Breaking Benjamin - Dear Agony

[Jeremy Aaron]

Breaking Benjamin - Dear Agony
Record Label: Hollywood
Release Date: September 29, 2009

There's a line a band can breach between creating a distinctive, unmistakeable sound and being so utterly predictable it's mind numbing, and Breaking Benjamin can easily be accused of falling on the latter side of that line. Over the course of their career, they have repeatedly rewritten and repackaged the same tired formula every few years, rewarded of course by chart-topping singles and platinum sales. Now, I probably reserve less disdain for this than most; the whole post-grunge explosion of the mid-'90s was pretty significant in shaping my musical tastes, and I'll never be that guy that hates something just because it's commercial. I was even pretty excited to hear Breaking Benjamin's Phobia following the release of the single "The Diary of Jane," the staccato riffs of which got implanted into my brain and stayed there a while, but after hearing that record, and now its successor Dear Agony, I almost have to wonder when radio and the record buying public are going to say "enough is enough."

Previous albums have typically had a standout track that strayed from the path slightly or upped the ante a bit -- Phobia had the aforementioned "Jane," We Are Not Alone had the surprisingly subdued "Rain," and they'll probably never top the pop-metal catchiness of the Saturate single "Polyamorous" -- but Dear Agony is painfully even more undeviating in form and tone, so looking for highlights amounts to finding the tunes that execute the formula most effectively, which is essentially choosing which slice in a loaf of white bread tastes best. Personally, I'll take the heels: I find "Fade Away" and "Without You" to be the best examples of the band's melodic sensibilities.

Singer Benjamin Burnley has never been the happiest of campers, and given the title of the latest album, it seems nothing has changed, and Dear Agony expectedly finds his skies covered with dreary gray clouds. All of the depressed grunge-rocker cliches are present here in droves, ruminations of "falling," being "down," being "torn apart," "holding on" and "letting go," and of course "breaking." The entire record is unvaryingly downtrodden and almost has you hoping for a song about Burnley partying, getting high or getting a blow job, just to break up the monotony. Alas, it never happens, as that would ruin the whole tortured tough-guy pastiche.

Four albums into their career, this might have been a good time for Breaking Benjamin to step out and take some chances, but instead, they say "why mess with success," as each of their albums has been safer than the last, and Dear Agony only continues that trend. Burnley has an instantly recognizable voice, and his bandmates are certainly capable, so it's unfortunate that they've grown comfortable replicating the same snooze-rock time and again. Yes, this record will generate a few popular singles, probably push a million units and earn the band another spot on the next WWE soundtrack, but the only people who will be buying this record are likely to be those that already own their other releases (which are essentially exactly the same). That's irony at its finest.

Breaking Benjamin's Phobia
Three Days Grace's Three Days Grace
Chevelle's This Type of Thinking Could Do Us In
Cold's Year of the Spider
Staind's Dysfunction

1. Fade Away (3:16)
2. I Will Not Bow (3:36)
3. Crawl (3:58)
4. Give Me a Sign (4:17)
5. Hopeless (3:19)
6. What Lies Beneath (3:34)
7. Anthem of the Angels (4:02)
8. Lights Out (3:33)
9. Dear Agony (4:18)
10. Into the Nothing (3:43)
11. Without You (4:16)

[Indoor Living]

Nail on the head. You got their sound down perfectly. Good review, good score.

[kemichels]

Review says more about the band than the actual album, but I agree with you. Rated way, way , WAY too high. This album was painstakingly boring on first listen.

[crISpy SHarK]

Haven't listened to this, so I won't comment on it specifically (although from the 1 or 2 songs I've heard from them, the review sounds accurate).

Just wanted to say that this review perfectly describes what I couldn't put into words about TRUSTcompany a while back. Song after song filled with vague whining about "falling apart", "slipping away", "losing myself", etc.

In short, these guys sound like they'd be a blast at parties.

[NateFoundGlory]

Ugh...this review makes me sad, but I kind of expected it. I think Saturate and We Are Not Alone are fantastic, and Phobia only had a select few standout tracks. Not feeling the new single, so I guess I'll have to let BB die.

[:-)]

If you've never listened to Breaking Benjamin before and were completely unknowledgeable about their previous work... would you like this album?
Because I've never listened to them before - I wouldn't recognize their "tired formula", which seems to be your main complaint.
Should I give it a shot?

[kemichels]

If you've never listened to Breaking Benjamin before and were completely unknowledgeable about their previous work... would you like this album?
Because I've never listened to them before - I wouldn't recognize their "tired formula", which seems to be your main complaint.
Should I give it a shot?
Trust me, if you hear radio alt/rock...you'd recognize their "tired formula"

[Bloodsucker II]

I'm actually excited for this, it brings back memories. I'm also excited for Creed and Chevelle.

[Jeremy Aaron]

If you've never listened to Breaking Benjamin before and were completely unknowledgeable about their previous work... would you like this album?
Because I've never listened to them before - I wouldn't recognize their "tired formula", which seems to be your main complaint.
Should I give it a shot?
Why not? You only need to listen to one song.

[what_ever]

This is really a fantastic review Jeremy.

The album, however...

[x13looDx]

i always thought they sounded most like sick puppies

[t00latef0rr0ses]

not too bad of an album, i kinda like it compared to their last one or two releases? i dont know how many they have had since their first.

[jesse_hitz]

I would agree they stick to a formula and need to take chances but honestly this album is a bit different than their previous releases. By far it's definitely the most heaviest album of theirs to date. While the music is typically radio friendly rock for some reason i have a place for them. The album is good and brings back memories of there old releases. Not everyone is going to like this record but if you give it a chance you might be surprised.

Go check out chevelle's new album sci-fi crimes highly highly underrated band

[denissuxx]

I kinda enjoyed a few of their old songs (You mentioned the ones I liked), but I just can't bring myself to listen to this. My tastes have changed. I really never loved this kinda stuff before and I think I'd hate it now.

[:-)]

I can't believe Breaking Benjamin is outselling Paramore on iTunes. They're nowhere near as popular.

Trust me, if you hear radio alt/rock...you'd recognize their "tired formula" ahh... I see.

Why not? You only need to listen to one song. hahaha.

[DItaliaO]

If you've never listened to Breaking Benjamin before and were completely unknowledgeable about their previous work... would you like this album?
Because I've never listened to them before - I wouldn't recognize their "tired formula", which seems to be your main complaint.
Should I give it a shot?
listen to "saturate" by far their best record. of course the last 3 albums do sound to same, but i will continue to support these guys as they are the best thing to come out of wilkes barre and they do spend a quite a good amount of time going across the Wyoming Valley to meet and hang out with their fans not many platinum artists do that

[NateFoundGlory]

Go check out chevelle's new album sci-fi crimes highly highly underrated band

:) (see avatar)

[hiddenjem]

Fantastic review. incredibly boring band. and its a shame that Chevelle is even mentioned in the same breath these days....I miss the sound and blistering songs of Point #1 and even Wonder what's next...I listened to Breaking Benjamin when their first album came out and I immediately knew what the rest of their future discography was going to sound like...

[Chemical Love]

Really great review.

[Samc1803]

I have always had a soft spot for these guys. But what you say is true.

[JorynnRace]

Zeroed in and struck without mercy. This review could not be more accurate. I really liked Phobia, but listening to Dear Agony is just like... "Didn't I just hear this"? Sometimes that can be a good thing, but not when it is 4 records of essentially the same thing. It would have been nice to see them mix things up a bit.

Oh and I second, or even third that mention for Chevelle. I love Sci Fi Crimes more every time I listen to it.

[zubinmoosa]

I really liked Phobia. I'll give this a shot sometime

[BruisedxBroken]

As expected, a sup par review from AP for a pretty decent album. Why? I suppose a lack of song title wittiness and a general music elitism could have had something to do with it. Maybe if Andrew McMahon jumped on a hook, we could bump Dear Agony up a few percentage points, eh? Did we get a review of Insane Clown Posse's newest shit yet? Burn baby, burn...

[therookielot]

I like the guys voice in this band

[Meaning/Nothing]

Good review, but I disagree. I love the established Breaking Benjamin sound. You're right; his voice IS instantly recognizable. Their currently unchanging musical style suits them as a band. They got it right the first time, and not many bands can do that. If you want another sound, listen to another band. I'm loving every single one of their releases. I do agree with what you said about there always being a "standout song" on every album, and it's hard to find one on this one. Very accurate review, even though your Post seems to reflect an ongoing Grudge. Get it? It's a Breaking Benjamin topic. Post = Grudge. Post-Grunge. Get it?
(I try too hard ;.;)

[emoboy333]

I'm sorry but you mention Cold on the RIYL section... IMO, Cold were way better that all of these bands (well not their last album...) but I still think Cold is a great band.

[jesse_hitz]

:) (see avatar)
good stuff been a fan since wonder what's next.

[ARo2431]

As expected, a sup par review from AP for a pretty decent album. Why? I suppose a lack of song title wittiness and a general music elitism could have had something to do with it. Maybe if Andrew McMahon jumped on a hook, we could bump Dear Agony up a few percentage points, eh? Did we get a review of Insane Clown Posse's newest shit yet? Burn baby, burn...


This dude must be a total bro rocker.

[andthetruthwill]

I can't believe Breaking Benjamin is outselling Paramore on iTunes. They're nowhere near as popular.

ahh... I see.

hahaha.
Um. Breaking Benjamin is mainstream nu metal radio station music. They have singles and music videos that get played constantly and have been for years. Breaking Benjamin decimates Paramore in terms of sales and mainstream popularity. Outselling Paramore on Itunes is not a surprise.

[Cheesus]

This review is a winner.

[11:11]

Not afraid to admit I still like Saturate. Good review.

[DandonTRJ]

I've got a huge soft spot for Breaking Benjamin from their first two albums and half of the third, but the minute I heard "I Will Not Bow" on YouTube, I knew nothing had changed. They've got an incredibly tight sound and a fantastic vocalist, but it's only a step or two above all the other nu-metal still circling the drain from the early part of this decade. They really need to take a few risks with the instrumentation and give Ben a how-to book on writing in lyrical moods other than "vague and angsty."

(For the record, I miss TRUSTcompany. They were part of a derivative genre, yes, but they had so many killer songs on both their albums. Excellent vocal melodies and lead guitar riffs. Amity Lane didn't stack up.)

[princesschad]

WWE here we come.

[:-)]

Um. Breaking Benjamin is mainstream nu metal radio station music. They have singles and music videos that get played constantly and have been for years. Breaking Benjamin decimates Paramore in terms of sales and mainstream popularity. Outselling Paramore on Itunes is not a surprise. They've only decimated them because they've been around for longer. Paramore's fanbase is much stronger and more rabid than theirs ever was.

[Corgkowznor]

You're right, they have some really good tracks, like diary of jane, and I really like So Cold...but I heard just clips of this album and probably won't be picking it up...too much like phobia.

[xapplexpiex]

As expected, a sup par review from AP for a pretty decent album. Why? I suppose a lack of song title wittiness and a general music elitism could have had something to do with it. Maybe if Andrew McMahon jumped on a hook, we could bump Dear Agony up a few percentage points, eh? Did we get a review of Insane Clown Posse's newest shit yet? Burn baby, burn...
That is a very ignorant thing to say for a handful of reasons. Also, if you want an ICP review, this is not the site for it. I respect everyone's taste of music, but I don't think this site would review them. You might reply with "because you're elitists." That is the vibe you're giving off-not backing up your arguments. I don't like to start stuff with people, especially on the internet, but your statement frustrated me.

[sevinw0rds]

I actually enjoy the greater majority of their singles, and We Are Not Alone has some really good hooks in its first four or five tracks. Solid review though, you didn't disrespect the band in any way, just called it like it is.

[Ohlax51]

for this "genre" id take chevelle over this band any day

[demondays524]

I can't believe Breaking Benjamin is outselling Paramore on iTunes. They're nowhere near as popular.



I agree. I never really hated Breaking Benjamin, they've had a couple of okay songs, but it seems to me that Paramore was a bigger release. I'm surprised this is still #1 considering how dull the album is.

[BruisedxBroken]

That is a very ignorant thing to say for a handful of reasons. Also, if you want an ICP review, this is not the site for it. I respect everyone's taste of music, but I don't think this site would review them. You might reply with "because you're elitists." That is the vibe you're giving off-not backing up your arguments. I don't like to start stuff with people, especially on the internet, but your statement frustrated me.

If you knew who I was or how long I've been a member here, you'd recoginze how truly pointless it was typing all that up. And for your information, ICP has been reviewed here and just recently had a news article posted about their upcoming tour. I'm going to assume you've only been around since 2008 and spare you a scathing rebuttal. Enjoy the site, noobie...

[xapplexpiex]

If you knew who I was or how long I've been a member here, you'd recoginze how truly pointless it was typing all that up. And for your information, ICP has been reviewed here and just recently had a news article posted about their upcoming tour. I'm going to assume you've only been around since 2008 and spare you a scathing rebuttal. Enjoy the site, noobie...
If I knew who you are? Are you supposed to be better than me just because you've been on this site longer than me? Yeah, I'm new to the site. I didn't know that AP reviewed ICP before, so I apologize.

[BruisedxBroken]

If I knew who you are? Are you supposed to be better than me just because you've been on this site longer than me? Yeah, I'm new to the site. I didn't know that AP reviewed ICP before, so I apologize.

No, but you can ask around. I may not be better than you, but I sure as hell have more influence here than you do. Now fuck off...

[xapplexpiex]

No, but you can ask around. I may not be better than you, but I sure as hell have more influence here than you do. Now fuck off...
I don't doubt you have more influence than me. And I will "fuck off" now, since I see that is how you treat people on this site, considering I didn't mean to start shit with you.

[prettymucharobo]

Used to love these guys in high school, but you pretty hit the nail on the head, Jeremy.

[Mikey Paine]

Three Days Grace review?

[andthetruthwill]

They've only decimated them because they've been around for longer. Paramore's fanbase is much stronger and more rabid than theirs ever was.
I think that would be in dispute. Paramore has had one really successful album and one big single tied to a movie. They are successful and somewhat mainstream, but still very much relegated to this scene. Thinking they are bigger or can outdraw a top of the tier nu metal band like Breaking Benjamin is a kind of blindness.

[ZeoVGM]

I still need to lsiten to this, but I'm very disappointed in the first single. Their previous three albums had a lot of great stuff.

[bobcatbob18]

I'll be honest, I expected to click on this review and see a review similar to the one on Brokencyde. (Don't get me wrong, this is a good review, just not what I was expecting.) Why? Because this band is a joke and I'm surprised some people are admitting to liking them. To each their own, yes, but I never expected people on AP to actually be down with this radio rock mess. These guys, Three Days Grace, Seether, Shinedown, and any other numetal/post grunge band that somehow survived the early 2000's needs to pack it up. But wait... they're making money.

[zubinmoosa]

I'll be honest, I expected to click on this review and see a review similar to the one on Brokencyde. (Don't get me wrong, this is a good review, just not what I was expecting.) Why? Because this band is a joke and I'm surprised some people are admitting to liking them. To each their own, yes, but I never expected people on AP to actually be down with this radio rock mess. These guys, Three Days Grace, Seether, Shinedown, and any other numetal/post grunge band that somehow survived the early 2000's needs to pack it up. But wait... they're making money.
I like Three Days Grace as well :shrug:

[bobcatbob18]

I like Three Days Grace as well :shrug:

I'm not raggin' on any of the band's fans or anything, but I just don't get it. Every genre has it's "formula" and radio rock just frustrates me and I used to be a HUGE radio rock fan when I was in middle school/early high school.

[xapplexpiex]

I'll be honest, I expected to click on this review and see a review similar to the one on Brokencyde. (Don't get me wrong, this is a good review, just not what I was expecting.) Why? Because this band is a joke and I'm surprised some people are admitting to liking them. To each their own, yes, but I never expected people on AP to actually be down with this radio rock mess. These guys, Three Days Grace, Seether, Shinedown, and any other numetal/post grunge band that somehow survived the early 2000's needs to pack it up. But wait... they're making money.
I agree with you, but I'm a sucker for Shinedown sometimes.

[xapplexpiex]

I'm not raggin' on any of the band's fans or anything, but I just don't get it. Every genre has it's "formula" and radio rock just frustrates me and I used to be a HUGE radio rock fan when I was in middle school/early high school.
Okay, never mind lol

[bobcatbob18]

I agree with you, but I'm a sucker for Shinedown sometimes.

I fucking DESPISE that band, but I taught a high school marching band's camp over the summer and they played "Second Chance", which basically means I heard it at least 10 times a day. Shit is so damn catchy and I hated it. haha

[Chris Fallon]

Fantastic review -- I find the first single from this to be incredibly tired and it sounds like a song I swear I heard like ten years ago. "The Diary of Jane" isn't a bad song, but this band just keeps riding the angsty coattails of their influences from years ago.

[Cfw828]

I see it just a bit differently. Personally, I think it's their best album and I think that they've gotten better with each album. I'm in the minority when I say I don't like Saturate as much as the other three. I like that they have a formula, stick to it and then switch it up a little bit without completely detracting their fans.

Some bands in the genre stick to a formula and it just works for them (Sevendust) and then others like to switch things up a bit (Hurt). Sometimes, it can alienate a fanbase, but can still be successful (Linkin Park).

They don't stray far from the formula, but then again, they do stray from the formula on songs like "Anthem of the Angels". I'd have never expected Breaking Benjamin to use strings in their songs. Ever. That's my favorite song on the record.

Lyrically, they're not all that different, but musically I feel like the instrumentation's improved. The lead single, which gets the most heat, has the best sound to it. The drums are pretty damn good for a post-grunge song.

[Broden Terry]

Just wanted to say that this review perfectly describes what I couldn't put into words about TRUSTcompany a while back. Song after song filled with vague whining about "falling apart", "slipping away", "losing myself", etc.

When they're debut was released I thought it was fantastic. I lost most of my interest when their follow-up sounded almost exactly like the first. Great observation and I definitely agree with you.

I haven't given this a listen yet. The review really doesn't make me want to change that :shrug:

[ZeoVGM]

I'll be honest, I expected to click on this review and see a review similar to the one on Brokencyde. (Don't get me wrong, this is a good review, just not what I was expecting.) Why? Because this band is a joke and I'm surprised some people are admitting to liking them. To each their own, yes, but I never expected people on AP to actually be down with this radio rock mess. These guys, Three Days Grace, Seether, Shinedown, and any other numetal/post grunge band that somehow survived the early 2000's needs to pack it up. But wait... they're making money.

Breaking Benjamin is no where in the same league of bad as a band like Brokencyde.

You act as if most of the music covered on AP is somehow miles better than this, but it isn't. Only a small amount of music covered here is truly great and original.

Three Days Grace makes catchy rock songs. I don't see what would be wrong with admitting you like them. I'd MUCH rather listen to numetal/post grunge (none of the bands you listed are numetal, by the way) than hardcore/screamo.

The whole "this sucks because it's radio rock" thing is silly too. That's not even a genre. Some stations will play more music like Three Days Grace and Seether. Others will play more music like Aerosmith and AC/DC . Others play more music like Anberlin and MGMT.

It's all ROCK music, just different forms of it. We should be happy a group of guys got together to play instruments and make music together.

Breaking Benjamin's new song is boring and mediocre. But the guy has a cool voice and they've made some good stuff previously.

[BozzBlonde]

Well, I was really looking forward to this album. After their past three albums, I honestly didn't think they could put out a bad album. But I was proven wrong.

There's nothing new about this album. And you can't find a catchy song like Polyamorous or Diary of Jane.

Ah the disappointment.

[bobcatbob18]

Breaking Benjamin is no where in the same league of bad as a band like Brokencyde.

You act as if most of the music covered on AP is somehow miles better than this, but it isn't. Only a small amount of music covered here is truly great and original.

Three Days Grace makes catchy rock songs. I don't see what would be wrong with admitting you like them. I'd MUCH rather listen to numetal/post grunge (none of the bands you listed are numetal, by the way) than hardcore/screamo.

The whole "this sucks because it's radio rock" thing is silly too. That's not even a genre. Some stations will play more music like Three Days Grace and Seether. Others will play more music like Aerosmith and AC/DC . Others play more music like Anberlin and MGMT.

It's all ROCK music, just different forms of it. We should be happy a group of guys got together to play instruments and make music together.

Breaking Benjamin's new song is boring and mediocre. But the guy has a cool voice and they've made some good stuff previously.

It sounds like you didn't read my second post, but it's possible you did and chose to ignore it. I didn't mean to slight their fans, I just think this form of "alternative metal that was big in 2002 and is drawn to radio masses" is a mess. Just stating that I was surprised to hear something positive being said about it.

[what_ever]

Good review, but I disagree. I love the established Breaking Benjamin sound. You're right; his voice IS instantly recognizable. Their currently unchanging musical style suits them as a band. They got it right the first time, and not many bands can do that. If you want another sound, listen to another band. I'm loving every single one of their releases. I do agree with what you said about there always being a "standout song" on every album, and it's hard to find one on this one. Very accurate review, even though your Post seems to reflect an ongoing Grudge. Get it? It's a Breaking Benjamin topic. Post = Grudge. Post-Grunge. Get it?
(I try too hard ;.;)

You guys just aren't getting it. And it doesn't help that it's very hard to approach an album objectively when you're already a big fan. The album may be a great album to you, but unfortunately in this case it's a relative truth. The overall musicality in this album and this band is lacking, and that's being generous.

You almost have to review this on two different scales: one on their musical talent and ability at what they do, and another on their musical talent and ability on the grand scheme of things, which I believe is what this review has done. They may register 100% on the first scale, but that doesn't really mean much in regard to the second scale because they are so formulaic.

[what_ever]

I agree with you, but I'm a sucker for Shinedown sometimes.
Shinedown does a really great cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man"

[what_ever]

As expected, a sup par review from AP for a pretty decent album. Why? I suppose a lack of song title wittiness and a general music elitism could have had something to do with it. Maybe if Andrew McMahon jumped on a hook, we could bump Dear Agony up a few percentage points, eh? Did we get a review of Insane Clown Posse's newest shit yet? Burn baby, burn...

Streotypes go both ways, Brostradamus.

[Jeremy Aaron]

Breaking Benjamin is no where in the same league of bad as a band like Brokencyde.

You act as if most of the music covered on AP is somehow miles better than this, but it isn't. Only a small amount of music covered here is truly great and original.

Three Days Grace makes catchy rock songs. I don't see what would be wrong with admitting you like them. I'd MUCH rather listen to numetal/post grunge (none of the bands you listed are numetal, by the way) than hardcore/screamo.

The whole "this sucks because it's radio rock" thing is silly too. That's not even a genre. Some stations will play more music like Three Days Grace and Seether. Others will play more music like Aerosmith and AC/DC . Others play more music like Anberlin and MGMT.

It's all ROCK music, just different forms of it. We should be happy a group of guys got together to play instruments and make music together.

Breaking Benjamin's new song is boring and mediocre. But the guy has a cool voice and they've made some good stuff previously.

I'm pretty much in agreement with this. This music, and a lot of other "radio bands" are decent, listenable, and even enjoyable in some respects. In many ways this record is inoffensive and goes out of it's way to be so. Because it plays it so safe, it's not going to be great, but in comparison to some truly horrible stuff I've reviewed (e.g. I Am the Dream), it at least sounds professional. I don't expect every band is going to try to be Sonic Youth and approach evaluating them with that in mind.

[B4Bronco6]

I don't get why people get so fucking bent out of shape about bands 'not changing their style' to grow..

Honestly, who the fuck cares?

If you're good at a distinct sound, and also famous for that sound... why change it?

BB fans are going to love this album because they love how BB sound. Who the hell cares if it sounds the same? They obviously sell records, and they aren't going to change their 'used boring sound' anytime soon.

[Slaur]

great review

[Jamos4184]

You perfectly summed up my feelings on Breaking Benjamin recently. Admittedly, I'll listen to a few tracks ("Forget It" and "Here We Are", which I think are 2 of their best songs, despite being slower than what they're known for) from previous albums, but I couldn't bring myself to add this one to the collection. Just from what I'd heard it's nothing that they've never done before.

I can't help but love that they're from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

[Jamos4184]

I think that would be in dispute. Paramore has had one really successful album and one big single tied to a movie. They are successful and somewhat mainstream, but still very much relegated to this scene. Thinking they are bigger or can outdraw a top of the tier nu metal band like Breaking Benjamin is a kind of blindness.
Riot! is gold and All We Know is Falling will probably hit gold eventually. Not to mention Breaking Benjamin has never been nominated for a Grammy (not that that means a whole lot considering that I think it's almost safe to say the Grammy's have gone down the toilet, anyway).

[Jamos4184]

If I knew who you are? Are you supposed to be better than me just because you've been on this site longer than me? Yeah, I'm new to the site. I didn't know that AP reviewed ICP before, so I apologize.
Dude, don't you know who he is?

[David J Bendeth]

Perfect!
great review, everyone can tell you listened carefully to all the songs. Cannot wait for your Creed review soon.

[Jeremy Aaron]

Perfect!
great review, everyone can tell you listened carefully to all the songs. Cannot wait for your Creed review soon.

What's your interest in Creed? You never produced any of their albums. Would it make you feel better if I panned a Howard Benson album, too?

[David J Bendeth]

Jeremy, no need to panic, Howard is very successful and like me, has no cares in the world what people think of his records.
We just shrug our shoulders and walk away. There used to be a time when we all cared what people thought and took it personally. Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. I am sure all of the top producers in the world have taken a hit here at one time or an other. It is part of the business no? I remember my RIOT reviews before everyone did some bandwagon jumping. Dismal.

Records that sell, are not always deemed successful, music is impervated by emotion and personal taste.
Of course I could sit here and argue your casual observations on the repetiton of music and the blandness of the "common jock, bro folks".
My aunt likes the Holiday Inn, they make a great club house sandwich and the paintings are always the same over the bed, the sheets feel the same and it gives her a comfort zone.
When you are out of the zone it gets a little sticky. My point is simple. Until you have climbed the mountain and seen the other side, you and I both know one thing.
You have no clue as to what really makes up a real record. The depth of your review I found extremely shallow, and the elocution was far from what I consider to be of grade 11 standard English state grade.
I mean I just read the Paramore review and the level of grammar integration was high and meaningful, almost imaginative and succinct in a daring colorful way.

Not everyone who makes a record sets out to change the world. Lyrics can still come from the heart and move people, I mean that is why we are all here isn't it?

Now I do not want to seem like some old fogey infiltrating the masses like some Uncle walking in on you while you were tripping balls. But sometimes perception equals reality, and one man's opinion can sway, sometimes in a good way, sometimes lemmings appear out of nowhere.

Your review was, well just poorly constructed. It wreaked of repetition, much like the review you wrote. I hold no grudge, I guess I would like to see more of an in depth and formidable review written from some kind of knowledge of music, like many of the great posters we have here at AP.

We all know reviews do not sell records, they sell ideas. I have no disdain for you in any way, I just think you skipped the creative writing class a few too many times.Please take no offence, I respect your opinion, its a little easier with an album at #1. at press time

To quote WC Filelds:
"Never underestimate the mediocrity of the American Public"
I think there are enough captain obvious reviews on here to make a real "absolute punk band review" frivolous at best.
I would rewrite it with more passion and song facts, I would also preclude yourself from being objective, just my opinion.
It s like writing a review for Fall out boy on a Metallica forum, like why bother? We know the outcome dont we? Its just a recipe to state the obvious.

Ignorance is your new best friend
Ignorance is your new best friend
Ignorance is your new best friend
Ignorance is your new best friend

Or how about
you are the only exception
you are the only exception
you are the only exception
you are the only exception

repetition is what reinforces our inner emotions, it is our escape from each other.
have a great weekend. Maybe we can go the library together and read some rolling stone reviews from 1967. iT was never about week one on the chart...it was also about the first week of year two.
You like the man, you like his music,,,,it rings true.

[SKM]

This review was funny, but it sounds as if you listened to all but five minutes of this CD. You barely go into any of the tracks at all.

I would give this album around a 75%.

[xapplexpiex]

Dude, don't you know who he is?
No. But I guess, according to his reaction, I should have and so should everybody here. I just felt that was a little conceited.

[PunkSux27]

its sites like this that ruin it for everyone. who ever wrote this should be fired. One of the best CD's of the year period.Someone obviously does not know music to good, and wont review a album with an open mind. its sad. no wonder why kids today grow up listening to that shit called rap, they read reviews about a great cd and get turned off. what do you expect from a site called absolutepunk anyway?

[maddawg579]

Breaking Benjamin is a different type of Hard Rock band. They don't sing about the typical love lost and sex subjects. The singer, Ben Burnley, digs deep into his emotional realm and writes how he truly feels or felt in the past. What he truly thinks. And what he truly wants. The songs aren't about getting drunk at a party or "fucking a dog in the ass" (no offense to Blink. They're one of my all-time favorite bands). The songs have meaning. Deeper meaning that any one person can usually find on the first listen. You listen to a song like Evil Angel and tell me that song does not have a deep fucking meaning attached to it.

You talk about the band repeating themselves and not changing the sound at all - "they have repeatedly rewritten and repackaged the same tired formula every few years". I have one single rebuttal to this statement: don't try to fix what isn't broken. This rings true for anyone that makes something new. They may try to improve it and make it slightly different from the last revision, but any successful person knows that you don't completely change what is already succeeding.

Take a look at Three Days Grace's new album "Life Starts Now". They tried too hard to change their sound for the better. Guess what happened? The album, so far, is just barely more than a flop. They have -maybe- two catchy songs. The rest are bland and boring. Try taking a song from Dear Agony or Phobia and placing it on the Saturate album. You will know right away that it's the same band singing it, but you will also know right away that the song doesn't fit on the album. A band doesn't need to change it's sound completely with each album. They just need to improve their sound and improve themselves. That is what makes a band successful.

You then go on to talk about there not being that one "stand out track" like Diary of Jane or Rain (what the hell were you talking about with Rain? Rain is not the main single on that album, and you know that. The main single was So Cold, and is quite possibly the best song the band has written). Well I'd say there are a few stand out songs on this album. And some not the the hardest songs on the album. The first stand out track, in my opinion, is Dear Agony (the title track). You can really hear Burnley's emotions flowing through this song. Crawl is probably the next stand out track. It's got a catchy intro and very deep lyrics. How can you not love a song with lyrics like "I brought you to life so I can hear you scream," or "Show me where it hurts, and I will make it worse"? The third song I should mention is What Lies Beneath. There's so much emotion in this song, it's unbelievable. This song also has some of Burnley's best singing.

And before you say they're just more depressing, "everyone feel bad for me" lyrics, you should know the story behind this album. This is the first album that singer, Ben Burnley, has written while being completely sober. He wrote all the other albums during his alcohol addiction. He got over that addiction more than two years ago. The song Dear Agony is about the pain he went through while recovering from the addiction. This is also the reason why there is absolutely no swearing on the entire album. That says something pretty significant if you ask me. So don't go trashing the band about depressing songs when you know nothing about them.

I'm quite surprised you were hired to write a review about this band on a punk rock music website. I feel like I'm wasting my time writing this because it looks like the people on this site are pretty close-minded and just shrug off any opinion that's different than theirs. But I felt it necessary to defend a band that works harder than most people can even imagine.

[Jamos4184]

Jeremy, no need to panic, Howard is very successful and like me, has no cares in the world what people think of his records.
We just shrug our shoulders and walk away. There used to be a time when we all cared what people thought and took it personally. Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. I am sure all of the top producers in the world have taken a hit here at one time or an other. It is part of the business no? I remember my RIOT reviews before everyone did some bandwagon jumping. Dismal.

Records that sell, are not always deemed successful, music is impervated by emotion and personal taste.
Of course I could sit here and argue your casual observations on the repetiton of music and the blandness of the "common jock, bro folks".
My aunt likes the Holiday Inn, they make a great club house sandwich and the paintings are always the same over the bed, the sheets feel the same and it gives her a comfort zone.
When you are out of the zone it gets a little sticky. My point is simple. Until you have climbed the mountain and seen the other side, you and I both know one thing.
You have no clue as to what really makes up a real record. The depth of your review I found extremely shallow, and the elocution was far from what I consider to be of grade 11 standard English state grade.
I mean I just read the Paramore review and the level of grammar integration was high and meaningful, almost imaginative and succinct in a daring colorful way.

Not everyone who makes a record sets out to change the world. Lyrics can still come from the heart and move people, I mean that is why we are all here isn't it?

Now I do not want to seem like some old fogey infiltrating the masses like some Uncle walking in on you while you were tripping balls. But sometimes perception equals reality, and one man's opinion can sway, sometimes in a good way, sometimes lemmings appear out of nowhere.

Your review was, well just poorly constructed. It wreaked of repetition, much like the review you wrote. I hold no grudge, I guess I would like to see more of an in depth and formidable review written from some kind of knowledge of music, like many of the great posters we have here at AP.

We all know reviews do not sell records, they sell ideas. I have no disdain for you in any way, I just think you skipped the creative writing class a few too many times.Please take no offence, I respect your opinion, its a little easier with an album at #1. at press time

To quote WC Filelds:
"Never underestimate the mediocrity of the American Public"
I think there are enough captain obvious reviews on here to make a real "absolute punk band review" frivolous at best.
I would rewrite it with more passion and song facts, I would also preclude yourself from being objective, just my opinion.
It s like writing a review for Fall out boy on a Metallica forum, like why bother? We know the outcome dont we? Its just a recipe to state the obvious.

Ignorance is your new best friend
Ignorance is your new best friend
Ignorance is your new best friend
Ignorance is your new best friend

Or how about
you are the only exception
you are the only exception
you are the only exception
you are the only exception

repetition is what reinforces our inner emotions, it is our escape from each other.
have a great weekend. Maybe we can go the library together and read some rolling stone reviews from 1967. iT was never about week one on the chart...it was also about the first week of year two.
You like the man, you like his music,,,,it rings true.
The same could be said for his review of the new Muse album.

[Jamos4184]

No. But I guess, according to his reaction, I should have and so should everybody here. I just felt that was a little conceited.
Honestly, don't even worry about it. You're talking about a guy who thinks he's something because of the "influence" he has amongst people on a website.

[Jeremy Aaron]

Jeremy, no need to panic, Howard is very successful and like me, has no cares in the world what people think of his records.
We just shrug our shoulders and walk away. There used to be a time when we all cared what people thought and took it personally. Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. I am sure all of the top producers in the world have taken a hit here at one time or an other. It is part of the business no? I remember my RIOT reviews before everyone did some bandwagon jumping. Dismal.

Records that sell, are not always deemed successful, music is impervated by emotion and personal taste.
Of course I could sit here and argue your casual observations on the repetiton of music and the blandness of the "common jock, bro folks".
My aunt likes the Holiday Inn, they make a great club house sandwich and the paintings are always the same over the bed, the sheets feel the same and it gives her a comfort zone.
When you are out of the zone it gets a little sticky. My point is simple. Until you have climbed the mountain and seen the other side, you and I both know one thing.
You have no clue as to what really makes up a real record. The depth of your review I found extremely shallow, and the elocution was far from what I consider to be of grade 11 standard English state grade.
I mean I just read the Paramore review and the level of grammar integration was high and meaningful, almost imaginative and succinct in a daring colorful way.

Not everyone who makes a record sets out to change the world. Lyrics can still come from the heart and move people, I mean that is why we are all here isn't it?

Now I do not want to seem like some old fogey infiltrating the masses like some Uncle walking in on you while you were tripping balls. But sometimes perception equals reality, and one man's opinion can sway, sometimes in a good way, sometimes lemmings appear out of nowhere.

Your review was, well just poorly constructed. It wreaked of repetition, much like the review you wrote. I hold no grudge, I guess I would like to see more of an in depth and formidable review written from some kind of knowledge of music, like many of the great posters we have here at AP.

We all know reviews do not sell records, they sell ideas. I have no disdain for you in any way, I just think you skipped the creative writing class a few too many times.Please take no offence, I respect your opinion, its a little easier with an album at #1. at press time

To quote WC Filelds:
"Never underestimate the mediocrity of the American Public"
I think there are enough captain obvious reviews on here to make a real "absolute punk band review" frivolous at best.
I would rewrite it with more passion and song facts, I would also preclude yourself from being objective, just my opinion.
It s like writing a review for Fall out boy on a Metallica forum, like why bother? We know the outcome dont we? Its just a recipe to state the obvious.

Ignorance is your new best friend
Ignorance is your new best friend
Ignorance is your new best friend
Ignorance is your new best friend

Or how about
you are the only exception
you are the only exception
you are the only exception
you are the only exception

repetition is what reinforces our inner emotions, it is our escape from each other.
have a great weekend. Maybe we can go the library together and read some rolling stone reviews from 1967. iT was never about week one on the chart...it was also about the first week of year two.
You like the man, you like his music,,,,it rings true.

After reading 500 or so words I wrote, you seem to think you know all about me, but you've got it all wrong. I didn't write this out of some spite for the "common jock, bro folks." Most of my friends fit that description, and aside from my broader music tastes, so do I. I like a lot of albums similar to this one, and I don't believe I wrote this with some hipper-than-thou pretense that it's somehow garbage because of the genre it falls under or because it's popular. I also don't write because of some aspirations of being a critic or something. I didn't skip out on creative writing because I never took any creative writing. My degree is in Physics, and I was exempt from English classes, so I didn't take any. I just write because I like doing it, not out of some delusions of grandeur, and for the most part, other people seem to appreciate it. Sometimes what I have to say resonates with the community, other times not. I'm not trying to propagate the popular opinion (which you seem to imply with the "captain obvious" comment), but merely express my own.

With regard to the "depth" of the review, some music just doesn't lend itself well to analysis. The review I initially wrote for the recent Modest Mouse EP was twice as long as this review. There was just so much to comment on musically and lyrically that I had to gut it, so it wouldn't be exhausting to read. I think the opposite is true of this album, and from the many replies in this thread, I'm not alone.

[m1zzkt]

This review is pitiful at best, one can't even tell if the reviewer actually listened to the album. These deductions can be made by simply listing a track listing and reading lyrics. Not to mention a Breaking Benjamin review on AbsolutePunk? What connection am I missing here? BB is a mainstream rock act. Obviously diehard fans of punk are not going to approve.

"Dear Agony" does not sound like any of the other BB records and vice versa. Yes, they all follow a loose formula but each have their own distinct sound... that is what the fans love about BB. We still know it's definitely BB but with a different twist. And maybe before bashing the tone of the album, you should read up on what this record deals with. It's extremely powerful and personal to the writer. Isn't that what music is all about? People bitch about lyrics that are extremely shallow dealing with partying and fucking but yet the opposite is done here and people still bitch about it. It's so depressing, so dark, so angsty. So what?

Obviously every artist and band has its lovers and haters and I can understand that when it's presented in an intelligent and convincing manner. This review, however, barely touches on the depth of Dear Agony. But I wouldn't expect the closeminded people on this forum who consider themselves punk to journey outside of their genre anyway.

For a fair review of Dear Agony from a reviewer who is well versed in the rock genre, check out TuneLab. http://tunelab.com/2009/09/29/album-review-breaking-benjamin-dear-agony/

[LiquorAndDick]

Really shocked at seeing a review for this on AP. Awful band.

[what_ever]

oh Lord...

[bNz719]

Boring and extremely repetitive album.
Didn't like this review either.

[SKM]

BB is better than Brand New, Blink 182, anything with Anthony Green, or any of those other progressive emo bands this site likes.

[A7XBlink]

I've always been a Breaking Benjamin fan, and I know this type of music isn't taken well on this site. This review nailed this album on the head, they are very repetitive. "Fade Away", "Hopeless", "I Will Not Bow"are all good tracks that sound like the old ones. The new sounding tracks aren't very good though, and thats where a band usually goes wrong. Three Days Grace's new album is much better.

[Carol_EA]

You should read, listen, research and interpretate to make a good and solid review.
Did you listen to the whole album?
I got the feeling that you just wanted to throw rocks at BB.

BB doesn't even fit the 'style' of this site.

[BlastTyrant69]

With regard to the "depth" of the review, some music just doesn't lend itself well to analysis. The review I initially wrote for the recent Modest Mouse EP was twice as long as this review. There was just so much to comment on musically and lyrically that I had to gut it, so it wouldn't be exhausting to read. I think the opposite is true of this album, and from the many replies in this thread, I'm not alone.

I'm sorry, but that's an utterly ridiculous statement to make. Here's a review I wrote for Dear Agony

what really stands out for me about dear agony is that it shows breaking benjamin's ability to balance the elements of intensity and polish to create something that most listeners will find something to like about. the intro track "Fade Away" is possibly the band's most intense opener since "Wish I May" and arguably one of the bands greatest successes in terms of being a high energy, quick tempo, yet easy to get into song. the following track "I Will Not Bow" is a nice radio friendly piece with enough punch to give true fans something to like, its only fault is that it doesn't fit on this album and sounds more like it would've belonged on WANA as "Sooner or Later"'s big brother. Despite trying to fit a perfect circle into the square hole, the band is quickly able to get back on track with "Crawl". Nothing short of a riff laden beast with flawless and flexible vocals, not to mention amazing lyrics, "Crawl" is a song almost impossible not to like no matter what your tastes may be.

The next track is "Give Me A Sign", possibly one of the band's most endearing pieces yet. A ballad from BB that really works, nothing too light, but also a chance for the band to show how much they've matured and make up for songs of old that fell short in this category. Looking at you "Rain" and "Here We Are". "Hopeless", the so called 'metal' song on this album, features solid instrumental depth and an ominous tone that builds up to the powerful chorus. It does seem like Ben is trying to show off his screamer with this track, but it flows enough with the chorus that it ends up sounding a lot less forced than it could. This leads us to "What Lies Beneath", a song boasting one of the best build ups in the BB repertoire, its subtle and works in a "creeping in on you" sort of way, but it works all the same. Is it me, or has BB officially mastered the art of making A+ choruses? Once again, all the power, bravado and intensity we expect from Ben Burnley and Co, all in balance.

From here we come to "Anthem of the Angels", could these guys really be pitching a no-hitter in the ballad category? Well so far so good, "Anthem of the Angels" proves to be another powerful and endearing track with lots of heart, and even more spirit, I don't think I could possibly accuse it of being dull. Next is "Lights Out", this baby is definitely playing the role of big bad wolf on this album. A sound song with lots of power and even more punch, from blistering riffs to Burnley's unique use of growl mid verse to grab the listener (it can be trying at times, but overall it works) this hard hitter is judge, jury and...well hell its mainly executioner. This leads us to the title track "Dear Agony", another solid ballad with all the hooks and sound riffs needed to keep the listener engaged while Burnley preaches his message of inner struggle. The only fault one could find with "Dear Agony" is that its yet another ballad and each being pretty solid, its hard for this one to stand out as much as it should.

Now we've come to "Into The Nothing", the true trapeze artist of the album. A flawless balance of lyrical, vocal, musical excellence, "Into The Nothing" does the album justice by showing just how well rounded Breaking Benjamin really has become. This takes us to the final track "Without You", now I know what your thinking "Breaking Benjamin hasn't really produced a truly noteworthy closer since the beloved "Shallow Bay", is this gonna end that?" Well rejoice, the terrible streak is over! A song that actually holds your attention all the way to the end of the album, "Without You" is a powerful, well written track, that at the same time still sounds like, well a closing song. I'll openly admit that I have on a few occasions found myself humming the final line "I forgive you, forget you, the end". Its gripping, its catchy and its a beautifully done song.

So lets recap! Dear Agony, the fourth studio album from Breaking Benjamin features strong tempo, great riffs, gripping lyrics and ear grabbing vocals. But above all else it features BALANCE. And that is where this piece excels........and struggles. The good news is, this album features everything that is likable about Breaking Benjamin, and then some. The bad news, it flows together too seamlessly. All the songs on this are actually actually quite good, but in their own ways, so much so that you find yourself debating what do you like about this band, can you possibly like EVERYTHING they bring to the table. If you like a fast tempo thrill ride with lots of quality, Saturate is probably your idol of bb goodness....and it always will be. If you like the refined and polished side of rock music, Phobia is probably your poison of choice......and it always will be. WANA was really the bands first attempt to crossover, but they didn't have the experience yet to do it just right, but it was a great attempt that lead to their first Platinum record. With "Dear Agony" we have the flawless synergy of everything that is and ever was Breaking Benjamin, and that's whats great and terrible about it. If you love everything BB has ever put out, you will absolutely ADORE "Dear Agony". But if their are things that have left you less thrilled over the years, this album will be a very good (and enjoyable I might add)lesson in excepting the so called "good" and the so called "not so good". All in all, Breaking Benjamin walks the tightrope with ease, almost too much...

9/10

Now, I bet you I can find a lot of people who agree with this review (infact, I already have) but that doesn't make my opinion more valid than yours because its just that, an opinion. the fact that this album is being reviewed on this site makes no sense. you knew you wouldn't like it and you knew your fan base wouldn't like it, so why on earth did you do it? also, don't critique the structure of this review because I don't write them, this might be the third time I've ever done it. its the message I'm trying to get across thats important.

[David J Bendeth]

this

[Jeremy Aaron]

This review is pitiful at best, one can't even tell if the reviewer actually listened to the album. These deductions can be made by simply listing a track listing and reading lyrics. Not to mention a Breaking Benjamin review on AbsolutePunk? What connection am I missing here? BB is a mainstream rock act. Obviously diehard fans of punk are not going to approve.

"Dear Agony" does not sound like any of the other BB records and vice versa. Yes, they all follow a loose formula but each have their own distinct sound... that is what the fans love about BB. We still know it's definitely BB but with a different twist. And maybe before bashing the tone of the album, you should read up on what this record deals with. It's extremely powerful and personal to the writer. Isn't that what music is all about? People bitch about lyrics that are extremely shallow dealing with partying and fucking but yet the opposite is done here and people still bitch about it. It's so depressing, so dark, so angsty. So what?

Obviously every artist and band has its lovers and haters and I can understand that when it's presented in an intelligent and convincing manner. This review, however, barely touches on the depth of Dear Agony. But I wouldn't expect the closeminded people on this forum who consider themselves punk to journey outside of their genre anyway.

For a fair review of Dear Agony from a reviewer who is well versed in the rock genre, check out TuneLab. http://tunelab.com/2009/09/29/album-review-breaking-benjamin-dear-agony/

This whole statement is without foundation. This site is not for hardcore fans of punk. Staff have reviewed albums for everyone from Kelly Clarkson to the Dillinger Escape Plan. My favorite albums this year are from bands from all over the stylistic map, like Fake Problems, Dinosaur Jr., Little Brazil, So Many Dynamos and Camera Obscura. I find it ironic that the site you point to features reviews from bands who are all pretty similar in style. (I had the displeasure of seeing one of the bands who received a rave review on the site, Deepfield, a while back and the lead singer made this rant about how emo music and emo people should just die. How's that for close minded?) The fact is, I don't have as much hate for Nickelback or really popular bands out there. They're successful, and you can't take that away from them. I just think that if people were more open minded and exposed themselves to wider variety of music, they'd realize that there's a whole lot of stuff out there that's simply a lot better than what they're being force-fed by radio.

[xapplexpiex]

This whole statement is without foundation. This site is not for hardcore fans of punk. Staff have reviewed albums for everyone from Kelly Clarkson to the Dillinger Escape Plan. My favorite albums this year are from bands from all over the stylistic map, like Fake Problems, Dinosaur Jr., Little Brazil, So Many Dynamos and Camera Obscura. I find it ironic that the site you point to features reviews from bands who are all pretty similar in style. (I had the displeasure of seeing one of the bands who received a rave review on the site, Deepfield, a while back and the lead singer made this rant about how emo music and emo people should just die. How's that for close minded?) The fact is, I don't have as much hate for Nickelback or really popular bands out there. They're successful, and you can't take that away from them. I just think that if people were more open minded and exposed themselves to wider variety of music, they'd realize that there's a whole lot of stuff out there that's simply a lot better than what they're being force-fed by radio.
:appl:

Agreed. I couldn't have said it better myself.

[ericsounds41]

Still looking forward to hearing this at some point.

[haf12]

wierd, i must have missed the part of the review where you reviewed the songs

In my opinion this review is crap. Why create a review for a band that you dont like just so you can bash them?? Also, at least do some background checks on BB before you write a review. If you did you know would know this album is bout the singers overcoming an addiction to alcohol, not bout getting blown at a wild party. Don't even get me started on Rain being, on what you implied as the best song on the WANA(i know a ton of people that would disagree with you)
And of course a band is gonna sound similar, ITS THE SAME BAND. listen to You Fight Me then Dance With the Devil. They sound so alike its not even funny ;)
So im sorry they produced(btw DB great job on producing the album) the dark album you didn't want to hear, they produced the album that they wanted to and, at this time, needed to be produced.
PS: Take 5 minutes to look at the meaning of some songs, for me it was some of the deepest lyrics i ever heard

[denissuxx]

All of the depressed grunge-rocker cliches are present here in droves, ruminations of "falling," being "down," being "torn apart," "holding on" and "letting go," and of course "breaking."

This is genius.

[ohitsmark]

I have to agree that the sound is very BB-like. But isn't that kind of the point? You put out records your fans will like. Otherwise you risk the chance of changing your sound and them being called sellouts or whatever.

At first listen, the album is kind of so-so. But after a few listens, it just becomes where Phobia left us. I personally like the album and probably will learn to love it more with each listen.

But then again, BB is one of my favorite bands.

[more heart]

When will these bands fade away?

[Greg.Kushlan]

how the fuck are these guys still around?

[PunkSux27]

seriously the worst fucking review ever. please find a new career. your review doesn't even make sense, this album will go on to be platinum and you will look like a damn fool!

[Thrice4Life]

Bad review, but I do wish they would switch it up a bit.

[NateFoundGlory]

I see all the Breaking Benjamin fanboys and girls came crawling out of the woodwork to whine about this review.

[NateFoundGlory]

seriously the worst fucking review ever. please find a new career. your review doesn't even make sense, this album will go on to be platinum and you will look like a damn fool!

I'm sure he'll be sitting at home one day, listening to good music, and a friend will bust in and yell "BREAKING BENJAMINS NEW CD WENT PLATINUM!", and Jeremy will just start crying, and yell "WHY!? WHY DID I GIVE IT SUCH A BAD REVIEW!? OBVIOUSLY IT'S GOOD, IT WENT PLATINUM!"

You're an idiot.

[spunkmastaflex]

less BB bashing and more album reviewing needed, oh and 3 albums of saying "this album sounds like their previous albums" doesnt count

[karadoll]

I'm sure he'll be sitting at home one day, listening to good music, and a friend will bust in and yell "BREAKING BENJAMINS NEW CD WENT PLATINUM!", and Jeremy will just start crying, and yell "WHY!? WHY DID I GIVE IT SUCH A BAD REVIEW!? OBVIOUSLY IT'S GOOD, IT WENT PLATINUM!"

You're an idiot.
That's exactly what I was thinking.

[elknetld2kil]

I bet that if they had songs like "Slit my wrists for you", "My heart brekas when i weep about you in my room at 12 in the mourning (Last Summer)" and of course "C00l D00DZ Wear Guyliner", they would get at least 80%/

Stop criticizing everything. If you think you can do better, get your ass off your pc and do it. I dare you to go platinum like Breaking Benjamin, Creed and Hinder (Oh, yeah. I said it) did. Until you do, shut your mouth and go slit your wrists.

Bro rocker out

[TheInfamousAdam]

Breaking Benjamin Blows... that alliteration hahaha

This band is soooooo annoying. Anybody who really enjoys their music must also enjoy eating cardboard.

[Supernovacaine]

That one Breaking Benjamin song on Halo 2 was decent.. because we're talking Halo here.. the rest of their stuff is rather lame.

[roisterboy]

I like this album more than their last. I think the songs are more melodic imo; however, the lack of variation and the same old song formulas become trite. After listening to it from beginning to end, I'm already sick of it. They need to take big risks on their next one if they want to keep their fans.

[Bloodsucker II]

This review is a winner.
cool post time

[Daniel Thompson]

BB is better than Brand New, Blink 182, anything with Anthony Green, or any of those other progressive emo bands this site likes.
i completely disagree with this statement. While I do like some things that Breaking Benjamin has done, I think its not even on the same playing field as Anthony Green or Brand New (fuck blink). But hey, everyone has their own opinion I guess.

[ZeoVGM]

Breaking Benjamin Blows... that alliteration hahaha

This band is soooooo annoying. Anybody who really enjoys their music must also enjoy eating cardboard.
Uh, no.

[newfoundmichael]

I bet that if they had songs like "Slit my wrists for you", "My heart brekas when i weep about you in my room at 12 in the mourning (Last Summer)" and of course "C00l D00DZ Wear Guyliner", they would get at least 80%/

Stop criticizing everything. If you think you can do better, get your ass off your pc and do it. I dare you to go platinum like Breaking Benjamin, Creed and Hinder (Oh, yeah. I said it) did. Until you do, shut your mouth and go slit your wrists.

Bro rocker out
Wow, first of all...where do bands with lyrics like that get good reviews on this site? Can you point it out? I really don't see anyone writing lyrics about "slitting wrists" and getting lyrical praise on AP.

Also, your argument for "getting off your pc and doing better" is fucking ignorant. That is like someone saying an athlete sucks and you arguing "get off your ass and go succeed in the NFL" he's a fucking album reviewer, and he gave his opinion. How does him ripping on BB and you getting all butthurt about it justify your thoughts of him writing a better album?

[Hagysaurus Rex]

Ugh...this review makes me sad, but I kind of expected it. I think Saturate and We Are Not Alone are fantastic, and Phobia only had a select few standout tracks. Not feeling the new single, so I guess I'll have to let BB die.

I damned well loved We Are Not Alone and that's not particularly my kind of music at all. It got me into some of the stuff on Saturate.

[Hagysaurus Rex]

I bet that if they had songs like "Slit my wrists for you", "My heart brekas when i weep about you in my room at 12 in the mourning (Last Summer)" and of course "C00l D00DZ Wear Guyliner", they would get at least 80%/

Stop criticizing everything. If you think you can do better, get your ass off your pc and do it. I dare you to go platinum like Breaking Benjamin, Creed and Hinder (Oh, yeah. I said it) did. Until you do, shut your mouth and go slit your wrists.

Bro rocker out

First off, you can dare me to go Platinum all you want, that doesn't mean a damn thing about the quality of the music at all. There's a lot of bad music that goes platinum, just like there's a lot of good music that does. There's also tons of good and bad music that doesn't sell. Quality of music does not equal sales, kiddo.

Second off, the whole "think you can do better, get your ass off your pc" is tiresome and childish. If you want to defend this band/album, actually say why you like it. Make a point. It's not that hard. Sheesh.

And this is coming from somebody who loved We Are Not Alone.

[And Hours Pass]

No, but you can ask around. I may not be better than you, but I sure as hell have more influence here than you do. Now fuck off...

Guns are cool.