Linkin Park - Reanimation
Label: WB
Rating:

You really have to question Linkin Park's motivations behind releasing this CD. Are they following in Limp Bizkit's footsteps by repackaging their songs to make some extra cash from their fans? Are they trying to milk their debut album for all it's worth instead of delivering new music? Or is this an honest attempt at giving their fans a new look at some songs they already know and love in a different context?

A lot of people were hyper critical of Linkin Park when they hit the scene. Some went as far to call them a boyband with guitars. I actually enjoyed "Hybrid Theory" and gave it a positive review when it first came out. I thought they did a pretty good job on the album. I don't go in for the rapping all that much but the rock side of things made a positive impression on me, the songs were well written and had the requisite hooks and melodies and for a group of young guys it was an impressive accomplishment. That being said, I was surprised at how popular this group became. While I thought the album was a good first effort I never expected it to become a run-away hit, it wasn't that good! Nevertheless, I don't begrudge Linkin Park their success on "Hybrid Theory" and their popularity hasn't changed my opinion of the music, which I still enjoy.

The problem with this collection of remixes, aside from the lame spelling of the songs, is that the group took out all of the elements of the songs that lent them credibility as a rock band. Instead, they opted to go the p.diddy-Fred Durst route and take the rock out of the mix and bring on the hip-hop, which is fine if you're a fan of hip-hop but it also stretches the limits of their credibility as a "band". These remixes make them sound more like a studio created "group" that lends credence to those who accuse them of being a boyband with guitars, except you really don't get the guitars here instead you get the tired remix hip-hop treatment that has made millionaires out of those who have the skill of splicing song elements together and packaging it with canned drum machine tracks. It's a bit disappointing and really does give full to Linkin Park's critics who accuse them of trying to milk their success for all it's worth before their core fan base moves on to something else.

Who should buy this CD? Those who liked the rapping and more urban side of "Hybrid Theory" and also like remixes. For those who are into the band's more rock focused side, you should avoid this CD at all costs because it comes across more as puff daddy hip-hop butchering of Led Zeppelin than Linkin Park retooling their own songs.

It can be hoped that when Linkin Park returns with a new studio album, said to be scheduled for release sometime before year end, they will see the trend that leading a path away from rap-rock and focus more on the rock, like so many other prominent rap-rock bands have with their recent releases. But if this remix CD is a preview of where Linkin Park is heading, then I for one will be disappointed and will inevitable loose interest in them. Again it boils down to your taste in music. If you're into hip-hop then you will find some of these remixes appealing but if you're into rock and were able to overlook the hip-hop on Hybrid Theory, then you are in for a rude awakening here because you can't ignore the hip-hop because it's not simply mixed into the overall sound here, it is front and center. We'll have to see if this gamble pays off for the group but if this trend continues we'll have to take the rock out their rap-rock label.

Listen to samples and Purchase this CD online