A Thousand Suns Linkin Park (CD)

Linkin Park has often been criticised for lacking variety. A Thousand Suns proves this is not true and takes a bold leap in music-making.

Listening to the album once through, you'll understand the difference between an album and a compilation of tracks. Rather than just a collection of songs, each track has an obvious relation to the whole CD. Sound bites are scattered through the album, allowing for a break and setting the tone for the next track.

Wisdom Justice and Love comes from a chilling Martin Luther King Jnr speech. From the first word, his voice is layered over a gentle piano melody before morphing into a robotic repetition of the final line, 'Cannot be reconciled with wisdom, justice and love'. It is a perfect way to shift to the next song, Iridescent.

Headbanger Blackout is a highlight. It has the familiar Linkin Park formula, with Chester Bennington's infectious screams.

Wretches and Kings resembles the mash-up sound of their Jay-Z collaboration Collision Course. It is the most hip hop and politically influenced of the songs.

This album cements the band's status as pioneers in fusing rock, metal, pop, electronic and hip hop.