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JFH Music Review




Anberlin
Godspeed EP



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 2 tracks: 8 minutes, 57 seconds
Street Date: December 26, 2006


Anberlin seemed to make an instant impression on the alternative rock scene in 2003 when they released their standout debut Blueprints For The Black Market. Blending a sort of (dare I use the term) emo-rock foundation ala Jimmy Eat World with nods to personal heroes of the band like The Cure, Anberlin offered much of the same of what the scene had to offer, but in a way that was hard to resist. Their follow-up Never Take Friendship Personal was slightly edgier but held true to the format the band already established. Now, nearly two years later, the band is poised to release their third album Cities.

The Godspeed EP, a digital-only release on iTunes, gives just a taste of what we can expect on Cities. The title track, the first single from the new record, is an aggressive anthem that bears the same vibe as "Glass To The Arson" from their debut or "The Feel Good Drag" from their follow-up. Musically, it may not seem all that different, but it does feel like a natural progression forward for the band - even if it's only slightly. While some bands change drastically from record to record, still others stay put in the format that seems comfortable for them. Anberlin falls somewhere in the latter category, only fine-tuning their craft from record to record. Those looking for something drastically different won't find it, but those looking for the next step in the band's musical evolution just might find. Lyrically, the song seems to follow their focus on relationships, something that carries through to the beautifully melodic and passionate b-side bonus to the EP, "Haunting." This EP is the only place to get this track and it's a keeper for sure. I'm puzzled as to why it's not going to be included on Cities, but it at least makes for a great bonus track online. The sort of atmospheric and dreamy ballad, which does a wonderful job giving a haunting feeling itself, breaks into a few more rock-driven moments as vocalist Stephen Christian's signature vocals belt out romantic lyrics about the memory of a girl. While the echo effect on his vocals make the words a bit hard to decipher at first, it's a musical highlight no doubt.

The Godspeed EP may be brief but it successfully gives the appearance that Anberlin's next venture is shaping up to be a 2007 highlight. I suppose we'll have to wait and see as Cities drops on February 20th.

- Review date: 12/28/06, written by John DiBiase



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. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Tooth & Nail Records
. Album length: 2 tracks, 8 minutes, 57 seconds
. Street Date: December 26, 2006
. Buy It: iTunes Music Store

  1. Godspeed
  2. Haunting
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Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

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This Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]
Megan Woods The Truth EP [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
Rock City Worship Gravestone - Single [Capitol CMG]
Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]


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