Linkin Park - Why the Hate?

[Ambi]

For me it's mainly that the lyrics are awful. Chester Bennington much more so, it has to be said.

But yeah, I actually kinda like the first album, in its catchy, cheesy way.

[sub]And I still know all the words from when I was 14...[/sub]

This, as well as what the OP said.

"cause I'm one step closer to the edge, AND I'M ABOUT TO BREAK

SHUT UUP
WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU
SHUT UUP
SHUT UUP"

They're angsty, whiny and irritating. I thought In The End was so profound when I was a kid, and it was an excuse to not try in school because everything was pointless in the end and we're all going to die. Why did they have to make their songs so catchy? <_<

 

[badgersprite]

Because a lot of people happen to think that they're not very good?

Like, I don't mean to be offensive, but that whole 'nu metal' craze that included Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit is kind of like the Vanilla Ice of the late 90s early 00s. They were hugely popular for a while, but society can't explain why...

 

[theultimateend]

to me, Linkin Park is the Nickelback of nu metal. not untalented, per se, just horribly, horribly overrated. also, i detest any music where an otherwise pretty song is ruined by screaming. just my $.02

Nickleback is considered rated? Let alone over rated?

The lead singer of Linkin Park is incredibly consistent with his screaming. Few folks can hold that sort sound without cracking or squealing at some point.

I haven't listened to them in ages but he is very talented. The songs where he legitimately sings are fairly haunting.

What people don't understand, I think, is that this isn't just Nu Metal. It's pop music. Pop isn't a genre. It's a watered down, catchy version of other genres.
People can say Beyonce' is a Pop singer, but her influence comes from R&B. It's not true R&B. It's a watered down, pop-version of R&B. And this can apply to any genre.
That's the case with Nickelback. They're a Rock band, but it's pop music. Just the same, Linkin Park is Nu Metal, but it's still pop music. Listen to Korn and listen to Linkin Park and how different the two sound, even though, technically, they're both Nu Metal. Why? Because Linkin Park is the "Pop" version of Nu Metal.

And while Pop might work for genres like Dance music, or heck, even the same R&B. Generally, when it comes to a Rock band (any subgenre of rock, including Metal and all of its subgenres) are never improved by turning 'pop'.

Of course, the other part of the reason I don't like them is that there are so many extremely nerdy people I know, (and don't get me wrong. I don't mean nerds. I mean like, the kinds of people that nerds call nerds) like Linkin Park, and try to validate themselves as being 'cool' because they listen to Nu Metal. And the thing is, these people would never listen to a band like Korn, or Adema, or Static-X. So it's not Linkin Park themselves that I dislike, it's the kind of fanbase they attract.

Your point is much stronger if you make mention of the fact that Pop is short for "Popular".

In order for something to be popular on a global scale (or even national) it needs to be watered down in some manner. Because people are fairly unique so you want to hit those things that are most likely to be similar across large groups of people.

Otherwise it was a pleasant read .

*snip*

It's because they're shit.
U2 is popular as well, it doesn't make them any good.

Friend of mine trolled me by telling me Bono had died.

I get online happy as a clam and google it.

How can someone toy with my heart strings so much.

He's the only music singer that I genuinely dislike. Not because his music is bad, but because overall the interviews I've had the misfortune of hearing have always made me feel he's a waste of protein.

For those unaware (everyone) I worked at Circuit City. Playing U2 is apparently a rule there. Because it was on at every store I worked at and it was that same 1 hour special for 7-8 hours a day...5-6 days a week, for years...

 

[Dana22]

I quite liked them up to Meteora, then it just becaome sorta 'meh'.

 

[MisterGobbles]

Earlier stuff are classic nu metal albums, and yeah the lyrics are retarded. Minutes to Midnight just sucks, and A Thousand Suns is interesting, and has a couple of VERY good tracks on it.

 

[Waaghpowa]

--

I don't mean to imply they sound the same, but rhythm/beat and use of electronic mixing along with conventional rock implements is what I find appealing.

This was what I thought was the best of Linkin Park

 

[Dungeons]

Enjoyed their melodies, but most of lyrics just irked me. All in all I find them to be an average band.

 

[kortin]

I like their music. I have to admit, some of their songs sound similar to each other; doesn't bother me though.

 

[Vohn_exel]

snip

Anyone that doesn't like Crawling hasn't heard this version:


Anyway, I like them. I'm primarily a country music fan, but I like Lincoln Park. Most people don't feel like they're talented but I think they're fairly good at music theory. Their songs aren't all just for "emo's" and generally have a good mix of rap and metal. They have their own sound, IMO, and to me that is very important.

I'd say that you shouldn't let anyone else dictate what sort of music you like. Don't blast it in their face or claim yours is better, all music is music. But mostly don't be worried about whether or not you might get lumped into a certain crowd. If you're not one of the cool kids, your life will go on. There's plenty of good music you'll miss out there, and alot of life experiences you'll miss, if you go that route. Sure, you might get labeled by someone, but so what? What impact does it really have on your life if someone thinks you're an emo, or a loser. Don't ever let anyone stop you from being who you are.

Also, yay, I did the Youtube thing right!

 

[ENKC]

I like how the OP gave all the answers to his own question in the process of asking it.

Linkin Park are a mainstream band whose popularity substantially exceeds that of less accessible acts who arguably have more to offer. It's easy for ambivalence towards anyone with success in pop culture to translate into hating.

(Strangest captcha I've seen yet: thapao SF-IFs)

 

[THAC0]

I am not ashamed to say that LP is one of my favorite bands. I think they are talented and i get into a few of their songs.

I am well past the age where other people's opinion on music matters to me. I'll listen to Rock, rap, country, pop, whatever i'm in the mood for. Haters just gonna have to hate.

I won't listen to metal...most cause it sucks. (just playin guys)

 

[Naeo]

For the most part their lyrics are pretty bad or nothing to write home about. Musically, there are much, much better alternatives (looking for a heavier band that does singing/screaming in their songs? Mushroomhead. Looking for a band with more energy? Motograter. Looking for a band with better lyrics? Rosetta. And so on). But musically (i.e. everything but the lyrics), they're pretty solid. Not a lot wrong with them, and they're actually not that bad. For me it's just that the lyrics detract from a lot of the songs. Chester is a talented vocalist in my eyes--he's no Ivan Moody or J Mann, but he's still good--and many of the songs are well-sung, but just the actual words being sung are oh god. If I didn't speak English that wouldn't be such a problem, but alas, I speak English s my first language.

 

[StrappingYoungLad]

Linkin park was my favorite band when I was 12-14 years old and ended up getting me into the metal I listen to now.However looking back on it they have terrible lyrics/trash riffs/all around numetal garbage and I cant imagine anyone listening to them past the 12-14 age range.

 

[Sporky111]

Eh, I don't mind listening to them once in a while. I think it's because their songs have more become symbols of teenage angst and melodrama. And just like angst and melodrama, their music is quickly dismissed with it. Overplay has a big hand in it as well.

 

[Silent Biohazard Solid]

Your point is much stronger if you make mention of the fact that Pop is short for "Popular".

Yeah, but... People should know that, hahah.

In order for something to be popular on a global scale (or even national) it needs to be watered down in some manner. Because people are fairly unique so you want to hit those things that are most likely to be similar across large groups of people.

Yeah, but isn't that the definition of being a sellout? And I'm not saying, "Success is a bad thing," but there have been times when a band didn't need to be watered down, like Nirvana. The reason why Nirvana becamse so popular was because it just happened to be the right time for their kind of music to surface.
Still, I have a lot more respect for bands like Dream Theater, who for all intents and purposes can be called a one hit wonder, because when Pull Me Under came out, it was a hit because, again, it was the right time for it. Now, after that, that's when Grunge became popular, but Dream Theater didn't just up and switch their style to what was popular at the time. They stayed true to what they believed was good music. In fact, personally, were I in their place, I probably would've been a lot more lenient myself. Anyway, I'm done talking about MY favorite band.
Back on topic. All I'm saying is that I wouldn't call Linkin Park Nu Metal in the purest sense of the genre. And other bands like Adema, Static-X, and Il Nino are much better Nu Metal bands than Linkin Park. Heck, even Limp Bizkit. Not because such and such band is better than such and such band. But it's the equivalent of taking a Thrash Metal band and slowing it down and making it more melodic to make it sound more accessible to the masses... Actually, that's pretty much what Metallica did... But the whole point of thrash is that it's fast and, well, thrashy. In that sense, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax are better Thrash Metal bands than Metallica, in spite of Metallica getting the fame, and even its own Guitar Hero.

So yeah, a lot of it comes down to just being overrated. Whether it's Nckelback, Metallica or Linkin Park. While they incorporate the basic elements of their "genre", the fact that it's watered down to appeal to the pop charts means that there are less of those elements that define the genre. And how is being less Metal suppose to make a Nu Metal band better? They might as well call themselves Nu Pop-Rock.

 

[jpoon]

I don't hate them, they just stopped releasing albums that I like. So I stopped listening to them years ago.

 

[Raziel Paragorne]

"MY eyerolling comes from the fact that almost ALL of their songs have the same tone and theme. I liked the first few I heard, but how MANY times can you say "I can't be like you Dad/You're being overbearing loved one/I can't control who I am" and most of them go the same way too:

"Soft Intro, Instrumental hard chorus, one guy talking about how hard things are for him softly with subdued music sometimes accompanied by a back-up guy rapping about the same thing as the first guy but with different words, Main Chorus with almost screaming guy beating you over the head with the point of the song, rinse and repeat with new lyrics."

Win +10,

OT: They're a band that helped create a sub-culture, or at least define it, because of that they're never going to escape the 'emo' stigma...well, unless they did a total about face and started making more songs about topics besides "my feelings are hurt".

 

[internetzealot1]

Because they are in every single kill montage on youtube.

 

[Warped_Ghost]

to me, Linkin Park is the Nickelback of nu metal. not untalented, per se, just horribly, horribly overrated. also, i detest any music where an otherwise pretty song is ruined by screaming. just my $.02

Yes but atleast linkin park usually tries some new things

 

[CarpathianMuffin]

I never understood why people really hated them that much. I remember the first time I heard Faint earlier this year, the only thought that crossed my mind was "Yep. This is mediocre as all hell. Eh, I've heard worse."
While it matched my prior experiences with them well, I never hated them. Not a band I'd ever listen to willingly, mind you, but you could do far worse.