Customer Reviews

Cities (W/Dvd) (Spec)

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you enjoyed "Blueprints for the Black Market" and loved "Never Take Friendship Personal", "Cities" is the album that you've been waiting for. In a way, it's more of the same: the winning combo of "Never Take Friendship Personal" with the raw energy of "Blueprints[...]". So, if you enjoyed their previous two albums, you're certain to like this one. There is, however, an evident maturity throughout.

The time spent into making this album is obvious, as the production, quality and "feel" of the album is very near perfection. Musically, Anberlin kept faithful to their unique sound, while adding elements that ensure creative musicianship in this critic's mind - many, many vocal harmonies, for example; as well as use of other instruments like violins and, if my ears didn't decieve me, a Children's Choir (in the brilliant "(*Fin)"). Vocal overlays and vocal sound effects also add variety in this energetically beautiful production. There are also some more slower songs ( the first of which was seen in "Never Take[...]"), that are uncommonly original and equally alluring. Lyrically, this album is much more poetic than their previous releases, thus making it a bit more profound. From lost loves to finding salvation, Anberlin knows what they're doing and it most certainly shows. One song that I truly love that is missing from this album is "Haunting", the six minute masterpiece you got for free if you dowloaded the "Godspeed" single off of iTunes (you can still get it there, by the way).

Overall, this is a must-have for all Anberlin fans and a great start-up album if you're not. If you found their previous releases mild and average, that's probably what you'll think of this one. No matter where you stand, however, this awesome band has made a fantastic record (both in content and production) worthy of a good listen or two.

Enjoy!

Read all the professional reviews, and tell me if you can find one bad review about this CD. I have yet to find one. In fact, I challenge you to find one that does not rant and rave about this CD and how good it is.

I am an avid music listener and I have over 200 CDs. I knew "Cities" by Anberlin was going to be amazing (from all the hype about it and falling in love with a couple sample songs before the CD even came out). So I went to buy the CD on opening day. I'll just cut straight to the chase. After listening through the CD only about 1 and 1/2 times, the CD became an instant favorite. This happens VERY VERY rarely to me. In fact, I am pretty sure the same applies to most everyone.

"Cities" is a masterpiece. Want to know why? To put it shortly, The songs are incredibly melodic and addictive. The rhythm, guitar work and vocals on each song is mind-blowing. The production quality is downright professional.

If you're looking for all out rock (kinda like Anberlin's first CD), you won't find as much of it on here. You still will find plenty though. The amount of "all out rock" songs may be not as much as their previous albums, but the quality/edginess matches, if not surpasses them. "Godspeed" and "A Whisper and a Clamor" will no doubt get your adrenaline flowing with each listen. Others like "Adelaide," "Hello Alone," and a few others will top off your needs to rock out, and will also provide you a moment to bask in these songs' soothing lyrics and melody. One that sticks out the most to me, as it does to many other fans apparently, is "Dismantle Repair." It's a wonderfully written song that balances itself between the soft side and edgy side of Anberlin.

However, where I really think this album shines and makes such an outstanding contrast from their previous work is its providing the listener with incredibly written, softer, acoustic-driven songs. I fell in love with these songs the second I heard the first chord. There are many on the CD, and each one is beautiful and mesmorizing to say the least. And I think this is where Anberlin has shown their maturity/progression as a band in this album. "The Unwinding Cable Car" and "Inevitable" (Anberlin's romantic ballad for this CD) are definitely two of my favorites.

I saved the best for last. And so did Anberlin. "Fin," the last track on the regular edition album, is, personally, one of, if not the, prettiest and most amazing songs I have ever heard in my life. You don't need to take it from me though. Every review never fails to mention this song and describe it as "epic," "beautiful," etc. It's 8 and a half minutes long, and it will utterly captivate you. It starts out acoustically and is so harmonious that it will be enough to make you want to close your eyes and give full attention to the sound is making your ear drums feel like they just hit nirvana. The song progresses into melodic rock. After a while, you will start to hear a beautiful children's choir start to sing over the electric guitars, and there's a good chance that you will fade in and out of reality. Ok maybe not, but it can certainly happen. Just listen to the song yourself. Everything matches perfectly. The song fades out with Christian's vocals reaching the highest I have ever heard them.

I whole-heartedly agree with many of the reviews I've read when they say that this is very likely to become the best CD of 2007 in the rock/Christian/indie music scene. Heck, it's one of the best in my music collection.

Get the CD. No questions asked. (The special edition has 3 bonus tracks and is $10 at Best Buy on its opening week)

If you enjoyed "Blueprints for the Black Market" and loved "Never Take Friendship Personal", "Cities" is the album that you've been waiting for. In a way, it's more of the same: the winning combo of "Never Take Friendship Personal" with the raw energy of "Blueprints[...]". So, if you enjoyed their previous two albums, you're certain to like this one. There is, however, an evident maturity throughout.

The time spent into making this album is obvious, as the production, quality and "feel" of the album is very near perfection. Musically, Anberlin kept faithful to their unique sound, while adding elements that ensure creative musicianship in this critic's mind - many, many vocal harmonies, for example; as well as use of other instruments like violins and, if my ears didn't decieve me, a children's choir (in the brilliant "(*Fin)"). Vocal overlays and vocal sound effects also add variety in this energetically beautiful production. There are also some more slower songs ( the first of which was seen in "Never Take[...]"), that are uncommonly original and equally alluring. Lyrically, this album is much more poetic than their previous releases, thus making it a bit more profound. From lost loves to finding salvation, Anberlin knows what they're doing and it most certainly shows. One song that I truly love that is missing from this album is "Haunting", the six minute masterpiece you got for free if you dowloaded the "Godspeed" single off of iTunes (you can still get it there, by the way).

Overall, this is a must-have for all Anberlin fans and a great start-up album if you're not. If you found their previous releases mild and average, that's probably what you'll think of this one. No matter where you stand, however, this awesome band has made a fantastic record (both in content and production) worthy of a good listen or two.

SPECIAL EDITION

Of the three (3) bonus tracks that appear in the Special Edition, "Uncanny" is the only one that really struck me as something that should've been included in the core "Cities" album. The Smiths' cover song "There is a Light that Never Goes Out" is a truly sweet song and it's par with it's original counterpart. It's lack of progressions towards the end of the song, however, make it seem a bit monotone. The cover song "The Promise" -by When In Rome- is not that bad and Anberlin did a great job of the vocals

On the DVD, there is a "Making Of" featurette that is quite interesting, if you're into that sort of thing. The Bonus Features are quite enjoyable and include a photo slideshow of the band in the studio, the "Cities" teaser/trailer and how the "Whoa-hos and hey-eys" came to be.

Enjoy!

Read all the professional reviews, and tell me if you can find one bad review about this CD. I have yet to find one. In fact, I challenge you to find one that does not rant and rave about this CD and how good it is.

I am an avid music listener and I have over 200 CDs. I knew "Cities" by Anberlin was going to be amazing (from all the hype about it and falling in love with a couple sample songs before the CD even came out). So I went to buy the CD on opening day. I'll just cut straight to the chase. After listening through the CD only about 1 and 1/2 times, the CD became an instant favorite. This happens VERY VERY rarely to me. In fact, I am pretty sure the same applies to most everyone.

"Cities" is a masterpiece. Want to know why? To put it shortly, The songs are incredibly melodic and addictive. The rhythm, guitar work and vocals on each song is mind-blowing. The production quality is downright professional.

If you're looking for all out rock (kinda like Anberlin's first CD), you won't find as much of it on here. You still will find plenty though. The amount of "all out rock" songs may be not as much as their previous albums, but the quality/edginess matches, if not surpasses them. "Godspeed" and "A Whisper and a Clamor" will no doubt get your adrenaline flowing with each listen. Others like "Adelaide," "Hello Alone," and a few others will top off your needs to rock out, and will also provide you a moment to bask in these songs' soothing lyrics and melody. One that sticks out the most to me, as it does to many other fans apparently, is "Dismantle Repair." It's a wonderfully written song that balances itself between the soft side and edgy side of Anberlin.

However, where I really think this album shines and makes such an outstanding contrast from their previous work is its providing the listener with incredibly written, softer, acoustic-driven songs. I fell in love with these songs the second I heard the first chord. There are many on the CD, and each one is beautiful and mesmorizing to say the least. And I think this is where Anberlin has shown their maturity/progression as a band in this album. "The Unwinding Cable Car" and "Inevitable" (Anberlin's romantic ballad for this CD) are definitely two of my favorites.

I saved the best for last. And so did Anberlin. "Fin," the last track on the regular edition album, is, personally, one of, if not the, prettiest and most amazing songs I have ever heard in my life. You don't need to take it from me though. Every review never fails to mention this song and describe it as "epic," "beautiful," etc. It's 8 and a half minutes long, and it will utterly captivate you. It starts out acoustically and is so harmonious that it will be enough to make you want to close your eyes and give full attention to the sound is making your ear drums feel like they just hit nirvana. The song progresses into melodic rock. After a while, you will start to hear a beautiful children's choir start to sing over the electric guitars, and there's a good chance that you will fade in and out of reality. Ok maybe not, but it can certainly happen. Just listen to the song yourself. Everything matches perfectly. The song fades out with Christian's vocals reaching the highest I have ever heard them.

I whole-heartedly agree with many of the reviews I've read when they say that this is very likely to become the best CD of 2007 in the rock/Christian/indie music scene. Heck, it's one of the best in my music collection.

Get the CD. No questions asked. (The special edition has 3 bonus tracks and is $10 at Best Buy on its opening week)

These kinds of reviews always help me, so I thought I would try my hand at one. This CD is yet another great example of a band who makes great music, no gimicks. To put it best, in the words of Brand New "Mic's are for singing, not for swinging." Anywayz, on to the review.

1. (Debut) - (7/10). Its an intro, so I dont know what all there is to review. It is an interesting mix or city noises, but towards the end with the simple plucks of the guitar and the building feedback comes the greatest part about it: It builds you up and then thrusts you into Godspeed, seamlessly.

2. Godspeed - (10/10). The first single, and definately a great way to start off the CD. Fast, loud, raw....pretty much everything a good rock song should be. Good lyrics, catchy riffs, and a blazing guitar bridge give this song a definate identity. Definately one of the top 3 songs on the CD.

3 . Adelaide - (8/10). This track slows it down a little bit. Much lighter than Godspeed and a change of pace. Good lyrics about being lead on by a girl but knowing it. Catchy song with a good bridge but could be argued as a filler, although even Anberlin's fillers are better than some bands singles.

4. A Whisper & A Clamor - (8/10). Starts off hard but then settles into its own kindof "groove." Midway through the song it goes soft, but it works for this song. The intricate guitar work is good as is the acoustic outro but the lyrics to this song require some bit of analysis before any meaning can be derived. Either way, not a bad song....but maybe could be better.

5. The Unwinding Cable Car - (9/10). A simple acoustic track that Stephens voice has taken to another level. Much better than "Never Take Friendship Personal"s 'Symphony of Blase'. Has a good rhythm to it and flows well from the ending of "Whisper & Clamor." Perfect spot on the CD for this song, almost lulls the listener into a sense of calmness. However they are thrust right back into ROCK with the next track....

6. There is No Mathematics to Love and Loss - (10/10). The almost "new-wave" intro catches you right away and continues throughout the song, especially in the intro. Great lyrics spaced throughout the song, "there is algebra in gasoline, burning pictures pages and photographs" for example. The catchy drum beat to the song keeps you intrigued through the duration. You will find your foot tapping along. A definate pick me up after the last few slower songs.

7. Hello Alone - (6/10). I supposed every amazing CD with the exception of the timeless albums has to have a weak spot. This would be the case for Anberlin with this song. While the lyrics are quite good, I personally would have picked a different style of song to convey them in. It almost seems like the overall feel of the song doesn't fit the rest of the album. Things seem out of key, with too many pitch shifts and out of sync guitar riffs.

8. Alexithymia - (9/10). An excellent recovery from the last song. A good catchy intro pulls you in right away. Lyrics are solid throughout the entire song. Good rhythm changes and the song has a great flow to it. Solid bridge leads into the last powerful chorus, and Stephens angelic vocals during the bridge cap it off. A great song overall.

9. Reclusion (10/10). This song gets back to ROCK, the likes of which we haven't seen since Godspeed. Fast, hard...and slightly electronic. Throw in the GREAT lyrics, especially the chorus and this makes for a fun, fast, energizing song. Definately in the top 3 of the CD. The bridge, although full of feedback also features blistering guitar work, and this song does its job: It gets you pumped and full of energy for Anberlin's power ballad which is up next.

10. DismantleRepair (15/10). By far the BEST song on the CD. I could go on for days about this song. Quite possibly one of the best songs EVER written (look up the lyrics if you dont believe me). Catchy and intriguing from the very first note. The chorus makes me the song, "Hands like secrets are the hardest thing to keep from you/Words and phrases like knives your words can cut me through" Simlpy amazing. A def power ballad and its shows up many qualities of Stephens amazing alto voice. This song along makes the CD worth buying. Then there is a seamless transition from this ballad into the epic finisher. (Picture "Paperthin Hymn" x 10)

11. (*Fin) - (10/10). The song starts out as an acoustic gem. It seems like Stephen is telling a story, but these lyrics can be interpreted in many different ways. "Wish your drinking would hurry and kill you/Sympathy is better than having to tell you the truth/That you are the patron saint of lost causes." The energy just keeps building with every verse, until the distortion kicks of the guitars in and Stephen reveals the pure power of his voice. Then, out of nowhere you are hit with of all things, an extraordinarily talented boys choir. They add such depth to the song that given the right mood, this song has brought me to tears. Its just absolutely beautiful. The song winds down halfway through but goes into a nice guitar lead out which is the perfect way to close out this CD. Could not have asked for more from them.

(However for us special edition folks, we get more!)

12. Uncanny - (8/10). The only one of the bonus tracks I listen to on a regular basis. Light, catchy, and prob one of the better B-sides I have heard in my time.

13. There is a Light that Never Goes Out - (6/10). Simple song, simple rhythm...so a simple score. Nothing special here, decent B-side.

14. The Promise (When in Rome) - (5/10). This chorus to this song is very catchy, with very good lyrics....however the rest of the song is lacking much depth.

As many say a band's third album is their most mature and best work. Anberlin is no different. The first two albums were amazing. The third album is phenominal. Perhaps it is because they have been playing together so long and Christian from Acceptance joined the band. Cities is not one you will want to pass by.

Cities is one of the most amazing albums i've ever heard. Stephen Christian took his vocals to the next level on this one. I believe the songs "Hello, Alone" and "DismantleRepair" show this the best. Cities is the album all hardcore Anberlin fans have been waiting for. Anberlin is the FUTURE of music.

"Blueprints for the Black Market" (2003) and "Never Take Friendship Personal" (2005) were both brilliant CDs. This CD is a little more serious and dark, yet it has some beautiful ballads such as "The Unwinding Cable Car "Inevitable". The lead singer of Anberlin has such an incredible voice that one can help but love this album. "Godspeed", "A Whisper & A Clamor", "Dismantle.Repair." are some good highlights. Anberlin has acheived something several bands have not, and that is being original. The listener (atleast those who are in his or her 30s) will notice some 80s flavor in the music, and I mean the good music in the 80s when Alternative Music began. Speaking of the 80s, the special edition CD has two cover songs "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" (The Smiths) and "The Promise" (When In Rome). This special edition CD contains 3 bonus songs and a DVD. The bonus songs are worth the purchase. "Uncanny" is great rock track that sounds as though it could have easily been a part of this CD. I would recommend The Classic Crime- "Albatross" and Acceptance- "Phantoms" to fans of Anberlin.

After two releases loaded with infectious post-emo flavored alt rock, Anberlin has become sort of a staple in the indie rock scene. The band returns for a third outing with Cities, a lyrical departure from their previous effort Never Take Friendship Personal, and musically the next step in the band's artistic evolution.


At first listen of Cities, it's clear there isn't a whole lot that's changed for Anberlin stylistically. If anything, there's a more mature and focused approach to their songwriting, with less concentration on fun than previous efforts (not that there's anything wrong with that). Anberlin's sound has always been a mixture of social reflection and a youthful excitement towards love and life. Cities strays a bit from this direction while maintaining the catchiness and sing-a-long-ability that their previous recordings offered their listeners. On Cities, the lyrics are just as often about love and relationships as they are about loneliness and struggles in life. Anberlin gets a little more sentimental romantically with the beautiful and melodious of "Inevitable" ("Do you remember when we were just kids / And cardboard boxes took us miles from what we would miss / ...I want to be your last first kiss that you ever have") and the soaring, anthemic "Dismantle Repair" ("The night was young and so were we / Talked about life, God, death and your family / ...Hands like secrets are the hardest thing to keep from you"). The guys also cover some heavier topics like depression and desperation in songs like the riffy call for help "Hello Alone" ("Is anybody out there? / Hello, hello / Broken hearts like promises / Are left for lesser knows / Is anybody out there? / Alone, alone"), the bitter "Reclusion," and the climactic closer "Fin" ("Aren't we all to you just lost causes? / Are we all to you lost?). But Cities contains within its moody streets its glimmers of hope as well. "Hello Alone" ends with a lyrical embrace ("From a lesser known / I'm here and there's hope / There's hope"), while "A Whisper & A Clamor" ambiguously references the Psalms to call our generation to action ("Clap your hands all yea children / There's a clamor in your whispering / Clap your hands tonight / Hear what the silence screams"). But in the end, Anberlin's cryptic songwriting leaves a lot open to interpretation as usual, which delivers the poetic and thoughtful musings at a bit of a price.


Musically, most of the songs on Cities are more melodic and crisply polished - almost to excess. Luckily the clean edge given to the song's sound doesn't rob them of their impact, although some of the heavier rock tracks might have benefited from more of a dirty guitar sound. But Cities is bold and brave in its execution and composition. Those expecting some drastic progression in style will be sorely disappointed as you can pretty much line up the Anberlin albums and play them through and notice mere subtle changes from one to the next. While there may seem to be less emo-pop influences as well as themes for young lovers on Cities, familiarity from the Anberlin formula is the base for the more solemn direction this album takes. In the end, it works, even if the band's musical growth doesn't seem all too severe.


While the songrwiting on Anberlin's third release is more weighty than their previous installments, the band sticks to what they know best to craft a pretty impressive batch of songs. It may not reinvent the proverbial wheel, but Cities is probably just the rock release Anberlin fans and music lovers alike have been waiting for.

For every individual who listens to music, there is also that one "iffy" band. It could be a band that has released solid yet not spectacular albums, or has released a few great songs and a few mediocre songs; basically, it's a band that has grabbed your attention but cannot seem to hold on to it. One band that has fit this description for me is Anberlin. Sure, their first two albums have some great tracks, but they also have contained tracks I could care less for. They've also been a band that couldn't seem to figure what they wanted to sound like. Some tracks they would be very intense while other tracks were as poppy as can be. Because of this, Anberlin was a band that I was very lukewarm towards. Until I heard Cities. With their third album, the Florida quintet has shattered everything I used to think about the band. Produced by Aaron Sprinkle, Cities display a vast improvement in every aspect. The drums hit harder, the guitars sound tighter, and Stephen Christian's vocals soar higher than every before. In other words, the overall sound of Anberlin is bigger than ever.

The first thing I immediately noticed was Nathan Young's improved drumming. Whether it's Sprinkle's doing or just an improvement with age (or a combination of both), it is vastly better and adds so much to the overall sound of Anberlin. The musicianship from guitarist's Joseph Milligan and Nathan Strayer and bassist Deon Rexroat is tighter than ever, adding more depth from what they played on 2005's Never Take Friendship Personal. But most impressive of all is the improvement of Christian's vocals. I don't know how he did it, but his voice commands your full attention in each song, whether it's his powerful or gentle delivery. When discussing the best voices in the scene, Stephen Christian HAS to be brought up. He is, in my opinion, the best singer currently in the scene.

Musically, the band eliminates almost all their pop sensibility while remaining immensely catchy. There aren't any songs that'll be so sugary that it'll rot your teeth. Rather the album displays a moodier vibe throughout, as displayed in the "(Debut)" track. They also hit harder than ever before on the rip-roaring first single, "Godspeed," as Young relentlessly pounds on the skins. The synth makes a few appearances on some tracks, adding another element to tracks like "Adelaide" (which is one of the catchiest choruses' Anberlin has ever written) and "Reclusion," an industrial rocker played at break-neck speed. "Hello Alone" features superb drumming again from Young and Milligan and Strayer guitars bring on an assault to your ears. "Alexithymia" begins slow and gentle, but the guitars on the outro needle in and out along with soothing background "ooohs." "Dismantle Repair" is bound to be a fan favorite, as the band balances when to be loud and when to be quiet very well.

While a lot of the songs are high on adrenaline and are meant to played loud, there are still a handful of slower songs that Anberlin excel in. "The Unwinding Cable Car" is a beautiful track that shows how versatile Christian's voice is, while "Inevitable" is the romantic ballad of the album, featuring the line "I want to be your last first kiss/for all time." But the highlight of Cities comes in the form of the six and a half minute album closer, "(*Fin)." The acoustic guitar is mesmerizing as Christian calmly sings his passionate lyrics. But the song really reaches its peak when all the instruments kick in, along with a children's choir, to give "Fin" an emphatic and epic ending. Not only is the best song Anberlin has written, but it is also one of the best songs you'll hear in 2007.

To describe Cities as the maturation of Anberlin would be an incorrect assessment. They have always been mature; rather this is the progression of their sound. They have taken what they've produced on previous albums and taken it to the next level. Could this be the best album Tooth & Nail releases all year? Damn right, it could. Should major labels be knocking on Anberlin's door after this release? Damn right, they should. Fans of the band will be knocked to the floor after hearing this, and Cities should be able to gain some new fans as well. It sure as hell converted me.