Artist: Anberlin
Album: Dark is the Way, Light is a Place
Release Date: September 7
Label: Universal Republic
Grade: B
Remember that band that the audience didn't give a chance at Springfest '10? Well, Anberlin is back with a brand new CD that adds on to their already stellar discography.
Dark is the Way, Light is a Place is Anberlin's third album in four years and their fifth of a long career. Longtime fans will quickly notice how the band has kept their base sound while continuing to experiment.
After finally getting the recognition they deserve with their 2008 release, New Surrender, Stephen Christian and his bandmates did not crack under the pressure, creating an album that could continue to garner the band some spotlight.
Dark is the Way, Light is a Place starts off with the anthem, "We Owe it To Ourselves." While the opening track might have a fast tempo, the speed of the album starts to slow down as it progresses.
The album's first single is "Impossible," which is the perfect name for the song. With the insanely catchy guitar riffs and danceable bass line, it is truly impossible not to at least tap your foot along with the song.
The lyrics have always been the focal point of Anberlin and Christian shows he still knows how to use a pen as well as a microphone.
In the ballad "You Belong Here," Christian belts out lyrics about taking a leap of faith.
"But, I'll give you all I have/ It isn't much/not much at all/ But, a heart that's not worth breaking/ isn't worth much/ not at all," Christian sings.
As the album matures, so do the songs. The tail end of the album hides many of the albums best songs. Tracks like "Art of War" and ‘To the Wolves" will have the listener swaying and fist pumping all in a matter of minutes.
Dark is the Way, Light is a Place ends with the dark, but hauntingly beautiful, "Depraved." This heavy electronic song closes out the album with its dark chants that makes the listener pontificate for a minute.
While Anberlin was not given the time of day at Springfest, with their release of Dark is the Way, Light is a Place, many people will start paying attention to them.