Breaking Benjamin's new album far from 'Agony'
Kasey Johnston
Issue date: 10/15/09 Section: Entertainment
With a new album released Sept 29, Breaking Benjamin, led by vocalist and songwriter Ben Burnley, did not fail to wow the world again.
After years of alcoholism and regrets, Burnley based his new songs and lyrics about starting over and not giving in.
Though a cloudy past turned his life into the melodies and lyrics many know, love and respect, Burnley needed a change. He has turned his life around. In the new hit single, "I Will Not Bow," Burnley writes about starting in a new place and not letting darkness overtake his life. He vows to shut the world out so he can take everyone's breath away with what he reveals.
Burnley started alone, writing songs about things he saw and things that perplexed him. All other members of Breaking Benjamin, including Aaron Fink on guitar, Mark James on bass and Chad Szeliga on drums, left the bands they were involved with because they believed in what Burnley was writing. They believed him to be a true artist in need of assistance.
That strong loyalty led to an even stronger following of listeners. Many teens and young adults can relate to the things Burnley writes about.
In older albums, he chose to write about dancing with darkness, deceit and falling away. Older songs like "Polyamarous" and "Next to Nothing," on the "Saturate" CD let people know he was fading away. He was giving up on having something to believe in. His songs contained passion, hatred and heartbreak, all things today's youth feels they know something about.
Although he has a new direction, he still speaks of these loves and also of redemption and perseverance. He knows what it's like to have loved and lost. Burnley seems to be at a point in his life where he can give people hope that there is a better place.
Recently, on Razor 94.7, WOZR, Burnley was brought in to answer questions from fans about the direction of the new CD and how he felt about it.
One fan asked him if he was satisfied with the new CD.
"If I was satisfied with any of my music, the first album wouldn't be released yet," said Burnley.
Somewhat of a perfectionist, Burnley is satisfied enough to record his music and let people think of it what they will.
Burnley wrote many songs about the same subjects, with the same theme and chose parts of each and molded them into his perfect version of each song for the new album.
The title track to the new album, "Dear Agony," is about his battle with alcoholism, which he also discussed momentarily on Razor. He asked his agony to let go of him in the song and spoke of how he didn't want the faceless enemy to bury him. He wants to start over.
This new album is definitely a great new start for the sober Burnley and his band, Breaking Benjamin. The name of the band is fitting. His disease was breaking him, but now he is restored and his music will reach people from different perspectives.
As Burnley sings, "I will not bow, I will not break." The band will not be breaking anytime soon.
After years of alcoholism and regrets, Burnley based his new songs and lyrics about starting over and not giving in.
Though a cloudy past turned his life into the melodies and lyrics many know, love and respect, Burnley needed a change. He has turned his life around. In the new hit single, "I Will Not Bow," Burnley writes about starting in a new place and not letting darkness overtake his life. He vows to shut the world out so he can take everyone's breath away with what he reveals.
Burnley started alone, writing songs about things he saw and things that perplexed him. All other members of Breaking Benjamin, including Aaron Fink on guitar, Mark James on bass and Chad Szeliga on drums, left the bands they were involved with because they believed in what Burnley was writing. They believed him to be a true artist in need of assistance.
That strong loyalty led to an even stronger following of listeners. Many teens and young adults can relate to the things Burnley writes about.
In older albums, he chose to write about dancing with darkness, deceit and falling away. Older songs like "Polyamarous" and "Next to Nothing," on the "Saturate" CD let people know he was fading away. He was giving up on having something to believe in. His songs contained passion, hatred and heartbreak, all things today's youth feels they know something about.
Although he has a new direction, he still speaks of these loves and also of redemption and perseverance. He knows what it's like to have loved and lost. Burnley seems to be at a point in his life where he can give people hope that there is a better place.
Recently, on Razor 94.7, WOZR, Burnley was brought in to answer questions from fans about the direction of the new CD and how he felt about it.
One fan asked him if he was satisfied with the new CD.
"If I was satisfied with any of my music, the first album wouldn't be released yet," said Burnley.
Somewhat of a perfectionist, Burnley is satisfied enough to record his music and let people think of it what they will.
Burnley wrote many songs about the same subjects, with the same theme and chose parts of each and molded them into his perfect version of each song for the new album.
The title track to the new album, "Dear Agony," is about his battle with alcoholism, which he also discussed momentarily on Razor. He asked his agony to let go of him in the song and spoke of how he didn't want the faceless enemy to bury him. He wants to start over.
This new album is definitely a great new start for the sober Burnley and his band, Breaking Benjamin. The name of the band is fitting. His disease was breaking him, but now he is restored and his music will reach people from different perspectives.
As Burnley sings, "I will not bow, I will not break." The band will not be breaking anytime soon.
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