Hybrid Theory

Linkin Park's first album, which sold about 4.8 million copies in the US alone in 2001. Linkin Park mix electronica, hip hop / rap and heavy metal to produce an original kind of nu-metal in their debut CD.

Track listing:

1. Papercut: This song is a solid example of the Linkin Park sound. With a mixture of rap, heavy metal, electronica and DJ scratches, the song is about paranoia (It's like I'm paranoid looking over my back, it's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within, it's like the face inside is right beneath my skin). Track Length: 3:04
2. One Step Closer: Another good example, though this song has more heavy metal and is harder. Chester Bennington shows of his powerful voice in this song. The song has a something to do with being lied to (Everything you say to me takes me one step closer to the edge and I'm about to break). Track Length: 2:35
3. With You: This song demonstrates how integrated the two vocalists are. One minute the MC is rapping and then the hard rock chorus begins, and it sounds flawless. The main theme of this song is the distance separating two lovers (Even though you're close to me yet still so distant and I can't bring back). Track Length: 3:23
4. Points of Authority: A solid, hard song. Another example of both the Linkin Park sound and the integration of both MC and vocalist. The song is about the behavior of someone (Forfeit the game before somebody else takes you out of the frame and puts your name to shame, cover up your face you can't run the race the pace is too fast you just won't last). Track Length: 3:20
5. Crawling: This song shows people that the vocalist can sing, and that he knows how to modulate from soft to hard. This song deals with someone who is emotionally troubled (Crawling in my skin these wounds they will not heal, fear is how I fall, confusing what is real). Track Length: 3:29
6. Runaway: Electronic vibes and heavy metal are what define this song. About a someone who was lied to and know wants to runaway (I wanna runaway never say good bye, I wanna know the truth instead of pondering why, I wanna know the answers no more lies, I wanna shut the door and open up my mind). Track Length: 3:04
7. By Myself: The song starts with a hard rock intro then stops and the MC does his thing. Again integration is well done in this song. Loneliness is the theme of this song (I just end up getting hurt again by myself (myself) I ask why but in my mind I find I can't rely on myself). Track Length: 3:09
8. In The End: A catchy piano tune starts this relatively soft song. Has much rap and guitar harmonics. This songs is about someone who lost their lover but know it doesn't matter to them any more. (I tried so hard and got so far but in the end, it doesn't even matter, I had to fall to lose it all, but in the end it doesn't even matter). Track Length: 3:36
9. A Place For My Head: Again, integration as always. Has a theme relative to someone freeloading and the other person trying to find a place for his own head (I wanna be in another place I hate when you say you don't understand, I wanna be in the energy not with the enemy a place for my head). Track Length: 3:04
10. Forgotten: A hard song, has something to do with a person being forgotten (From the top to the bottom bottom to top I stop at the core I've forgotten in the middle of my thoughts taken from for my safety the picture is there the memory won't escape but why should I care). Track Length: 3:14
11. Cure For The Itch: An instrumental track, in which Linkin Park's DJ shows of his skills as a turntablist. Track Length: 3:44
12. Pushing Me Away: One of the softer songs on the album, it deals about a lover pushing his / her lover away. (Why I never walked away why I played myself this way now I see your testing me pushes me away). Track Length: 3:11

Nominated for Grammy Award in 2002 (best Rock Album).

Description of Cover Art: Soldier with pixie wings carrying a large stick in front of a silver - gray background. He is called "The Street Soldier".

Record Label: Warner Brothers

Release Date: October 24, 2000