Album: “Never Take Friendship Personal”

Description

Anberlin: Stephen Christian (vocals, guitar); Joseph Milligan (guitar); Deon Rexroat (bass guitar); Nathan Young (drums). <p>Additional personnel: Phil Sneed, Seth Roberts, Ryan Clark (vocals); Mike Weiss (guitar). <p>Recording information: The Compound, Seattle, Washington (2005). <p>In the liner notes preceding the lyrics to the title track of Anberlin's NEVER TAKE FRIENDSHIP PERSONAL, chief songwriter/lead vocalist Stephen Christian muses "you told me to 'write a song about it' so here's your song." That comment pretty well sums up this Florida outfit, a fiery rock quintet that lives earnestly inside of its songs. Similar to Jimmy Eat World, Anberlin is able to strike a balance between cerebral lyrics and universal observations, between artful compositions and hooky guitar riffs. <p>Like many of its peers on Tooth & Nail Records, Anberlin comes from a Christian-rock angle, but that trait isn't worn on the band's collective sleeve. While images of saints and sinners abound, only two somber cries for divine help, "Paperthin Hymn" and "(The Symphony Of) Blase," have overt religious tones. Most of the torrentially moving songs within this sophomore effort deal with the universally affecting themes of finding love, knowledge, and peace, and losing them all. Christian's vocals strut with confidence yet break with uncertainty and heartache at every turn. As Christian unfolds his poems of hope and yearning, Anberlin's guitar-fueled rock backs him with the perfect ratio of ebb to flow. With NEVER TAKE FRIENDSHIP PERSONAL, Anberlin hits a comfortable stride that's sure to garner the band even more fans.