Review Summary: Anberlin is back, and their much anticipated 2008 release, New Surrender, does much to please any casual or hardcore fans of the band. Achieving something close to perfection, Anberlin have hit their stride yet again. Album of the year anyone?
As many of you know, this new album by pop-punk/alternative christian rock quintet Anberlin, titled New Surrender, has been one of the most highly anticipated works of 2008, and it sure as hell does not disappoint. Right from the outset, Anberlin sets an upbeat, torrid pace, playing their beautiful, philosophical variation of an otherwise dumbass genre. Call me a fanboy, but Anberlin, up to this point, was among my top 5 bands of all time, and this work does much to solidify their position.
The opener, The Resistance,is a fast-paced, frustrated protest of something, but in essence is just a kick ass song, unlike any previous song of the band. The Resistance sets the tone for the remainder of the album. The production is similar to Cities, epic themes and synth lines create the foundation of the songs, while wondrous instrumentation carves its way through and through.
The band has clearly improved as a whole in every conceivable area: instrumentation is thicker and more precise, and Anberlin has done a great job of combining the heavier rock tones of NTFP and the wonderful vocals and electric rock elements of Cities together to form their most distinct sound yet. (Producers Much?) Stephen Christian's vocals are obviously the focal point of the music, as they have been on all previous efforts, and are nothing short of breathtaking on this new CD. Obviously slightly contained on Never Take Friendship Personal, Christian was let loose on Cities and is back in full form on New Surrender. As previously stated, his voice is glorious, probably among the best in rock music right now.
Lyrically, it seems the band has developed even more maturity than ever before, even if they are taking a step in a new direction. Always thought of as a thinking man's band, Anberlin's lyrics always inspired deeper thinking into philosophical matters. However, here the band seems to be taking a step back from the college level writing and are writing more relationship based songs. The lyrics are still wonderfully crafted, and no song has anything remotely close to weak words, but the band is apparently heading in a new direction. Songs such as the ballad Breathe, the rolling Burn out Brighter and the angry Disappear still offer that same vague philosophy lesson, but for the most part, the album is composed of relationship songs.
As stated in a previous review, Cities had one or two songs on it that failed to keep up with the rest of the CD, however New Surrender has nothing of the sort. Every song is worth listening to, and every song gives you the chills. Blame Me Blame, to me at least, is the weakest track, having a sort of generic giddiness that feels out of place and foolish, as opposed to the serious tone of the rest of the album. The band ventures into numerous other genres, such as their pop-punk foray on the perky Haight St, and does quite well, as this song features a guitar solo and displays the band's ability to write simple songs yet still retain their musical complexity.
Anberlin closers are always worth talking about, Dance Dance Christa Paffgen was a great ender to NTFP and (*Fin), the closer of Cities almost brought me to tears. Miserabile Visu is unlike any other closer ever written by this band, in the way that it starts out quiet and features a sort of Radiohead eeriness for its first section. Of course, it soon builds up and explodes. Grim, apocalyptic yet cryptic lyrics give the song a sort of darkness that is quite unlike Anberlin. A beautiful section ends the song with the beautifully sung chorus of
"Look children to the eastern sky
When you hear the voice say your last goodbyes
Look there to the eastern skies
When the ghosts take hold of the men who died
Look children to the eastern sky
When your fathers weep and your mothers cry
Look children to the eastern sky
Those of you who are familiar with Showbread's The Beginning off Nervosa, it sounds quite a bit like that.
Beautiful arena rock ballads Soft Skeletons and Breathe are both highlights as well, as are the two singles and of course The Resistance. All feature exceptional vocal performances and epic production, and exceeded my expectations. Every other song is worth mentioning as well, but those in particular stuck in my head for hours after listening.
Overall, Anberlin has put together something close to a classic. Epic themes, incredible passion and conviction, constantly catchy tracks, very strong instrumentation, vocals that are nothing short of beautiful and insightful lyrics, usually standards of Anberlin have all been stepped up a notch to make something almost perfect. Exceptional production and musical balance, points of improvement on past Anberlin efforts were given extra attention, and culminated with an album that should contend for Album of the Year.
BUY/DOWNLOAD THIS ALBLUM
The Clear Best
Miserabile Visu
The Resistance
Disappear
Soft Skeletons
