To be fair, their attitude towards that changed around the time MTM came out. It was one of Rubin's contributions to the band's recording process. Making them step outside of their normal writing/composing style.
I fully expect to hear songs absolutely nothing like this. I'll start crossing things off my huge list of possible future LP sounds Yodeling Bongo Polka Guitars . . .
Don't you know that LP haven't released a good album since 2003? I really hope they go back to experimenting like on Meteora instead of making electro-pop shit like A Thousand Suns and The Hunting Party...
The fact that there are bongos in the studio makes me happy. I like bongos. I hope that there is some real experimentation going on instrumentally on this album, not just in the writing process.
This was...unexpected. I don't really know what to make of it right now. If this could actually be the instrumental direction of the album, it could turn out interesting. It also would depend on the vocal direction/style, too. I will admit that it was great to see the band relaxed and enjoying themselves. They shouldn't have to be stressed out of their minds while writing new music, especially when they push boundaries with their "established" sound.
There's basically no way this could turn out badly if they did it. It's the kind of challenge the band could nail
No they don't. Their score-work is slightly-better-than-average at best, and they aren't that good at making tracks emotive without lyrics that go HEY LOOK THIS SONG IS EMOTIONAL.
I am legally obligated to state that, even if I were Mike Shinoda, I cannot confirm nor deny that I am Mike Shinoda.
True ... but, IMO, the "Mall" soundtrack is still better than most of LP's studio albums, for better or worse. Part of it is the significant lack of lyrics.
Admittedly, I don't really listen to their non-studio work very often, but I really have to agree. Mall really took me by surprise exactly for the reason that it was so effective with barely any vocal tracks. While I wouldn't go so far as saying that it's better than most of their studio albums (most of the songs feel bare and repetitive at times), it really shows a dynamic of the band I'd love them to explore in more detail, with more fleshed out ideas. Aside from dedicated instrumental tracks (which I'm glad that the band do make an effort to include), it's rare that an LP song gives the instrumental a chance to breath without being covered up by vocals. Now, I wouldn't want a whole album that sounds like Mall, but with a little bit more work and fleshing out of ideas, an album with the dark, instrumental driven electro/ambient textures of Mall fused in with the classic LP songwriting style would be amazing IMO. I guess what I'm trying to say is, as much as I adore LP's use of vocals, a little more emphasis on instrumental passages would go a long way, so I completely disagree that LP struggle to make their music emotive without lyrics. It's just that they don't often give themselves a chance in that regard; whenever they do it works out amazingly in my opinion.