So I figured I'll try and start this pathetic blog by actually doing a proper post. While coining up a term to replace "review" I sorta spaced out into youtube for a little, but anyway. You can see on the left of my blog where the sidebar is, a little list of my current song playlist.

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"The Catalyst" by Linkin Park



Lyrics:

GOD BLESS US EVERYONE
WE'RE A BROKEN PEOPLE LIVING UNDER LOADED GUN
And it can't be outfought
It can't be outdone
It can't be outmatched
It can't be outrun
No!

God bless us everyone
We're a broken people living under loaded gun
And it can't be outfought
It can't be outdone
It can't be outmatched
It can't be outrun
No-

And when I close my eyes tonight
To symphonies of blinding light
God bless us everyone
We're a broken people living under loaded gun

HOOOH-

Like memories in cold decay
Transmissions echoing away
Far from the world of you and I
Where oceans bleed into the sky...

God save us everyone,
Will we burn inside the fires of a thousand suns?
For the sins of our hand
The sins of our tongue
The sins of our father
The sins of our young
No-

God save us everyone
Will we burn inside the fires of a thousand suns?
For the sins of our hand
The sins of our tongue
The sins of our father
The sins of our young
No

And when I close my eyes tonight
To symphonies of blinding light
God save us everyone,
Will we burn inside the fires of a thousand suns?

HOOOH-

Like memories in cold decay
Transmissions echoing away
Far from the world of you and I
Where oceans bleed into the sky

(Instrumental)

HOOOH-

Like memories in cold decay
Transmissions echoing away
Far from the world of you and I
Where oceans bleed into the sky...


Lift me up...
Let me go...
(x10)


God bless us everyone
We're a broken people living under loaded gun
And it can't be outfought
Can't be outdone
It can't outmatched
It can't be outrun
No
God bless us everyone
We're a broken people living under loaded gun
And it can't be outfought
Can't be outdone
It can't out matched
It can't be outrun...

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While it is really a completely different concept from Linkin Park's previous albums such as Hybrid Theory or even Minutes to Midnight, I certainly am intrigued by this dramatic change in the style. And while I can't really say that the song is better than those from their first couple of albums, it does have some sort of attractive feel to it - mainly in how the way Mike sings (or shouts) the lyrics. The music video helps a lot in making you "feel" it, because Mike's in some gas-land with a hoodie (Obi-wan Kenobi in hell? I wonder what qualified him to "burn inside the fire of a thousand suns").


"God bless everyone, my beard is black again!"

The main problem with the song is that, it sounds very plain throughout the whole song, with little variation of tune in between. The lyrics are simply repeated again and again throughout the whole song - the shouting can get annoying after awhile, and for hardcore fans of LP like me, this isn't a good sign. Most of their previous songs have some kind of flow to them that makes you want to listen to them again and again - but this one simply consists of lots and lots of somewhat pointless shouts. However, the song still captures the themes and ideals I think it was meant to convey - of loss and destruction and stuff, especially if you're watching the music video. Linkin Park has always been the best at doing the "FUCK THIS" songs, and again have delivered that promise with The Catalyst. Then again, comparing the quality of this song to their previous ones, you can't really say its better.

One worthy thing to note in the lyrics is what it appears to be suggesting. The symbolism used conveys a sense of devastation... you know, an "end of the world" kind of feeling. From how I interpret the song, it's clearly telling us that an apocalypse is about to arrive because of all the evils humans have done. But the way the song is pushing this idea through somewhat disturbs me - does that mean that in order for us to repent all of us will have to bow down and plead for God's help? I'm pretty sure that if one day gas decends upon the earth and people start spazzing like they're doing in the video, the last thing I'd be thinking about won't be of God's help. (Forgive me, I'm mostly an atheist.) Overall score for the song, I'd award it with a 3.7/5 for trying, but factoring in the MV it should earn around a 4.1/5.

Hopefully the rest of their album will be better when its released. It's going to be out in mid September (Right after the school holidays are over) so do look out!