Alright, track by track review, let's go (a little late oops) WAKE - This has to be my favorite album opener by them so far, just barely ahead of The Requiem. I love the build up until the guitars the finally explode. And that bass line near the end really adds to it (wot I can hear Dave?). Of course this track isn't mind blowing and I wouldn't really listen to it on its own, but Linkin Park needs to start more albums like this tbh, it really helps set the tone for the album. 7/10 GIVEN UP - Eh, not my favorite track in the world, I've always had a tendency to dislike Linkin Park's more heavier tracks. I won't deny that I kinda jam to the chorus though, Chester absolutely kills it, especially in that bridge. Okay I change my mind midway through the song. Its a pretty good song that I love jamming to. Also, keys = <3 7.5/10 LEAVE OUT ALL THE REST - Mmh the strings on this song. And I can't help but be moved by these lyrics, along with Chester's sweet vocals that rise to a powerful plead during the chorus. And one complaint/nitpick I do have with this song is how the guitars almost completely drown out the strings during the last chorus, but the Chester and cello ending make up for it. Love this song. 9/10 BLEED IT OUT - Alright, I kinda enjoy the laughing and cheering in the background during Mike's verses. Sure the lyrics aren't anything to love, but Mikes delivery along with the guitar rift (and the vocals in the background) make it such an enjoyable song. Perfect example of not having to be a mind blowing song and just nailing what you are aiming. Because this song intends to be a fun song, and I sure agree with that when listening to it. 7.5/10 SHADOW OF THE DAY - #LINKINPOP Nah but for real, what an excellent pop track. I love how subdued the song starts and how the song slowly builds, layer by layer. And I love me some more strings, especially how they compliment the guitar solos, what an excellent combo, and I would love to see them incorporate strings into their music more often. 8.5/10 WHAT I'VE DONE - Honestly, after years of hearing this track in different versions from remixes to acoustic to its extended live version, the studio version is a bit underwhelming. Its not a bad song by any means, Chester sounds great, of course, and it works for a single, its just nothing special. And after hearing Brad put together extended solos for this song when played live so many times, the studio guitar solo is extremely underwhelming. @rostasliwka's remix of this song, tho, is amazing. 6.5/10 HANDS HELD HIGH - From an early age I always loved this song. There's passion and emotion heard in Mike's verses, and they're very well written to, and I really don't mind them taking a stab at political issues. Pair that with choir vocals singing the chorus with only the keyboard in the background, Mike's lovely singing, and the amazing "when the rich wage war, it's the poor who die" line, it's no wonder why this song is still one of my favorite songs. 8.5/10 NO MORE SORROW - I have to start by saying I love how the guitar sounds in this song even if I have no clue how to describe it or how it is made bc I'm not really knowledgeable on the subject lol. And even though I'm not the biggest fan of rahgghh angry songs, I've recently come to love this one in the last year or so. Maybe it is because of the unique sounding guitar, or how heavy the chorus sounds, or because its a departure from the rahgghh nu-metal anger. But whatever it is, I often find myself coming back to it. And damn that scream at the end. I also love the extended live version of this song. 8/10 VALENTINE'S DAY - Ahhhh I love how sad this song is. The lyrics get me every time and is often a song I listen to when I'm down on myself . I would quote a line from the song but they're all so good, its hard to choose. And its not just the lyrics, its the way chester delivers every single word that strikes an emotional chord. In addition, I love the stereo harmonic guitars. And I love how the song explodes near the end, showing Chester's anger and frustration of "why do you have to be gone?" in addition to his depressed side still remaining in his head singing "I used to be my own protection, but not now, cause my path has lost direction, somehow." A definite favorite from this album. 9/10 IN BETWEEN - Arguments aside as to whether this song has real or fake strings, I still enjoy them either way. And what I enjoy about the song despite it being a little on the boring side is of course Mike's vocals with Chester's harmonies, and just how I can really relate to the lyrics. And at the end of the day, isn't that what's really important (as long as the music isn't shit). So while this used to be a favorite from the album before, it falls a bit in my ranking just because it's a bit boring. 8/10 IN PIECES - Love it. Absolutely love it. Everything about it. The drums, every part of the instrumental, the guitars, the lyrics, Chester's vocals, every bit of this song is essential to making this song so amazing. Hell even the bass adds to it, and that's a first for LP when usually Dave hardly ever haves a presence on songs. Also, yas Brad, this guitar solo is amazing, and I love how it transitions into this final explosive chorus. I do wish they had the "don't lie... to me" part they have in the live version. But that's my only nitpick. Love it. 9/10 THE LITTLE THINGS GIVE YOU AWAY - If you thought In Pieces was my favorite song from the album, well you are wrong and should certainly feel ashamed. Because TLTGYA has been my favorite song since a very young age and continues to be. Everything about this song is just so perfect. What I do appreciate about this song among other things is that it doesn't throw the political messages in your face saying; it's very subtle and the average listener wouldn't notice it. And yes, of course, I'm gonna talk about the solo. Because who fucking wouldn't? I don't give a shit about the stuff Brad did on THP, this solo is my favorite from him so far. It's so full of raw emotion that brad usually fails to evoke through his solos. And then chester comes in and I feel even more moved. And then all the sudden mike is in both of my ears repeating really emotional lines and I'm just sitting her with tears in my eyes, and the instrumental keeps building with the layers until suddenly its just the vocals. Oh how I love this song so much. 10/10 Well there you have it, 12 reasons why this is my favorite album from Linkin Park so far. Sorry if I made no sense at points or some of the writing was cringey, I'm not good with describing music 8.2/10