Anberlin - The Feel Good Drag (Single)
» Anberlin, Chiodis, Sliverstein and Finch - Palace Theatre, The (formerly The Metro), Vic - Thu, February 26
Christian-Alt rockers Anberlin have been around for a few years now, having released three albums, including most recently the critically acclaimed Cities. With their fourth album, New Surrender, the band has signed to mega-label Universal Music. As is often the case with alternative bands moving to a bigger label, Anberlin were running the risk of falling victim to money-hungry record company executives who are more concerned with making radio-friendly tracks that will sell millions than giving the band the freedom to make the music they desire. So the question plaguing a number of devout Anberlin fans (including this reviewer) as ‘New Surrender’ came to fruition was simple. Were Anberlin going to “sell out”?
The first indication of any answer to this question is the first single off the new LP, The Feel Good Drag. It was certainly a bizarre choice for a lead single for the band, as the track initially appeared on their second album, Never Take Friendship Personal. Having said that, it was also a wise move in reaching out to a wider audience. And, possibly most relieving of all, Anberlin still sound like Anberlin.
The Feel Good Drag has been watered down ever-so-slightly from its former self, yet still packs a massive punch. New listeners will undoubtedly sit up and take notice, if not because they want to, because they have to – the crunching guitars, hard-hitting drums and Stephen Christian’s powerful vocal all form an effective synthesis that makes the song commanding without being intrusive. The Feel Good Drag is hard-hitting without being abrasive, which makes it a fitting first single off New Surrender.
With the new album only days away, Anberlin appear to have avoided the curse of the major-label. They’re still doing what made so many of them fall in love with them in the first place, and if they can successfully reach out to the masses, they’ll simply be joining the ride, not jumping on a new one.
