Unlimited Music

Going back to my normal mode of retroactively reviewing CDs that I often listen to, today’s post deals with the 2005 CD Never Take Friendship Personal. The second release by rock band Anberlin, this album has a variety of memorable tunes and is one that I would recommend to anyone.

As with most new CDs I listen to, the first tracks that become my favorites are often the singles released first. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as singles are often the device used by artists to draw in listeners in the first place. Never Take Friendship Personal has two great singles with “Paperthin Hymn” and “The Feel Good Drag.” Both songs have strong all-around performances from band members and are easy to listen to over and over again.

The best part about Anberlin is how well the lead singer and instruments contrast from each other. The guitars tend to be deeper and stronger than most bands while Stephen Christian, the lead singer, tends to sing at a high tone. Its not often that a new, relatively, band has such a unique sound, and that fact alone makes Anberlin worth listening to.

In addition to the two singles mentioned above, my favorite song on this CD has to be “Dance, Dance Christa Paffgen.”  I’m always a sucker for long songs that are well-done, and “Dance, Dance” is a great example of what a seven-minute song should have. There is a minute of no vocals near the end of the song that builds the suspense for the finale perfectly.

Overall this is a very good CD and it is a shame that more people don’t know about Anberlin. The group is very talented and deserves to have more albums sold and more fans around the country, so check them out and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Grade - A- - A very good all-around CD.

Filed under: Music Reviews