RSS
Help
CartAnberlin "Vital" Album Review — 5 out of 5 stars
Fri, 19 Oct 2012 12:17:46
"Why do you stay until you see blood?" asks Anberlin singer Stephen Christian on "Self-Starter"—the first song from Vital.
Maybe, we're not staying to see blood but to hear the band's best album yet. Vital taps into the energy of Cities and Never Take Friendship Personal with wise, vivid storytelling, the product of the group's journey on the likes of Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place. "Self-Starter" stands bound to be a live staple with its snappy, succinct riff and immortally catchy refrain, while "Little Tyrants" rides out on a beat that could make Queens of the Stone Age shake before slipping into one of Christian's most potent refrains. Every element shines on Vital though. Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney lock into an impenetrable riff stomp on "Intentions" as Deon Rexroat's bass thumps in tandem. Nathan Young's tight percussive prowess fuels the punk-y "Someone Anyone" flawlessly.
In many ways, the closer "God, Drugs, & Sex" evinces just how much Anberlin have evolved. It's a staggering piano-driven rumination on love where every piece rings out inimitably before spiraling into a blissful melodic haze.
Vital sees Anberlin's heart beating faster and stronger than ever. There's lots of blood, and that's a good thing…
—Rick Florino
10.19.12
What's your favorite Anberlin song?
See our exclusive interview with Stephen Christian here!
See our exclusive interview between Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins and Stephen Christian of Anberlin here!
