that typify HYBRID THEORY, but even this relatively sedate song is full of tension and sonic angst. The five young men of Linkin Park are on a mission to communicate their inner turmoil through a non-stop barrage of confrontational lyrics and aggressive aural constructions, and their debut gets the point across with alacrity. minimize