Music Evaluation
By Marco Mandujano
IV Leader Columnist
This is the major label debut for the Central Florida pop-rock stalwarts, Anberlin.
The new album features 13 tracks that further expand on Anberlin’s signature sound. Stephen Christian’s distinct vocals backed by Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney’s driving guitars and the rhythm section comprised of Deon Rexroat and Nathan Young on bass and drums respectively is the foundation for the band’s success.
New Surrender, produced by Neal Avron (Fall Out Boy; Yellowcard; New Found Glory), demonstrates the band’s natural progression as musicians as well as solidifying their place as some of music’s most creative songwriters.
With all out rockers like “Feel Good Drag” and “Blame Me! Blame Me!” to the introspective “Still Counting Backwards,” Anberlin have created a record that is sure to propel the band to the next level.
Universal Republic signed the band off of the success of their highly applauded breakthrough indie pop scorcher, “Cities”.
It has been Anberlin’s emotive pop/rock chemistry that has excited fans and critics ever since their Polk County, Florida launch six years ago. They have risen through the indie ranks with a magnetic collection of releases on Tooth & Nail Records, including their memorable 2003 debut Blueprints For The Blackmarket.
Ultimately, Anberlin specializes in pleasant alternative rock.
Fortunately for them, the songs never bore, even if they aren’t doing anything that hasn’t already been done in this genre.
They pepper the stew with a ballad that includes an unexpected, cute, “woah oh” singalong.
“New Surrender” is a good rock album, supplemented with all the works put in place to make a top notch album.
Anberlin will be performing in Chicago at the House of Blues Oct. 21.