Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Music Review




Anberlin
Never Take Friendship Personal



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 39 minutes, 22 seconds
Street Date: February 1, 2005


Anberlin made a significant impression on rock music in 2003 with their impressive Tooth & Nail Records debut, Blueprints For The Black Market. Their brand of passionate modern rock with relative songwriting made Anberlin easy to like. Their follow-up, Never Take Friendship Personal, doesn't stray too far from the groundwork they laid with Blueprints, carrying the torch forward.

At first listen at a few cuts on Never Take..., it sounds like the band has stuck to the same formula as they use their catchy, hook-driven rock to serve as a vehicle to further explore the world of relationships. Songs like "A Day Late," a lament over missing a golden opportunity to be with someone they care for, follow the same format musically as their hit "Foreign Language." But further examination reveals its greatest difference, and the charm of Never Take Friendship Personal - its more melodic approach to songwriting. Stephen Christian's vocals have never sounded better and, while his style and delivery is often the same, he does stretch them from time to time. The title track and "The Feel Good Drag" take a more aggressive approach to their signature take on the emo-flavored rock genre (even including a few screams).

Lyrically, Never Take... strays even further from any spirituality their debut possessed. The album's focus is solely relationships, examining different and often unique takes on them. While a hint of spirituality may be found in "Paperthin Hymn" and even the beautifully tragic "(The Symphony of) Blasé," it's barely enough to note. Songs like the dark "The Feel Good Drag" address lust and deceit while "Stationary Stationery" is a more upbeat and catchy letter to an old friend or former flame.

Never Take Friendship Personal is a solid sophomore effort from these experts of catchy, hooky alternative rock. While they may leave your spirit feeling dry by the time the last notes of "Dance, Dance Christa Päffgen" fade out, Anberlin has put together a collection of relevant and fun songs that contemplate human relationships in a uncommon way. Never Take Friendship Personal is a great album to start off what looks to be a great year in music.



- Review date: 1/30/05, written by John DiBiase of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Try Pop Culture Coffee!

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Tooth & Nail Records
. Album length: 11 tracks, 39 minutes and 22 seconds
. Street Date: February 1, 2005
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Never Take Friendship Personal
  2. Paperthin Hymn
  3. Stationary Stationery
  4. (The Symphony of) Blasé
  5. A Day Late
  6. The Runaways
  7. Time & Confusion
  8. The Feel Good Drag
  9. Audrey, Start The Revolution!
  10. A Heavy Hearted Work Of Staggering Genius
  11. Dance, Dance Christa Päffgen
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Try Pop Culture Coffee!

Search JFH



This Tuesday, June 3, 2025
SINGLES
Sixpence None The Richer The Needle and the Damage Done - Single [Flatiron]

This Friday, June 6, 2025
ALBUMS
CCV Hollow (Deluxe) (independent)
Ben Fuller Walk Through Fire [Provident]
Hopeful. The Wild One - EP (independent)
Christy Nockels King Who Never Sleeps; Anthems for Rest [The Fuel]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down My Will - Single [BEC]
Bill B. & Cyrus Sonata Kevlar - Single [Syntax]
Elan Brio I'm Satisfied (ft. Henry Israel) - Single (independent)
Aaron Cole NOBODY BUT GOD - Single [Provident]
Equippers Worship Living in Freedom (Live) - Single [DREAM]
Good Weather Forecast Pray - Single [DREAM]
Ic3rd & EJ Swavv Woke Up (ft. CJ Emulous & George.Rose) - Single [Syntax]
King David tha Vessel Consistant - Single (independent)
Brandon Lake Daddy's DNA [Provident]
Myles Maestro Flood (ft. Ace Savage & Shruumi) - Single [Syntax]
Mell Omii Wave - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Mr. Pilot - Single [Syntax]
River Valley Worship Time For Revival - Single [BEC]
Roy Tosh Everything's Gonna Be Alright (feat. PEABOD) - Single [RMG Amplify]
Solachi Voz All I Need - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Genesis (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]
Ayiesha Woods I Have Hope - Single [Backsider]

VINYL
Ironwrath Master Storyteller Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, June 13, 2025
ALBUMS
Coqui Death to Your Ego [DREAM]
King's Hammer To Speak In Tongues - EP [Rottweiler]
Brandon Lake King Of Hearts [Provident]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - EP [DREAM]
War of Ages Eternal (15th Anniversary Edition) [Facedown]

SINGLES
CalledOut Music Worthy of It All - Single [Integrity]
Equippers Worship Garment of Praise - Single [DREAM]
Mainstream Worship Near - Single [DREAM Worship]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images