Album Rating: 4.5

There's obviously a nostalgic factor for me as well (and probably anyone who grew up with their early/mid discog), and I agree that a lot of their early stuff is filler and/or with poor lyrics (Cities has like 5 amazing songs and the rest are utterly forgettable, and some of the lyrics in New Surrender and Dark Is The Way are super pedestrian). They've never been a band that's delivered consistent masterpiece LPs, but rather incredible songs. While their best songs came during or before Cities, I do think their most consistent albums from to end were Vital and Lowborn, even if they lacked the huge peaks of a "Fin" or Miserabile Visu. I think this falls closer in line with Vital and Lowborn than anything prior, and probably closer to Vital considering that 80% of this is on par with stuff like Self-Starter and Little Tyrants. I actually don't think Anberlin has ever released a true 5/classic other than Devotion, which technically isn't an LP but should have been released instead of Vital.

It's interesting you mentioned Vital and Lowborn being their most consistent albums, those are the only ones i listen to anymore. Also I know it's not generally well liked (and tbh I get why) but I think Gods, Drugs and Sex is a great closer, and probably better than Miserabile Visu

Album Rating: 4.5

I think God, Drugs, and Sex is better than it initially got credit for, but I couldn't personally put it anywhere close to Miserabile Visu. Sometimes I think Miserabile Visu is better than Fin.

WTF

I didnt even know these guys reunited jeeeez. playing right now

Album Rating: 4.5

im envious of anyone who gets to experience two graves for the first time

It was pretty cool yeah

>While their best songs came during or before Cities, I do think their most consistent albums from to end were Vital and Lowborn,

bingo

So much of my enjoyment for these guys is due to nostalgia. I discovered them at 15 in 2005 right as NTFP released and it was the first ever "discovery" for me, where on my own accord, I found a smaller band online and actually loved every track of theirs and felt like I had something special. Then their albums came out during milestones in my growing up and are intrinsically linked to all these core memories for me.

Their lyrics have been consistently dogshit and sappy since the beginning, but there's an earnestness behind them that makes them feel fine on their best tracks, where a driving momentum/melody/catharsis more than makes up for the words.

I didn't mind this so much. Not a fan of the vocal layering and effects on Circles but the rest is decent Anberlin. Nice to have them back.

Album Rating: 3.0

I will not take the NTFP slander!



Seriously though I think that album is pretty flawless. I otherwise mostly agree though most of their albums, including Cities, have some stinkers.



And also may be an uncommon take, not sure, but I think New Surrender mostly sucks.

Yeah I remember New Surrender coming out and I only knew because I refreshed Sputnik and saw a review, blasted it for a few days and that's when my disenchantment of Anberlin began, it kinda felt like an album of b-sides.

Album Rating: 4.5

The Resistance, Retrace, and Miserabile Visu are phenomenal. Even Breaking and Breathe are both okay. But yeah most of that album is filler.

Album Rating: 3.0

I can Mostly agree with that take. But I don’t tend to revisit albums that are only half good lol

Album Rating: 4.5

I have a weird relationship with Anberlin where I can acknowledge that 8 out of 12 songs on an LP are bad but then still give it a 4.

Album Rating: 3.0

Hahaha. I get that. Cause those 4 are gooooood

Album Rating: 4.5

That's basically Cities for me. Godspeed, Unwinding Cable Car, Inevitable, Dismantle Repair, and Fin are great but the other 7 songs do absolutely nothing for me. It's still going strong at a 4.5 lol.

Album Rating: 4.5

"And also may be an uncommon take, not sure, but I think New Surrender mostly sucks."



Pains me to admit it, but yes.

Album Rating: 3.0

That’s like the one album of theirs I literally never listen to

Album Rating: 4.5

I only ever go back for the closer, or sometimes Feel Good Drag

Album Rating: 4.5

I can't fathom listening to that version of The Feel Good Drag when the NTFP one exists

Album Rating: 2.7

same but I also can't really fathom listening to this when Lowborn exists lol

Album Rating: 4.5

While part of me wishes they just went full blown rock a la an entire EP of Two Graves, I do think that this is a very natural progression from Lowborn. I am hearing a lot of the same qualities (reverb, electronic, vocal-centric) except this is heavier, so I'm fine with that. To me this EP seemed like a dream come true for Lowborn fans but I guess I was wrong about that haha.