A Thousand Suns
by Linkin Park
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
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  1. Kerrang!
    80
    Linkin Park's fourth album plots a remarkable course. It is, in fact, nothing less than the sound of their hybrid theory soaring to its logical conclusion. [11 Sep 2010, p.50]
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  2. Billboard.com
    75
    On its latest release, A Thousand Suns, the six-piece rock act truly breaks the habit of everything we've heard from it before.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    On A Thousand Suns at times the band's odd melange of industrial grind, hip-hop swagger, and teenage-wasteland angst feels jarring--but that should matter little to the kids who clamor for their headphone catharses.
  5. Sputnikmusic
    70
    A Thousand Suns is an extremely well-crafted rock album from a band whose (self-directed) anger is, for once, well placed.
  6. Rock Sound
    70
    A Thousand Suns is a more experienced and experimental Linkin Park. You may not get it to begin with but persevere and you'll be rewarded.
  7. Rolling Stone
    60
    With Rick Rubin co-producing, the band embraces not just synth-pop clamor but also dancehall-style chants and U2's grandiosity. It's the sound of Linkin Park feeling their way toward a new identity, but their skill for melody is obvious.
  8. BBC Music
    60
    They didn't want whatever their next album was to be predictable, and while A Thousand Suns might have emerged by accident compared to previous LPs, it's certainly a far from plays-to-perceived-type affair.
  9. Spin
    60
    Linkin Park's fourth studio album (and second collaboration with producer Rick Rubin) contains plenty of aggressively arty material that might surprise fans of the megapopular rap-rock outfit.
  10. AllMusic
    50
    The problem is, the subdued rhythms, riffs, and raps of A Thousand Suns wind up monochromatic, an impression not erased by the brief bridges between songs, sampled speeches, and easy segues, every element retaining moodiness without offering distinction.
  11. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    41
    In essence, A Thousand Suns is a record with no real character or substance.

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2010
19
#19 Most Shared Album of 2010

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 511 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 380 out of 511
  2. Mixed: 68 out of 511
  3. Negative: 63 out of 511
  1. NewAdrenaline
    Oct 10, 2010
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. I like how everyone uses the term "old Linkin Park". If i remember correctly, and i believe i do, everyone bashed Linkin Park when Meteora came out because "it sounded too much like Hybrid Theory". Linkin Park then dished out Minutes to Midnight. Imagine that, a band that listened to the fans, M2M didn't sound like Hybrid Theory or Meteora for that matter. And now with A Thousand Suns, which everyone is correct, it doesn't sound like their previous stuff yet again. It's something new to sink our teeth in. I can honestly say i like the musical taste of A Thousand Suns. Yeah, it may only have 9 songs out of the 15 tracks, but throughout all of their albums, they have always had instrumentals. I for one thoroughly enjoy the instrumentals. I have been a fan since the Hybrid Theory EP, and Linkin Park has not disappointed me yet. A Thousands Suns may not meet a lot of your expectations, especially if your not acceptive to new ideas. All work in forms of art, whether it be painting, drawing, music, poetry, woodworking, etc., came from someone with an idea. This is Linkin Parks newest idea, and it is art, whether you want to believe it or not. I bought A Thousand Suns on 9/14/10. The best album I have bought all year. I give it a 9 out of 10.… Full Review »
  2. Alfred
    Sep 14, 2010
    3
    The band spoke about this album being much different from their past albums. While there's a change, it's not for the better. Out of the 16The band spoke about this album being much different from their past albums. While there's a change, it's not for the better. Out of the 16 tracks on the album, 6 of them are filler tracks consisting of distorted speeches, piano chords, and what feels like parts of song that were not good enough to be developed into full tracks. Of the rest of the 9 tracks, there are few tracks that successfully stray away from the sound Linkin Park has banked on in their past two albums. Either they fall back into their previous tendencies and create another version of What I've Done/ New Divide (The Catalyst), or they completely fall apart musically (the Messenger). The one standout track on this album is Blackout. This track manages to break through the wall of dull emotions that this album is built on and manages to actually be an enjoyably different sound from Linkin Park. This album is far from perfect, and far from good. After listening to the album, there's nothing even memorable besides Blackout and the feeling of aggravation brought on by this sub-par album.… Full Review »
  3. vichy97
    Sep 14, 2010
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. This album is experimental again. Everybody remembers how surprising was M2M. Songs are deep like never before but 5 skits is little too much. The album kicks of with the loong intro...It's 2 songs already in 3 minutes. Disappointing! But then...The best song of this entire album is coming...
    Burning in the Skies is absolutely awesome. Chester's singing is beautiful and even Mike proves that he can sing! (10/10) ...
    Then another skit which could be intro of the next song. Track which has 18 seconds. Not so much...
    But next track When They Come for Me is good. I don't like the chorus that much and Mike has had better raps before but when the part where Chester sings: "Oh When They Come for Me, When They Come for Me, I'll be gone..." is the best part of the entire album. Amazing! (8/10) ... Robot boy is pop. I like it, Mike sings there, but it's not one of the best of the album. (7/10) ... Jornada Del Muerto is another skit and it's kinda like Robot Boy's outro but I like it better than Robot Boy. (8/10) ... Waiting for the End: I don't like Mike's weird rapping here but Chester's singing makes this song reaally beautiful! The chorus is probably the most beautiful of the whole album! (8/10) ... Blackout is an interesting track. Chester's screaming at the beginning is great because it's the only one song which contains his shout! The slow part is good too but I don't like it together that much. (7/10) ... Wretchers and Kings: I'm tired of the listening of the looong speech at the beginning and it's at the end again! C'mon LP it would be much better without that. The song is good. Mike brings some good rapping and Chester is really powerful. It's probably the closest song to the old LP. (8/10) Another speech after that but now it's skit...
    Then Iridescent. It's wonderful! Mike's singing is better than ever, Chester is great as always at slow songs and it got some beautiful lyrics. I love this song! (9/10) ... Fallout it's another skit and samples Burning in the Skies...Why?
    We all know The Catalyst. I didn't like it at first but it grew at me and even though it's not my favorite, it's one of the better songs! (8/10) ... The Messenger is the worst track of this album. It's probably Chester's worst singing ever. Weirdest song from Thousand Suns. (5/10)

    This album is going to be discussed a lot. I like it a lot but it has a little too many skits there and horrible outro. Many people would say it's not Linkin Park anymore. But I like it better, than if it was another HT or Meteora. They are older now and they're making a new music. It's not bad at all! Good job LP!!!    … Full Review »
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