Review Summary: A truly classic album, one of a kind.
Breaking Benjamin has always been a huge part of the music scene if you have noticed. These guys have been active for a long time until a hiatus occured for around 5 years, but now the band is back together with new members, and they are still kicking to this day. "Saturate" is their first official release dating all the way back to 2002 (I was but a Niño). "Saturate" in my opinion is a classic that I think hasn't gotten as much credit as their other albums. Considering the fact that this album was their first release, you would think that it would. "Saturate" was released before their sophomore release "We Are Not Alone", which had their famous single "So Cold" included on it. When 'We Are Not Alone" came out, this is where the band started to get more noticed and praised for their talent and superb sound. I could get into the whole history of BB but I came here today to talk about "Saturate", their cornerstone album that started everything.
Right off into the album it starts off with "Wish I May" and you are blown away by Ben's raw scream that is like no other. I'm not going to go into detail on every song (Because there are a lot), but I will try my best. Anyway the next track is Medicate, a nice groovy track and I like the rim tapping stuff implemented with the drums, it adds texture somewhat. Next track is one of their most known releases "Polyamorous", this is the first song I heard by them; great song, I like the chugging that leads to the chorus. Next track is "Skin" which is a very bouncy track in my opinion, a lot brighter then most of the other songs off "Saturate", very catchy song. "Natural Life" is a great song, I like the bridge quite a bit, very melodic. They calm things down a bit on the next track "Next to nothing", it starts off with a nice light acoustic and vocals and progresses into a "ballad' kind of song, very nice. "Water" is the next track and boy does it get you back on the head bang train, Breaking Benjamin's riffs are simple, yet catchy and heavy as ***, I think they could have produced vocals a bit more on this song though, they are a little mumbled to my ears. Next track we got is "Home" which apparently is based off 'The Wizard Of Oz", which I though was a clever way to write a song;"Home" is probably my favorite song vocally because the chorus is just so damn good, especially towards the end of the song. Next track is "Phase" which opens up with gradually overlapping percussive elements that leads into a bass line that progresses into the song starting up; very unique track, and of course, Ben ***ing loses it towards the end and screams like the mad dog he is. "No games" Which is a sort of softer song and I would kind of like to know the story behind this song, the lyrics are kind of interesting. "Sugarcoat" is the next track, very upbeat and heavy song,vocals are nice and raw. Next track is "Shallow Bay" which supposedly is a landmark release according to some people; I think the song is great I just don't know what is so significant about it (I know their old website was named off of the song which is kind of cool). The last Song we get into off this album is just amazing, "Forever"; this is a very light and melodic ballad type of song, when I listened to it the first time, it made me feel like I was at a high school prom in a way, (I guess you could slow dance to it). Great way to end off the album.
My favorite part of the album (or just the band in general) would have to be Ben and his vocals. Ben is one of those guys that have that natural born talent and he just sounds so good, especially for the genre he plays. Guitars were amazing, very crunch and clean at the same time. Bass was very dominant and blended in with the music exceptionally. Drums were very catchy and upbeat on this album, coming from being a drummer myself. Finally, if you like long albums then this is going to be a joyride for you because this clocks in at a whopping 49:15, almost an hour! I can't say there is anything wrong with this album, I could see a possible "anniversary" release in the future, but who knows what the band has up their sleeve, they are all over the place.
