Linkin Park: worst band ever?
By Josh Fedder
Linkin Park is arguably the worst band to emerge onto the music scene in the past ten years.
For years this secret has been crawling in my skin, and I'm breaking the habit of silence by publicly voicing my distaste.
They are cheap and generic, lead singer Chester Bennington writes cheap and generic lyrics, the beats and instruments are cheap and generic and their other singer, who also performs in Fort Minor, only drags the band down.
Complaint 1: Chester Bennington, lead singer and songwriter. Almost every song I have had the displeasure of listening to has to do with alienation and personal confusion about that alienation.
Not only does this make Chester look like he has the maturity level of a seven-year-old, but it also reveals the staggering amount of artistic ability that Linkin Park lacks.
Take for example the following song lyrics: "I don't know what's worth fighting for," "I don't know why I instigate," "It starts with one thing, I don't know why," "Somewhere I belong," "I can't seem to find myself again" and "'Cause I'm sick of being treated like I have before."
If I could write a song based on these lyrics, it would go, "I don't know why you suck, I don't know why you insist on making crappy music," which I would repeat over and over again. Then maybe I'd start rapping, but only after some screaming.
Complaint 2: The fusion of metal with hip hop. There are only two instances in the history of music when this was ever cool. 1) Anthrax and Public Enemy collaborate for the song "Bring Tha Noise." 2) Run DMC and Aerosmith collaborate on "Walk This Way."
Other bands have attempted but failed at this, most notably Korn and Limp Bizkit.
The only reason this rap/metal fusion was pulled off earlier is that Run DMC, Public Enemy, Aerosmith and Anthrax were all well-respected and musically talented.
Complaint 3: I've seen concert footage, and Bennington is off key on a fairly consistent basis. And he wears ear gauges. Maybe he wouldn't feel so alienated if he would stop putting large unnecessary holes in his body.
Complaint 4: The band has a fascination with Anime. Anime was never cool, and should most closely be associated with techno, which is the production of intensely stimulating beats by computers, with no human involvement, which is not artistic.
Complaint 5: The general public. Why do we insist on buying this music? Can't we find some music related to alienation and anger that is better than the dredges of modern rock? If you are a listener, I implore you, stop listening to this music.
Josh Fedder is a junior psychology major.