Anberlin – Blueprints For The Black Market

After existing for only a time period of one year, this band out of Orlando, Florida, have created a fan based all over the United States and the world. Anberlin‘s debut CD, Blueprints For The Black Market, came out on May 6th on Tooth And Nail Records and it shows us a young band trying new things, breaking the conventional rules and expectations to go one step further in the sound of pop-punk/light emotional music.

The vocals by Stephen Christian are constantly smooth and melodic. With a mix of background vocals added in during multiple songs, all still smooth and melodic, it makes the songs seamless. The vocals connecting one to another at the perfect timing to make it sound almost as one solid voice. Anberlin sings about many things, with many catchy lyrics to go along with them.

Musically, they play a soft/slow/style of music. Not harsh, fast paced punk rock. The guitars are the most evident. With the drum set played steadily in the background to round it all off. Their style is one of their one, I can not think of a band to compare them with. In retrospect though, I think they should’ve tried to change the beat around at times, as many of the songs sound very similar to another.

One of the standout tracks on the album is the second track, and one of the more popular from the album: Foreign Language. The beat is steady and melodic, with a much more evident drum rhythm then most of the other songs. The lyrics though, are what I really enjoy. All about the different languages boys and girls speak, and how much trouble it causes. They are very well thought up, and somewhat true. The third track, Change The World (Lost Ones) is my absolute favorite track. It starts off a lot harder, with a heavy dose of bass and drums. They change the tune many times during the duration of the song, from harder punk-rock eminences to softer music which you are use to with these guys. The lyrics once again stand above the rest. Saying how we could change the world  and make history if we work together (at least that is my interpretation of them). It shows a different style then most of the album, which helps to demonstrate the musical talent this young band has.

The final track, Naive Orleans, is my second favorite track on the CD. It starts off with an amazing guitar beat mixed with a constant drum rhythm. The melodic vocals join in next. The song is just done incredibly well and a is excellent choice to end the album off with.

Overall, this is a CD which, in my opinion, will not go down in history. It is just mediocre, nothing extraordinary about it. I do recommend it, but not if there are other CDs you could choose from, as there are much better ones out there then this.