My first listen was at a listening party on Saturday but I have now listened to the album in full a 2nd time as well as some of the songs a few other times. I’m too lazy to go into detail so here’s just my basic scores. 2nd listen: From Zero- N/A The Emptiness Machine- 10/10 Cut the Bridge- 8/10 (Could go higher with more listens. Sounded way better on my at home speakers compared to the record store speakers.) Heavy is the Crown- 10/10 Over Each Other- 4/10 Casualty- 10/10 Overflow- 6/10 Two Faced- 12/10 Stained- 10/10 IGYEIH- 10/10 Good Things Go- 10/10 (this is how a softer Linkin Park song should sound. Emily and Mike nail it!) Top 5 as of now: 1. Two Faced 2. Heavy Is the Crown 3. The Emptiness Machine 4. IGYEIH 5. Good Things Go If Two Faced is the next single like some people are speculating that would make my top 3 all singles. The band chose well this cycle for singles for sure. Two Faced is soooooooo good. It’s leagues above the rest of the album.
Imagine you can listen the whole record like Rayuela (Cortazar's novel) in any order you want to and still making sense. I'm feeling that I listened to a different mixed files than the originals, if I compare them I think some instruments are more in the background. I eagerly wait for 15th release!
From Zero isn't as good on the first listen as everyone says. Don't set high expectations. I also listened to LT, THP, and OML on release day. Only THP blew me away. From Zero didn’t really surprise me. I think someone mentioned the HITC scream was the only ‘wow’ moment on the album, and I agree. My two favorite bands are: #1 Linkin Park (rock solid) #2 Radiohead Overflow doesn’t sound like Everything in Its Right Place. You might be disappointed with Overflow. No, but on my last listen, I moved past the resemblance a bit, so the future is probably bright.
This is the kind of album that gets better and better the more you listen to it. THP was the opposite. Also, Two Face now enters my TOP 5 LP of all time. I'm waiting for something like this since 2004.
You don’t like Two Faced? it sounds like Hybrid Theory EP which is an incredible sound when done well and with modern production it sounds fresh.
Another HT EP comparison.... Shit I'm pumped for this track now. Nervermind if it's old-schoolz, pretty sure I'm going to join the Two Faced protection group at this point
Nothing is a waste of space if it sounds good and man did those two songs deliver hard IMO. Not every song has to push an envelope. Cut the Bridge is the song that’s grown on me the most. I think it truly just sounded worse because of the record store speaker quality but it actually quite bangs.
Casualty is like THP but if the mixing wasn't shit, this entire album is mixed and produced so well, it's a treat on headphones.
People complimenting the mixing and production even though the leak quality may not be the best, makes me think the FLAC for this record, especially with good headphones, are going to sound so crisp and freaking awesome.
It feels like the climax of the record, which I don’t think a Mike verse has ever claimed, and it rides that “Place to Start” and “Over Again” spiralling anxiety so fucking well.
idk if i have a thing for guitar solos but if Good Things Go would've had one OMG!! it would be 10 times better then it already is.
The mixing and production of this album is better than their last two albums to be fair, so I'll take it.
This is my favorite performance of Mike in any song. Good things Go, Cut The Bridge, IGYEIH and Casualty has the most replays for me so far. Everytime I listen to Cut The Bridge the song got better then before, it's magic.
huh? i'm just stating i would've loved it if there was something like on The Little Things Gives You Away, where the guitar solo took that song to a whole another level.
If you’re not doing this already, listen to the album with the lyrics in front of you. The more and more you listen to this album, you realize how much Mike has worked on his verses. And Mike is a genius to pair his vocals with hers. Sounds phenomenal. I can see fans from all walks of life enjoying this album. Chester would be proud!