Anberlin Band • Page 170

Why didn't anyone warn us of this?

 

No warning needed. The first 5ish minutes before the ocean sounds is pretty good. I mean, ocean sounds aren't bad. Just in my opinion a bit odd to have go on for well over a minute. Makes it so the song would probably be a little awkward if thrown onto a playlist unless it's for a "Missing the Beach" playlist I guess. anyway.

 

What about a "Missing the Joke" playlist?

 

In your defense, I didn't realize it was in the album thread.

 

guys im too rocked on d8 to understand the layers of shit ive missed here this ep is great though listen when you can

 

Yeah I really dig this after first listen. I had always begged for Stephen’s screams to come back and boy does he deliver here. Both of these EP’s are epic and I think they both hit me harder than Lowborn on first listen.

Very excited to digest this more, but I can safely say each song is great.

 

Yeah this a great EP. Absolutely love the last song

 

I like all the cool production/electronic flourishes on their own merit but all in all, I feel like these guys need to slow down and let the grooves develop like they did on Lowborn. These could all be benefitted by being stripped back. The melodies are gone before they can even settle in.

They clearly have plenty of cards up their sleeves these days, just kinda seems like they’re trying to play every card at the same time and losing the cool, hypnotic mid tempo stuff they were so good at. Start simple, add a layer or two at a time and let them breathe.

 

I like the last two EPs an infinite amount more than Lowborn.

 

I know I’m in a minority (possibly a minority of one), but Lowborn was the peak of whatever it is I like best about Anberlin. Not sure how to explain it but “Stranger Ways,” “Atonement,” “Dissenter,” “Losing It All,” “Hearing Voices”… all really solid, essential songs that push the band forward and sound modern without needing to resort to so many tricks.

Basically, I think they need Aaron Sprinkle again.

 

His work on Vital was fantastic, one of the greatest producers on the planet. But that’s definitely more like these EPs than that last album imo. Lowborn suffered from him not actually having the reigns on the full album imo.

 

Decoder is a monster of song

 

Decoder was what I was most excited for because they ended up playing it live in Atlanta late last year and the hype definitely transitioned well to the studio recording.

Really feeling the Underoath influence on this in terms of production and layering.

 

any reason why Banshee is spelled like Bansheee?

 

You just articulated well what I’ve struggled with about these EPs. I know a lot of people like them and I’m glad they’re getting a positive response. But I miss the melodies that drew me to them. And you’re right, Lowborn, despite it being a bit of a weird album, had a lot of great songs on it.

 

holy shit animals

 

this ^^

also, really enjoying these songs still. Honestly it’s nice to have some more songs. Really enjoy the ending to this one.

 

I agree with you. These new EPs are sooooo dense from the start. its tough for me to parse out the vocal melodies/hooks. theres just a lot going on. i still enjoy the EPs, but personally, this is not my favorite iteration of Anberlin.

 

Lowborn has aged extremely well for me, but I agree that it suffers from a lack of cohesion with the production.

I can see how some could consider these EP’s overproduced, but I think it compliments what they are going for with this sound. I love that they’re pushing and trying something new with these.

So glad they’re back.

 

iirc, Lowborn was made in a super short period of time, and each element was handled separately by a different producer. Matt Goldman produced the drums, Aaron Marsh did the other instrumentation, and Aaron Sprinkle did the vocals. so that's why i'm assuming it's slightly less-cohesive?

 

Yep. That was always weird to me. They’ve since talked about a lot of tension amongst themselves at the time, which I think factors into that decision. Stephen pretty much did everything separate from the rest of them.

Glad they made up.

 

Yea, that sounds right.

I remember reading during the hiatus that Stephen was the only Christian in the band and that caused tension. I never saw details though. I’m glad they resolved their differences. I’ve seen them live 4 times since the reunion and I really like the EP’s. Plus, all the live streams. Great time to be an Anberlin fan.

 

honestly, the others potentially not being Christians is one of the main reasons why i'm still listening. like others, i'm disappointed with some of the bullshit Stephen gets himself wrapped up in (i.e. the Watashi Wa situation with Stephen using the Anberlin name on a feature, following Ron DeSantis on IG, other political comments, etc.), but the other four members seem like reasonable, somewhat progressive-ish people (i remember years ago Christian was asking people to donate to the Human Rights Campaign). i usually hate the argument that "a band is more than just one of their problematic members", but i think having other members who don't think that way almost prevents any of the bullshit from going farther, y'know? idk if anyone else feels that way or not.

 

To me, since the lyrics aren’t exclusively Christian based (if you know what I mean), it doesn’t really matter to me what each one believes. Having grown up Christian, I like when they tackle God in lyrics, but I love the ones that don’t, as well. Thrice is in a similar situation, I believe. Though, they tend to have more songs that are “Christian.” But whatever. I think it’s good to see believers and non believers on the same page when it comes to the band and mutual respect is visible. That seems to be the case with both bands, so it’s all good to me.

I don’t know if that made sense. But I like this band haha regardless of what each member believes.

 

oh i get and respect that, having grown up Christian myself. i was primarily talking about how this impacts any outward social and political behavior. sure, not every non-Christian is progressive, but i think having more non-Christians might buffer some of the conservative nonsense.