I GAVE IT A CHANCE, SORRY

Rarely do I like an album the first time.  I let each track burn thru and over time, certain tracks win me over.

So when “Vitals” by Anberlin was released, actually before it was released, I had my copy and I let it burn through, despite the fact that upon first listen, I really thought it was 45 minutes of clamor. Why? Well, I’ve never become tired of “Never Take Friendship” or “Cities” so with each album that followed, I keep my expectations low.

I’ve read four reviews of the new album - all of them loving it, so I’ll be the odd guy out.

I’m not a big fan of the new electronic sounds on “Vitals”. It adds to the clamor. "Vitals" is a great production but there's too much of it. It's not just a wall of sound - it's like several walls with no room to great a music pause.

Many of the songs sound like previous tracks and that's ok - why change directions when you have something that works. But these new songs don’t take me anywhere new.

“Somebody Somewhere” was the first single.  I couldn't wait to hear it.  “The brand new, long-awaited song” by this band we have all come to love was just “ok.”  A radio-pop song, yes.  But for the lead-off single on the new album?  Ooops.

I have always felt that Stephen Christian's lyrics are overly clever. He's a smart guy. He spends time on each song's message to the point where they are not only deep and profound, sometimes, well, a lot of the time, I really don't know what he's talking about.  Combine profoundly deep lyrics with a double wall of sound, I'm left wondering - did anything happen?

I gave "Vitals" a chance, on repeat for the last 6 weeks and I know the songs. So what songs rose to the top?  To be honest, there’s only one song on the album that I really like and it’s the ballad, “Innocent,” which is funny because Anberlin is a modern rock band.  When I think of Anberlin I think of “Godspeed” or “A Day Late.”  The ballad on each record is kinda like an extra, but, really they’re all pretty good.

Stephen Christian’s vocals are great on “Vitals.”  Probably better with every album. But when other reviewers call it an essential album I wonder if we’re listening to the same record.

Anberlin is an anchor artist in Christian music, even though they don’t seem to be singing spiritual songs anymore. They're an artist that modern art rock fans know well, beyond the songs.  Because they progress musically with each album we expect big things.  Really, Anberlin is the band that other bands love.

I’m an Anberlin fan. I still am. But who's kidding who?  There’s no way that “Vitals” is going to replace “Friendship” or “Cities.” Let be honest.