Breaking Benjamin - 'Dear Agony' Review

Breaking Benjamin frontman Ben Burnley is still knee-deep in romantic anxiety on his band’s new album, but while Dear Agony has some solid rock songs, the record is nonetheless a bit of a disappointment. The band’s last album, 2006’s Phobia, suggested that this Pennsylvania quartet were set for big things, but Dear Agony seems like an attempt to make another Phobia rather than build on its success. Still melodic, still raging, still heartbroken – Dear Agony does everything you expect, for better or worse.

Breaking Benjamin have steadily been growing their audience this decade with well-crafted alt-metal tunes about the agonies of love, and because Burnley is a likeable, empathetic vocalist, he’s managed to turn his relationship problems into relatable songs. It stands to reason, then, that Dear Agony shouldn’t deviate too far from that winning formula – after all, it’s not like Burnley is suddenly happily married without a care in the world. But now that he’s in his early 30s, his girlfriend problems and self-esteem issues are losing a little of their novelty. The snarling ferocity of tracks like “Crawl” and “I Will Not Bow” still have plenty of juice, but Burnley’s me-against-you antagonism can feel like petty whining after awhile. Thankfully, his ability to produce hook-laden material remains strong, which helps alleviate his mopey complaints somewhat. But the thematic terrain covered on Dear Agony will be familiar to anyone who has purchased an earlier Breaking Benjamin record.

Dear Agony suffers from an unusual malady: Breaking Benjamin’s songs for this album are mostly quite good, but rather than complementing one another, they start to feel repetitive. Consequently, Dear Agony doesn’t gain in strength as the listener goes through the entire record – in fact, it’s an album that’s much better when you only sample a few songs at a time. Eventually, Dear Agony’s crunchy guitars, swelling choruses, angst-heavy vocals, and tight construction feel like formula, especially on weaker tracks like “Into the Nothing” in which the band try to harness the creepy edge of top-shelf Tool but instead come across as rather tame. Likewise, “What Lies Beneath” is a pretty standard sing-then-scream number that you’ve heard a thousand times before. Constructed for maximum initial impact, Dear Agony diminishes somewhat on repeat spins, as its solid-though-formulaic sound begins to assert itself. It brings up a worrisome question: Are Breaking Benjamin repeating themselves because they think that have to? Or do they not have much new to say?

Ultimately, Dear Agony demonstrates Breaking Benjamin’s craftsmanship if not their brilliant creativity. Though it lacks the breakthrough singles of Phobia, Dear Agony does have its moments, like the hard-driving first single “I Will Not Bow” and the guitar ecstasy of the title track. Plus, the band members do show some impressive sonic range, such as incorporating mournful strings that weave in and out of “Anthem of the Angels.” But, frustratingly, Dear Agony never reaches greatness, settling for an admirable competency that’s still the envy of many of their contemporaries. But it lacks something the truly excellent rock bands have – the ability to surprise the listener.

'Dear Agony' – Best Tracks:

“Dear Agony” (Purchase/Download)
“I Will Not Bow” (Purchase/Download)
“Anthem of the Angels” (Purchase/Download)
“Give Me a Sign” (Purchase/Download)
“Lights Out” (Purchase/Download)

Release date – September 29, 2009
Hollywood Records