I like pictures. Assuming that I'd be packaging a 3-track CD for audiences to demo and listen to, I'd pick the following: Waiting For The End - Marrying their rap/rock style whilst putting a fantastic twist to it. One of the more susceptible songs of the band's extensive portfolio. The Little Things Give You Away - A great demonstration of Chester's vocal range. This is a piece that treads upon more of the passionate side of the band's taste. High Voltage - A track that embodies the original intention and core of the band's earlier efforts; telling the tale of the band's journey from Hybrid Theory EP to Meteora. Basically, I would hit the listener with 'Waiting For The End' to ease the him/her into the band's rap/rock style. It is not an obnoxious representation of what the band is all about, and should give a good idea as to what to expect from the following few tracks. In continuance, the playlist would transition smoothly into 'The Little Things Give You Away', putting the listener into the trance of the band's softer side, whilst truly 'wow-ing' him/her with the climax of the track (hopefully). Finally, just as the listener expects more of the same, it would be time to shock the senses with High Voltage (no pun intended).I feel that setting High Voltage at the end of the playlist would stand as a great personification of the band's unpredictable tendencies; prompting the listener to check out further opportunities in possible surprises from the band's other works.
"Papercut," "Bleed It Out," and "When They Come For Me." Similar, divergent, all very good and infectious pop songcraft. Why challenge them so early with "The Little Things Give You Away" or "The Catalyst"? Face it. You got into Linkin Park because they packaged their sound in tight radio-friendly segments.
I'd play "In the End", "What I've Done" and "Waiting for the End", since they're the most famous mainstream LP songs.
Lying From You, Figure. 09 and just to be a smart ass about it, I would combine the live versions of bleed it out and play Reading my eyes, bleed it out, no roads left, A Place for my Head and insert the Rob drum solo somewhere in there