The longevity of heavy rock is due to its ability to develop and evolve constantly; what worked for AC/DC and Judas Priest in the late '70s, or Metallica and Anthrax 10 years later, is not going to cut it today. At the moment, hard music is nearing the end of a phase that began somewhere around KornΓÇöharsh, extreme and edgier than ever before. Along the way, various bands have added elements of hip-hop and electronic noise. Linkin Park is a solid, meaty outfit, and if it doesn't quite have the distinction of some of its predecessors, that's only because it's so hard at this late date to bring something new to the mix. Keeping this handicap in mind, the group's debut disc has quite a bit to offer.
One thing Hybrid Theory has in abundanceΓÇöbesides volumeΓÇöis catchy hooks, as evidenced by "With You" and the single "One Step Closer." And having two vocalistsΓÇöChester Bennington and MC Mike ShinodaΓÇöenables the Southern California sextet to offer singing, screeching, and/or rapping without a compromise in any area. This disc is loud to be sure, but the group also understands dynamics; "In The Head" lays back with attitude and "Cure For The Itch" is intriguingly atmospheric. If at times there's a bit too much anxiety-ridden navel-gazing (as in "By Myself," for example), that's about par for the course these days. Overall, Hybrid Theory is a skillfully done album that deserves the brisk sales it got coming out of the box. It'll do until heavy music reinvents itself yet again.
All recordings courtesy of Warner Bros. "One Step Closer" and "Points Of Authority" written by Linkin Park courtesy of Zomba Music/Chesterchaz Publishing/Big Bad Mr. Hahn Music/Nondisclosure Agreement Music/Rob Bourdon Music/Kenji Kobayashi Music (BMI). "With You" written by Linkin Park, & The Dust Brothers; courtesy of Zomba Music/Chesterchaz Publishing/Big Bad Mr. Hahn Music/Nondisclosure Agreement Music/Rob Bourdon Music/Kenji Kobayashi Music (BMI)/M. Simpson/J. King.
