Linkin Park: 60 songs for new album

Linkin Park MC Mike Shinoda says that the band has approximately 60 songs written for its third studio album, according to MTV.com. The group has been working on new material since the beginning of the year in Los Angeles. Shinoda told us that they want this album to be a step forward: "We just want to make a good record, a timeless record, and try and make something that represents us well and still sounds like Linkin Park that won't disappoint any fans, but at the same time, moves in a forward direction and is a little bit just trying to break into some new territory."

Shinoda siad that the group is actually short of the total amount of songs it would like to have. He explained, "When we were making (2003 album) Meteora, we wrote 70 to 90 songs to come up with the 12 tracks that are on the album. For this one, we're going to write more than that. We're about halfway into it. But it'll be out this year."

Shinoda said he will co-produce the album with Rick Rubin, who has worked with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Audioslave and System Of A Down.

There's no word yet on when Linkin Park will enter the studio to begin recording.

Shinoda's hip-hop side project, Fort Minor, is currently climbing the pop charts with "Where'd You Go" from its debut album, The Rising Tied.