Play the role with a good girl heart, hide the tangled webs within

This next album is one that came out a year ago, and I've been listening to it since one of my best friends gave it to me.

New Surrender by Anberlin - I cannot believe that I didn't find this band sooner. Following an article I read in Alternative Press about frontman Stephen Christian and a steady reccomendation from my friend, I finally got myself a copy of New Surrender and fell in love with Anberlin. The first track The Resistance pulls the listener right into the album, a solid rock track that lays down the groundwork for the rest of an amazing hand: "You've got a riot on your hands." And that is exactly right. The album is comprised of individual gems, and when looked at as a whole just blows the listener away. Following the first track comes my personal favorite, Breaking, which is a softer, piano-opened track that gives way to guitars leading into the chorus. An overall amazing track that stands out among the others. The rest of the album is very dynamic, with songs ranging through different sounds and styles that boast Anberlin's impressive talent. Another stand out is the single Feel Good Drag, which also shows off the band's instrumentation and lyrical prowess. The album is solid throughout, and I', hard pressed to pick a track I don't like, perhaps only Blame Me! Blame Me! which I cannot get into for some reason. Other than that, New Surrender is an amazing album that I enjoy from beginning to end, something that not a lot of albums do for me.

Key Tracks: The Resistance, Breaking, Feel Good Drag, Breathe, Burn Out Brighter (Northern Lights), Soft Skeletons, Miserable Visu (Ex Malo Bonum)

Currently Listening To: "Brick By Boring Brick" by Paramore from "brand new eyes"

Maybe it's not my weekend, but it's gonna be my year

I am admittedly waaaay behind on my blog. Since my last post, so much has happened musically in my life that I haven't covered, mainly some album releases and newly discovered albums. Thus begins one of quite a few posts that will catch my blog up on some musical discoveries.

Nothing Personal by All Time Low - I got this album a few days after it came out, and as a diehard All Time Low fan, I must admit I like it, despite a few complaints. I've already reviewed the album opener Weightless and expressed how amazing it is, so I'll leave it at that. The rest of the album that follows is a rather generic and poppy version of ATL (which isn't helped by the fact that all of the songs are cowritten, a.k.a. no true original ATL tracks here). What was once a pop punk band in the early 2000's has since evolved into a band that, while remaining carefree, happy and upbeat, has gone down the path many bands like them have - they have come close to trading in their signature sound for a more generic pop. But it still can work. Tracks like Weightless, Break Your Little Heart, Lost In Stereo and Stella show that you can still jump around and have a great time with All Time Low. Nothing Personal does have a terrible case of over-production and way too much Auto-Tune for a kid that sings way better than a lot of other pop-punk singers out there (not to mention way too many songs about partying and girls rather than substantial lyrics we used to see). The album does drop off a little toward the end, but the beginning and middle definitely have some spark. Overall, a decent album, as long as you stay away from Too Much; this song has WAY "too much" production.

Key Tracks: Weightless, Lost In Stereo, Stella

Currently Listening To: "Careful" by Paramore from "brand new eyes"