Linkin Park's 'Hybrid Theory' Is One Of The Best Debut Albums By An American Rock Band Ever
Yesterday marked 23 years since Linkin Park's debut album 'Hybrid Theory' hit fye/Sam Goody shelves worldwide, and when I saw a bunch of people tweeting about the anniversary, I decided to rattle off a take of my own: I believe 'Hybrid Theory' is one of the best debut albums by an American rock band ever.
I know I'm narrowing the category down quite a bit there, specifying debut albums by only 'American' rock bands, but I had to do that.
There's not a whole lot that Brits do better than us Americans (reminder: 1776) but rock n' roll is certainly one of them.
'Hybrid Theory' was a game changer. Linkin Park's ability to make rap-rock that has stood the test of time, and sounds as good today as it did 23 years ago, is quite simply remarkable. Go back and listen to a lot of early 00's rap-rock/nu-metal now and you won't be able to wipe the cringe off your face. Not with 'Hybrid Theory' (and even 'Meteora' afterwards) though - Chester Bennington's vocals and lyricism hit as hard as ever right now, and the band's giant wall of sound makes you want to crank your headphones to 11 before each and every chorus kicks in.
Honestly, I thought I was gonna get ratio'd on Twitter for even suggesting Linkin Park's 'Hybrid Theory' belongs among the greats - but it was quite the opposite reaction. Seemingly everyone agreed….
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I don't remember the last time I had such a universally agreed upon take like that. Again though, it just goes to show how amazing this album is and how much it still means to people. It's the soundtrack of the era for so many, but beyond all of that nostalgia, it features some of the best/catchiest rock songs of the 21st century. Give it a listen today if it's been a while….
BONUS: Here's 40 of the greatest debut albums by American rock bands ever, according to me, in no particular order….
-GUNS N ROSES - APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION
-RAMONES - RAMONES
-LYNYRD SKYNYRD - PRONOUNCE LEH-NERD SKIN-NERD
-THE BLACK CROWES - SHAKE YOUR MONEY MAKER
-CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH
-TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS - TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS
-PEARL JAM - TEN
-JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE - ARE YOU EXPERIENCED?
-NIRVANA - BLEACH
-VAN HALEN - VAN HALEN
-METALLICA - KILL ‘EM ALL
-JOURNEY - JOURNEY
-MEAT LOAF - BAT OUT OF HELL
-AEROSMITH - AEROSMITH
-ZZ TOP - ZZ TOP’S FIRST ALBUM
-BLONDIE - BLONDIE
-MÖTLEY CRÜE - TOO FAST FOR LOVE
-THE DOORS - THE DOORS
-ALICE IN CHAINS - FACELIFT
-DIO - HOLY DIVER
-RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE - RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
-CHEAP TRICK - CHEAP TRICK
-THE KILLERS - HOT FUSS
-R.E.M. - MURMUR
-THE CARS - THE CARS
-PIXIES - SURFER ROSA
-THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND - THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND
-FOO FIGHTERS - FOO FIGHTERS
-BOSTON - BOSTON
-HEART - DREAMBOAT ANNIE
-EAGLES - EAGLES
-NINE INCH NAILS - PRETTY HATE MACHINE
-VELVET REVOLVER - CONTRABAND
-TALKING HEADS - TALKING HEADS: 77
-STEELY DAN - CAN’T BUY A THRILL
-KANSAS - KANSAS
-THE STROKES - IS THIS IT
-SKID ROW - SKID ROW
-AUDIOSLAVE - AUDIOSLAVE
-KISS - KISS
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-THE SMASHING PUMPKINS - GISH
Full disclosure: I didn't really think that list over a ton, so I'm sure I forgot a couple big ones. Be sure to let me know who is missing from the list in the comments on or Twitter. Oh, and I tried not to include British-American/American-Canadian bands and whatnot (except for The Jimi Hendrix Experience, who had to be on this list).