Despite raucous opener "Given Up," much of Linkin Park [ tickets ]'s third album, "Minutes to Midnight," finds the band grasping for a new style--one that emphasizes melody over muscle. They're more vulnerable, less invincible.

While there are certainly a few nods to the band's signature sound--most notably "Bleed It Out," an in-yer-face track with that intoxicating Mike Shinoda/Chester Bennington vocal attack--too much of "Minutes to Midnight" explores the band's softer side. "Leave Out All the Rest" is Linkin Park's take on super-pop balladry, highlighted by a sing-along refrain sure to win over the light-rock crowd. Likewise, "Shadow of the Day" is toothless stadium shlock--more Incubus than Linkin Park. Elsewhere, "Valentine's Day" and "In Pieces" are simply flat and tedious.

Clearly, the band is facing some challenges. "Minutes to Midnight" finds Linkin Park on a quest to balance a mature vibe with their unique, angst-riddled style. Ultimately, they do achieve that balance on "In Between," with Shinoda on mic, offering goosebump-inducing apologia and a cryptic evaluation: "The things I wanna say to you get lost before they come/The only thing that's worse than one/Is none." Under his vocals lies a firmament of swelling viola and tic-toc electronics.

Linkin Park has always been better than the sum of its parts--especially when the guitars and drums propel the electronics and vocals. With "What I've Done," the group delivers a classic track, synthetic drums and eerie guitars shining a sonic light on Bennington's fury. And the militaristic, topical "Hand Held High" finds Shinoda calling out the President: "Do you see the soldiers are out today?" These are fine tracks that provide hope for disc number four.

Still, rather than six guys who know how to make rap-rock interesting and fun, "Minutes to Midnight" feels like a band looking for itself. Did Shinoda spend too much time behind the boards rubbing elbows with Rick Rubin instead of out front, guiding the band? Maybe.

Four years since "Meteora" made Linkin Park international superstars, the group is eager to explore melody, mood and tempo. That may be a good thing, but "Minutes to Midnight" is simply a snapshot of that exploration--not the masterpiece most were expecting.