User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 450 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 29 out of 450
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  1. Jun 26, 2012
    10
    I kept refreshing the page to ensure that I got the first user review in. Guys and gals, IGNORE THE CRITICS. This is LP's best album since Hybrid Theory, and one of the best rock albums EVER. The amazing thing about this album is that not one song is weak or half hearted. All of them have some quality that makes them shine. The melodies are usual LP stuff, nothing out of the ordinary.I kept refreshing the page to ensure that I got the first user review in. Guys and gals, IGNORE THE CRITICS. This is LP's best album since Hybrid Theory, and one of the best rock albums EVER. The amazing thing about this album is that not one song is weak or half hearted. All of them have some quality that makes them shine. The melodies are usual LP stuff, nothing out of the ordinary. What's new is a delicious mixture of electronica which means that every song is in a genre of its own. The deaf and dumb critics, while heaping praise upon smelly, skinny rock bands who can't wear a shirt decently and whose pimples show in their music, have always derided LP. We, the fans know better. I know their lyrics get heavy handed at times - they are not the best lyricists out there. But hey, the music - that INCOMPARABLE mixture of electronica and metal, coupled to earnestness about world and emotional issues, means that even a 33 year old daddy like me can't get enough of them. So go ahead and buy it without fear. LP fans will rejoice, while other rock music fans will find a remarkably consistent album that defies categorization and sounds different from everything else out there. If you're not willing to take that chance, listen to the stream on iTunes or the various videos on YouTube. I can't get myself off this album. The new Smashing Pumpkins album is good too, but the sheer bombast and ambition of Living Things keeps calling me to it. There is something to be said for the incredibly goovy rhythm section that LP have fashioned over the years. This stuff will eat Blink 182's and David Guettas of this world for breakfast. IGNORE THE CRITICS. DECIDE FOR YOURSELF. PLEASE. Expand
  2. Jun 26, 2014
    10
    This album displays further progress along the new electronica influenced style Linkin Park first introduced to us with their past two albums (more so in A Thousand Suns than Minutes to Midnight). Though this new style has faced a good deal of criticism from old time Linkin Park fans, the incredible talent displayed in Living Things is simply staggering. I myself have been a diehard LinkinThis album displays further progress along the new electronica influenced style Linkin Park first introduced to us with their past two albums (more so in A Thousand Suns than Minutes to Midnight). Though this new style has faced a good deal of criticism from old time Linkin Park fans, the incredible talent displayed in Living Things is simply staggering. I myself have been a diehard Linkin Park fan since before their style had begun to change, yet this album has still managed to rank itself as my favorite of Linkin Park's works, topping even Hybrid Theory itself, an undeniable classic. Expand
  3. Mar 13, 2014
    10
    Linkin Park has changed a bit but your style does not mean that this album there are two songs not great songs that deserve mention are:
    Lost In The Echo: the beats of music are not electronically but not most and why music is not one of the best, why, rap by mike and sedge of electronics with the battery are entitled to alternative
    Lies Greed Misery: the Music which makes a rap
    Linkin Park has changed a bit but your style does not mean that this album there are two songs not great songs that deserve mention are:
    Lost In The Echo: the beats of music are not electronically but not most and why music is not one of the best, why, rap by mike and sedge of electronics with the battery are entitled to alternative
    Lies Greed Misery: the Music which makes a rap criticizes our society besides mix different beats never seen before
    Expand
  4. Dec 28, 2019
    9
    A very good Linkin Park album. Only Hybrid Theory and Meteora are better. It has a lot of emotional and powerful songs. My favourites are Lost in the Echo which has a sad and depressing music video that catches the theme, Skin to Bone (For me a song that reminds me that all things end) and Castle of Glass. It is a typical Linkin Park album that deals with sad themes in an acustical enjoyable way.
  5. Sep 18, 2014
    10
    This album is so stunningly good. It grabs you and doesn't let go. This is a rock solid listen. The only song I tend to skip over is "Lies Greed Misery" but I respect it. I just don't love it. There's a narrative quality in the way this album is arranged. It's about pain and destruction and healing and being human(Castle of Glass). Recommend. Also, I really like Roads Untraveled.This album is so stunningly good. It grabs you and doesn't let go. This is a rock solid listen. The only song I tend to skip over is "Lies Greed Misery" but I respect it. I just don't love it. There's a narrative quality in the way this album is arranged. It's about pain and destruction and healing and being human(Castle of Glass). Recommend. Also, I really like Roads Untraveled. There's a lot there. Expand
  6. Apr 15, 2016
    7
    I know that they focused on the rhythm because it's an album more like electronic but some lyrics are not so good. My favorites: "Powerless", "I'll Be Gone" and "Castle Of Glass".
  7. Mar 10, 2018
    8
    A good album. Not Linkin Park's best but is enjoyable throughout and has some of their best songs including Roads Untravelled, Lost in the Echo and Skin to Bone
  8. Jul 25, 2018
    2
    If this is alternative rock then Nirvana is progressive brutal death metal. This album is a crime against humanity. The only track that doesn't make me want to kill myself is Victimized. And I was victimized by listening to this record. Things should just stay dead. Pickens condemns!
  9. Jul 3, 2012
    8
    It's hard to not have sympathy for the guys in Linkin Park. They became popular with two (well, two and a half) albums when Nu-Metal was "the thing" which gave them one set of fans. Then they took a hard left turn and made two radically different albums that are heavy on electronica and light on the rap and nu-metal overtones. This shift gave them a whole different set of fans. Neither setIt's hard to not have sympathy for the guys in Linkin Park. They became popular with two (well, two and a half) albums when Nu-Metal was "the thing" which gave them one set of fans. Then they took a hard left turn and made two radically different albums that are heavy on electronica and light on the rap and nu-metal overtones. This shift gave them a whole different set of fans. Neither set of /hardcore/ "one-or-the-other" fans will be happy with "Living Things". ||| IN MY OPINION, Living Things is an album that fits smack in the middle of the two opposing points. The album is heavy on electronica, but doesn't slight the guitars, and the Hybrid Theory/Meteora era angst-ridden screams are back in full force in several tracks. And then there's tracks that will appeal to the A Thousand Suns and Minutes to Midnight crowd. ||| All told, this album feels like Linkin Park is happy where they are and have struck a medium between what they were and what they had become. Unfortunately, many fans of a particular sound will simply dismiss the album as a failure but in my opinion, as listener who consistently places Meteora at the top of my personal favorite LP albums, Living Things is a triumph. ||| My only complaint is that I wish the album was twice as long! Expand
  10. Jun 26, 2012
    10
    The album is absolutely amazing. Much better than Minutes to Midnight and a Thousands suns. Linkin Park have merged what everybody first loved them for (ear splitting choruses and heavy beats) with some of the best parts of their new experimental albums (the electronica) to create a best of both world album that easily sits with Hybrid Theory at the top of Linkin Park's albums.
  11. Jun 26, 2012
    10
    While it's not the best album of 2012, it certainly is a return to form for a band who lost their way with their previous release. There are only two bad songs on this record (Lies Greed Misery and Until It Breaks) and one "okay" song (Roads Untravelled). Other than the aforementioned this is a solid release by Linkin Park with a semi-new sound and songs that could have been recordedWhile it's not the best album of 2012, it certainly is a return to form for a band who lost their way with their previous release. There are only two bad songs on this record (Lies Greed Misery and Until It Breaks) and one "okay" song (Roads Untravelled). Other than the aforementioned this is a solid release by Linkin Park with a semi-new sound and songs that could have been recorded during their Meteora days. I thought I would hate this record but I was wrong. I highly recommend this to all Linkin Park fans! Expand
  12. Jun 26, 2012
    10
    Living Things is easily one of Linkin Park's best records. Opens big with ''Lost In The Echo'' and continues like that for the next 5 songs, and then slows down in ''Castle of Glass'' which is to me the best song on the album. Next track, ''Victimized'' is a heavy, rap-metal track which proves that LP still rocks. Then is the first ballad on the album, ''Roads Untraveled'' which is aLiving Things is easily one of Linkin Park's best records. Opens big with ''Lost In The Echo'' and continues like that for the next 5 songs, and then slows down in ''Castle of Glass'' which is to me the best song on the album. Next track, ''Victimized'' is a heavy, rap-metal track which proves that LP still rocks. Then is the first ballad on the album, ''Roads Untraveled'' which is a beautiful, slow song. ''Skin to Bone'' is one of my favourites, it's a slow song with electro beats. Then is ''Until it Breaks'', which is an experimental rap track with a sung outro. Tinfoil and Powerless finish the album beautifully, and make you love Living Things. Overall 10/10. Any normal human being would love this album. Expand
  13. Jun 26, 2012
    10
    CASTLE OF GLASS. Enough said. As a massive LP fan, this is a solid listen. The critics are simply incorrect. This is a modern LP matured Hybrid Theory/Meoteora.
  14. Jun 26, 2012
    7
    Amazing combination of heavy guitars and electronic sounds, mind-blowing production, more than a few breathtaking lyrics and some of the best songs Linkin Park has done for sure.
  15. Jun 26, 2012
    10
    The album starts off with LOST IN THE ECHO, opening with pounding bass, blistering raps, and screaming from Chester. While it does have that classic LP feel to it, it is made different and more modern with the addition of heavy layers of electronics.

    The wonderful thing about LIVING THINGS is that each some has something unique that other songs do not. Aforementioned LOST IN THE ECHO
    The album starts off with LOST IN THE ECHO, opening with pounding bass, blistering raps, and screaming from Chester. While it does have that classic LP feel to it, it is made different and more modern with the addition of heavy layers of electronics.

    The wonderful thing about LIVING THINGS is that each some has something unique that other songs do not. Aforementioned LOST IN THE ECHO has that classic LP feel with heavy, almost dubstep-esque, electronics. IN MY REMAINS shifts to a military drum beat as Mike sings 'Like an army falling one by one by one'. BURN IT DOWN is the radio single, while LIES GREED MISERY is the hi-speed track that tries to 'punch you in the face'. I'LL BE GONE has impressive string work by Arcade Fire's Owen Pallett, while CASTLE OF GLASS takes a stark experimental turn which would be best described has 'electro-folk-rock'. VICTIMIZED is an extremely heavy high speed song that has heavy screaming, amazing blast beat drum work, and heavy fast raps.

    The next few tracks deal with more experimentation: ROADS UNTRAVELED features a jingle melody as the track focuses on the interplay of the singing of Chester and Mike. SKIN TO BONE features a long warming melody to best describe it (as in singing one multiple notes on one 'breath' without actual singing). UNTIL IT BREAKS is the heavy, booming, hip-hop song with a goodness of 90s hip-hop references and possibly Mike Shinoda's best work of his career. The album ends with TINFOIL and POWERLESS (the later being the 'intro' instrumental track leading into the next). POWERLESS truly shows that Linkin Park knows how to end an album and displays Chester screaming/shouting/yelling/whatever without any hint of angst or 'growling'.

    LIVING THINGS is not meant to be groundbreaking; it is meant to be a firecracker album that is full of energy and keeps the listener interested the whole way through. Living Things perfectly achieves this goal, with each song keeping the listener 'alive' instead of dragging on.

    But LIVING THIINGS has also achieved something else that its original purpose might not have been: to bring something that all LP fans will love. Many fans deserted the band when they went through the experimental Minutes to Midnight and A Thousand Suns phases. However, this album brings back the 'nu-metalz' that the previous fans loved along with the experimentation, creativity, and 'heart fullness' that were present in the aforementioned albums.

    If you have deserted Linkin Park in the past because you did not like their new style, then you should reconsider, because this album brings everything you love about Linkin Park and concentrates it into one 37-38 minute album. This one is a must buy.
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  16. Jun 26, 2012
    10
    Its a brilliant compilation of everything that defines linkin park and combines the new ideas with the emotion and power of their early works. its a instant classic of rock
  17. Oct 9, 2012
    10
    I loved this. I don't get how people can be so against this band. They don't want each record to sound the same and that isn't a problem, would you prefer them to pump out the same stuff? It's so uncreative and DEFINITELY isn't who Linkin Park are. They choose to implement so many styles and choose to be a different band, which is refreshing because lately every band is happy to produceI loved this. I don't get how people can be so against this band. They don't want each record to sound the same and that isn't a problem, would you prefer them to pump out the same stuff? It's so uncreative and DEFINITELY isn't who Linkin Park are. They choose to implement so many styles and choose to be a different band, which is refreshing because lately every band is happy to produce the same dull sound. Expand
  18. Jun 26, 2012
    10
    I am a true Linkin Park fan. I love all of their stuff from Minutes to Midnight to Reanimation. This album, topped them all. All of the songs are so beautiful in their own way. Whether it is Roads Untravelled, a depressing, yet somewhat hopeful song, to Powerless, a heartbreak ballad. They are all masterpieces and the group still has it.
  19. Jun 26, 2012
    10
    lo mejor de Linkin Park es no haberse quedado en el pasado. es dificil para mi entender ciertas criticas de trabajos anteriores pidiendo lo que jamas llegara que es la repeticion de sus primeros trabajos, Linkin park busca seguir un camino y no quedarse atras como lo sucedido con otras bandas de sus inicios y este album es justo el resultado de todo lo anterior y eso me satisface. mi unicalo mejor de Linkin Park es no haberse quedado en el pasado. es dificil para mi entender ciertas criticas de trabajos anteriores pidiendo lo que jamas llegara que es la repeticion de sus primeros trabajos, Linkin park busca seguir un camino y no quedarse atras como lo sucedido con otras bandas de sus inicios y este album es justo el resultado de todo lo anterior y eso me satisface. mi unica critica es que pido mas una vez que termina la ultima cancion y justamente eso dudo que sea negativo. Expand
  20. Aug 12, 2013
    9
    As a fan of Linkin Park for nearly a decade, I honestly had to fight a little harder to enjoy Minutes to Midnight and A Thousand Suns. Minutes to Midnight had some standout tracks like "Bleed it Out" and "What I've Done" that made me forgive some of their weirder outings like "In Between" or "The Little Things Give You Away." A Thousand Suns was very epic as a whole, but some songs wereAs a fan of Linkin Park for nearly a decade, I honestly had to fight a little harder to enjoy Minutes to Midnight and A Thousand Suns. Minutes to Midnight had some standout tracks like "Bleed it Out" and "What I've Done" that made me forgive some of their weirder outings like "In Between" or "The Little Things Give You Away." A Thousand Suns was very epic as a whole, but some songs were hard to like. Songs like "When They Come for Me" and "Blackout" were hard for me to get into.

    If you were like me and had some conflicting views on their prior albums though, you can rest assured that this album is nothing nearly as polarizing. In fact, I'd venture to say that this is Linkin Park's most mature and best sound out of every album they've done.

    It's difficult for me to pinpoint a part of this album I dislike. For the first time, after listening to this album all the way through, I can safely say Linkin Park has created an album with few missteps, and a very unique, modern sound that blends their newer, more experimental ideas with what they're best known for. Living Things is a great album from an overall very talented band. Definitely worth a listen.
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  21. Jun 26, 2012
    10
    Living Things would have to be one of the greatest modern albums of all time. Not only did it take what made A Thousand Suns the amazing mind-bending experience that it was, but it also took the band's experimental work like Minutes to Midnight and also took a few hints from the electronic rock medium aswell. Mixed in with choir-tastic lyrics that made A Thousand Suns stand out, anotherLiving Things would have to be one of the greatest modern albums of all time. Not only did it take what made A Thousand Suns the amazing mind-bending experience that it was, but it also took the band's experimental work like Minutes to Midnight and also took a few hints from the electronic rock medium aswell. Mixed in with choir-tastic lyrics that made A Thousand Suns stand out, another concept, this time dealing with communication and breakdowns between relationships (Division bell much? My favourite Pink Floyd album btw), and the abilities of each of the six musically diverse members of the band creates something unique. Something we have never heard before besides A Thousand Suns, but also this sense of emotion and desperation of the song leaping into your head as you listen to the problems echoing within the music and lyrics. This record is something special. This is one to be recorded in history. Whether or not the band will continue with the tremendous electronic rock concept-experience that A Thousand Suns and Living Things produced or go in another direction for their next album is up to the band to decide. Honestly, I don't mind which direction they take next, but if they go for the same sound again, don't be surprised if their next album ends up being even better. This is their sound. They have found it. The champion sound. Expand
  22. Jun 26, 2012
    10
    I've been a devout fan of Linkin Park for many years now, and they have yet to disappoint me. While I feel that Hybrid Theory and Meteora were their best albums, I also feel that Minutes to Midnight and A Thousand Suns were excellent and interesting in their own ways. Now, with Living Things, it seems that Linkin Park have blended the best elements of those albums to create a cohesive andI've been a devout fan of Linkin Park for many years now, and they have yet to disappoint me. While I feel that Hybrid Theory and Meteora were their best albums, I also feel that Minutes to Midnight and A Thousand Suns were excellent and interesting in their own ways. Now, with Living Things, it seems that Linkin Park have blended the best elements of those albums to create a cohesive and enjoyable new record. "Lost in the Echo," the opening track, has a Meteora-esque sound that sees Mike Shinoda rapping and Chester Bennington singing against a backdrop of heavy guitar riffs and textured electronics. "In My Remains" reminds me of "New Divide" stylistically, and "Burn It Down" is the catchy electro-rock anthem that was released as the first single from the album. "Lies Greed Misery" and "Victimized" both feature aggressive rapping from Mike and Chester's signature screams. "I'll Be Gone" features a string arrangement by Owen Pallett (longtime Arcade Fire collaborator) and bears a resemblance to "What I've Done" from MTM. "Castle of Glass" is a subdued and atmospheric song that gradually grows heavier, and "Roads Untraveled" is a melodic ballad on which both Mike and Chester sing. "Skin to Bone" is perhaps the most unusual song on the album, with a Depeche Mode kind of sound. "Until It Breaks" is a multi-sectioned, hip-hop-oriented song that mainly features Mike's rapping but also sees guitarist Brad Delson on lead vocals toward the end of the song. "Tinfoil" is an instrumental, similar to "Session" on Meteora. The final track, "Powerless" is a soaring power ballad driven by Chester's wonderful voice.

    I have very few complaints with this album. The vocals are great, the instruments are great, the lyrics and composition are great. The final result is a mature and introspective blend of alternative rock, electronica, nu-metal, and hip-hop; and more importantly, Linkin Park's best album in years. In the end, I was once again impressed by Linkin Park, and I hope to see them on tour.
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  23. Jun 27, 2012
    10
    Ok. So I'm not sure what the critics are thinking. Its by no means a average album. It is a very good album. There are no songs that are generic or bad. Each one has its own pros. The album itself is like LPs other albums combined into one. There are pieces of each albums sound in it. I would say overall its a 8 or 9 but I gave it a 10 because the critics are taking the score to low.
  24. Jun 27, 2012
    9
    Simply i can say is that the album is better than Hybrid Theory And Meteora....I liked A Thousand Suns more than Living Things......but still this record holds its ground..........a must buy album.................
  25. Jul 2, 2012
    10
    another great album from the greatest band....the new album is better than ats and mim...though not good as hbt and meteora...there are a couple of good songs...
  26. Oct 15, 2012
    10
    Linkin Park made it! This album is really a pleasant surprise and a proof that Linkin Park deserve their good stature as a rock band. I love all song of this one, it's an album I can listen to over and over again. A perfect job from Linkin Park; this is gonna be one of my top contenders for the best album of 2012.
  27. Jun 26, 2012
    9
    This is an incredible album, they decided to make something different despite what people said and came with this masterpiece.
  28. Jun 26, 2012
    10
    Living Things is easily one of best rock albums ever made. Every song on the record has its own recognition and power. I have been listening to Linkin Park ever since I was a kid and they always sound awesome. DON'T LISTEN TO CRITICS! They don't even understand the intensity of the awesomeness of this album. "Lost in the Echo", "In My Remains", "Castle of Glass", and "Roads Untraveled" areLiving Things is easily one of best rock albums ever made. Every song on the record has its own recognition and power. I have been listening to Linkin Park ever since I was a kid and they always sound awesome. DON'T LISTEN TO CRITICS! They don't even understand the intensity of the awesomeness of this album. "Lost in the Echo", "In My Remains", "Castle of Glass", and "Roads Untraveled" are my favorite on the album. "Lies Greed Misery" is a catchy dubstep/rock/rap track which sounds nothing like Skrillex as reviewed by the critics. "Tinfoil" is an amazing instrumental, literally gives you chills and the way it connects with "Powerless" which closes the album is epic. THIS ALBUM IS A MUST LISTEN. LINKIN PARK, FOR THE WIN! Expand
  29. Jun 26, 2012
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 1. LOST IN THE ECHO (8/10) - I really felt this song was Mike back in form. The rapping had a great flow over a heavy electronic instrumental. I loved the raw energy that Chester brought in the chorus, along with the screams. 2. IN MY REMAINS (8/10) - This song really left me wanting more. I loved the song structure of the song, and the lyrics are definitely an improvement from their first three albums.

    3. BURN IT DOWN (7/10) - This song really didn't blow me away at all. It's a decent song, but it got boring really quick. 4. LIES GREED MISERY (7/10) - Another song that didn't leave a real big impression. I think this song would have been better as an instrumental.

    5. I'LL BE GONE (9/10) - Some of Linkin Park's best lyrics yet. Though with all the hype going around it, I was expecting more from Owen Pallett, who did the string arrangement on the song. It may have been the quality of the rip, but I could barely make it out. 6. CASTLE OF GLASS (9.5/10) - One of a few songs that are incredibly inspired by folk. It really exceeded my expectations.

    7. VICTIMIZED (10/10) - This song goes from folk music, to metalcore, to hip hop, and back to metalcore in just a short 1 minute 50 second song. It's a whole lot of song in not a whole lot of time, which is what makes this song epic. 8. ROADS UNTRAVELED (9.5/10) - A huge piano driven song with some of the most emotional lyrics I have heard from the band. 9. SKIN TO BONE (10/10) - Tied for being my favorite off of the album, this song has a death-folk feel to it, but being totally electronic. This is really Mike at his best as far as singing goes, and I hope that more stuff in the future sounds like this from them.

    10. UNTIL IT BREAKS (10/10) - Again tied for being my favorite, this song goes from full on Rasta Shinoda over an electronic beat, to Chester wanting strength from the rising sun, back to Rasta Shinoda to a more organic instrumental, to Brad singing what sounds like a church hymn. It may seem random, but they totally work together really well.

    11. TINFOIL / POWERLESS (9/10) - I didn't want to rate these two tracks seperately, since TINFOIL is really just the intro to POWERLESS. I love the epic feeling to it.
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  30. Jun 26, 2012
    10
    LIVING THINGS, is an AWESOME album, and has to be one of the best rockmainstream album out there.It's so enjoyable,this is Linkin Park in pure form, energy, big choruses, melodies, rap,scream,big beats, wall of sounds, and little of that experimentation that was introduced in A Thousand Suns. This is Awesomeness... This is Linkin Park.
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 15
  2. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Q Magazine
    Jul 27, 2012
    80
    Bold stuff and proof Shinoda remains a richly talented creative force. [Aug 2012, p.103]
  2. Jul 18, 2012
    60
    Living Things is a very good entry that's simply not as special as its precursor. All in all, Linkin Park has always been a bit unique and the best at what they do, and they continue to excel on this album. Just don't expect too much from it.
  3. Kerrang!
    Jul 17, 2012
    60
    Too often, Living Things is the sound of a band with vast talent, but also one that hasn't figured out where to go next. [23 Jun 2012, p.52]