Album Details

• Artist: Anberlin
• Album: Never Take Friendship Personal
• Label: Tooth and Nail
• Year of Release: 2005
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: digitalbath on 2008-02-25

I'll start off this review by saying that I truly am an Anberlin fan, but it isn't the musician in me that feels this way.  It is the angsty teen who feels compelled to sing along to songs that are feature lyrics that seem to speak to me.  Never Take Friendship Personal speaks directly to the angsty teen in me, but leaves the musician to the wayside, bored.  I found this album to be enjoyable but it was simply because of the typical lyrics, and riffs that are catchy because of their simplicity. This is a great album within the pop/rock genre but don't listen to it looking for a movement.

The album starts off on a strong note with its title track "Never Take Friendship Personal" and then "A Paperthin Hymn."  "A Paperthin Hymn" is definitely a standout on the album with its simplistic opening riff and catchy chorus that'll have you singing "Who's gonna call on Sunday morning?  Who's gonna drive you home?  I just want one more chance to put arms in fragile hands!"  There aren't really anymore stand out songs in the album though.  The rest repeat simplistic riffs with simplistic drums and simplistic lyrics.  It's easy to sing along to, but as I've been saying, there isn't much substance.

Aside from the lack of musical substance, this really is a decent album and is an enjoyable listen.  If you are the casual music listener that just wants to sing along to something, by all means, buy this album immediately.  However, if you're looking to immerse yourself in this album's musical complexity, look somewhere else. 

User Reviews and Comments

Review:

on 2007-07-19 blackxdan Said:

I felt as though this CD had a little bit more of a strong rock feel to it. Whereas their newest release is a CD which seems to be full of soft riffs and religious lyrics. Even though this CD is the harder of the two i just discussed, this CD is a great album. This was the album that actually got me into Anberlin, and my mom loves the album too. Thing about that is, she doesnt listen to rap. The album starts out with the song 'Never Take Friendship Personal', which is an amazing song on its own, but it would have been good to see the band switch up guitar parts from time and time again without keeping the same riff. But after that track, everything on the album is golden. Anyone who has heard anberlin before and liked what they heard, i suggest you pick this CD up.
Rating: 8/10