Historically, when the singer of a band branches off into a softer-than-the-original-band side or solo project, the result is almost always inferior to the "main" band (think Heavens or The Almost).
That is most certainly not the case with Anchor & Braille, the "side" project of Anberlin frontman Stephen Christian. Here, he creates a lo-fi Indie Rock band that sounds like the offspring of Copeland and Elliot Smith already in its 20's - young, brimming with energy but willing to take it slow so that you can "get it."
Christian's vocals match well with the music that's produced here; he's always front-and-center but never overpowers, and he provides many falsetto's (perhaps a bit too many, but it's a small complaint). The drums, with their liberal use of snare, are never unnoticed, sometimes sounding like they might fit right in on a Sigur Ros album. Actually, the entire album seems to have taken some slight influence from the Post Rock genre. It's a perfect c.d. to listen to while lounging in a coffee house, or driving at night.
It's a great success for Christian to branch away from his main band to create Anchor and Braille, and succeed at crafting such a fine album that is miles removed from that looming shadow (as it is pointed out in Waior's review, one can listen to the entire album without once thinking about Anberlin). And make no mistake: as much as 'Felt' has going for it, that I'd first liken it to Elliot Smith and Sigur Ros than to Anberlin is its greatest accomplishment.
2 Bumps | Bump |
