"In the End" by Linkin Park from Hybrid Theory

Hey, a piano-synthetic rock mix. This sounds famil—oh.

The words begin—I won't even call the rap "vocals", sorry—and now I recognize the song. Which, I suspect, I would like if not for the rap. (I really like the singer's voice when he actually choses to sing, which not often. Or, at least, not often in Linkin Park's older songs.)

One of the top songs from the band's debut album, the video was particularly popular. I've seen much better videos (like the one for Within Temptation's second UK single, "Frozen"), but I think it's one of the better I've seen that doesn't tell a strict story in the video.

The music for this song is on the better side of average and is better melded than many popular songs, these days. It's still a bit rougher than I like (the rap doesn't help, in my book), but excluding my personal preferences it seems better than average.

Lyricwise, it's hopeless and repetitive. "I tried so hard and got so far, but in the end it doesn't even matter." It's the hopelessness of time, which always passes and nothing we do seems to matter in the long run. That leaves me wondering, "…And what now?" Linkin Park's sadly left that point hanging. I don't find it depressing, true, but I know where I'm going and what actions matter in the long run. Most kids listening to this hopeless song don't.

I can see why this song helped get Linkin Park so popular, but I'd rather listen to a different song, thanks.

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Lyrics: 3/5
Music: 4/5
Vocal(s): 2/5
Overall: 6/10

"What I've Done" by Linkin Park from Minutes to Midnight

"What I've done, I've faced myself!" sings Chester Bennington of Linkin Park. That's not in answer to accusations, but it's part of a declaration: "For what I've done I'll start again." It's said to be a tribute to the band's new choice of music. Though still a hard form of alternative rock (not quite unlike "Bring Me to Life"), it's not nearly as hard as this band once was.

The multilayered music is a bit repetitive, but it's good quality and melds extremely well. The common piano, for example, was well-chosen as a background for the song, likewise suiting the softer verses and the harder chorus. The drums and (electric) guitar are tastefully reduced in softer sections, as well, used only mildly for emphasis.

There is a little bit of yelling, though not to the degree in "Numb." I understand the singer is Chester Bennington, whose excellent voice draws me into even the yelling that I usually can't stand.

The lyrics themselves are a nice change from a common refusal to accept responsibility. Granted, they could be read as being extremely independent as independent of Christ, but I don't believe anyone's accused Linkin Park of being Christian. I think it's pretty clear in the context that there's a specific choice being referred to, here, that healthily won't be permitted to send the choser on a guilt trip. He's looked in the mirror and has conciously chosen to turn away for another path.

Also, nothing in the song might be thought inappropriate for children except perhaps the opening which references blood. ("In this farewell, there's no blood; there's no alibi.")

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Lyrics: 4/5
Music: 4/5
Vocal(s): 5/5
Overall: 8/10

"Numb" by Linkin Park from Meteora

Sweet lead voice! That's what I think when I hear the first verse. Usually, I can't stand screaming, but evidently from "Numb," yelling doesn't necessarily bother me in the same way. The way it's done and the choice of its location in this song (mostly) fit it really well. The narrator's frustration boils over into the mostly-yelling portions. Even then, I think it's more of an expression of frustration than anger.

Any topic will have a lot of songs on it. "Numb"s topic, being trampled by another's expectations, is no exception. Nonetheless, Linkin Park manages it well, with intense frustration fully expressed without a single curse. (Not all of their songs are as clean, evidently, so watch out if looking them up.)

Yes, the narrator's probably angry at a parent, but he's more frustrated and breaking under the pressure rather than outright rebelling. He's tried to obey, but "Every step that I take is another mistake to you." After so long of the other "holding too tightly afraid to lose control," "I'm tired of being what you want me to be… feeling so faithless, lost under the surface." It's not that he doesn't want to please his parent, but he can't. After years of pressure, he's "become so numb," "become so tired" that he's "so much more aware" of all the wrongful pressure and can't politely ignore it anymore.

Moreover, it's not merely a rejection of the parent because the singer is oh-so-smarter. The narrator knows he will likely make mistakes. He also knows his parent was "just like me with someone disappointed in you." Okay, a little of the rhyme is off, but as that's consistent it's likely intentional.

On a music level, it's the hard rock with hip-hop overtones that some call Nu-metal. It's not a mere beat accented by voices; there's more to the music than many bands have. Rather than the normal distinct vocals, drums, and maybe a background if you listen closely, the drums are really an integral part to the rest of the background. And the acoustic version is beautiful.

Hey, I can like something that's not gothic rock, you know. …Actually, considering this song's genre, it's a bit shocking that I like it at all. This style of music sounds suspiciously like my brother's preference, which usually sends me screaming out the door. (Fine, groaning loudly in protest.)

Still, if you can't stand hard rock whatsoever, I suggest you at least read the lyrics if not look up the acoustic version. Parents aren't the only ones who can catch someone "in the undertow" from "holding too tightly." As someone who had a high school drive me into poor health, I know from experience what it's like to "become so numb" that you don't care anymore. Though I love learning, all I care about now in school anymore is keeping my scholarships to get my degree to be done with this. And those people who destroyed school's fun for me weren't even my parents.

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Lyrics: 5/5
Music: 5/5
Vocal(s): 5/5
Overall: 10/10