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Anberlin – Convinced

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by Melody Bot, Jun 30, 2023.

  1. Melody Bot Jun 30, 2023
    Melody Bot

    Your friendly little forum bot. Staff Member

    This article has been imported from chorus.fm for discussion. All of the forum rules still apply.

    It’s a great feeling when a band you’ve followed from the beginning of their early days makes a record that seems so fully realized and impactful to their legacy. Anberlin had just released a stellar EP last year, called Silverline, that found them returning to releasing new music for the first time in eight years, and now we’re all treated to some new tunes from the rockers with Convinced. With a sound that reminds listeners of why they became so enamored with the band in the first place, Anberlin still moves the needle of creativity further down the right path. The EP was self-produced by the band, alongside help from their friends Tim McTague (of Underoath), Chad Carouthers, and JJ Revell. At this stage of their career, Anberlin could have become content with releasing “safe” music that satisfies their fans, but there’s something different in the musical DNA of this band that is evolving at an alarming rate. Instead, Anberlin may have just convinced themselves into exploring just how far down the rabbit hole they’d like to navigate.

    With the only single to be released from the set to date leading the way, “Lacerate” starts off the record with a brooding, synth-laden approach to their sound that explodes into an aggressive chorus. Lead singer, Stephen Christian handles the weighty lyrical material with grace and poise, and further showcases his limitless vocal range by going from a whisper to an impressive growl with ease. The guitar parts by Joey Milligan and Christian McAlhaney are some of the heaviest riffs that Anberlin have put to tape yet, and yet the material never strays too far into the darkness.

    ”Decoder” is a great, straight-forward rocker that comes in and blows the doors off the hinges, delivers the thrills, and bows out gracefully in just over two and half minutes of rock and roll bliss. Drummer Nate Young really does a nice job of keeping the tempo in check throughout the various parts, and his playing accentuates each of the pointed lyrics. “Banshee” follows with some more electronic programming, while Anberlin slows things down for a bit to allow the material to breathe a bit, and take a pop-centered approach to the music. “Animals” is a very creative, slow-burn of a song that unfolds with professional swagger and picks up steam at just the right moments in time to keep the listener engaged, while still unsure of where they’ll turn to next. The track has an industrial feel to it, much like NIN paired with the dark themes found on No Devotion’s No Oblivion.

    Convinced leaves its most remarkable moment for last, on the expansive, near 8-minute closer “Nothing More,” that opens with vibrant 80’s-esque synths and breathy vocals from Stephen Christian that navigate the audience to the end of this journey. The twists and turns found throughout the closer are paired with an underrated bass line by Deon Rexroat that keeps the momentum going strong until the sound of crashing waves are all that the listener is left with.

    This EP is a remarkable odyssey by a band who’s never been afraid to push the boundaries of their sound and the possibilities of themselves as musicians. Anberlin’s Convinced still has the core parts of what makes the band so electric, dynamic, and fun to listen to, yet the imaginative direction they took on this collection of songs embrace the fleeting moments in life that come and go. Much like the waves that wash over the mix at the end of the record, Anberlin continue to reinvent themselves and prepare to start anew at a time when so many artists are looking for their original footing.

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  2. brothemighty Jun 30, 2023
    brothemighty

    Trusted

    I don't wanna go nowwww

    But I've got toooooo

    For you to remember meeeeeeeeeeee
     
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  3. Indrema Jun 30, 2023
    Indrema

    Newbie

    As a lifelong Anberlin fan myself, I wanted to like this EP but sadly none of the songs did it for me. :(
     
  4. Mitch Howell Jun 30, 2023
    Mitch Howell

    Newbie

    I think this is a stronger outing than Silverline, but still not quite "it". Anberlin & Yellowcard are my 2 favorite bands of all time (kicking myself at these back to back EP releases in 2 weeks), but I feel Anberlin are closer to fully fleshing out their new direction with this release, vs. Silverline. It is a 4/5 for me, with Decoder being the weak link for me here.
     
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  6. DimeStoreSaint Jun 30, 2023
    DimeStoreSaint

    Regular

    Loving this EP, very good stuff.
     
    paythetab, disambigujason, Phantoms and 2 others like this.
  7. WadeCastle Jul 1, 2023
    WadeCastle

    Trusted

    10 outta 10, fantastic!
     
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  8. simonbelmont Jul 1, 2023
    simonbelmont

    Regular

    Don’t like ep release strategy. Would rather have an lp of new material, but that being said both this and silverline are incredible.
     
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  9. joe.boy.fresh. Jul 1, 2023
    joe.boy.fresh.

    Trusted

    These mfs never miss. Easily one of the most consistent bands to come out of the scene.
     
    paythetab likes this.
  10. DannyZach Jul 2, 2023
    DannyZach

    Trusted

    Lacerate and Decoder might be some of the greatest songs this band ever done.
    Love the direction on those two EPs.
     
    paythetab, thechetearly, anonimito and 1 other person like this.
  11. xenoabe Jul 2, 2023
    xenoabe

    Regular

    I imagine at this point in their life with families and all this is much more manageable.
     
    paythetab and joe.boy.fresh. like this.
  12. Loserkid1 Jul 2, 2023
    Loserkid1

    Newbie

    i like bands dropping eps more at least the “older ones.” i feel it 1) allows possibly for new music to be released that might never have been recorded or come out (read interview w ryan of yellow card for example..he said they felt they could do an EP of new material but probably not a full LP since they got back together) 2) i feel like in this case it allows bands to possibly experiment a bit more and see what their fans like/ if they like or want to continue in a certain direction 3) i feel like we get new music a little faster with EP releases I’m not a huge fan of when bands drop 4-5 singles leading up to a 10-11 song LP. It takes away half the surprise of listening to a new album. I remember when we would get a single leading up to the release and then usually another single and music video when the album dropped and MAYBE 1 more single of the album was very strong. Single has sorta lost its meaning in my eyes. Usually the Single was the strongest track off the album the band was really going to push and ride both on radio and TV if possible. That has gone wayside to where now sometimes the first “single,” from newer releases could be the most experimental song or one of the most “showcasing the bands new direction,” and not to push sales.
    I used to hate EPs but go look what Justin Courtney Pierre did with all of his EPs. He released a multitude of them in a relatively short time frame…and we got way more music than what would we probably would have gotten had he gone and released a “traditional LP.”
     
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  13. simonbelmont Jul 2, 2023
    (Last edited: Jul 2, 2023)
    simonbelmont

    Regular

    JCP’s eps were hit or miss for me and when they miss you’re waiting for new music again. In The Drink was by far the best effort and it was an LP. Besides, these two eps would have made a killer LP while the wait would have been longer you still get more quality music at once rather than still waiting a year on 5 songs. The EP release method is musical gaslighting imo. And honestly I agree on releasing too many singles before an LP. I think one of the more gutsy strategies is just dropping it with no warning ala Bayside’s Interrobang. I don’t see how dropping eps gets you music you may never hear…there’s just as much experimentation on certain LP’s especially when looking at Anberlin’s back catalogue. Listen to Never Take Friendship and then Lowborn and tell me there’s no evolution because they released LP’s rather than EP’s. You throw everything but the kitchen sink in every time as an artist or you don’t regardless of how much time is afforded on your specific release method. I prefer time with an artist if that makes any sense. Lol in summation LP yay EP meh but I’ll take it.

    Also, the ep release strategy is good for one thing really. Merch sales. Two eps versus one lp equals double tshirts double vinyls etc etc. While I don’t begrudge any band making money. I personally don’t like it being that I’m a cash poor music fan. And this stuff just keeps getting more and more expensive. LPs also make it more of an event. There’s nothing more exciting than an LP release cycle and that’s because it takes more time to accomplish and I appreciate that a lot more than getting an ep here and there.

    Lots of older bands have families and time constraints now that’s not why bands release like this now. They can tell you that or it allows for music you wouldn’t otherwise have heard in every interview in the history of the world, but at the end of the day it’s most likely merch sales and preference. And I get that, but I don’t have to like it.
     
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  15. AlwaysEvolving21 Jul 2, 2023
    AlwaysEvolving21

    Trusted Supporter

    New Anberlin and Taking Back Sunday takes me back to 2010/2011.
     
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  16. SkyGrowsBigger Jul 11, 2023
    SkyGrowsBigger

    Regular

    Christian McAlhaney, the guitarist sings lead on "Lacerate", not Stephen.