Really interesting seeing such a careful, rigerous lyrical analysis of a band with the sort of simplistic/generic rep Breaking Benjamin has. Props for piecing together a pretty convincing arugment; not the easiest to make, in light of the above.

Album Rating: 3.0

I think you give Ben way too much credit with his lyrics here, they're as recycled, trite and uninspired to my ears as they have been since Dear Agony.



Well written all the same, I enjoyed the read.



Have a pos, sir.

Album Rating: 3.5

Well, whenever I review something, I'm going to make sure it shares your rating to ensure I get one pos, lol.

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

great review, i think this band started fading after Phobia, their first 3 LP's are always going to be their best

Album Rating: 3.5

Well, I think Dear Agony really recognizes death as incoming. The subtle change in Dark Before Dawn is the looking for a solution to this existential problem. For example, in "Ashes of Eden":



"Will the faithful be rewarded when we come to the end? Will I miss the final warning from the lie that I have lived? Is there anyone calling? I can see the soul within. And I am not worthy, worthy of this."



That doesn't seem exactly recycled to me or typical butt-rock fare. There's a progression in themes, I think, here. He's concerned about what comes after death. Previously, he's feared death, but with perhaps the exception of "Into the Nothing," never seriously entertained the possibility -- in Burnley's view -- of living beyond it. "The Great Divide," likewise imagines what's beyond death. "Angels Fall," after "When all is lost, and daylight ends..." looks forward to "...I'll carry you, and we will live forever." There's also a noticeable uptick in the explicit mentioning of spiritual words like "prayer" and "faith" on the album compared to previous LPs. I don't think this is idly done, and I could go on.



Though I concede my argument rests on my reading of Burnley, and I understand there's room for rational disagreement here.



Thanks for the pos. I enjoyed your initial review for this as well.

Album Rating: 3.5

Thanks AsleepInTheBack and SweeneyTodd. That might be true, Sweeney, but I don't think thematically they are as mature as the later releases. That's why I keep coming back, at least.

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

"That might be true, Sweeney, but I don't think thematically they are as mature as the later releases. That's why I keep coming back, at least."



I can see where you're coming from, maybe my love for their earlier stuff is down to my nostalgia goggles, their new stuff is good but there's something more appealing to me about their earlier stuff

Album Rating: 3.0

"Well, whenever I review something, I'm going to make sure it shares your rating to ensure I get one pos, lol."



my man