“I tried to look away but you can’t look away from a train wreck.” For pop artist Alec Benjamin, the train wreck is disappointment – the “Death of a Hero.” The source of Benjamin’s disappointment is discovering the ‘true colors’ of someone he once idolized. The Phoenix, Arizona singer/songwriter uses “Death of a Hero” to express his feelings – a way of atoning for the ‘death’ he’s experienced.
Think of it this way. Often, children have someone that they idolize as a youth, and are devastated to learn as they get older that their idol was no saint or even a fraud. That’s the deal here: “I was in Pittsburgh when I saw Superman in the backroom / He was doing lines or something in the bathroom.” Making the pain even more realistic is Benjamin’s distinct, boyish-sounding, voice (he’s in his twenties). Like a boy who realize his beliefs aren’t ‘how things really are,’ Benjamin’s potent upper register on the honest and relatable chorus perfectly captures losing an important part of himself.
“That night I put my youth in a casket
And buried it inside of me
That night I saw through all the magic
Now I’m a witness to the death of a hero.”
“Death of a Hero” is simple, yet complex simultaneously. The production is minimal, yet the combination of guitar, bass, drums, and piano (at its most robust) is sufficient fuel for the fire. Alec Benjamin goes outside of the box tackling a relatable figurative loss as opposed to literal loss. Clever.
You can learn more about Alec Benjamin here:
About The Curator - Brent Faulkner
Slightly eccentric with interests that seem to know no ends, restless ‘Renaissance Man’ is the best way to characterize Brent Faulkner, a native of Kentucky. A certified music educator, multi-instrumentalist, and composer known for his incredibly sharp ear, he lives and breathes music of a variety of styles. In addition to passion for educating, performing, and writing music, he’s equally passionate blogging and writing about it, managing his own site, The Musical Hype (https://themusicalhype.com). When he’s not intensely analyzing music, you can find him reading or watching a movie, reality television or some sporting event.
