With their previous three albums generating a cult following, could Anberlin deliver once again in redefining the alternative genre?
With Anberlin never failing to deliver a new sound with each new album, nothing less was expected from New Surrender. While not the most popular group, and don't ask me to explain why they aren't, Anberlin has generated a cult following with their cutting-edge alternative sound, and for good reason. They have the uncanny ability to transition from up-tempo alternative, to slow-paced emotion evoking music seamlessly. While Blueprints for the Black Market was their debut album in 2003, Never Take Friendship Personal's ability to produce hit song after hit song throughout the entire album was how the band elicited their biggest following.
While New Surrender doesn't quite deliver as much of an emotional impact and awe factor as Never Take Friendship Personal, it certainly does not fail its fan base in its ability to quench Anberlin fan's thirst.
Pros: For some reason, and don't ask why, with every new Anberlin release, it always takes me about 2-3 times to listen to each track to fully appreciate how well contrived it really is. This may be attributed to the fact that Anberlin likes to alter their sound just that much, that each listener needs that time to adjust and discern whether they like it or not. And trust me, I am definitely with the former with New Surrender. Tracks such as "The Resistance" and "Retrace" up-beat tempo get the blood flowing, but you are quickly calmed by the slow, soothing sounds of "Breathe" and "Younglife."
Cons: To be completely honest, New Surrender doesn't really fall short in many, if any categories. If I had to force any type of complaint out of this album, it would be on the sole fact that it just doesn't deliver the type of response that Never Take Friendship Personal did.
However, it is just that, a forced complaint the carries absolutely nowhere near the weight that the pros do. Anberlin continues, once again to satisfy loyal followers with their fourth album and hopefully are not even close to their culmination as a band. Will this album convert anti-alternative listeners? No, but if you are open to contemporary alternative, or new music in general, buy this album as you will not be disappointed a bit!
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