| Added : 8/31/2008 2:22:51 PM |
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Somewhere between the band’s first album and their second one Anberlin stepped up their game 900% and ever since, everything they have touched has been absolute gold. The 3rd album, ‘Cities’, was so over the top amazing that ‘New Surrender’ may not seem as impressive but I’d argue that it’s just as good. Let me also say that this band is such a rising star in the industry that no matter where you place this album compared to their other work, it is still better than 95% of the other music out there today.
Like they’ve got some kind of point to prove the band opens with the album’s hardest, “The Resistance”. Lots of drums fill the song and pound throughout the track while the guitars are beyond huge during the chorus. “Breaking” is the break up song you may have been searching for as it eloquently discusses how some girls are just too good at breaking hearts and breaking up.
Stephen Christian, who provides the vocals for Anberlin, addressed fans concerns about including “Feel Good Drag” on the album as well as using it for the lead single because there seemed to be a lot of cries of concern about it. After hearing Stephen talk about how the song seemed to get over shadowed and they were giving it a second chance on the new record as well as having something familiar for fans to get behind as a radio single, I actually agree with the decision. The only issue with the song is that it does sort of take old fans out of the new album experience when the song comes on. I do support the band in their decision, especially because they made a point to say that it was their idea and not the major label’s.
“Breathe” is one of the album’s highlights, and I knew it before the song was even over. The thump of the drums when the chorus begins in combination with the soaring vocals that sound as if they’re about to take flight are enough to make you take that deep breathe the song is singing about. “Haight St.” is almost guaranteed to be a fan favorite with the poppy verses and catchy chorus that rings out “Let’s you and me make a night of it, old enough to know but too young to care”. The line will surely be on everyone’s lips after listening to the song.
So what exactly makes this record so good? The music and melodies are good but not completely different than anything that has been done before so what is going to keep pulling you back over and over again after you’ve heard a song too many times? Anberlin has always had relatable and personable lyrics which are a defining part of ‘New Surrender’. Themes covering all areas of life get discussed throughout the record and dig deep. Ranging from destructive addiction on “Soft Skeletons”, living for something more than yourself on “Burn Out Bright” or even the end of the world on “Misearbile Visu”.
By this point in the review you can already tell that I think everyone should be buying this album as well as probably sounding like a gushing fan. Well, let me then point out a few faults like the fact that the same chorus effect is used a tad too much or that…….I’ve got nothing. There is very little not to like and anything people find is really just nitpicking. Support this band, they are too good not to.
From : thealbumproject.net
http://thealbumproject.net/2008/08/full-review-anberlin-new-surrender
Written by Tyler.
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