Aurora

米ペンシルバニア州出身のオルタナティヴ・バンド Breaking Benjamin の7thアルバム
Lacey Sturm (元Flyleaf)、Scooter Ward (Cold)、Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath)がゲスト参加。

Arriving just two years after the platinum-selling, radio-friendly nu-rockers sixth studio effort, Aurora is a fan-forward set of acoustic re-imaginings of some of Breaking Benjamins best-known songs, with an all-new track tossed in for good measure. Opening with the groups 2004 breakthrough hit So Cold, Aurora distinguishes itself ever so slightly from other forays into unplugged territory by adhering to the sonic might of the source material. Despite the wood and wire setup, the band stays true to the lumbering post-grunge dynamics of the original, with the drums pushed high in the mix and vocalist Benjamin Burnley opting for a full-throated roar. This approach works well for the most part, with Burnley and company (and a slew of special guests) giving assured performances that will no doubt please longtime listeners. However, there are times where it just feels like youre listening to the original studio versions with the distortion turned off; more often than not, the orchestral arrangements are drowned out by the unwavering intensity of the rhythm section. Featured guests Adam Gontier (Saint Asonia), Michael Barnes (Red), Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath), and Lacey Sturm (Flyleaf) add some color to the proceedings, with the latter providing some considerable harmonic heft to a slick rendering of the already muscular 2009 ballad Dear Agony. Best of all is Far Away, the sets lone contemporaneous track, which sees Cold frontman Scooter Ward and Burnley unleashing an unwaveringly melodramatic power duet that should come with a warning label advising listeners to empty their pockets of any flame-producing devices before pressing play. ~ James Christopher Monger