You know those bands that you 'like' at first, so you pick up their album(s)... then you find yourself listening to their albums more and more, and you have this great epiphany one day: "Whoa. All of their songs are awesome." That's a pretty fun feeling, right? Yeah, that was me with Breaking Benjamin. I've been fervent about telling everyone about their said awesomeness for a few months now, and why should I stop with their EP?

I got this on Tuesday, the day it came out. It was $6.88 at Wal-Mart, and that might seem a little pricey for an EP with five songs, but it's Breaking Benjamin. I would have easily shelled out $10+ for it without thinking twice, and I'm sure that once I convert you to a BB fan, you'd gladly do the same. ;)

1. So Cold [acoustic]
2. Blow Me Away
3. Ladybug
4. Away [live]
5. Breakdown [live]

The band's super-hit "So Cold" presents itself acoustically - and quite beautifully so - on the EP. Just a warning: don't have your volume too loud quite yet, because the first thing you hear when you plink the CD in your stereo is Ben apparently informing the audience "THIS SONG IS CALLED 'SO COLD'." It startled me quite a great deal, so I'll save you from jumping by warning you about it. Really, this song was just itching to be recorded acoustically. Vocalist Ben Burnley's emphasis on certain words are significantly different from the album version. I love the "Show me how defenseless YOU! REAL! LY! ARE!" thing he does on this one.

"Blow Me Away", a previously unreleased gem of a song, is featured on the videogame HALO 2... which everyone seems to have played except for me. That could be chalked up to the fact that I don't have an XBOX, but you know how that goes. Seemingly perfect for a videogame, this song is energetic and best when listened to at loud volumes. "Only the strongest will survive," Ben challenges you. "Lead me to Heaven when we die!" Emphatic vocals with a few of those great roars added in for more oomph, fierce guitars, strong underlying bass, precise drumming. Great rock song.

Different from anything Breaking Benjamin has done before? Definitely, but that doesn't subtract any points away from the uptempo and infectious "Ladybug". I guess this song could be considered more - dare I say - "pop-punk"? - than the band's other more harder-edged songs. At first listen, it was kind of weird hearing Ben's voice carrying this type of song, but it's grown on me. "Ladybug, you're pathetic, and I said it more than once!" Ben accuses. It's a particularly short song, at merely 3:02, so it sort of ends just as you're getting into it. But that's what repeat buttons are for, right?

"Away". How I love the album version on We Are Not Alone, how I adored the live performance of it when I seen Breaking Benjamin in concert, so of course I am fixated with this live version of it as well. One of the band's most emotionally charged, powerful songs, with easily the catchiest chorus of any of their songs. "I see you, 'cause you won't get out of my way / I hear you, 'cause you won't quit screaming my name / I feel you, 'cause you won't stop touching my skin / I need you, I'll come and take you away." One thing that immediately grabs the listener's attention is that Ben's screams scattered throughout this track are way higher-pitched- almost Christian Lindskog-ish - than those on the album version. Ahh, studio effects... but there's nothing wrong with it, as Ben is an amazing singer. Great, even. Love the "THANK you!" at the end.

Instead of using the tinkly-piano approach at the beginning of "Breakdown" as used on the album version, Ben erupts right into that great opening roar: "BREAKDOWN!" This song is more or less a mosh pit waiting to happen, with great vocals and strident, grating guitars. Amazing live performance from the guys.

I would recommend the So Cold EP to those who purchased BB's albums We Are Not Alone and Saturate and enjoyed them, and additionally to music lovers who are completely unfamiliar with the band to get a glimpse of how astonishingly talented they are. (P.S.: this silver, pretty CD cover looks almost Christmas-y, so this EP would make a great stocking stuffer as well.) However, if you were unimpressed with Breaking Benjamin's sound before (!!!?!?!), you'll be unimpressed with this EP.

Breaking Benjamin is comprised of some seriously talented guys, and they're a rock band to be watched. I'll be the first to admit what a huge fan I am. Personally, I'm highly anticipating what they'll come up with in the future.


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Exercising