“Do you memorize the theatrical lines that seem to lead them in, play the role with good girl heart, oh the tangled web within.”
The beginning of the new release from one time promising rock band, Anberlin, is more apt than the starting lyrics of Radiohead’s 15 steps which is was given a sultry appeal after Gwyneth Paltrow’s introduction of the band at the 51st Grammy awards.
Radiohead’s song begins, ‘how come I end up where I started, how come I end up where I went wrong’ and like Gwyneth said, they’re a band that has never gone wrong, not when they did the Bends, which is the album of one of the most pivotal generations since the retro years, not when they did OK Computer, which held an entire genre called New Wave in an undefined shelf life, and certainly not when they did In Rainbows, which proves that the really legendary bands are the ones that dare to try something new with every album.
Yes, we’re supposed to be talking about Anberlin and not Radiohead but it’s always easier to pluck roses in a well pruned garden than a brier patch.
Breaking is taken off the band’s latest album New Surrender, which debuted in the Billboard 200 chart at number 13. Anberlin’s starting lyrics in Breaking are apt because although seemingly offering the commercial prototype of hit incarnate memorized by radio rock bands the world over, but the tangled web within is the distinctive vocals of front man, Stephen Christian who has an 80’s style quasi-REO Speedwagon earnestness that is refreshing.
Christian’s vocals on the guitar and piano led start of the song wins the track its immediate appeal, and maybe even more chartworthy credibility than the remainder of the song deserves. In fact Christian’s style of singing is made for guitar and vocal dominated songs, which is why this track sounds best at the start.
The band appears to play good girl rock, donning the track with all the college propriety of vigorous and resolute guitar-laden choruses that can get lost in the bang, clash and woohoo’s of any frat party band. Collectively however, it all sounds as simple and heard-before as any other excuse to get drunk in college.
The album was unlike its predecessors (which were produced by Aaron Sprinkle), produced by Neal Avron (who also produced Fall Out Boy’s new album among others) and includes new inclusion, Christian McAlhaney of Acceptance as the guitarist replacing Nathan Strayer.
The piano thumping accompaniments on the dramatically collective rise of guitars and drums can evoke a surge of excitement and emotion, but none that hasn’t been felt in the rush of blood to the head of the 21st century generation’s first love, Coldplay.
The song may not offer anything new to Anberlin fans, but there’s more hook and harmony than a Chris Brown and Rihanna encounter, in fact there’s enough to get Rocky Balboa dancing with Mason Dixon.
And all radio can truly do, is perhaps give the band a slap on the wrist for not daring to be more adventurous in making truly new music, continue to play them however because they are more than just easy on the ears and of course, continue to hail and honor those who dare to really create new music, like the great Thom Yorke.
And one thing is for sure, this is a song that is guaranteed
Tell us what you think of the new release from Anberlin