Anberlin are hoping to release their new album Vital in mid October, with lead single "Self Starter" coming out around August 1. Here is what Stephen Christian had to say about the album:
I'm cautiously excited for this. Stephen has developed a reputation for overselling their albums. (i.e. - "If Dark isn't the best album we've ever put out, I'll quit music.")
Was disappointed with their last record. But everything else they've done has been golden. Great live show. Still a sucker for Never Take Friendship Personal and Cities, but I'll always check these guys out.
Yeah, I'm cautiously optimistic about this. I loved Dark Is the Way . . ., but it didn't quite live up to the hype that I had heard from others and Stephen himself. Regardless, The Quiet Life has the potential to be my favorite thing Stephen's done.
Sometimes I think bands should just release an album without telling the fans what they think it sounds like. It would just leave it open to interpretation, wouldn't set anyone's expectations, and allow people to form their own opinions of it. I guess that was what it was like before the internet for the most part and I don't think this will ever happen again.