A Thousand Suns
by Linkin Park
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
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  1. Kai82
    Aug 10, 2014
    5
    I wanted to enjoy it like the other Linkin Park albums. I played it many times but it could not win me over. There was no track I can remember or that I started to whistle / sing along. On the other hand there was also no track that I can hate. Overall that means an average score of 5/10.
  2. spadenx
    Jan 13, 2012
    6
    What killed this album was that it consisted a few poor instrumentals and even though it did feature a few good songs (that I liked a lot more then the songs on their previous album), They simply didnt pull through with this album.
  3. erf14
    Apr 11, 2011
    6
    If your looking for a good Linkin Park album, you're gonna have to wait awhile, I would only recommend this album if you can get it cheap like I did. I say this because out of the 15 tracks there are only 6 full length songs, the rest are lame filler tracks.
  4. ConnorK
    Oct 6, 2015
    5
    The band is trying to expand their sound but overall it just does not work, it seems like there is no direction. I enjoy a few songs here but the majority of the songs on this album are boring. Unlike their previous stuff this is not a rock album, there is not much guitar work here.
  5. Santi_RHCP
    Mar 11, 2012
    6
    This album could have been much better, but instead it was filled with lots of ambient an random electronic sounds between the real songs. I give a 6 to the album because I still have faith in them.
  6. boojitsu
    Jan 24, 2013
    6
    Overall this is supposed to feel like a concept album. It FELT like that, but didn't have the same punch or draw that some of the best concept albums have. I enjoyed "Waiting for the End" a lot and think that's one of my favorite LP songs. Other than that, the rest of the album is too full of filler and sound effects instead of genuine musical passion. I would not recommend this CD forOverall this is supposed to feel like a concept album. It FELT like that, but didn't have the same punch or draw that some of the best concept albums have. I enjoyed "Waiting for the End" a lot and think that's one of my favorite LP songs. Other than that, the rest of the album is too full of filler and sound effects instead of genuine musical passion. I would not recommend this CD for anyone trying to figure out who Linkin Park is or what they do, as this is a bad representation and mish-mash of styles, which they normally do better at blending together.… Expand
  7. Barr0918
    Sep 19, 2010
    4
    A Thousand Suns, a highly disappointing album for myself (huge fan of Linkin Park). Linkin Park have gained a huge fan base through the years and have kept them on going with their hard rap-rock style of music, but have decided to change to an electronic base this time. The album consists of too many skits especially at the beginning, needless to say the last two (Wisdom, Justice and LoveA Thousand Suns, a highly disappointing album for myself (huge fan of Linkin Park). Linkin Park have gained a huge fan base through the years and have kept them on going with their hard rap-rock style of music, but have decided to change to an electronic base this time. The album consists of too many skits especially at the beginning, needless to say the last two (Wisdom, Justice and Love & Fallout) cleverly set the scene of the follow up song 'Iridescent' and closes it nicely. The album seems very repetitive throughout, songs reverting back to a slow release of energy. One song that stood out for me was 'Blackout', a different sounding song from their whole album but yet relates back to their old ways, un till the second half which it reverts back to the drowsy album it is. As a music lover i do enjoy most songs on this album, but it is not what i want from Linkin Park and is upsetting to see the stubbornness they have become in changing their sound for the better!… Expand
  8. ricco94
    Mar 9, 2013
    6
    I wonder WTF do these guys think before writing their songs. There are wonderful songs on this album (Waiting for the End, Iridescent) but other songs are awful. Some of them aren't songs. Why don't you write an album made only by good songs?
  9. Squared
    Sep 17, 2010
    4
    I could personally only state that 2 songs out of the 16 on the album is good enough to listen too. They seem to go in a different direction, In my honest option it was a wrong direction, nothing better than a 4/10. I can only hope they change back.
  10. Film_Fanatic_15
    Nov 22, 2010
    6
    Linkin Parks has shown maturity and some brilliance in their latest studio album, but fans be warned, their songs have become more pop driven than rock and with Rick Rubin producing, it soon feels too overproduced and too distant from their comforting sounds and variety on "Minutes to Midnight".
  11. hulmiey2k
    Sep 14, 2010
    5
    Just to let you know that i am a massive fan of Linkin Park and have everything that they have done before this... I have anticipated this as there masterpiece as the other albums "i thought were the tip of the iceberg" and couldn't wait to buy it! I was shocked to see 15 tracks on the CD as album content nowadays isn't much... It was too good to be true... Out of the first 4 tracks, 3 ofJust to let you know that i am a massive fan of Linkin Park and have everything that they have done before this... I have anticipated this as there masterpiece as the other albums "i thought were the tip of the iceberg" and couldn't wait to buy it! I was shocked to see 15 tracks on the CD as album content nowadays isn't much... It was too good to be true... Out of the first 4 tracks, 3 of them are about 20-seconds long!! I was annoyed!! I had been waiting for this album for years and they give me 5 Min's in the first 4 tracks.. I want to love the album, i really do but at the moment i am trying to find words to defend them, i have listened to it about 4 times already and not much is growing on me... "Waiting For The End" "The Catalyst" are the songs at the moment to hit me as LP.. I like the fact that they have again changed there sound and have a different vision, the mood for the album is dark, electronic and moody.. it IS far far away from the "nu metal" tag they used to have.. It might just be me , i might have had a bad day listening to the new album but at the moment not much is making me think "this is the one" I bought the CD/DVD in which is only a little more expensive but is worth it, the DVD is a good watch and is good to look behind the scenes of an album.. This album is Mike Shinodas, in the past albums he was there in the background but not the main focus, now he has chucked the toys out of the pram and demands to be looked at in the main spotlight! This album will grow on me i have no doubts it will just take a little time and getting used to the new sound..… Expand
  12. SMScorx89
    Sep 24, 2010
    5
    A Thousand Suns can be considered as a concept album. It is incoherent and does not carry the sound that Linkin Park is famous for, not even the Minutes to Midnight sound. The only good things that were enjoyable were the first two tracks and "The Catalyst". Other than that, this album is not Linkin Park's best work. I am for bands trying to experiment with their sound (let's face it, ifA Thousand Suns can be considered as a concept album. It is incoherent and does not carry the sound that Linkin Park is famous for, not even the Minutes to Midnight sound. The only good things that were enjoyable were the first two tracks and "The Catalyst". Other than that, this album is not Linkin Park's best work. I am for bands trying to experiment with their sound (let's face it, if you listen to the same thing over and over again, it's going to get old), but I don't think Linkin Park headed in the right direction with this one. As a fan, I hope they do not repeat this one and come up with something more enjoyable and less political.… Expand
  13. Ikarus14
    Jan 3, 2011
    5
    It's pretty much the ultimate kiss of death for any fan base. I know how mixed the reception towards Minutes to Midnight was, and with a thousand suns I'm pretty much on the middle of the fence here (hence the five-out-of-ten rating).
    A Thousand Suns isn't a bad album but not a great one either. I'll always listen to it gladly due to a number of good tracks but there's way too much    It's pretty much the ultimate kiss of death for any fan base. I know how mixed the reception towards Minutes to Midnight was, and with a thousand suns I'm pretty much on the middle of the fence here (hence the five-out-of-ten rating).
    A Thousand Suns isn't a bad album but not a great one either. I'll always listen to it gladly due to a number of good tracks but there's way too much filler to merit a higher rating from me.    … Expand
  14. nitroemmanuel
    Oct 9, 2010
    6
    ......................................................................................the ten i gave it was a mistake.....................................................................................................................................................
  15. LongJohnSilver
    Oct 16, 2010
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Never make the mistake of hearing songs by themselves, its an album and it MUST be heard as one - love it. 8/10. For instance the transition between "Wisdom Justice and Love" and 'Iridescent' highlights why it must be heard as an album. "Catalyst" is the jewel in the crown, "Burning in the Skies" tells us why no one does self-pity better than Chester ... and the album ends with "Messenger", a fitting acoustic tribute to Chester's unparalleled pipes. But for me - "Fallout" takes the cake. cheers… Expand
  16. peashooter
    Oct 17, 2010
    4
    I walked pass a audio shop one day and I was like "Woah, Linkin Park's new album is out". It's been a few years since the release of minutes to midnight. I can still recalled my disappointment in that album. What I've done and Leave out all the rest were the only two tracks which allowed me to feel that my money spent was worthwhile (all the tracks in meteora made me felt its worth theI walked pass a audio shop one day and I was like "Woah, Linkin Park's new album is out". It's been a few years since the release of minutes to midnight. I can still recalled my disappointment in that album. What I've done and Leave out all the rest were the only two tracks which allowed me to feel that my money spent was worthwhile (all the tracks in meteora made me felt its worth the money spent). As for A thousand suns, too bad, but it's the same story as Minutes to Midnight. I played the tracks from start to the end once, cursed at my monitor, and closed my media player. Were they trying to base the album on some historical stuff or were they trying to be funny (cause its not)? There's one or two tracks which are alright, such as Iridescent (feels like leave out all the rest without the climax) and the catalyst (the only song which felt like Linkin Park, similar to somewhere I belong/What I've done), but that's it. Seriously, I would really hope that Linkin Park stick to what they have achieved in Meteora. Really, music isn't about being new or old, but being nice or not. I gave a 4, not because I like this album in any way, but because it's LP. And while I'm ending here, I'm still listening to Bennington screaming with only acoustic chords in The Messenger... I want to cry.… Expand
  17. zhoomcar
    Jan 4, 2011
    6
    Relatively new listener to Linkin Park, not so much bias here.
    The Requiem: Contains samples of The Catalyst. Nothing special, simply an intro track. 7/10
    The Radiance: Uhhh, what the heck is this? Sounds cool anyway. 6/10 Burning in the Skies: The intro to the song was pretty awesome. Things just went downhill from there. 6/10 Empty Spaces: Pew pew. Enjoy your 18 seconds of noises. ?/10    Relatively new listener to Linkin Park, not so much bias here.
    The Requiem: Contains samples of The Catalyst. Nothing special, simply an intro track. 7/10
    The Radiance: Uhhh, what the heck is this? Sounds cool anyway. 6/10
    Burning in the Skies: The intro to the song was pretty awesome. Things just went downhill from there. 6/10
    Empty Spaces: Pew pew. Enjoy your 18 seconds of noises. ?/10
    When They Come For Me: Okay, things are finally getting interesting! Liking the grittiness of the track, though the cursing in the chorus seems unnecessary. 8/10
    Robot Boy: It's the same phrases. Over and over again. For four minutes. 4/10
    Jornada Del Muerto: Filler track. Once again, nothing much to see here. 5/10
    Waiting for the End: I'm not really a huge fan of the first two-thirds of the song. Things only really get good towards the end. 7/10
    Blackout: Loving the screaming on this one. Probably one of the standout tracks on the album. 9/10
    Wretches and Kings: About 10% of the song is simply a sample, liking the similar style to When They Come for Me. 8/10
    Wisdom, Justice and Love: Filler track. Sounds cool though. 8/10
    Iridescent: Errr... 5/10
    Fallout: Yet another filler track! This time samples Burning in the Skies, and also continues directly into The Catalyst. 5/10
    The Catalyst: It may sound weird to most of you at first listen, but will slowly grow on you later on. 9/10
    The Messenger: Being the last track on the album, I expected something decent. It just made me go "wtf?". 1/10

    Oh, and it's best to listen to the album in it's entirety, as several of the filler tracks connect each of the larger ones. Except maybe for Empty Spaces, WJ&L.

    Final Score: 6    … Expand
  18. jos95
    Jan 12, 2012
    6
    Minutes to Midnight was absolutely unbearable, and this is definitely much better. Lyrically, the album's theme of human fear of technology taking over and nuclear warfare is quite unique and interesting. That being said, I still feel the album didn't live up to its potential. The sound is way too pop in comparison to the other three albums and the amount of interludes on this album isMinutes to Midnight was absolutely unbearable, and this is definitely much better. Lyrically, the album's theme of human fear of technology taking over and nuclear warfare is quite unique and interesting. That being said, I still feel the album didn't live up to its potential. The sound is way too pop in comparison to the other three albums and the amount of interludes on this album is ridiculous. This album is dark and beautifully haunting, unlike Minutes which was depressing and insipid. The highlights, such as Burning in the Skies, Wretches and Kings, Iridescent and The Catalyst are shades of the full potential of this album. The rest seem a bit weird. Not bad, but still not the Linkin Park I fell in love with. Meteora is still their best album :)… Expand
  19. Nikos52
    Sep 16, 2011
    5
    I have 2 opinions about this...as an album by a band, it is wonderful. Not groundbreaking, but there is a message to be heard. "Catalyst" is very refreshing, amongst the rest of the album. The melodies stick out in a calm and peaceful way, which is ironic considering the theme of the album.
    As a Linkin Park album, it's weak. It feels sloppy, like they didn't really put a lot of work in    I have 2 opinions about this...as an album by a band, it is wonderful. Not groundbreaking, but there is a message to be heard. "Catalyst" is very refreshing, amongst the rest of the album. The melodies stick out in a calm and peaceful way, which is ironic considering the theme of the album.
    As a Linkin Park album, it's weak. It feels sloppy, like they didn't really put a lot of work in this. I guess they did, i mean, it's LP we're talking about, but it doesn't show. If i didn't love these guys, i'd have to say that they probably needed some money and it's getting hip again making concept albums, so they gather a bunch of b-sides, work with them a little and release it. Very weak efford for Linking Park, considering how they broke new ground with their first 2 records.    … Expand
  20. Bryano
    Jan 3, 2017
    6
    Linkin Park prove better their talent in this album than Minutes to Midnight, because they contains some of their greatest songs, but the album is mixed overall. Some tracks such as Burning in the Skies, Waiting for the End are great, other good track like Robot boy or The Catalyst saves the album, but the track The Messenger doesn't fit at all with the rest of the album, and there are tooLinkin Park prove better their talent in this album than Minutes to Midnight, because they contains some of their greatest songs, but the album is mixed overall. Some tracks such as Burning in the Skies, Waiting for the End are great, other good track like Robot boy or The Catalyst saves the album, but the track The Messenger doesn't fit at all with the rest of the album, and there are too much useless instrumental track compared to their previous and later releases. They should have put less instrumental tracks to adopt a standard 11-12 tracks form like their other albums. Taking onto account mediocre tracks and highlights singles, A six out of ten would be suitable.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
    Read full review
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