Search - Anberlin :: Anberlin - The Anthology (3CD)

Every bit as good as the hype

shmitty01 | ? | 05/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I wasn't sure sure what to expect of Anberlin with their debut album. Tooth and nail has been hyping this album almost as hard as their other major mainstream act, Further Seems Forever. Like fsf, this album was worth all the hype the label gave it. I've yet to figure out how it is "emo"...since emo is usually annoying kids with stuffy noses. However, this cd is as good as the hype. If you like the song ready fuels(my personal favorite), you will love this cd. Most of the other songs are stylistically similar. This cd is a masterpiece of energetic modern alternative rock. There aren't any filler songs on this cd. The only song I hated was one formerly know as "driving" when it was a demo. They fixed most of what was wrong with it and retitled the song autobahn. The only complaint I have with the cd is the "do do do do" lyric as filler in autobahn and foreign language(listen to the clips...you'll understand). I find that lyric uninspired and actually annoying. Other than those 2 songs, this cd is a heavy, melodic, passionate, and brilliant album. If you enjoy modern alternative rock at all, this cd is for you. Next to Further Seems Forever "how to start a fire", this cd is probably the most passionate and powerful album to come out in a long time. By all means, buy this cd."

The Future Of Rock

lildrummerboy62 | Jersey | 03/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anberlin is just one of many bands recently signed to Tooth And Nail Records, right now the best indie label out there, and this CD is just plain amazing. Some people have said Stephen's voice takes a little getting used to but once you do, you realize it fits perfectly with Anberlin's music.
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Track 1 - Ready Fuels: The song Tooth And Nail used to promote this band, very upbeat and driving, great solo, and the chorus is one of the catchiest things I've ever heard! This song will stick in your head for days.Track 2 - Foreign Language: Very catchy song, with one of the best lyrics I've ever heard: "Boys speak in rhythm, girls just lie." Very true. Overall a very simple song, but in no time you'll be singing "doo doodoo dooooo" right along with them.Track 3 - Change The World - Slow, but powerfully intense song. Beautifully written, especially the chorus. My 3rd favorite on the CD.Track 4 - Cold War Transmissions - Another slower paced, but intense song. Great lyrics, Stephen takes on the role of a Russian soldier in the Cold War..."This is Russian radio here, calling you to come back home. Run while you still can." Track 5 - Glass To The Arson - My favorite song on this CD. Steady, intense, amazing chorus, incredible solo...this song has it all. Stephen usually screams in the breakdown live, but not on the CD. Track 6 - The Undeveloped Story - More fast-paced than the last few songs, sounds slightly similar to Ready Fuels. The best part about this song is the COWBELL!!! It adds the perfect touch to the "dance all night" parts.Track 7 - Autobahn - Acoustic guitars and synthesizers add a nice touch to this song with great lyrics about a guy and a girl and the freedom they feel driving really fast and spending time together. Very happy song with a really light mood.Track 8 - We Dreamt In Heist - Upbeat song--at first I didn't like it so much, but it grew on me. Another chorus that you'll be singing along to..."And I try-y-yy-y-y-yyyy-yyy"Track 9 - Love Song - Yes, they covered this Cure song, and I just want to say that its 999 MILLION TIMES BETTER THAN 311's version, and Anberlin also did it first. Just listen to it, and you'll see.Track 10 - Cadence - My second favorite song on the CD. Slow-paced but steady, and the chorus is AMAZING, and it has one of the best guitar solos I've ever heard. The acoustic guitars toward the end make it complete.Track 11 - Naive Orleans - Couldn't have picked a better ending song. "And I've finally found that life goes on without you, and the world still turns when you're not around." Pretty upbeat, with an almost relieved feeling to it, like he's happy the relationship is over. The end fades out REALLY slowly.
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Anberlin is one of those bands that are re-defining indie rock, and they are definitely worth knowing. I met them at a show once and they're some of the nicest, most down-to-earth people I've ever met. If you like Anberlin, check out Tooth And Nail's other amazing bands: Mae, Emery, FM Static, Further Seems Forever, and Holland."

Light lyrics and loads of talent

Rachel Carmichael | East Coast, Canada | 06/03/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I downloaded 2 of Anberlin's songs on Purevolume and liked them so I got the CD. My dad and I were driving home from a city about 4 hours away, and we never agree on music. He likes hymns. But he let me skip through the tracks, and then he said 'They all sound the same.'



Yeah, they do in a way. The songs are all fast, with catchy hooks. The lead singers voice is different, but after getting used to him I like it a lot. And you can sing along, which is my top requirement for a good CD.



The thing that bothers me the most about Anberlin is the song content. There's nothing really deep... 'we're running hot tonight''boys speak in rhythm, girls just lie' 'we can change the world' 'this is Russian radio' 'try i i i i i i i i' 'my heart lost in New Orleans' it's all light. Not that that's a bad thing, I just would like them to sing about something and be able to feel like it was something incredibly important to them. They seem slightly bored through the entire CD.



But I think Anberlin has a lot of talent (really an unfair amount of talent for their ages), and if things go the right way they should become a big hit. I definitely recommend this CD, especially for driving."