MIKE Shinoda of Linkin Park fame has been busy with a little project of his own and Fort Minor’s debut album is really, really special. It may only come in a simple CD jacket but Shinoda has put a lot of effort in this album and it shows. After all, it’s not easy to step out of the shadow of a successful group such as Linkin Park.

Shinoda did not work alone. His group of guest artistes helped make Rising Tied a quality album. That it is a labour of love is emphasised on the track Remember the Name where Shinoda states “This is 10% luck, 20% skill, 15% concentrated power of will, 5% pleasure, 50% pain and 100% reason to remember the name.”

Another track worth mentioning is Kenji. This is the most personalised track on the album where he talks about the US internment of Japanese citizens during World War II. Shinoda got his father and aunt (both of whom spent time in relocation camps) to share their experiences and added their stories onto the track.

Another great track on the album is Where’d You Go which is reminiscent of Eminem’s When I’m Gone, except that the track is given a more melancholic feel with guest artiste Holly Brook’s vocals.

I can go on and on about how good this album is but I’m only allocated so much space. Get the album and judge it for yourself.