Phobia

Breaking Benjamin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 8, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hollywood Records
• ASIN: B000G6BL7E
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (194 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,033 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Some would argue Ben Burnley is a perfectionist. But for Breaking Benjamin's singer, guitarist and visionary, there is no other modus operandi for his craft. With that dedication, Burnley and his bandmates--guitarist Aaron Fink, bassist Mark James and drummer Chad Szeliga--have built 2006's meticulous, infectious hard rock milestone Phobia (Hollywood Records). Building on their trademark hard-charging rhythms, sharp hooks and soaring vocals, Phobia marks Breaking Benjamin's third album. For Burnley, who typically writes at least 10 songs to yield one, the arduous approach has helped Breaking Benjamin elevate the bar in following up 2004's explosive platinum-selling We Are Not Alone, which produced a pair of compelling #1 rock hits, "So Cold" and "Sooner Or Later." "It's a very time-consuming thing," Ben admits of his efforts to top the band's airwave favorites. "I'll basically write a number of similar songs and cherry-pick the best pieces from all of them and make one." With Phobia, which confronts anxiety and fear through catharsis and breathtaking melodies, the fruits of Burnley's conviction can first be heard on "The Diary of Jane" --the first single and video--just one in a number of ferocious and hook-injected offerings on the band's third album. As muscular as it is accessible, "Jane" has the power to invade one's headspace, and occupy it for days.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get this edition for first time Phobia buyers, and a great addition for existing BB fans., May 15, 2007

By 

Wiseguy 945 (Cedar Rapids, IA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phobia (W/Dvd) (Coll) (Ocrd) (Spkg) (Audio CD)

I ran accross this at the store the other day and forgot that it had come out. If you don't already own the CD, then this is the edition to buy. If you own it, then you should replace it with this one. It has all the songs of the origninal Phobia and the enhanced protion of the CD. Also included it the bonus Diary of Jane Acoustic track on the CD portion, similar to what they did with "We are not Alone" adding rain 2005 on re-release. But, the kicker is a full 60 minute concert DVD of the tour only available with this set. It was the live recording of the concert in their hometown of Bethleham, Pennsylvania. They play a great show, decent camera work and great audio. I was suprised they did not play the song "rain" as an encoure or even during the set, but that's ok, still a great DVD. I hope this is a prelude to a seperate DVD. Anyway, well worth the 2-3 dollars more this may run than the single CD copy.

71 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Near Perfection., August 8, 2006

By 

A. Estes (Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phobia (Audio CD)

Well, just two years after "We Are Not Alone" pushed Breaking Benjamin into the mainstream, the boys are back with a new album, "Phobia." The third album in a band's career always seems to be a special one, and with Breaking Benjamin, this is no exception. Each album from these guys has been exceptional, and fellow fans will be happy to notice that the cycle hasn't been broken. Those who love the familiar Breaking Benajmin sound will love this album instantly, and those looking for a stronger effort than ever before, will be pleased as well.

I have to say that, honestly, I loved this album from the first listen. Beginning with an intro and the first single, "Diary Of Jane," fans of "We Are Not Alone" will be sucked in by the dark nature of the songs. Most of the material here is amongst Breaking Benjamin's heaviest, save for the obligatory ballad, "Here We Are." Frontman Ben Burley's voice has changed up a bit from the sound we are used to. Instead of mumbling or yelling the majority of the vocal parts, he has comfortably settled into a great singing voice, which makes these songs sound even better than much of what the band has recorded in the past. Old school fans will appreciate the inclusion of "Topless" here, but the true standout would have to be the dramatic "Dance With The Devil."

"Phobia" is an easy listen, in that it showcases a great band at their best and that each song is just as strong as the one before it. Honestly, there is not one bad thing I can say about this album. All fans of Breaking Benjamin, past, present or future, will find plenty to dig here. If you've followed the band this far and you don't like this album, there is simply something wrong with you.

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars There's nothing to fear, there's nothing to fear, there's nothing to fear, there's nothing to fear, there's nothing to fear...., September 4, 2006

By 

Tim Brough "author and music buff" (Springfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Phobia (Audio CD)

Yeah. Just keep telling yourself that. But Breaking Benjamin's latest is ALL about the fear. From the paranoia intro of sounding lost in an airport, to each and every song's desperation-as-relationships theme, and ending with a song where Burnley laments "Can't we live a life of peace and happiness? I don't think so," "Phobia" is relentlessly bleak. It is also BB's best album yet. Guitars crunch, melodies soar and Ben Burnley roars. This is also an album that shows personality, as dark as that may be.

But personality is a trait sorely lacking in a great deal of current metal. Too many bands opt for faceless angst without giving any genuine voice to the anger, content to merely play faster than light speed and sing like Cookie Monsters. "Phobia" is not that disc. You'll be singing along with the hooks on "Diary Of Jane" while the weirdly engaging death wish "Evil Angel" will lure you in, in its own perverse way. It's been a long time since I have held any kind of excitement for a rock band, but "Phobia" gives me hope.