Grace Hotel
  Overall rating: +++

Album Review

This is Anberlin’s sophomore effort and my first encounter with the band, so I can only speak from this albums merit. First off, the artwork is fantastic. Second, Aaron Sprinkle is a wonderful producer. And third, this band is hot…like Hot Topic hot; and consequently, flavor of the week hot. At least for the first two songs.

Who exactly is Anberlin? Well, they’re an a-typical rock band from the emo-state of Florida. They have a very emo-esque album title. They even have the energy and dynamics to rival emo heavy hitters. Who are emo heavy hitters, you ask? You decide that for yourself. Anberlin will be within shouting range of them – no pun intended.

This album opens with 2 masterful tracks. “Never take Friendship Personal” showcases dueling guitars and interesting vocal combinations. There is plenty of energy and mild nods to 80’s metal. Anberlin sounds like the kissing cousin of The Juliana Theory. “Paperthin Hymn” rides on the momentum of the first track, complete with creative guitar fills, infectious melodic hooks, and a great vocal performance. Yet, as the album wears on, the originality begins to fade and make room for sing-along pop-punk. The cheekily named “Stationary Stationery” should be on a Relient K album. It’s a mediocre song that landed a spot on the wrong album by the wrong group. What were they thinking? Okay, they just weren’t. Anberlin tries to redeem themselves with “(The Symphony of) Blasé”, a song that falls short of being sincerely tender and heartfelt. Strike two. The intro to “A Day Late” is compelling, but the band has a hard time in their verses. The instrumentation usually tames so only a rhythm guitar drives an emo-clichéd lyric. The choruses are gigantic, albeit anti-climactic, and an “I’m-more-rock-than-you” metal riff usually fills the transition from chorus to verse. I’m growing tired of it. The power of “The Feel Good Drag” and “Audrey, Start the Revolution!” matches the quality of the first 2 tracks. Why can’t the band just make a record with songs like this? However, “Audrey” has an embarrassingly happy chorus, tale telling that Anberlin needs some lessons in mood. The album is closed by an arty instrumental (“A Heavy Hearted Work of Staggering Genius”) and “Dance, Dance Christa Paffgen”. The song tries hard, but is stale.

I want to like this band. I have nothing against the genre, but I don’t understand why a band like Anberlin is content to record a cookie-cutter album when they could potentially experiment in the heights of Juliana Theory, Jimmy Eat World, The Beautiful Mistake or The Fire Theft. Chalk this one up to average with a brilliant moment or two.

~ Garrett Johnson of Grace Hotel & The Black & White Mag

One Liner: This disc is not a blend of the latest trend, but a perpetual declaration against the band's we'll forget about by next year.

A music scene of fashion and faddism has stimulated a cult-like revolution of watered down garbage, where uncreative "artists" disregard the truth and emotion within themselves to hop on the popularity train. Don't get me wrong, there are some solid "trendy" bands around today, but that's where they'll stay, in 'today' and nothing more.

Then comes the revolution on February 1st-- Anberlin's "Never Take Friendship Personal". With beautiful melodies and intricately tranquil guitar work, the cd captivates you the second it hits your ears. Although mellow, the amount of emotion in the vocal area really gives the songs a more intense feel; it’s the perfect balance of relaxation and power.

There's an obvious difference between this disc and the 'garbage' I previously referred to. Overall, these guys aren't trying to impress people, they're not jumping on the bandwagon of whatever's in style, and they're not stretching to be a damn thing… they're truthful and honest with the stuff they write and it shows, greatly. Simply put, when a person writes from their mind, it'll touch people in their minds and nothing more, but when a person writes from their heart, it'll touch people in their hearts. That is the overwhelming difference between these four gentlemen and a lot of the other crap that outs there. Honestly, I can rave, rant and write a book on how great this album is, but in reality, my words won't affect you like the cd itself. I strongly advise you to pick it up on February 1st... Let the revolution begin.

 ~ Frank Giaramita of Absolute Punk

         Anberlin (Homepage)