Artist of the Week: Anberlin

Anberlin is an alternative rock band from Winter Haven, Florida, United States formed in 2002. The band has released four albums and an EP in their six-year run and have sold over 400,000 albums. Anberlin spent five years signed with semi-independent record label Tooth & Nail Records and after the success of their first three studio albums, they announced their signing with major label Universal Republic Records on August 16, 2007. The band's first album on a major label was released on September 30, 2008, entitled New Surrender.

The bandmates officially created Anberlin in 2002, after being approached by Tooth & Nail Records. Barely a year after their formation, their first album as a new band was entitled Blueprints for the Black Market (2003), and was produced by Aaron Sprinkle. It failed to chart, but spurred on by the single "Readyfuels", the album proved to be sufficiently successful, selling over 60,000 units. Through steady touring with other bands in their label and heavy internet promotion, Anberlin was amassing a dedicated fan base early on.

Anberlin released their follow up to Blueprints, Never Take Friendship Personal, in early 2005, again produced by Aaron Sprinkle. Charting at #144 on the Billboard 200, the album brought the band a step closer into the mainstream. Never Take was generally more well received by critics than Blueprints for the Black Market, and garnered favorable reviews.

Anberlin's third album produced by Aaron Sprinkle was released in early 2007 under the title Cities. It sold 34,000 copies in its first week of release, debuted at #19 on the Billboard 200 chart, and, like their previous album, received fairly positive reviews from critics. Before the release of Cities, the band released Godspeed EP exclusively on iTunes in late 2006 to give a preview to the new album. In support of the album, Anberlin held their first headlining tour, supported by Bayside, Meg & Dia and Jonezetta. A compilation album of unreleased material, called Lost Songs, was also released in 2007. It features B-sides, demos, covers, and acoustic versions of their previous songs as well as other tracks recorded at AOL Sessions.

New Surrender is the bands newest release coming out back in September 2008 and I fell in love with it immediately. Never Take is probably still my favorite Anberlin album, at this point, but they are all very good. Currently Stephen Christian is working on an acoustic side project called Anchor & Braille and they should be releasing a CD very soon which I am highly looking forward to.

Members
Stephen Christian – lead vocals (2002-present)
Joseph Milligan – lead guitar, backing vocals (2002-present)
Deon Rexroat – bass (2002-present)
Nathan Young – drums (2002-present)
Christian McAlhaney (formerly of Acceptance) – guitar, backing vocals (2007-present)

Discography
Blueprints for the Black Market [2003]
Never Take Friendship Personal [2005]
Godspeed EP [2006]
Cities [2007]
Lost Songs [2007]
New Surrender [2008]