Review Summary: Anberlin is back and this time they go for a more darker edgier sound.
If you expect the same poppy energy driven sound Anberlin had since Cities and New Surrender you won't find it MUCH on this album. One of the main differences with this album is the darker edgier sound through out it. The album title kinda sums up the songs moods if you listen to this album as a whole. Some songs may bring on nostalgia and may take you back to when Cities first came out.
The album kicks off with an energetic song "We Owe This To Ourselves" which is the band saying they owe it to themselves to make a much better record than New Surrender was. Their drummer is top notch in this song keeping it kinda a bouncy feel to it. "Impossible" is next which has a Jimmy Eat World sound to it and is definitely a stand out track. I see why it was a single. The first half of the album is very good musically and Stephan's voice is very fitting to the mood of the songs.
Knowing Anberlin they like to experiment with certain synths, drums and whatnot. "Pray Tell" is one of the experimental songs on the album, a lot of interesting drumming...almost tribal sounding. The chorus is definitely fitting and goes well. The guitar is tremelo picked beautifully throughout the song.
The 2nd half of the album you find some of Cities sound especially on the track "Art of War" which starts with an electronic synth and will most likely take you back to Cities if you are a die-hard Anberlin fan. "To The Wolves" is another stand out track on this album full of energy and you'll think to yourself "wow Anberlin's still got it." The solo in this song is top notch and fits in very well. Definitely one of their best on this album. "Down" is an acoustic number with a very moving chorus and the lyrics fit the song well. The song just flows, nothing seems forced. A very nice solo in this one as well. The album closes out well with the song "Depraved."
The lyrics are very dark and deal mostly with loss or finding your way through life and building yourself back up again. The drumming is average like any rock album, fills, etc. The guitar in this album is darker sounding then their other albums.
The production on this album coulda been better. Some of the songs are dry and flat sounding. This album will grow on you if you put forth the effort and realize this is Anberlin's direction they seem to be taking and are comfortable with it.
