Review Summary: Linkin Park's latest Underground EP does nothing but admire Weird Al Yankovic's style, and packs a few good laughs.
Hybrid Theory, a moment in history when a nu-metal band from California blew up around the world. Meteora, a great follow-up to the debut that earned their spot as one of the most recognizable bands in modern music. Minutes To Midnight, the experimental album that lacked kick, but presented a mature view in their approach. You get it, the fan base is huge. And just like any band who cared about their fans without "maggots" labeled on their foreheads, they have released bonus material, simply called "Underground". 8 years in, 7 underground EP's have infiltrated the base with little-to-no surprises at all. Their latest LPU, however, is surprising. Nobody could've prepared me for what I was about to listen to. MMM...COOKIES!
The introduction track, strangely named
You Ain't Gotsta Gotsta, has Mike and Chester doing a beatbox over a Steve Tyler impersonation. 'Nuff said. The following song,
Bubbles, is a 2 and a half minute slow jam with Bennington singing in a distorted tone. The lyrics are funny, even though its nothing more than just the word "bubbles" repeated over and over... and then spelled out. Genius, ain't it?
No Laundry is Bennington on an unplugged electric guitar singing about not doing laundry, only after mentioning "I don't do no God damn clothes/I ain't gonna do no laundry, Bitch!". There is no serious moment on the entire EP, fortunately, and not the slightest hint of anger or hate from other LPU songs like
Qwerty.
Da Bloos is the fourth track, a direct ode to Billy Rae Cyrus. Chester turns his voice into a mocking accent again, and its anybodys guess to what the song is about.
PB N' Jellyfish had me in stitches for at least one minute, before it turns into a crazy mumble of "Jelly jelly jellyfish! When you squeeze me I go squish!". The final song,
26 Lettaz In Da Alphabet is quite the dance extravaganza. Once again, Bennington raps (yes, raps), begins squeeling in a high-pitch tone about putting on shoes and not having friends. Oh, and shaking your "chocolate milk", whatever that means.
Granted, the LPU8 is nothing serious at all. It was initially meant to be a funny album, and serves its purpose well. Unfortunately, I can't take this band seriously at all anymore. Now every time I listen to Minutes To Midnight, I think of jellyfish. They have, in some ways, destroyed what could've been a promising EP release. Instead, they decide to enter the comedy central with style, mind. Each song is no less than 2 minutes long, except the final track, and poorly produced. Then again, LP deserve a break and do something they enjoy; getting stoned and singing songs about raw thongs and alphabets.
