Breaking Benjamin was probably the most consistent band to arrive from the radio rock wave. Known for their tight, crystal clear vocals and swelling choruses, their style balanced out a crowded wave of one-hit wonders. Breaking Benjamin introduced an intriguing amount of substance during
Phobia. ‘Diary of Jane’ shook radio rock to its core and established Breaking Benjamin as a figurehead in the genre. Ravenous vocals, brutal riffs, and riveting atmospheres adorn
Phobia as the groups signature album.
The concept of
Phobia spurs from a personal viewpoint in regards to frontman Benjamin Burnley.
Phobia was inspired by the many fears of the vocalist as well as the band members. The notorious album depiction of an ominous winged man overseeing a highway is a reference to Burnley’s fear of flying.
Phobia already serves to be the bands most intimate album. The lyrics and music relay a moody tone as we explore the many phobias the group suffers from.
The music of
Phobia is very consistent with that of
We Are Not Alone. Deep riffs, digital ambiance, and thick muted notes crawl around the stereo throughout
Phobia’s experience. ‘Diary of Jane’ best represents most of everything fans will hear throughout the record. A mysterious clean intro and riff opens to an explosion of a chunky melodic force. ‘Had Enough’ serves to be the abrasive side of the album. An aggressively smooth ‘Had Enough’ has a good story and groove to complement it. ‘Topless’ also plays on the rougher side by introducing a hint of nu-metal into the fray. A beefy bouncing riff leads into a welcoming chorus.
Phobia offers enough variety to appease those who enjoy the radio friendly side of Breaking Benjamin. ‘Breath’ is a more somber track that boasts a clean back drop and refreshing tone. ‘Until the End’ combines both the heavier and radio friendly elements of the album into a nice driving track for both sides to enjoy. The intro riff is sure to cultivate those towards the middle of the album. ‘You’ is a bit of a secret sensation on the album. Nice lyrics and a quiet chaos of a sound is overshadowed by its placement between ‘Breath’ and ‘Evil Angel.’
Benjamin Burnley brings his A-game in writing
Phobia. The songs feel a lot more sentimental during this record than its predecessor. “Here I stand, helpless and left for dead. Close your eyes, so many days go by. Easy to find what’s wrong, harder to find what’s right,” shower through ‘Dance with the Devil.’ The lyrics are tragic and melancholy as one would expect. Burnley’s charming vocals are what really showcase the power of the lyrics. The exploration of phobias are explored rather interestingly. Relationships, addiction, and cerebral expressions of phobia are explained throughout
Phobia.
What drags the album is lack of characterization. Breaking Benjamin’s consistency proves to be a blessing and a curse throughout all of their albums. Most songs sound the same despite their bits of uniqueness. They have a certain formula that acts like a base to each song. This is often times used as a reason to why most fans enjoy Breaking Benjamin, which is fine, but to me, this becomes taxing after a full album.
Phobia also lacks a certain x-factor that makes it standout. During the era of its release, the very crowded genres of nu-metal and post-grunge decided to pool together and submerse the radio into its cesspool. Although ‘Diary of Jane’ managed to slip through the cracks, the rest of the album is second fiddle. Nothing else feels as impactful or groundbreaking.
Phobia remains as Breaking Benjamin’s biggest step forward. Although it’s formulaic, the album is a good listen for those who want more substance from a bleak genre.
Phobia has a suave to it that will shine through its flaws. There’s nothing fundamentally wrong with the record, but the notion of phobias aren’t as explored as they should be. The album should have been greater than it was, but regardless, there is still something to appreciate. I would recommend this album for those wanting to explore different sides of alternative rock.
Phobia is easy listening and captivating to those wanting to break away from modern day rock. Too bad
Phobia laid out Breaking Benjamin’s flaws early on. Had they fixed them by now, I only wonder where they would have went.
Standout Tracks
You
Evil Angel
Had Enough
Dance with the Devil
Breath
