Underrated?

Gentlemen,

I've had this idea for awhile now, and I want to run it by you.

I submit to you, that over the past 10 years, the most successful musical group in the world has been Linkin Park.

Defining success is obviously nearly impossible in the music industry, and no one definition will do. For example, if we're talking money or following among one demographic, then its Bieber. If we're talking test of time, then it would simply be whichever band has been around longest while still making music (Aerosmith? The Stones?) So my thinking actually combines several definitions to support my thesis.

Full disclosure: I am a big LP fan, but I think you will see that my approach is not very biased.

They hit the scene with One Step Closer, a hard rock song that appealed greatly to the Metallica-lover in me. Obviously, not a truly great (or necessarily good) song, but it did have mass appeal, hitting #5 on the US Alternative chart.

Shortly thereafter came "In The End." Yeah you all remember it. This thing was HUGE, peaking at #2 on the US charts (not genre specific, 2 on the OVERALL chart). It was softer, and a much different alternative to One Step Closer. It was almost undefinable by genre standards.

The next stage in their career was the song Numb. This song is known for being on their mashup album with Jay-Z (Numb/Encore--you know it), which was phenomenal. It also showed Linkin Park reinvent itself, which is a continuing theme with their career.

LP then reinvented itself again with Shadow of the Day, a softcore, poignant song with widespread appeal (15 on the US chart). If LP was thought of as a versatile band before, this song sealed the deal.

2010 saw them return to their hardcore roots with the Catalyst. While considered hard rock, it isn't a typical thrash song. Like In the End, it seemed to break the boundaries of traditional genres. Indeed, Linkin Park itself is has seem to become its own genre.

Leave Out All the rest is another notable song as it would most likely be classified as a hard rock song, but centers around the story of an old man close to death, regretting the way he's treated his friends and family, (asking: "When my time comes, forget the wrong that I've done. Help me leave behind some reason to be missed"). Powerful lyrics usually absent from most rock songs.

In addition to LP, I think its appropriate to include Fort Minor, Mike Shinoda's side project as well. It further proves the versatility with the adrenaline-pumping rap Remember the Name (you all know it--"This is 10% luck, 20% skill...") and the tearjerking Where'd You Go, a song along the lines of Shadow of the Day, with poignant lyrics similar to Leave Out All The Rest.

Linkin Park debuted as a hard rock group, but has continually reinvented itself, achieving widespread appeal whle still maintaining its core base and not losing its identity. I think its a rare thing in music, and they have done it better than anyone in the past decade. I would even go as far to say that, given their accomplishments, they are underrated in musical lore.

I leave you with a list of some notable songs, and I refer all of you to their list of singles on Wikipedia, which I believe you will find very impressive:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linkin_Park_discography#Singles

I'm sure you will recognize more songs than you think, and if you haven't heard any of the following songs, YouTube them immediately: Shadow of the Day, Where'd You Go, The Catalyst.


Top 20 US (Main) Chart:

In the End (#2)
Numb (#11)
Breaking the Habit (#20)
Numb/Encore (#20)
What I've Done (#7)
Shadow of the Day (#15)
New Divide (#6)

#1 US Alterntive Chart

In the End
Somewhere I Belong
Faint
Numb
Lying From You
Breaking the Habit
What I've Done
New Divide
The Catalyst
Waiting for the End

Ove Love,
Phil