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User
Reviews 7
Approval 95%
Soundoffs 430
Album Ratings 3494
Objectivity 83%
Last Active 06-26-22 8:04 am
Joined 10-21-17
Review Comments 5,537
| Anberlin: A Discography Ranking
I'm finally seeing these fellas this weekend so it's time to rank stuff | | 7 |  | Anberlin
Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place
This album’s major problem is its simplicity, as songs often repeat nothing but the refrain of their own titles and are all too satisfied to call such an act a chorus. “Closer” and “To the Wolves” are the worst offenders of this and are far too bland to be the staple rockers the album wants them to be. Even in its gentler moments, the problem remains. “Take Me (As You Found Me)” and “You Belong Here” are certainly pretty songs but their simple, repetitive execution leaves much to be desired. On the other hand, lead single “Impossible” is an infectious alt-pop song that rings a similar bell to Jimmy Eat World. Deep cuts like “Pray Tell,” the brilliant power ballad “Art of War,” and the achingly gorgeous “Down” are also top-tier Anberlin songs. | | 6 |  | Anberlin
Lowborn
Lowborn is Anberlin’s most experimental and daring project, it brings a satisfying sense of closure to their career, and the songwriting is strong across the board. Even when it flies off the deep end with the abrasive “Dissenter” the songwriting keeps it from becoming a complete disaster. The electronic flourishes are tasteful, the ballads are genuinely captivating, and the hooks are plentiful. What keeps it this far down is that it's missing that driving alt-rock sound that made me fall in love with the band. It’s loud but there’s not a lot of energy. | | 5 |  | Anberlin
New Surrender
New Surrender, along with my number four pick, are probably two of the most misunderstood albums in the band’s discography. Aside from a couple of unfortunate stains (“Blame Me!….” is almost a blueprint of what would follow on Dark is the Way…. and “Younglife” is overbearingly cheesy), this record is essentially killer song after killer song. A lot of it harkens back to the sound of Blueprints for the Black Market so it bleeds a youthful, punk attitude and thrives in the prospect of throwing hands in the air and having the time of your life. | | 4 |  | Anberlin
Blueprints for the Black Market
For many fans, this frequently lands on the bottom slot because of its problems as a debut and I wouldn’t be the least tempted to debate them on that. But I love this album for the same reason I love New Surrender. It’s a record with a slightly emo aesthetic that’s brimming with youthful energy and emotion. It’s also a more consistent venture than New Surrender as it isn’t held back by any truly weak moments. Most everything on here sticks the landing and its lack of polish is something I admire. | | 3 |  | Anberlin
Vital
On Vital, Anberlin made their statement album: a tour-de-force of hard, electronic-tinged rock. It marked the biggest change in sound from the band until Lowborn hit shelves two years later. Vital is loud, aggressive, beautifully lush, and mature from beginning to end. It managed to greatly shake things up without sacrificing the qualities that made Anberlin as good as they were. | | 2 |  | Anberlin
Never Take Friendship Personal
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been going back and forward between these last two records deciding what should ultimately land in the number one slot. In the end, the only right conclusion I could make is that both of these albums represent the pinnacle of Anberlin’s sound so it all depends on what aspect of their sound you prefer most. Never Take Friendship Personal, their sophomore record, is the pinnacle of their punk/emo style and perfects what was established on Blueprints… The riffs are punchy, Stephen Christian belts out a couple of screams, the melodies soar; as an album, it’s simply a great time. | | 1 |  | Anberlin
Cities
Cities is THE Anberlin record. It’s the one that has been heralded as an alt-rock classic and one of the best albums of the prior decade period. I have always loved it but I’ve also hesitated to call it a masterpiece over the years, despite it being the album that got me hooked on the band in the beginning. This recent revisit of their discography has finally settled it for me. I can say with confidence that Cities is Anberlin’s best album. It builds upon the driving alt-rock of past records while simultaneously injecting it with a generous dose of synths and stunning acoustic elements. Urgent yet sorrowful darkness permeates this record from beginning to end and like many fans have passionately stated it provides one of the most memorable and emotionally gripping journeys in alt-rock of the past twenty years. It all culminates in the utter masterpiece that is “(*Fin).” | |
Lucman
05.22.19 | I'm so amped for this show! | Sowing
05.22.19 | Awesome band, list, and descriptions. I'm so jealous you're seeing them... be sure to let is know how it is! My ranking is: 1, 5, 6, 3, 2, 7, 4. With that said I have most of them rated 4+. | dmathias52
05.22.19 | Oh wow, I always love how different people’s rankings are for Anberlin, but I understand all of them. My personal ranking:
1, 3, 7, 2, 6, 5, 4 | Lucman
05.22.19 | Thanks Sowing, dmathias, all great rankings. I'll definitely let you all know how the show was. | onionbubs
05.22.19 | 1 2 3 5 7 4 6 | KjSwantko
05.22.19 | Actually I like this ranking and it may be exactly how I'd do it. I'm partial to New Surrender though....album as a whole isn't phenomenal but the best songs are A1 awesome. | Lucman
05.22.19 | New Surrender and Blueprints are pretty much tied for me. Blueprints is more consistent imo but NS has higher highs. | JoshGray672
05.22.19 | i think new surrender should be higher and 1 and 2 need to be switched but overall pretty spot on | Masochist
05.22.19 | This is pretty much my ranking. 2 and 3 may switch from time to time, but yeah...this is pretty much it.
Anberlin is such a great band. I saw them live on their farewell tour, and I'm very excited that they're touring again! I hope you have fun, and that they play a good set! | Source
05.22.19 | I like 4 the most | dmathias52
05.22.19 | Surprised isn’t the right word, but I didn’t expect DISTWLIAP to be so consistently low for people. It’s the first album I remember anticipating coming out, so those nostalgia glasses may be strong again, but I still love it. | Gyromania
05.22.19 | younglife is the best song on new surrender lol | Gyromania
05.22.19 | i think cities is such a cliche choice for #1 and totally undeserving, barring a few rly excellent songs, and fin, a top 3 anberlin song. | BigHans
05.22.19 | 5 is bursting with jams, Feel Good Drag, Burn Out Brighter, and Breaking | Gyromania
05.22.19 | yeah 5 is my fave anberlin record.soft skeletons and miserabile visu are also damn good. | KjSwantko
05.22.19 | The Resistance is a banger too. | Lucman
05.22.19 | I do agree Gyro, and for the longest time refused to acknowledge it as such, but it really clicked this time around and not having it on top would be a lie. | Lucman
05.25.19 | Show was incredible. The setlist was the best it could have been, Stephen''s performance was on another level, and the whole night just rocked m/ They played almost every song off NTFP, about half of Cities, a few from NS and Vital (including Disappear and Self-Starter), and We Are Destroyer. |
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