27 Albums That Shaped the First 27 Years of My Life, #21: Linkin Park - Minutes to Midnight

As I quickly approach my 27th birthday (an age, coincidentally, that many musicians met their own mortality), I have been thinking about the role that music has played in my life. I have not played an instrument for nearly sixteen years and have never been in a band, but I would still consider myself an audiophile. The 26000 songs on my hard drive would agree with me as well.

Because of all those things, I thought it would be as good a time as any to compile my list of the 27 albums that most shaped these first 27 years of my life. Starting Friday January 31, I will be posting one album from the list every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until we reach #1 just before my birthday.

Let me make one thing abundantly clear: I am not saying that these are the 27 greatest albums of all time. I am not so arrogant to believe that my personal opinion is the definitive voice on music. I like what I like. Hopefully you will be able to unearth some gems from my list. If not, that is alright. These songs and albums are important to me regardless of anyone’s opinions of them.

#21: Linkin Park – Minutes to Midnight
Release Date: May 14, 2007
When I first heard the album: Summer 2007; January 2009

Why I loved it then: Another album that I “discovered” during January 2009, Minutes to Midnight was unlike anything I had listened to up to that point. Unlike many people my age, I did not fall in love with Linkin Park in the early 2000s. Our love came later. I appreciated that the album was unique and emotional. Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda feed off each other so well, and everyone who listens is better for it.

Why I still love it now: Linkin Park does not fall under the traditional genres of what I like, but this album still produces favorable feelings inside me. It reminds me of the greatest month of my life… of a time where I truly believed I was on top of the world. It was a time period spent with the people most important to me and a time that I would meet two people who would greatly impact my early adult years. I appreciate that listening to this album can transport me back to that place.

Lingering Lyric: “For what I’ve done/I start again/And whatever pain may come/Today this ends/I’m forgiving what I’ve done”
Top Tracks: Bleed It Out, Shadow of the Day, What I’ve Done, Hands Held High

Previous Entries
27. Avalon - In a Different Light
26. The Dangerous Summer - Golden Record
25. Just Surrender - If These Streets Could Talk
24. The Lumineers - The Lumineers
23. Relient K - Two Lefts Don't Make a Right... But Three Do
22. Better Luck Next Time - Third Time's a Charm