Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda Explains Meaning Behind 'Living Things'

Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda Explains Meaning Behind ‘Living Things’

2012-04-27

Story by Cat Badra

Linkin Park’s new album is ‘a record about people,’ says Mike Shinoda

Linkin Park’s fifth studio album is out June 26, and multi-instrumentalist Mike Shinoda is speaking out about the meaning behind the album’s title, “Living Things.” Chatting with NME, Shinoda explained that the album’s moniker was inspired by experiences band members have shared over the past few years. In other words, this is a very personal Linkin Park album.

“We chose the album title ‘Living Things’ because it’s more of a record about people,” Shinoda explained. “It’s more about personal interactions. On the last few records we’ve had an interest in global issues and social issues and those things are still around, there are certainly traces of them, but this record is far more personal.”

Shinoda also described the upcoming album as “a very three-dimensional record,” with moments of rage and ear-piercing volumes. That makes for a much heavier album than 2010’s “A Thousand Suns.”

“There are definitely moments of cathartic screaming, there are other parts where it’s more about the lyrics and melody and there’s rapping on it,” Shinoda said of the set. “There’s a nice balance of all the vocal styles we do.”

Linkin Park recently announced a co-headlining run with fellow alternative rockers Incubus set for this summer. The tour is set to kick off on Aug. 11 at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Va., and close out Sept. 10 in San Diego, Calif. For a complete list of tour dates, head here. Check out the just-released new single from Linkin Park, an atmospheric track called “Burn It Down,” on Linkin Park’s artist page. (Photo by Anne Erickson.)

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Cat Badra

Meet the expert - Cat Badra is a music writer for Audio Ink Radio and a range of other music, sports and lifestyle publications. She's a graduate of Michigan State University with a master's degree in theater and speech. Contact her at cat@audioinkradio.com.