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Together with 12 Stones, 3 Doors Down, Puddle Of Mudd, and Staind, post-grunge rock of the new millennium has another key player: Breaking Benjamin.
After making a name with "Saturate" and "Blow Me Away," a splendid soundtrack for the game Halo 2, in 2004 "We Are Not Alone Here" was released.
With a catchy title and cover that might suggest extraterrestrial references, it’s nothing like that, simple lyrics without particular references.
After the decent "Cold," "Simple Design" is of good quality, catchy with guitar riffs present but never overpowering. It’s a piece that borders on classic post/grunge to enter soft rock, a drop in power that leader Benjamin Burnley tries to cover with a respectable shout without too many pretensions.
After an initial listen, the album appears to be slightly more "pop" compared to the gritty and rough style of the previous work.
"Follow Me" is beautiful, elevating a somewhat disappointing start, simple, emotional, with a good drum base and a good sound performance by Benjamin Burnley.
"Firefly" is the album's highlight; like every leading track, the catchiness is high but lacks neither grit nor roughness, indeed Burnley is more "grunge" than ever, an emotional finale with a guitar solo and Burnley's "explicit lyrics," energy in the bass and especially in the drums in just over 3 minutes (one of the band’s characteristics is knowing how to encapsulate pieces in short timeframes).
"Breaking Fall" recalls the fantastic "Blow Me Away," but the base is distinctly lighter, the sound level returns to the levels of the very first tracks of the album, with little desire to warm up the vocal cords by the vocalist and slow melodies, sometimes a bit boring.
Even worse in "Forget It", irritating sound, lack of inspiration and bland chords.
The nu-grunge style returns but not the grit in "Sooner or Later," with a chorus that slides pleasantly but levels are just above average, as in the entire album.
The lyrics are interesting, discussing the complicated love/hate relationship of songwriter Burnley.
Excellent "Breakdown", livelier compared to the previous songs, in my opinion, it was strategically placed in the album’s latter part to make the listening more appealing since, in this CD, there aren’t any major sound upheavals.
"Away" brings us back to "Sooner Or Later", a bit more imagination was needed, it could have been avoided. Thankfully, the screams return at the end.
Finally, the classic intriguing rhythm returns in "Believe," grunge base and a strong performance by Burnley, who resumes dominating with his quality screams, this is the roughest piece of the album.
Peace descends at the end with "Rain", given the end of the album, it fits, acoustic guitar and a base that recalls Brit.
After a couple of listens, someone might be disappointed, indeed "We Are Not Alone Here" is a decently good album, but partly for the lack of ideas, partly because the band was probably forced to appeal to the charts, the base setup of most pieces becomes a bit predictable.
Good are "Simple Design" and "Breakdown", excellent the hit "Firefly", less satisfying are "Breaking Fall" and "Forget It".
Only for grunge rock lovers, after all, the aforementioned groups (Puddle Of Mudd, 12 Stones, 3 Doors Down, etc.) haven’t done better in recent years, maybe the term post grunge would be better eliminated, actually, I believe it never existed.
Let’s just call it 'Rock', so enjoy the decent rock of "We Are Not Alone Here".
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 So Cold (04:32)
Crowded streets are cleared away
One by one
Hollow heroes separate
As they run
You're so cold, keep your hand in mine
Wise men wonder while strong men die
Show me how it ends, it's all right
Show me how defenseless you really are
Satisfied and empty inside
Well that's all right
Let's give this another try
If you find your family
Don't you cry
In this land of make believe
Dead and dry
You're so cold but you feel alive
Lay your hands on me one last time
Show me how it ends, it's all right
Show me how defenseless you really are
Satisfied and empty inside
Well that's all right
Let's give this another try
Show me how it ends, it's all right
Show me how defenseless you really are
Satisfied and empty inside
Well that's all right
Let's give this another try
It's all right (x9)
02 Simple Design (04:14)
I live a chemical life
I'm on a mission to try
You went insane for the day
I'll have to shove it away
My only option is gone
Smile as they break and they fall
You want a simpler life
You can't erase what was mine
You must be out of your mind
This was a simple design
You fuck it up every time
How could you leave me behind
It's all right, It's all right
'Cause I know what you want
But you'll just have to wait
If I had it to give
I would give it away
I'm living it up
While I'm falling from grace
There's no way, there's no way
That I'm running away
I'm used to making it worse
Made up of four letter words
You want know what it was
Now isolated and gone
You fall apart at the seams
I'll never know what it means
Try not to pull it apart
You're aiming straight for the heart
You must be out of your mind
This was a simple design
You fuck it up every time
How could you leave me behind
It's all right, It's all right
'Cause I know what you want
But you'll just have to wait
If I had it to give
I would give it away
I'm living it up
While I'm falling from grace
There's no way, there's no way
That I'm running away
You had to be
The worst of me
I don't know what to say so let me be
And now I find
You've left me behind
I don't know what to say so never mind
You're mine
'Cause I know what you want
But you'll just have to wait
If I had it to give
I would give it away
I'm living it up
While I'm falling from grace
There's no way, there's no way
That I'm running away
There's no way, there's no way
That I'm running away
There's no way, there's no way
That I'm running away
04 Firefly (03:07)
You, my friend,
You're a lot like them,
But I cut your line, and you know I did,
Now I'm lost in you,
Like I always do,
And I'd die to win, cause I'm born to lose
Firefly, could you shine your light?
Now I love your ways, 'cause they're just like mine.
Now I'm justified as I fall in line,
And it's hard to try when you're open wide.
Take my hand,
We'll be off, and then
We'll come back again to a different land.
Now I like this way.
You can go away
If you guess the name you cannot replace.
Firefly, could you shine your light?
Now I love your ways, 'cause they're just like mine!
Now I'm justified as I fall in line,
And it's hard to try when you're open wide.
Bring me... your enemies...
Lay them... before me...
And walk away...
Walk away...
WALK AWAY...
Firefly, could you shine your light?
Now I love your ways, 'cause they're just like mine!
Now I'm justified as I fall in line,
And it's hard to try when you're open wide.
Fuck you, Firefly! Have you lost your light?
Now I hate your ways, 'cause they're just like mine!
So you've lost, my friend... such a sorry end,
And I don't know why, so I choke and smile...
SMILE...
05 Break My Fall (03:25)
You fought me once but not again
You let me feel your heavy hand
I will clean your fucking mess
And leave no trace of evidence
I am losing you again
Let me out and let me in
'Cause you're not alone here, not at all
Let me belong here; break my fall
Shelter me from this again
Dedicated to the end
Help me break my conscience in
To free us from our innocence
I am losing you again
Let me out and let me in
'Cause you're not alone here, not at all
Let me belong here; break my fall
Mayday, mayday
Request permission to land
I cannot control the plane
We're in danger of crashing
I am losing you again
Let me out and let me in
'Cause you're not alone here, not at all
Let me belong here; break my fall
Break my fall
Break my fall
Break my fall
Break my fall
06 Forget It (03:31)
It's a crime you let it happen to me
Nevermind, I'll let it happen to you
Out of mind, forget it there's nothing to lose
But my mind and all the things I wanted
Everytime I get it I throw it away
It's a sign, I get it, I wanna stay
By the time I lose it I'm not afraid
I'm alive but I can Surely fake it
How can I believe when this cloud hangs over me
You're the part of me that I don't wanna see
Forget it (x14)
There's a place I see you follow me
Just a taste of all that might come to be
I'm alone but holding breath you can breathe
To question every answer counted
Just fade away
Please let me stay
Caught in your way
Forget it
It's a crime you let it happen to me
Out of mind, I love it, easy to please
Nevermind, forget it, just memories
On a page inside a spiral notebook
Just fade away
Please let me stay
Caught in your way
I can live forever here
Forget it
How can I believe when this cloud hangs over me
You're a part of me that I don't wanna see
I can live forever here
07 Sooner or Later (03:39)
I want a normal life
Just like a newborn child
I am a lover hater
I am an instigator
You are an oversight
Don't try to compromise
I'll learn to love to hate it
I am not integrated
Just call my name
you'll be okay
Your scream is burning through my veins
Sooner or later
You're gonna hate it
Go ahead and throw your life away
Driving me under
Leaving me out there
Go ahead and throw your life away
You're like an infantile
I knew it all the while
You see them try to play me
Just like you see on TV
I am an oversight
Just like a parasite
Why am I so pathetic
I know you won't forget it
Just call my name
You'll be okay
Your scream is burning through my veins
Sooner or later
You're gonna hate it
Go ahead and throw my life away
Driving me under
Leaving me out there
Go ahead and throw my life away
Sooner or later
You're gonna hate it
Go ahead and throw our life away
Driving me under
Leaving me out there
Go ahead and throw our life away
oooooo throw our life away (x2)
08 Breakdown (03:36)
BREAKDOWN!
Let the fun and games begin,
she is spayed and broken in
skin is cold and white,
such a lovely lonely night
heaven is on the way,
you could feel the hate, but I guess you never will
I'm on a roll again and I want an end,
cause I feel you creeping in
what I've found in this town, I'm heading for a breakdown
what's that sound, you're so loud, I'm heading for a breakdown
drank up all my alchol,
this is not a free for all
I'll be there for you,
till my heart is black and blue
heaven is on the way,
you could feel the hate, but I guess you never will
I'm on a roll again and I want an end,
cause I feel you creeping in
what i've found in this town, I'm heading for a breakdown
what's that sound, you're so loud I'm heading for a breakdown
what i've found in this town, I'm heading for a breakdown
what's that sound, you're so loud I'm heading for a breakdown
what's that sound, you're so loud I'm heading for a breakdown (2x)
10 Believe (03:20)
Don't tread the water
Just stay still
I'll not be bothered
By you until
I'm picking sides
And pulling the strings
I'm living lies
And shedding the skin
I'm open wide
And letting you in
I'm wronging rights
Believe
I don't care what you want
I just want mine
Shut up
Smart little bitch
I don't need lies
I don't care what you want
I just want mine
Get up
Force it to fit
Confined inside
Don't pull me under
Into the deep
I often wonder
How it should be
I'm picking sides
And pulling the strings
I'm living lies
And shedding the skin
I'm open wide
And letting you
I'm wronging rights
Believe
I don't care what you want
I just want mine
Shut up
Smart little bitch
I don't need lies
I don't care what you want
I just want mine
Get up
Force it to fit
Confined inside
I don't care what you want
I just want mine
I don't care what you want
I just want mine
Shut up
Smart little bitch
I don't need lies
I don't care what you want
I just want mine
Get up
Force it to fit
Confined inside
My dead eyes
11 Rain (03:35)
Take a photograph, it'll be the last
Not a dollar or a crowd could ever keep me here
I don't have a past, I just have a chance
Not a family or honest plea remains to say
Rain, rain, go away
Come again another day
All the world is waiting for the sun
Is it you I want or just the notion of
A heart to wrap around so I can find my way around?
Safe to say from here, you're getting closer now
We are never sad, 'cause we are not allowed to be
Rain, rain, go away
Come again another day
All the world is waiting for the sun
Rain, rain, go away
Come again another day
All the world is waiting for the sun
To lie here, under you, is all that I could ever do
To lie here, under you, is all
To lie here, under you, is all that I could ever do
To lie here, under you, is all
Rain, rain, go away
Come again another day
All the world is waiting for the sun
Rain, rain, go away
Come again another day
All the world is waiting for the sun
All the world is waiting for the sun
All the world is waiting for the sun
12 Ordinary Man (03:31)
Cast away, all the enemies of yesterday
To alleviate, all the memories that come our way
There's a better life, now you know that I am on your side
Your beady eyes, burn a hole right through the back of mine
I am out of time
I'm an ordinary man
Like everybody else
Just a common counterfeit
I'm an ordinary man
Hesitate, while the world is just a step away
To recreate, all the innocence that time can take
I am wide awake
I'm an ordinary man
Like everybody else
Just a common counterfeit
I'm an ordinary man
I'm an ordinary man
Like everybody else
Just a common counterfeit
I'm an ordinary man
I'm an ordinary man
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