Review Summary: We Are Not Alone is a solid effort from Breaking Benjamin. As an album, it's sturdy and consistently paced; featuring themes that pop a spark in your imagination. The band's best offering thus far in their career.
Welcome to the very first album I've ever listened to from Breaking Benjamin. Having heard a plethora of positive feedback from fellow human-beings across land and the interwebs, I decided to give a crack at what I thought (at the time of purchasing it) was their debut CD (which is actually "Saturate"; which quite possibly holds my favourite song from Breaking Benjamin, entitled "Natural Life"). Let me just say that listening to the entire collection of songs was the easiest task I've ever accomplished.
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1) "So Cold"
Enter track 1 on "We Are Not Alone" (which was the first Breaking Benjamin song I've ever heard thanks to 'Hellboy'). Here, I discover all of the incredible power-ups the band possess. For one thing, the lead vocalist (Ben Burnley) is one of the most versatile vocalists on the planet. Each song feels different and fresh and Burnley's vocals are constantly shining through the songs. With "So Cold", there's no exception. This is a great intro to an album that's ready to blow your mind.
Rating: 5 out of 5
2) "Simple Design"
Taking a half step down from the 5-star quality of "So Cold", "Simple Design" still shines with Ben's vocals and the slickly-written lyrics. I'm "meh" about the opening seconds of the track, but when it's over... I'm eager for more.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
3) "Follow"
Say hello to another 5-star track! "Follow" opens strong and the song weaves you around like a spiral with it's continuously-engaging lyrics ("I walk straight down. As far as I can go!..." Love it.) and Ben's emotionally-packed vocals. I love it! More, baby!
Rating: 5 out of 5
4) "Firefly"
Here's the second song I discovered from Breaking Benjamin and I actually discovered it in a 'WWE' videogame for the PS2. Weird, eh? Anyhow, a lot of people seem to rank this song high on their Top 5 lists for Breaking Benjamin songs. While I certainly do see the appeal of this track, I do think that it's a tad little over-rated in comparison to various other songs from Breaking Benjamin altogether and on this CD alone, even. I dig it, but not so heavily as some upcoming songs on this album.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
5) "Break My Fall"
This song's weird to my ears, but I dig it's oddness. Once again, Burnley's vocal abilities drive the piece and make it something most definitely worth listening to. I love the line "I am losing you again"; whenever the song starts to fade in the middle, this line always reels me back in.
Rating: 4 out of 5
6) "Forget It"
Holy wow... By far, this is the very best song I've heard from Breaking Benjamin; on and off this album. I keep mentioning the lyrics and Burnley's vocals, but darn I just can't help myself! This is the lightest song on the CD (next to or above "Rain"). I love the way it opens, and I love it all the way through the end. "It's a crime. You let it. Happen to me. Nevermind. I let it. Happen to you. I don't mind. Forget it. There's nothing to lose. But my mind and all the things I wanted..." The lyrics truly stick with you on this song and never let go as Ben continuously reels you in with his vocal-magic... Wow. I love this song, man.
Rating: 5 out of 5
7) "Sooner or Later"
Coming off the pure heart of "Forget It", here is the energy. Yet again, the lyrics stick with you; with the music itself only building in intensity. The song also spawned a pretty generic music video (same with "So Cold", which was also generic, but was saved by Ben Burnley's facial expressions) with the band looking as cool as hell.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
8) "Breakdown"
Here's where the album starts to do a little-mini downturn. This is my least favourite track on the CD. The lyrics are easily forgettable and the song is easily skippable on a playlist. I like the trickery played at the beginning. Made me think it was gonna be another "Forget It", but then came "BREAKDOWN!!!". The track is still good, but that seems to me to be a ridiculous statement to make in recalling the past titles. But, hey. At least it's still good.
Rating: 3 out of 5
9) "Away"
I was a little worried during the opening lyrics of this song that this would be a boring one, but then came "I see you!..." and, from then on, the song grips back hold of me. 2:40 is where the song really catches my attention, with the entire band being a little more creative in their playing along with Ben. Catchy chorus. I like this one.
Rating: 4 out of 5
10) "Believe"
Pretty average song. In my eyes (or ears), it tries a wee little TOO hard to be an explosive climax to this CD that it feels devoid of the emotion driving the past songs, including the finale.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
11) "Rain"
Always remember the word "simple" when it comes to me. I freakin' love this song. The guitar strums perfectly and beautifully alongside Burnley's awesome vocals. Plus, the water effects in the background add a whole lot of extra atmosphere. Try taking a long night-time walk while listening to this CD. Ending on "Rain" is absolutely perfect, leaving your mind thinking that song is continuing on while it was long over a moment ago.
Rating: 5 out of 5
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What a terrific CD. Seriously. This is one of the very best CDs I've heard in quite a while. While 2 of the 11 tracks are average, 9 of the 11 tracks are above great. Once again, this is truly one of the best CDs I've heard in quite sometime and is (most definitely) my favourite Breaking Benjamin album by far. I can only hope that when the fifth arrives, the band members individually, and as a whole, can be a little more creative and crafty with each of their songs, as opposed to being so lyrically/vocally focused.
Download-Worthy Tracks:
1) "Forget It"
2) "Rain"
3) "So Cold"
4) "Follow"
5) "Sooner or Later"
