Anberlin
Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place
Stephen Christian – lead vocals
Joseph Milligan – lead guitar, backing vocals
Deon Rexroat – bass
Nathan Young – drums
Christian McAlhaney – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Beginning as a punk band called SaGoh 24/7 in 1998 Anberlin began their
journey. After releasing two albums a couple of the guys started a side project and developed more of a rock sound. The guys
recorded a five track demo which sparked attention from numerous labels and finally settled with Tooth & Nail Records.
The band first struck with their debut album Blueprints for the Black Market. It didn’t chart, but lead single “Readyfuels” did extremely
well. They followed that up with Never Take Friendship Personal in 2005 which
charted at #144. The third album hit stores in 2007. Cities sold 34,000 copies
its first week coming in at #19. The next album surfaced in 2008 on new album Universal Republic. New Surrender did extremely well on the charts and only made the toe hold that the band was creating even stronger.
The band is now back with their fifth release Dark is the Way, Light Is a Place.
Hitting stores in late 2010 the band is ready to get moving on tour again. Featuring 10 tracks the album is set to take some
names and kick some ass. Opening up with “We Owe This To Ourselves” the album gets off to a fast start.
The guitars grab your attention as the whirlwind of vocals engulf you. The drums are great as they lay down the foundation
for the track. It does begin to repeat itself and it takes an up and down approach to the music as they let it fly half the
time then slows it down the other half. “Impossible” takes off like the opener, but slows down faster with vocals
the slide in and take control. They find away to keep the music upbeat while taking an easy listening feel to the vocals.
That blend of styles proves to be an effective one as it maintains its catchiness throughout the entire track. “Take
Me (As You Found Me)” is a soft track with huge vocals that demand attention, but goes to the boring side of things
with the lack of intensity and catchiness. “Closer” has some intrigue to the sound that keeps you listening. The
track repeats a lot and other than the intrigue factor it doesn’t really do much. “You Belong Here” is a
heartfelt track with passion oozing from the lyrics. The vocals deliver them as well as they could while the music is streamlined.
It does fall on the boring side for me though. “Pray Tell” raises your interest with a stopping/clapping to open
the track up. A simple guitar rolls in alongside the seductive vocals. The vibe the track gives off is great and it’s
a high end track from this album. “The Art of War” offers up some great drums, but takes forever to get anything
else going. They do add in some extra stuff which spices things up a bit, but not enough to step it into the next level. “To
the Wolves” is where it is happening. It has a huge intro that will get you mouth watering and although they down grade
just a bit the rest of the song rocks too. It has energy, intensity, and an amazing sound. The vocals collaborate together
to create a perfect give and take as the music will have you moving in no time at all. It does start to repeat a little, but
the catchiness of the song gets you past that. “Down” slows down the album with a simple offering that just floats
past as the album wraps up with “Depraved” give you more to listen to, but not much more. It too floats by without
much to offer. Overall the album as a whole is slow and on the boring side. It has no energy, intensity, or substance. It’s
really just a bunch of blah. There are a few bright spots throughout the album and one top notch track, but that is about
it. I’d like to say something different after falling for the last album, but it seems to be a one night stand.
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Tracks to Watch
To The Wolves
Track List:
- We Owe This
To Ourselves
- Impossible
- Take Me (As
You Found Me)
- Closer
- You Belong Here
- Pray Tell
- The Art of War
- To the Wolves
- Down
- Depraved
Website (s):
www.anberlin.com
