Anberlin

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Stephen Christian's Explanations on the Origins of the Anberlin Moniker:
Planned name for his daughter.
Thinking about cities in Europe he wanted to visit. In his mind he listed "London, Paris, Rome, and Berlin." Felt "And Berlin" would make a good band name.
Thought that's what Radiohead was singing in the song 'Everything In Its Right Place."
At one time or another, Christian has stated that one of the above was the origin of the band's name. So pick your favorite.

Anberlin formed in '02 following the disintegration of the Christian Rock group SaGoh 24/7 (Servants After Gods Own Heart). Vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarist Joseph Milligan and bassist Deon Rexroat decided to press on. They were joined by rhythm guitarist Joey Bruce and drummer Nathan Young.

Shortly after Anberlin's formation, the Winter Haven (FL) group was approached by Tooth & Nail Records where they released '03's "Blueprints For The Black Market" with the single "Readyfuels." A solid start but the album failed to chart.

More disconcerting were the problems with Bruce who was ejected from the group for showing excessive zeal in the "sex and drugs" department and straying in a different direction from the rest of the band. Guitarists came and went until Nathan Strayer arrived for what turned out to be a three-year stay.

Next up was '05's "Never Take Friendship Personal." This album did chart but it was in the nether regions of the Billboard 200 (#144). Still, a pair of singles, "A Day Late" and "Paperthin Hymn" managed to nick the Modern Rock chart.

One day before the release of "Cities" in '07, the announcement came that Strayer had amicably left the band and was replaced by Christain McAlhaney.

"Cities" turned out to be the group's most successful effort to date landing in the Top 20 (#19) on the Billboard album chart. That probably had a lot to do with Universal Republic Records deciding to sign the group.

But before any new tracks were laid down, Anberlin issued "Lost Songs," a compilation of previously unreleased material, in late '07.

On "Cities," Anberlin's ability to make lyrics like "Is anybody out there?" ("Hello Alone") and "I wanna be your first last kiss" ("Inevitable") sound sincere, rather than cloying, is no mean trick. "Godspeed," "Adelaide" and "A Whisper & A Clamor" benefit from Christian's expressive vocals and the band's spot-on arrangements. Anberlin also manages to revive their earlier, more intense side, on "Reclusion."

"Lost Songs" is the usual collection of demos and what not, including songs Anberlin contributed to other compilations. The surprises are the covers of Radiohead's "Creep," Depeche Mode's "Enjoy The Silence" and Bob Dylan's epic "Like A Rolling Stone." "Creep" is done acoustically but Christian effectively captures the dread while "Enjoy The Silence" keeps the energy and pensiveness but dispenses with the synthesizers. The group's take on "Like A Rolling Stone" really scores. The guitars pulsate as Christian spits out the lyrics changing Dylan's hazy song of dismissal into a tightly wound harangue.

"Blueprints ForThe Black Market" and "Never Take Friendship Personal" are not as melodic as "Cities" they do have a harder edge. The group is willing to cut loose a little more often.

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