Dear Agony : Near Perfect

Every once in a while, comes along an album so good, you just get hooked. Hooked in the sense, all your ringtones magically change to songs from the album. You listen to it when you wake up in the morning, in the shower, on the move, before you go to bed.

My friend, Vinamra a.k.a. Vinch introduced me to the amazing band that is Breaking Benjamin. I’ve listened to their other albums – We Are Not Alone, Saturate and Phobia, and I’ve liked most of the songs.

Dear Agony hooked me, just like that. OK, so it’s been a while since it’s been released, but forgive me for not posting about it earlier. The sound is still quintessentially Breaking Benjamin, but with a fresher, more modern twist. There seems to be a bit less of in-your-face-screaming, and just a bit more of melody, which makes it all the more special. Here’s a breakdown of the song:

1. Fade Away – 5/5 – A really charged up song, with an amazing start, bridge and over-the-top chorus. Love this song. Will make a video on it one day, for sure.
2. I Will Not Bow – 4/5 – A slightly slower number, with a forgettable intro, but non the less, still an amazing song. Once you reach the chorus, you realise why the song deserves the rating its got.
3. Crawl – 4/5 – It’s the slow bits in this song that will really move you, before the pre-chorus jolts you back.
4. Give Me A Sign – 5/5 – If you forgive the poppy start, you’ll find that this is a really amazing song. Worth every second, from verse to coda (that’s tail)…
5. Hopeless – 3/5 – Personally, I find this one to be the only weak link in the album. The chorus really gets on my nerves (too much of mutant beings screaming for my liking).
6. What Lies Beneath – 5/5 – An amazing intro, with amazing lyrics, and a beautiful, slow rising melody, this is possibly my favourite song of the album.
7. Anthem of the Angels – 3/5 – Another attempt to make a slow yet soulful song, which doesn’t quite strike the chord with me…
8. Lights Out – 4/5 – Typical Breaking Benjamin, but delivered with such energy, that you just get hooked onto it.
9. Dear Agony – 4/5 – The song the album’s titled after is always important. After a spirited start, it settles down into a slow rhythm, quite unlike Breaking Benjamin, but an excellent song nevertheless. You’ve probably got a heart of stone if the chorus doesn’t move you.
10. Into the Nothing – 4/5 – A fast paced number, the intro, verse and chorus just jump from one to the other, never losing the tempo.
11. Without You – 5/5 – Perfect finish to the album. It’s definitely got the old BB charm of a mix of slow verse with head-banging chorus.

Overall, the album’s an amazing piece of music. Breaking Benjamin is Benjamin Burnley (vocals), Aaron Fink (guitarist), Mark Klepaski (bassist) and Chad Szeliga (drums, previously Jeremy Hummel).