Living Things
by Linkin Park
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 450 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 357 out of 450
  2. Mixed: 64 out of 450
  3. Negative: 29 out of 450
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  1. slsoccer7
    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.
  2. RazorEye
    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
  3. Rooh15
    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.
  4. JosephRengifo
    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.
  5. Defa
    Jun 26, 2012
    10
    Living Things is a combination (A
  6. jos95
    Jun 26, 2012
    9
    This is easily the best Linkin Park album since Meteora. It updates nu-metal for the decade, with epic production mixed with the heavy guitars to give the genre a new sound that matches the times! The first half is classic Linkin Park, where songs such as Lost in the Echo, I'll Be Gone and Victimized bring back the feel of the first two albums we all love. In the second half there is someThis is easily the best Linkin Park album since Meteora. It updates nu-metal for the decade, with epic production mixed with the heavy guitars to give the genre a new sound that matches the times! The first half is classic Linkin Park, where songs such as Lost in the Echo, I'll Be Gone and Victimized bring back the feel of the first two albums we all love. In the second half there is some iffy stuff, Skin to Bone is old LP fan repellent and Until It Breaks could be a Black Eyed Peas song without Chester's and Brad's verses. Then, the album closes with Powerless, which has become of my new favorite Linkin Park songs! Whether you've been a fan since Hybrid Theory or A Thousand Suns, you're more than likely to get something out of this album.… Expand
  7. JaySensei
    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.    … Expand
  8. theahsanhaseeb
    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
  9. Talhamid
    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
  10. snowcold
    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
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2012
56
#56 Most Shared Album of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 15
  3. 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. PopMatters
    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.
    Read full review
  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]
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