Crawling cover

Crawling

Linkin Park · 2001

6 min · 2 tracks · alternative rock

Emotional melodies intertwine with heavy guitar riffs, creating an urgent atmosphere that reflects inner turmoil and vulnerability.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Crawling — This track encapsulates the album's emotional core, showcasing Chester Bennington's powerful vocals while confronting themes of anxiety and vulnerability.
  • →
    Papercut — As one of the album's standout tracks, it combines rap verses with melodic choruses, establishing Linkin Park's signature sound that blends genres seamlessly.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

57 /100
Foothills
Higher than 48% of albums we've rated

The single combines emotional depth with strong performances, though its cohesion is affected by the inclusion of a live track.

What we noticed

  • The song 'Crawling' features a dynamic shift between soft verses and explosive choruses, creating a contrast that emphasizes the emotional weight of the lyrics.
  • The live track 'Papercut' showcases the band's energetic performance style, with a raw vocal delivery that captures the intensity of their sound.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Established Linkin Park's reputation after the success of 'Hybrid Theory'.
Themes
inner turmoil· self-doubt struggles· raw emotional intensity
Career context
When 'Crawling' was released in April 2001, Linkin Park was just beginning to rise to prominence following their debut album, 'Hybrid Theory', which had achieved commercial success. This album solidified their place in the nu-metal scene as they navigated themes of personal struggle and emotional conflict in their music.
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Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 3 Crawling (album version) 3:21
  • 4 Papercut (live from the BBC) 3:21

What to play next

Meteora
Listen next

Meteora

2003

Continues the emotional intensity with a mix of heavy riffs and melodic elements.
Hybrid Theory
Go back to

Hybrid Theory

2000

Sets the stage with similar themes and sound, leading into the emotional depth of 'Crawling'.
Full Linkin Park discography Where to start with Linkin Park Artists like Linkin Park
alternative rock hip-hop pop rock

If this landed

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Nine Inch Nails

Explores inner turmoil with dynamic contrasts between heavy and ambient soundscapes.

We Are Not Alone

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Breaking Benjamin

Combines heavy guitar riffs with introspective lyrics reflecting self-doubt and emotional struggles.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata