Anberlin Band • Page 172

Loving all the new stuff since they got back together. If you haven't checked out Nate and Tim from Underoath's side project Carrollhood I strongly recommend. Nate did all of his tracking at Tim's studio for these EP's and I definitely hear the sound bleeding over. I have never been a huge Anberlin fan but the Hood releases are amazing and the new direction rules.

Also, It seems pretty obvious Stephen is in his own world separate from the rest of the band (Insta stories regularly show all four dudes hanging, stephen really only posts live photos and promo stuff) I am assuming the divergent ideas, beliefs, general life paths will boil over eventually but it seems like he has been on his best behavior as it relates to anberlin stuff. All of that being said his influencer reels are so cringe. lol. Lyrically I haven't done a deep dive but it doesn't seem to be playing a role in their music.

Anberlin has always been a mutual contribution from all the members. I personally am not all too bothered one dude is off in his own world. Lots of the post Tooth and Nail / loosely faith-based artists have had ups and downs like this. Aaron Gillespie did some worship albums and went full-blown CCM for a minute, Dustin Kensrue was a worship leader at a mega church and they came around. In a lot of cases, the music is better for it in the long run. We just happen to be seeing this through a much more critical lens.

 

I’m sorry but as someone growing up in country still recovering from its past regime (where you couldn’t have your own opinion,and that mindset still somehow remains there even 30 years after the revolution) I just don’t see someone blasting whatever they believe in on internet ,,problematic”.

edit: like I literally don’t care.

 

Feel like I’d wanna check in on what those “views” were before I co-signed, just me though.

 

I haven’t dug too much into what Stephen does outside of the band. But those “influencer” type videos I’ve caught on Instagram are pretty bizarre.

 

Carrollhood crushers for those who haven’t checked them out. I was living in Florida when they did a record release show. Copeland side project, the other anberlin dudes side project, and TPA up and coming bands. It was so sick. one of my favorite shows ever.

 

Okay? I mean, I don't know where you live, and you're obviously operating under much different circumstances.

I don't know what it's like to be so oppressed that you'd be grateful to be able to share any opinion, no matter what it is.

 

really need a new EP from them.

 

I like this EP more than Silverline but it's also made me go back and listen and enjoy that one more too. That's cool, but mainly it makes me frustrated that it wasn't just a full album. I'm probably in the minority in finding it hard to get into stuff when it's not a full album.

 

For me, my brain seems to forget or rarely revisit singles. As long as it’s an EP, at least, I’ll revisit it often enough. But a stand alone song? I’ll listen to it and then never go back unless I’m doing a discog run. So while I’m different, I kind of get it.

 

tried another track sequencing that i like better. the transitions are slightly less-jarring. still think if this ever became a full LP they could benefit from a couple more tracks, lol.

Lacerate
Decoder
Two Graves
Nothing Lost
Body Language
Animals
Banshee
Circles
Asking
Nothing More

 

I saw Carrollhood open for Acceptance in Nashville and was blown away by how good their music was. They were amazing live

 

First heard Nothing More on the day of a breakup and it’s shooting up my favorite closers list. Love the extended outro.

 

I saw that Felt by Anchor & Braille came out 14 years ago today, so I threw it on. Then I listened to The Quiet Life.

I have to say, both albums held up really nicely for me. Before I Start Dreaming is a stunning song. I’d put it up there with the best Anberlin songs.

 

Summer Tongues is one of my favorite songs ever. It's everything I wanted when I heard Aaron from Copeland produced a Stephen solo album.

 

Before I Start Dreaming is one of his best songs for sure. It's magic.

 

pretty sure it was supposed to be the closer on Vital

 

it was. wonder if an Anberlin version was ever recorded or if it was moved to A&B before recording began, because i'd love to hear a full band version.

 

Felt and The Quiet Life are all-timers for me. Need to listen to both again. Something really special was captured with Felt for sure. The time it came out, the production, the instrumentation, so so good.

 

Been on a huge Anberlin kick the past two weeks. I’ve put on a new record every night or two doing chores/making lunch for the next day starting with Blueprints and now on Dark is a Way.

Was “We Owe This To Ourselves” the first time they had done a bridge without any lyrics? Just an instrumental bridge. I’m trying to remember other songs where they don’t sing on the bridge.

 

Lots of times. "Change the World," "Godspeed," "Paperthin Hymn" (sort of), "Symphony of Blase," "Breaking," "Disappear," "Breathe," and "Haight St." are all instrumental.

Also, "Alexithymia," "Reclusion," and "Inevitable" if you don't count the repetition of the pre-chorus as part of the bridge. "The Haunting" and "Uncanny" would probably qualify too.

Lots of instrumental bridges. Some of my favorite Anberlin moments ever.

 

Nice. A pretty extensive list that I clearly wasn't paying close enough attention to. They definitely don't miss when it comes to bridges. Them and Motion City Soundtrack are bridge-prodigies

 

Put on DITW this morning due to this comment. I really didn't fall in love with it when it came out, but returning to it now, it feels like a perfect "back to basics" album after getting a little lost after New Surrender. Definitely a "lay the groundwork" type album for what was to come next. I think Cities and Vital are my two favorites, but I might put this up there with NTFP in the next tier now. Just really consistent and it feels like their vision for what the album should be was carried through from beginning to end with little room for fluff.

 

For me it’s

Cities
DITW/Vital
the rest depends on the day
New Surrender

Those top 3 are easily their best in my eyes. They’re all special to me for different reasons and I find them the strongest collection of songs.

 

Official ranking would probably go:
Cities
Vital
NTFP
DITW
lowborn
New Surrender
Blueprints

Sad to say I haven't really given the new EPs enough time to really put them in this ranking. I need to dedicate some time to them since I'm feeling in the mood to listen to this band again.

 

Vital/Devotion
Cities
DITW
Silverline/Convinced
Lowborn
NTFP
NS
Blueprints