No.89 - ‘Vital’ by Anberlin (2012)

“Solitary views of the other side of a plane we've yet to know; Will we ever get the chance to walk alone; In this life or when we find out that we're home; What will we hear there…”

Alternative Rock is a genre that bloomed late for me, and so it was after years of CD purchases that music streaming was my engine of discovery, and most of the alternative bands would have been Spotify discoveries; Anberlin being up there as one of my first and one of my favourites.

They are most well known for the song “Feel Good Drag”, which is a flippin’ excellent song and well worthy of a mention. But this later album is just fantastic. The same quality, catchiness, and ferocious sound that Anberlin are well known for. But what really stands out is the brilliant range of Stephen Christian’s vocals, and an unmistakeable tone like no other.

Sometimes calm, sometimes raucous; never afraid to push his vocals if the melodies demand it. All in all, Anberlin have carved out a sound that is theirs, and that is an uncommon thing in the world of rock. With a strong synth at the forefront of the music, this album feels like a heavy rock rave. Although they wouldn't call themselves a christian band, their faith does come through in the songs. “I want a love that I don’t deserve, I want the gold that I didn’t earn; I want a fire that will never burn, I want you there, I want you here tonight.”

Anberlin formed in 2002 and have seven studio albums to date. Vitals peaked at No.16 in the US Billboard 200, and No.1 in the US Christian Albums chart. It is released on 10” vinyl, which currently is absent from my collection.

Favourite songs -  Other Side, Little Tyrants, Type Three

Other favourite albums - New Surrender