Shallow Bay: The Best of Breaking Benjamin (Deluxe Edition)

iTunes Review

It only makes sense for Breaking Benjamin to bequeath a best-of album — they’ve been at it for over a decade and with four albums in the can (and some stellar B-sides and rarities peppering the deluxe edition), Shallow Bay: The Best of Breaking Benjamin is an apt celebration of their journey thus far. The first half chronologically sequences all their singles starting with their first recorded song, the post-grunge hit "Polyamorous" which landed the band a deal with Hollywood Records. The catchy “Skin” follows — since Breaking Benjamin hardly ever play the tune live, this one has become a coveted fan favorite. The brooding “Medicate” shifts gears with the kinds of pensive lyrics and detuned guitars that never would have happened without Nirvana and a big anthemic stadium chorus that owes a lot to Stone Temple Pilots. A remixed version of “Blow Me Away” turns up with the honey-voiced Valora contributing some guest vocals. From the 11 tracks that make up the deluxe edition it’s hard not to fall for a heavy cover of Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence.”