Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place

Unlike "New Surrender", which seemed to me like Anberlin kind of just rushed through to try and complete, this album is exploding with versatility, passion and desire. Anberlin has definitely struck gold with this masterpiece album, and if you are an Anberlin fan you should purchase this album. Even if you aren't an Anberlin fan you should purchase this album because they stray from the status quo of their normal sound. The band seemed to go a new direction and experimented with new beats and sweet melodies that you can't help but love!!!

While I agree that this album is not quite as good as "Cities" (which is a tough standard to beat!), it is still very well done. I like the overall sound of this album better than "New Surrender". In my opinion, Anberlin is one of the best up-and-coming alternative bands. Their songs remain melodic and catchy yet still substantial enough to keep you listening over and over again. Keep up the good work guys!

Having been a fan of Anberlin since their very first album, I have been anticipating this album for a while now. Their work had been continually getting better with each release up until their last album, "New Surrender" which seemed to be lacking. "Cities" is their best album to date and is a masterpiece, so for any album they make in the future, it will be hard to come close to being that good. Well, "Dark Is The Way" is not far off. It is not as good as "Cities" but certainly holds its own and has some amazing tracks. There are a couple of tracks I don't really like too much but I'd say that there isn't much filler here. The lyrics are ok but not great and this is what sets it apart from "Cities", which was as close to flawless as an album can be. If you are like me and felt that "New Surrender" was not their best offering, you will find "Dark is the Way" to be alot closer to "Cities." My favorite tracks are Art of War and You Belong Here. Down is also a great track, which resembles The Unwinding Cable Car. Impossible is one of the weaker tracks on the album so I am a bit unsure as to why they chose this as the first single.

EMO, Alternative, etc. etc. are labels that don't really describe or do justice to Anberlin's sound and music. In my opinion, Stephen Christian's vocals are some of the best in rock music today. His voice has an other worldly quality, that brings emotion and palpable feeling to the lyrics. He's backed by a very strong band and instrumental arrangements that mesh perfectly with his voice. This is their fifth recording, and their sound continues to evolve while still being recognizable across all of their albums. While their 'sound' is consistent - the music and individual songs grow and mature with each recording. Their music seems richer and fuller with each outing and blends many influences from across the musical spectrum. Anberlin blends catchy song writing, beautiful harmony and lyrics that stand up to repeated listening. Their songs are anchored by solid base lines and drumming throughout this really great album. Highly recommended if you enjoy great vocals, lyrics and musicianship and an easy to digest package. Buy It!

New Surrender along with Blueprints to me are the only four star albums by anberlin. This album is perfect (for the kind of music I like), it grips you right from the first track. Even when Dark Is The Light mellows out you find yourself intrigued by all the subtle notes and loops in the background. A talented band that excite me with every new release and to be honest my favorite band out there. Stand out tracks include Take Me (As You Found Me), You Belong Here and the incredible Down. Buy this, it is simply an amazing album.

It could be argued that Anberlin are the kings of the post-punk alternative rock genre, and "Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place" is certainly a catchy result of that reign. However, in an absurdly impressive library, "Dark Is The Way" is somewhat of a mixed entry. "New Surrender," Anberlin's previous offering, had the potential to become the savior of pop-rock radio with a fantastic selection of heavy, introspective anthems and softer, more accessible pop offerings. Despite this, fans felt alienated, especially following their gritty magnum opus "Cities," in which lead singer Stephen Christian was willing to delve into the minds of drug addicts, murderers, thieves, the vengeful, and the suicidal. "Dark is the Way" attempts to be a return to form without plumbing those depths with such brutal imagery. Likewise, the musical aspect of the album is significantly less aggressive than that of earlier outings. That's not to say that Anberlin does not infuse a few fist-pumpers into the mix. "We Owe This To Ourselves" and "To The Wolves" both convey heavy lyrical material over stadium-sized guitar and bass riffs. "Closer" would feel right at home somewhere on "Cities," and "Depraved" follows Anberlin's tradition of closing an album with an epic song fluctuating between light and heavy (unfortunately, this is Anberlin's weakest closing track to date). That said, nothing here on "Dark Is The Way" really ever reaches the intensity of virtually any number from "Cities." Instead, the listener is hit with a musical style more reminiscent of U2's "No Line on the Horizon." Fortunately for Anberlin, the album manages to get more right than wrong in imitating U2. Indeed, the Edge himself might enjoy Anberlin's newest, even if he would likely feel a bit plagiarized. "Take Me (As You Found Me)," "Pray Tell," and "Art of War" apply this more relaxed sound to great effect without losing the Anberlin vibe. No track on the album falls flat enough to warrant a complaint, with the exception of "Down," which attempts to showcase a more vulnerable Christian on the microphone. This approach backfires when some vocals slide ever-so-slightly off-key; this is really inexcusable for such a talented vocalist as Christian. The critical reviews rave of a more mature, darker Anberlin, but "Dark Is The Way" really feels like a radio-ready, reduced-calorie "Cities" with a few of its own tricks. However, the whole is just as focused as anything Anberlin has previously released, and the band's reluctance to reach the questionably dark overtones of "Cities" is somewhat relieving. On its own, "Dark Is The Way" stands on its own two feet quite well. The love and care put into the new sound is apparent, even if everything seems a little more layered and little less aggressive than past releases. Those disenfranchised by "New Surrender" may want to take a listen before committing to this one, even if it is one of the year's most focused alternative rock offerings. Anberlin's new sound promises much but delivers slightly below the height it so ambitiously aims. With time, however, it is likely the band will call this sound home and one day craft something truly classic. Ten-point Scale: 7.0 out of 10 Genre: Alternative Rock Objectionable Content: Minimal Recommended: Moderately

前作の迷走っぷりから一転、気分爽快なロックに仕上がってます！ 「Impossible」を一聴すれば分かると思います。 プロデューサーのブレンダン・オブライエンの手腕も光ったのでしょうか。。 とにかく、「Cities」と並ぶ名盤、ここに完成です♪

Whoa. Why had I skipped this? Wait, I know why. Cities and New Surrender were pretty good additions to my library, but they didn't penetrate my soul. Vital brought me back hugely. Lowborn cemented Anberlin as one of 'my' bands (especially given that they are *TOTALLY* unknown here in Quebec, Montreal, Quebec...maybe even Canada-wide). Dark Is The Way. Light Is a Place is a 10/10 album. Truly. Impactful and meaningful, catchy and deep from top to end. My only gripe is with the predictable lyrics/songwriting, making the album a tad less special, almost pop-ish in its structure. Yet, even pop can be good pop. Yet, only Anberlin can be Anberlin. This is the album you use to teach a neophyte what Anberlin was, is...might be.

Llego en óptimas condiciones, lo difícil de este álbum es que creo tiene varias versiones, supongo conseguí la más simple por el precio. Muy bueno.

Bought this as my first ever Vinyl and It was perfect fast real fast delivary, well communicated saler Well I've always loved anberlin so for me it is still the best band a must have

Ab, rein in den Warenkorb! Auch dieses Machwerk höchster Güte soll man sich nicht entgehen lassen! "Dark is the Way, Light is a Place" klingt wie seine Vorgänger, einen Unterschied im Sound gibt es nicht. Anberlin sind einfach nur gut. Alle Songs sind echte Hinhörer, ein ganz eigener poppig angehauchter Rock mit geilen Riffs und noch geileren Melodien! Ohrwürmer garantiert! Anberlin rotieren eigentlich ständig in meinem CD-Spieler. Je öfter ich das Album höre, desto mehr Songs fallen mir auf, werden zum unauslöschlichen Ohrwurm, und ich will nur noch eins: Die Jungs endlich mal live sehen! Anberlin sind eine mehr als gute Mischung aus Paramore, Dredg und Aha. Und trotzdem vollkommen anders, einzigartig. Kaum eine Band hat es bislang geschafft, ein dermaßen hitlastiges Album zu fabrizieren, allein "Impossible" ist der perfekter Sommer-Track! Auch "Closer" haut ordentlich rein und sorgt für Gänsehaut!