Anberlin

Anberlin follows its buzz-building debut with further relationship-centric songwriting that takes the emo aesthetic to listeners who aren’t so caught up in feeling their feelings with so much feeling. Enough of an acheivement though that may be, a plentitude of hooks coupled to bright power pop textures and intermittent rocky danceability akin to The Killers. Never Take Friendship Personal (watch that grammar, guys) ought to add up to an album that could take Amberlin to their highest heights yet. It very well may, but its undoing for many will be an unremitting slickness which puts distracting distance between their sensitive songwriting and their – here’s that word again – feeling for the songs. To further the power pop parallel, they would do well to study Off Broadway’s heartiness and lay off The Outfield’s hubris. To put it without parallel: over-production overtook Personal. [Tooth & Nail] Jamie Lee Rake

This album review was printed in ISSUE #113 of HM Magazine. Order the Print Version of HM for tons more reviews of new albums.

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Comments

By Q-Tip

As far as you review on anbrelin's "Never take Friendship Personal".It's one of the best emo cds of the year with or without the "feeling for the songs".

By Jake

This review was lame. No depth and no respect for the band. C'mon now, it suprasses the Blackmarket debut by far. Steven's vocals are once again very impressive and the band continues to get tighter. They are amazing live.

By Mike Porter

Yeah umm ok this cd by far blows the blueprints for the black market away, dont get me wrong i love that cd too but ntfp is awesome their sound is better lyrics are great and i hope to see more from anberlin keep up they great music

By Chester

I pretty much second mikey's oppinion up there^. god bless..<><

By Zachy

I thought this cd was really good. Prolly my favorite of the whole year thus far.

By TheMainMan

Amberlin ISN'T an "Emo" band!!! They are called "Rock"....cmon guys! Emo sucks!

By Matthew

This is the best emo cd ever! anberlin shows how love fails sometimes but you should always get back on your feet.