Review Summary: Anberlin's final album does not disappoint.
Anberlin has been easily the best alternative rock band in the USA--and remember that Coldplay and U2 are both in the United Kingdom, in case you're thinking "what?!" Now they're up to their seventh album in 10 years and have announced they are calling it quits. It's always sad when a great band does that. Especially when great music seems to be deteriorating.
Anberlin usually never sticks to one sound, but in the case of Lowborn, you may not find this to be the case. I personally found it to be quite similar to Vital in some ways--mainly because of the synthesizers. However, they are taken to the next level in this one.
The main thing about this album that *does* separate it from the others is that it's probably musically their most aggressive album since Never Take Friendship Personal. (As for the lyrics? Well, let's just say that Stephen Christian seems to be a little more ticked off than usual on some tracks.) Songs like "We Are Destroyer" and definitely "Dissenter" rank among their "heaviest" songs ever. However, they still manage to keep the ethereal feel that they had in Vital or even Dark Is the Way..., which is what makes songs like "Stranger Ways" and "Atonement" such great songs.
Anberlin has the amazing quality of an alternative rock band to get their songs stuck in your head quite easily, and Lowborn is no exception. Songs like "Armageddon," "Stranger Ways," "Atonement," "Losing It All" and "Hearing Voices" should testify to this. To be honest, there's not really any bad songs on this album--even if some Anberlin albums (namely Cities and Vital) have much better tracks overall.
The biggest complaint I have about this album is its length. For an Anberlin album, this is a pretty short record with only 10 tracks. It's sure to leave you wanting more by its end. Personally, considering that they've only had 10 tracks on one other album, I don't think it would have been too hard to fit one or even two more tracks on here--especially considering that this is their last album.
Anberlin has had a heck of a run, and I suppose it's good in a way that they're quitting while they're ahead--even though I doubt they could fall behind that easily. But it would not be fun either to see them devolve into something... not so good. Whatever the case, all bands have to come to an end eventually. (Unless they're the Rolling Stones. How old are those guys now? 150?) So, best of luck to them in their future lives and rest in peace Anberlin.
