albatrossflyer
01/29/09, 01:26 PM
Anberlin - New Surrender
Record Label: Universal Republic
Release Date: September 30, 2008
If you asked me to sum up my thoughts about this album in one word, that word would be "disappointment." But that's what this review is for, because disappointment isn't the end of the story. Perhaps a better way to describe it would be "a beautiful letdown" (yeah, I just made a Switchfoot reference), because although New Surrender didn't live up to my expectations, or, I imagine, those of many others, it makes me hopeful for what's to come.
New Surrender was Anberlin's major label debut, and as you might expect it's more pop-inclined than their previous releases. This alone will be enough to alienate some of their fans, especially those like me, who are fond of Cities, the band's dark, edgy, and borderline epic third album. But Anberlin doesn't stop with the pop parade; they experiment with their signature sound constantly on this album. From the dance-y "Blame Me! Blame Me!" to the halting, radio-ready "Retrace" and happy-go-lucky "Younglife" to the sinister, apocalyptic "Miserabile Visu (Ex Malo Bonum)," Anberlin takes many risks on New Surrender, risks that in my opinion, backfire. They backfire because Anberlin has always straddled the divide between indie and mainstream and with New Surrender, their sonic experiments teeter dangerously into "mainstream" territory where their hardcore fans have always feared they would eventually venture.
With all this negativity, you might get the impression that I've given up on Anberlin. Hardly. Hope, especially in this case, comes from two sources, and one is history. If you're reading this review, you're probably nearly as big a fan of Jimmy Eat World's self-titled album as I am (originally dubbed Bleed American). Criminally remembered only for their mega-hit "The Middle," that album juggled pop ("Sweetness," "If You Don't, Don't"), rock ("Bleed American," "Get It Faster") and everything in between with stunning brilliance. Nowadays it is hard to believe, but at the time, I imagine Jimmy Eat World fans were pulling their hair out. Although Bleed American was very successful, it wasn't Clarity and longstanding Jimmy Eat World fans must have thought their favorite band was going to hell in a handbasket. But what happened next? They released Futures, which at least equaled, if not surpassed the greatness of Clarity ("blasphemy!" they cry, but I'm not the only one who thinks this...). Jimmy Eat World is just one example (a fitting one, I think, considering their similarity to Anberlin); there are numerous others throughout music history. If Anberlin is half the band I think they are, I think we will see them release their Futures as their next album, something more experimental (in a good way) with the fury and passion that hooked us from the first time "Paperthin Hymn" coursed through the speakers.
The next source of hope for Anberlin's next album comes from New Surrender itself. Although it lacks the artistic vision, cohesiveness, and relentless drive of Cities, it has moments of brilliance which, if anything, make me long for the next one even more. "The Resistance," for instance, is their best album opener ever (with the exception maybe of "Godspeed"). It attacks the eardrums with unchained ferocity, jarring the listener to the bones. "Disappear" somehow combines "Ready Fuels" with "There Is No Mathematics..." and the result is nothing short of spectacular. It is easily one of their top ten best songs of all time. "Haight St." does what no one thought possible, surpassing "A Day Late" in catchiness with a .38 Special flair that puts it in prime position to dominate the airwaves when it will inevitably be released as a single. "Soft Skeletons" could easily have found a place on Cities with its urgent, soaring chorus and dark tale of a young woman chained to substance addiction.
Finally, to the old fans: I am so sad to see two reactions to New Surrender. One is abandonment. Do not give up on Anberlin! Every band has to fall short sometime. They will bounce back. The other is this kind of fake excitement, pretending that New Surrender is Anberlin's best record yet. Please, be honest. I find incredibly hard to believe that someone could listen to Cities and New Surrender back-to-back and call the latter "better" (inconceivable!). This is a slump, but as far as slumps go, it's a pretty impressive one. There are some truly great songs on this record.
To new fans: First, "Feel Good Drag" is misnamed, it's actually called "The Feel Good Drag" and it was originally released on Never Take Friendship Personal years ago. Second, ignore this review. This is a review for old fans. When I say things like "disappointment" and "fail" and "backfire," I am comparing this record to their previous releases. This album is actually one of my favorites of 2008. It is disappointing only because I was expecting it to be my favorite. You will not be wasting your money to buy it, but I would also recommend their earlier releases as well.
To Anberlin: I'm harsh because I love you guys and I know what you're capable of. I am begging you, take your time on #5, please! I don't care if it comes out late '09, '10, even 20-freaking-11! I'm not saying you didn't try on this one, but I do think you rushed it. Do all of us a favor and give the next one plenty of time. We can wait.
Anberlin's Never Take Friendship Personal; Jimmy Eat World's Jimmy Eat World; bands who take over the world
myspace.com/anberlin
Record Label: Universal Republic
Release Date: September 30, 2008
If you asked me to sum up my thoughts about this album in one word, that word would be "disappointment." But that's what this review is for, because disappointment isn't the end of the story. Perhaps a better way to describe it would be "a beautiful letdown" (yeah, I just made a Switchfoot reference), because although New Surrender didn't live up to my expectations, or, I imagine, those of many others, it makes me hopeful for what's to come.
New Surrender was Anberlin's major label debut, and as you might expect it's more pop-inclined than their previous releases. This alone will be enough to alienate some of their fans, especially those like me, who are fond of Cities, the band's dark, edgy, and borderline epic third album. But Anberlin doesn't stop with the pop parade; they experiment with their signature sound constantly on this album. From the dance-y "Blame Me! Blame Me!" to the halting, radio-ready "Retrace" and happy-go-lucky "Younglife" to the sinister, apocalyptic "Miserabile Visu (Ex Malo Bonum)," Anberlin takes many risks on New Surrender, risks that in my opinion, backfire. They backfire because Anberlin has always straddled the divide between indie and mainstream and with New Surrender, their sonic experiments teeter dangerously into "mainstream" territory where their hardcore fans have always feared they would eventually venture.
With all this negativity, you might get the impression that I've given up on Anberlin. Hardly. Hope, especially in this case, comes from two sources, and one is history. If you're reading this review, you're probably nearly as big a fan of Jimmy Eat World's self-titled album as I am (originally dubbed Bleed American). Criminally remembered only for their mega-hit "The Middle," that album juggled pop ("Sweetness," "If You Don't, Don't"), rock ("Bleed American," "Get It Faster") and everything in between with stunning brilliance. Nowadays it is hard to believe, but at the time, I imagine Jimmy Eat World fans were pulling their hair out. Although Bleed American was very successful, it wasn't Clarity and longstanding Jimmy Eat World fans must have thought their favorite band was going to hell in a handbasket. But what happened next? They released Futures, which at least equaled, if not surpassed the greatness of Clarity ("blasphemy!" they cry, but I'm not the only one who thinks this...). Jimmy Eat World is just one example (a fitting one, I think, considering their similarity to Anberlin); there are numerous others throughout music history. If Anberlin is half the band I think they are, I think we will see them release their Futures as their next album, something more experimental (in a good way) with the fury and passion that hooked us from the first time "Paperthin Hymn" coursed through the speakers.
The next source of hope for Anberlin's next album comes from New Surrender itself. Although it lacks the artistic vision, cohesiveness, and relentless drive of Cities, it has moments of brilliance which, if anything, make me long for the next one even more. "The Resistance," for instance, is their best album opener ever (with the exception maybe of "Godspeed"). It attacks the eardrums with unchained ferocity, jarring the listener to the bones. "Disappear" somehow combines "Ready Fuels" with "There Is No Mathematics..." and the result is nothing short of spectacular. It is easily one of their top ten best songs of all time. "Haight St." does what no one thought possible, surpassing "A Day Late" in catchiness with a .38 Special flair that puts it in prime position to dominate the airwaves when it will inevitably be released as a single. "Soft Skeletons" could easily have found a place on Cities with its urgent, soaring chorus and dark tale of a young woman chained to substance addiction.
Finally, to the old fans: I am so sad to see two reactions to New Surrender. One is abandonment. Do not give up on Anberlin! Every band has to fall short sometime. They will bounce back. The other is this kind of fake excitement, pretending that New Surrender is Anberlin's best record yet. Please, be honest. I find incredibly hard to believe that someone could listen to Cities and New Surrender back-to-back and call the latter "better" (inconceivable!). This is a slump, but as far as slumps go, it's a pretty impressive one. There are some truly great songs on this record.
To new fans: First, "Feel Good Drag" is misnamed, it's actually called "The Feel Good Drag" and it was originally released on Never Take Friendship Personal years ago. Second, ignore this review. This is a review for old fans. When I say things like "disappointment" and "fail" and "backfire," I am comparing this record to their previous releases. This album is actually one of my favorites of 2008. It is disappointing only because I was expecting it to be my favorite. You will not be wasting your money to buy it, but I would also recommend their earlier releases as well.
To Anberlin: I'm harsh because I love you guys and I know what you're capable of. I am begging you, take your time on #5, please! I don't care if it comes out late '09, '10, even 20-freaking-11! I'm not saying you didn't try on this one, but I do think you rushed it. Do all of us a favor and give the next one plenty of time. We can wait.
Anberlin's Never Take Friendship Personal; Jimmy Eat World's Jimmy Eat World; bands who take over the world
myspace.com/anberlin