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Anberlin
Anberlin formed in '02 following the disintegration of the Christian Rock group SaGoh 24/7 (Servants After Gods Own Heart). Vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarist Joseph Milligan and bassist Deon Rexroat decided to press on. They were joined by rhythm guitarist Joey Bruce and drummer Nathan Young.
Shortly after Anberlin's formation, the Winter Haven (FL) group was approached by Tooth & Nail Records where they released '03's "Blueprints For The Black Market" with the single "Readyfuels." A solid start but the album failed to chart.
More disconcerting were the problems with Bruce who was ejected from the group for showing excessive zeal in the "sex and drugs" department and straying in a different direction from the rest of the band. Guitarists came and went until Nathan Strayer arrived for what turned out to be a three-year stay.
Next up was '05's "Never Take Friendship Personal." This album did chart but it was in the nether regions of the Billboard 200 (#144). Still, a pair of singles, "A Day Late" and "Paperthin Hymn" managed to nick the Modern Rock chart.
One day before the release of "Cities" in '07, the announcement came that Strayer had amicably left the band. He was replaced by Christian McAlhaney.
More changes were on the way. After a long tenure with Tooth & Nail Records and producer Aaron Sprinkle, Anberlin signed with Universal Republic (a major label) and decided to work with 'name' producer Neal Avron (New Found Glory and Fall Out Boy). "We're very excited about working with Neal; I think our fans are going to be pleased when they hear the final result," said Christian in an interview. He also tried to broaden his lyrical scope. "When you try to write 29 songs lyrically you find yourself topically working in circles; I only go through so much in one year, but - I have dedicated myself to begin searching books, art, and friends for new directions."
But before any new tracks were laid down, Anberlin issued "Lost Songs," a compilation of previously unreleased material, in late '07.
"New Surrender" came out in late '08 and made its debut at #13 on the Billboard 200 album chart selling 36,000 units in its first week. In addition to the chart success, a "New Surrender" song, "A Perfect Tourniquet," was released on the soundtrack for the TV show 90210.
Anberlin then embarked on an extensive U.S. tour followed by a U.K. trek. With that completed, the group went to Nashville in early '10 to record their fifth studio album, "Dark Is The Way, Light Is The Place." The title was taken from the Dylan Thomas "Poem On His Birthday."
Released later in the year, the album, like its predecessor, cracked the Top 10 on the Billboard chart (#9). "I feel like we're on the brink of something... either world domination or destruction, but either way we're on the brink," said Christian.
"Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place" leads with "We Owe This To Ourselves, a powerful uplifting anthem. Good start. To follow that with "Impossible," a song that features a single 8th note guitar line that is more rhythm than lead, is perfect. There's nothing original, dozens have songs have employed it, and those songs usually range from good to great and "Impossible' fits right in. There's also "You Belong Here," which rides a riff built around two chords for instant appeal.
Anberlin are both urgent and melodic on "New Surrender." In album opener "The Resistance," they jangle through the verse then get gritty in the chorus.
"Blame! Blame Me!" and "Burn Out Brighter (Northern Lights)" possess undeniable hooks - give into them. Even the acoustic numbers, "Younglife" and "Breathe" have strong melodies and an emotional connection.
On "Cities," Anberlin's ability to make lyrics like "Is anybody out there?" ("Hello Alone") and "I wanna be your first last kiss" ("Inevitable") sound sincere, rather than cloying, is no mean trick. "Godspeed," "Adelaide" and "A Whisper & A Clamor" benefit from Christian's expressive vocals and the band's spot-on arrangements. Anberlin also manages to revive their earlier, more intense side, on "Reclusion."
"Lost Songs" is the usual collection of demos and what not, including songs Anberlin contributed to other compilations. The surprises are the covers of Radiohead's "Creep," Depeche Mode's "Enjoy The Silence" and Bob Dylan's epic "Like A Rolling Stone." "Creep" is done acoustically but Christian effectively captures the dread while "Enjoy The Silence" keeps the energy and pensiveness but dispenses with the synthesizers. The group's take on "Like A Rolling Stone" really scores. The guitars pulsate as Christian spits out the lyrics changing Dylan's hazy song of dismissal into a tightly wound harangue.
Though "Blueprints For The Black Market" and "Never Take Friendship Personal" are not as melodic as "Cities," they do have a harder edge. The group is willing to cut loose a little more often.