The hype and hoopla created for the album release and the postponement of the release dates is somewhat not quite worth it!
Chester Bennington howls and screams yet again and no doubt provides a mass-hysteria for all his fans but at the same time a couple of songs are reminiscent of some popular rock bands.

Beginning with Wake, its more of a preamble for the following songs.. nothing significant to mention about it.

Given up is a fast-paced “typical” Linkin Park number. Its really racy and a probable next single for LP. This song really charges you up and Rob Bourdon’s percussions are really noticeable.

Leave out all the Rest is a slow-paced offering which is typically a Boy band kind of a song nothing of a epoch-making sound. The lyrics too is not worth mentioning any praise.

Bleed It Out‘s beginning with a nice guitar and Emceeing by Mike and is more like a Irish tap dance.. its a good song but won’t remain for long i feel.

LP’s Shadow of the Day reminds me of Sheryl Crow’s Soak up the Sun… involuntarily!! It’s more of a introspective musing and the song’s got better in the end… (some work for Brad Delson finally!! )

What I’ve Done is indeed a brilliant number.. the message is good no doubt and Chester’s soothing voice is really a change…Although a typical LP style video of pessimism and wrong-doing at the beginning and hope in the end still it really hold’s on you.. I was more excited of the final video after watching LP TV’s making of the video.The Guitar bridge is really melodious. The riffs are intriguing.

Hands held High is a complete Mike Shinoda’s Emceeing. It’s overtly political like a RATM composition.The Amen chorus in the song doesn’t make you pious either

No More Sorrow is a good piece of music in the album… although it begins with a typical Metallica intro.. it holds you on with Chester’s bending howls & croons together into long, high-pitched notes that can be ominous or soothing according to the context! Lyrics is typically LP’s “pissed off with the world” lyrics

LP has made a nice effort with Valentine’s Day. The Lyrics are pretty good and the composition is indeed melodious…

In Pieces is mellow and sounds like a UB40′s Red red wine background composition.Brad plays with virtuoso efficiency. And finally i felt the real Best is in the end…

Little Things give you away.. lyrics are inspired by the Katrina calamity is the best in the album i feel. The song has a typical impact on me.. the impact i got when i listened to Earth Song by Michael Jackson or USA for Africa by various artists. It will kind of lead you into a melancholic dizziness if you listen to it again and again… quite addictive!

Finally, the bottomline is Linkin Park has indeed grown up. (They use the F word many times here… heheheh.. just kidding!)
The effect and impact of songs like Points of Authority, Numb, Crawling is missing in this one.
Overall, i would rate this album 3/5.