For the creative research assignment, there are songs that are excellent, many themes were fantastic because most of them are and songs have messages that are a message to the world or message to the people. The album cover that I chose is Mike Shinoda's first album, post-traumatic released on June 15, 2018. Initially, he wanted to make an ep of three songs until he decided to do an album. For the album artwork cover, there is no photography it is more like a creating a painting, and with some help from Frank Maddocks, his art style was kind of more graffiti which he did artwork covers such as bands for Deftones, green day and Linkin park, Frank’s version is mainly like a splat-coloured which is the same as Shinoda. 

 

My opinion of his debut album cover is that he wants focus on his solo album and taking a break from his band due to a fellow member and his friend Chester Bennington passing away from suicide. Losing him was heartbreaking and shocking and the fans were saddened Chester’s past haunts him in childhood that cause of having abuse taking drugs and alcohol which he stopped being sober in years, however, losing a close friend who also dies from suicide was heartbroken that made him diagnosed with depression.

 

Since Chester Bennington's death, the band decided to take a break, they were not unsure if they would want to continue and find a replacement which is difficult without him; there won't be the same Linkin park without Chester. Shinoda also focused on his feeling and honouring his fellow friend using his own name and instead of his stage name fort minor. The two songs that I chose, which were my favourite and been listening a lot of time, are Ghosts and Can't hear you now. 

 

It connects the songs such as ghosts and can't hear you now from the artwork is mostly of his feelings from losing a member and close friend without him, what would happen if they would find a replacement or disband it because, without Chester, they won't be a Linkin park or if they found a replacement, it would not be the same. From the song ghosts, he sang, "This is not about a poltergeist Not about a phantom that glows at night, but there are things we don't know, and I Don't have another choice but an open mind, oh" meaning that he does not believe to spirits. However, he has stories like an example of a friend who used mediumship to communicate between the dead and a human living utilizing an item and meditate. Another one from can't you hear now from the chorus, "Some days, it doesn't take much to bring me down Some days, I'm struggling for control Some days, it doesn't take much to bring me down, but right now, I'm floating above it all" meaning that Chester has finally found peace after that he feels pain from the past to losing a fellow friend.

 

My reaction to the artwork and music is that it could not continue with the band which they would need a break from what others would to do gaining strong, but as for Mike, he went through a lot losing him, he made a song to honour him and a tribute, and for the fans of Linkin park. It is difficult for not knowing with going to happen in the future of the band and what would the rest of the members would respond to tell around the world that he's gone for now, but the memories will never fade. And even for the artwork of post traumatic, he decided not to put his name or adding the band name, which he felt that he wanted to do by himself gaining his strength and positive instead of using some fancier artwork, he rather makes that is something going on in his mind.

 

  It also connects the music and the album cover together, showing the band’s future is uncertain, and Chester is no longer but glad it happened with the fans' support being successful around the world in fame and popularity. Linkin Park was successful in winning awards and traveling around the world. Mike is gratefully doing his own thing, knowing he will be very proud by to make what he loves.

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Work Cited

Mike Shinoda – can't hear you now. (2018, June 15). Retrieved May 09, 2021, from https://genius.com/Mike-shinoda-cant-hear-you-now-lyrics

 

“Mike Shinoda – Ghosts.” Genius, 7 June 2018, genius.com/Mike-shinoda-ghosts-lyrics.

 

Mike Shinoda: Post traumatic. (n.d.). Retrieved May 09, 2021, from http://www.mikeshinoda.com/posttraumatic