Anberlins New CD Never Take Friendship Personal

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Anberlins New CD Never Take Friendship Personal

Once again I'm blown away by yet another great band. Anberlin's new CD "Never take Friendship personal" Just simply rocks!!! Once in a while, a band with true musical talent shines through the murk of today’s mass-produced pop stars. Anberlin contains this spark of genius missing from modern rock.

"Anberlin has an alternative beat and introspective tone to their lyrics and this hooked me." Stephen Christian has an ‘everyman’ sound to his voice and their depictions of relationship in the ups and downs of life come across in their angst. Anberlin's second release captures the musical styles of the day but recasts them in a unique and exciting way. Much credit up front should go to producer Aaron Sprinkle, who never lets the music overshadow Steven Christian's emotive alto vocals.

Anberlin's first album, "Blueprints for the Black Market" was a solid hit on the charts with several very well written songs, but their newly-released sophomore effort is a huge leap forward for the group. The album not only positions itself well for success in the Christian genre, but it also contains a high crossover value.

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"This new album is one of those truly remarkable releases that is so refreshing, so defining, and so well done, you will feel a need to let every know about it!

Also worthy of note is the intelligent songwriting that prevails throughout the release, showing that Christian-based bands don't always check their brains at the studio door. Moody at times, exhilarating at others, this is a giant leap forward for a relative newcomer in Christian music.

Ok... let's break each song down:

Never take Friendship Personal - The embers of Ecclesiastes burn behind the frustration of “Never Take Friendship Personal.” Anberlin sings that “The greatest tragedy is not your death/But a life without reason.” Relationships are fleeting and friends will fail you but there is a sanity that must be maintained by each person in their life, proposes the singer.

Paperthin Hymn - His lack of compassion quickly turns to his own sadness and loneliness in “Paperthin Hymn.” Once again, the brokenness of relationships has left him feeling down, but the sharp contrast shows Sunday mornings, with opportunities for praising God. Everything, especially relationships, seems meaningless. Great guitar work and passionate lyrics about loss and facing a cold reality alone.

Stationary Stationery - rings of regret, for a girl who got away, but the cause seems to be the singer’s own mistakes in non-committal behavior. He wants another chance at love, but Anberlin’s message seems to be that broken relationships are out of chances.

The Symphony Of Blasé - is a stunning example of how the group has matured musically and emotionally. Turning down the guitars a tad and taking you on a journey through the music. “(The Symphony of) Blasé” tones down the hard rock but the pain seems to be more emphatically proclaimed. A relationship that feels right lacks substance and the cost of their actions together turns the singer from his girlfriend, ignoring her defense. He prays “God if you can hear me out alright/Please take these feelings for her inside…You’re wasting me away.” The caustic relationship seems to be eating him alive and he knows he has to make a change.

A Day Late - An old lover returns desiring that their love be rekindled but Anberlin has brushed ‘wasted’ relationships aside. Each person becomes defined by who they are with and when they are together, a portion of them gets left behind.

Runaway Girl - The ‘one who got away’ theme reoccurs in “Runaway Girl,” as he challenges an interested woman with his understanding of her reasons for attraction. He quickly changes focus as he admits that he only stayed to break her heart, a defense mechanism of abandonment before being abandoned. Anberlin seems to walk a fine line as the wounded party, but they have also traversed on the side of the line where the power to inflict pain exists.

Time & Confusion - is a tribute to enduring relationships and the power of love. “Time and Confusion” provide the first optimistic option for love on the album. Here, the singer has found a girl, the life they live together seems bright, and he longs to stay together forever. He recognizes that “it’s not about the money we make/It’s about the passions that we ache for” and urges her to tell him what she hopes for in him.

The feel-good moment is short-lived as Anberlin dives back into the subject of a two-timing relationship in “The Feel-Good Drag.” In a town where “Everyone in this town/Is seeing someone else/Everybody tired of someone/Our eyes wander for help/I’m tired of who I am.” Anberlin admits to stumbling down a road of cheating and betrayal, but ultimately their response is one of seeing the problem within themselves. Before they can fix the relationships that they are in, they have to search themselves. Having admitted this, they laud for “Audrey, Start the Revolution!” Here the tale of relationship-wrecked individuals joins as one—if they can live in true love together, then they can overcome all that is their past.

A Heavy Hearted Work of Staggering Genius - is a perfectly titled. This short, but moving instrumental is an example of Anberlin’s talent and desire to be more than rock musicians.

Dance, Dance Christa Paffgen - is a well-written song containing some great metaphors for love and desire.

Of course there are many other great songs on the album, but these are a few of the best. I can honestly say that this CD is one that won’t leave my CD changer. It has all the marks of something that you’ll want to listen to over and over again. In the words of Levar Burton from Reading Rainbow, “Don’t take my word for it!"

Anberlin may be too sad for some but by identifying their weaknesses and calling them into the light, the opportunity for improvement is greater. With thought-provoking lyrics, and obvious experience in relationships, the band strikes a blow for love and meaning in interpersonal communication. Given their expression of faith in interviews, the love they claim comes from Christ, the master of human relationships!

Orlando, FL's Anberlin formed out of various other area projects, including the Christian punk outfit SaGoh (Servants After God's Own Heart). Led by the soaring vocals of Stephen Christian, the positive-thinking Anberlin also included Joseph Milligan (guitar), Nathan Young (drums), Joey Bruce (guitar), and Deon Rexroat (bass), and presented an alternative pop/rock sound that, while inflected with the earnestness of emo, was closer to the mature stylings of Third Eye Blind.

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"My experience leads me to beleive that music is created in the moment and trying to recapture a past moment is an ultimately vacant experience. The key is to be liquid and flow over stone like water. Music moves in it's own path all you do is tend the stream." - Popa Chubby