Reviewed November 12, 2000
One of the best new bands I've heard in 2000, Linkin Park has released their debut rap metal album, Hybrid Theory .

Although they may share a few elements with Limp Bizkit and Papa Roach, you won't be confusing Linkin Park with either of them. Focusing on the fragility of our emotions and trust, Linkin Park put together lyrics that many of us can relate to.

The difference-maker for Linkin Park is the combination of both a raspy singer (Chester Bennington) and rapper (Mike Shinoda). Their voices work together fluidly, just as DJ Joe Hahn and Guitarist Brad Delson seamlessly mix.

Only two aspects of the album strike me as negative. First, it isn't even forty minutes long. Second, there is only moderate variety between the consistently strong tracks. This makes it very difficult to pick favorite songs, but I can still choose "Runaway" and "A Place for My Head" for their catchiness.

Linkin Park's excellent Hybrid Theory  gets 4 of 5 stars.