Don D. Basina Music Reviews

Linkin Park & Jay-Z Collision Course DVD/CD (2004)

Must purchase!

Calling all fans of Linkin Park and Jay-Z! Get this CD/DVD combo! The six songs are seamlessly blended to bring two top artists of their genres together. It took four days to get in the studio and bring a live concert set to the fans. This musical combination was originally part of the MTV Ultimate Mash-Ups presents.

“Dirt Off Your Soldier/Lying From You” starts this six-song mix. Next is “Big Pimpin’/Papercut which I think is the best out of the six. “Jigga What/Faint” chimes in for this too short set. “Numb/Encore”, “Izzo/In the End” and “Points Of Authority/99 Problems/One Step Closer” close out the CD.

The DVD is worth the price itself. The behind the scenes of studio recording and redo of vocals by the artists in crystal clear digital quality is awesome, all access professionalism. Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park is masterful in mixing the vocals and sound. He looked like a Conductor for a thirty-member harmonic symphony. The cameras give a view to the average music fan of the studio process. No musicians crying, whining or ego mastering this professional session. The very successful musicians know the formula’s to stay atop the game. Linkin Park and Jay-Z show their brilliance.

The July 18, 2004 live concert at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood continues with all camera access. The digital footage is history making. How did you get a ticket to this history-making event? The fan clubs of each band sent out surveys on what they thought of this concept. Answer the questions correctly and you where in. Lucky dogs!

I can see some the responses going like this; Are you crazy? Never work! Rock and Rap has already been over done! You are doing this just for the money! Or the tickets recipients; Cool! Both of my favorites! Where can I purchase tickets?

This DVD/CD combo is a “must see” for any music fan! Get Chester a Frappuccino!

 

 

 

 

Improving with experimentation!

 

  This was my first SOAD musical experience. This CD brought out “what the” F is this about initially. But after listening to the entire CD, I asked myself; “What did I just listen to?”  Then I played it again. And again! Now I am constantly playing it.

 

  “Mezmerize” intros with “Soldier Side” then blast off with “B.Y.O.B” (Bring your own bombs) and asks the question “Why do they always send the poor?”  “Revenga” rivals in “Bleeding in a sink.” And “Cigaro” references the hugest member of the band I think.
“Radio/Video” spooks the look and listen. “This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I’m On This Song” bends the mind into a trip of epic proportion. “Violent Pornography” means everybody does something and then dances. Right?  “Question!” contains sweet berries ready to eat. “Sad Statue” drowns our sad country lyrically. “Old School Hollywood” and “Lost in Hollywood” joins a long list of this city of dysfunction. Enough said!

 

  “Mezmerize” crosses many genres and whips them into a highly unique blend of anti-messages with liquid sound not categorized. Serj Tankian (Vocals, Guitar) and Daron Malakian (Vocals, Keyboards) blend harmonized vocals and vocal note distortion not seen since Bobby McFerrin. Shavo Odadjian (Bass) and John Dolmayan (Drums) round out this cast of trendsetters.

 

  Take this magnificent journey into sound satisfaction and lyrical message brainwashing. Join the fresh fruits from experienced musicians at the height of experimentation. Do not miss out on this opportunity! Purchase this CD before part two is thrust upon you.

 

Drop top caddie!

 

The second half is here finally. SOAD’s Hypnotize is pure marketing genius. Who would of “thunk it” by splitting this two CD set and selling each half at separate times? I think the ultimate plan came out of the recording sessions by the band.

 

Hypnotize dual sided disc is worth the price of admission. There is a big difference on the enhanced stereo sound of the DVD. The songs tend to jump out and clarify. I really didn’t know there was a difference until I played it in my home digital surround sound system. Awesome clarity! I first played the CD side in my trucks system and thought it was a great sound. But after the home system sound was revealed how could I ever play this CD side again. As a bonus the artwork of both albums are revealed when playing the DVD songs.

 

The DVD contains a behind the scenes of the making of both Mezmerize and Hypnotize. This one was perplexing because of the quality of the scenes shot. The scenes were of fuzzy and hidden like camera angles? It was like when you first got a digital camera and was shooting the different styles of filters. That was difficult to watch. But the interaction with the band was priceless. The are discussing the lyrics and meaning of the songs. The BYOB and Question! videos are awesome on a digital player.

 

Okay, the songs of Hypnotize. SOAD starts the Attack on the first track. Then into Dreaming, Kill Rock N Roll and Hypnotize. All of these are consistent with SOAD’s sound. The expermention still exists with Stealing Society, Tentative, U-Fig and Holy Mountains. The bizarre Vicinity of Obscenity and the drug related song She’s Like Heroin. Then it is time to chill with a slower pace with the relatable Lonely Day and the complete Soldier Side ends Hypnotize but starts Mezmerize.

 

SOAD’s DualDisc was worth the extra price because of the enhanced stereo sound. But I shopped around and got a price well below the CD only price.