Breaking Benjamin - Ember

After much anticipation and two video teasers, I finally got the notification that Ember was available for download.  Breaking Benjamin has been one of my favorite bands since I first heard Polyamorous on MTV2 in 2002.  They have been consistent in churning out hard rocking albums with headbanging riffs and sing-along anthemic choruses.  Sometimes unfairly being dubbed bro-rock or frat-metal, Breaking Benjamin have evolved to become more popular than ever before and continue to rock stages across America.  I'll never forget the first time I saw them live because it was the most uncomfortable I have ever been at a concert.  I was at Crocodile Rock in Pennsylvania in the summer and the venue had no air conditioning and with the heat from outside plus the bodies and stage lighting inside it was brutally hot.  They sprayed the front of the crowd with hoses to prevent us from passing out.  It was all worth it, however, when Breaking Benjamin put on one of the best sets that I have ever experienced.

New Jersey-born lead singer and composer, Ben Burnley's openness about his struggles with mental illness including depression, phobias, hypochondria, and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome have added to my intrigue in him as a person and a musician as I pick up different things in his lyrics and interviews after knowing more about his personal demons.

So, about Ember:

What I like:
The cover.  It's an eyeball with what looks like an exploding sunflower of fire inside the pupil.

The overall sound.  If you already are a fan of Breaking Benjamin, you will like this too as they haven't strayed much from their typical blend of hard and soft, plaintiveness and aggression.

Red Cold River.  This is probably the hardest hitting song on the album due to the growling vocals in the chorus backed by some genius sliding bass notes and some pounding bass drums.

Ben's voice.  This guy never ceases to amaze me how smooth his clean vocals are.  I think on this album "Tourniquet" best features Ben's tone and timbre.

Repeatability.  I've already listened to this album three times in a row in the course of taking a shower and then writing this piece.  Songs that didn't jump out on the first listen provide nuggets of ear pleasing treats.

What I don't like:
Lack of hits.  Each of their previous albums have provided several monster singles.  I'm not getting pumped up over any individual songs except "Red Cold River" which is strong on its own.  Right now, "Save Yourself" is probably my second favorite.

Take the leap.  I feel like this album may be a little too safe.  Like I said, fans should enjoy it.  However, I don't think it stretches enough.  For example, the song "Psycho" has some rocking tendencies, but I keep waiting for a huge breakdown that doesn't happen.  The next song "The Dark of You" is a softer ballad-type song and while the singing is beautiful, it lacks the emotion of a song like "Forever" from Saturate or the pure passion of "The Great Divide" and "Ashes of Eden" from Dark Before Dawn.

In summary, I give it 7/10.  Definitely pick this up if you are a fan of modern hard rock.  Don't expect fire and you will be pleased to smolder amongst the embers.