New Surrender is the fourth studio album by American alternative rock band Anberlin, released on September 30, 2008. It is the band's first album on a major label, after signing with Universal Republic Records on August 16, 2007. The album peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200 and 5 on the Billboard Top Modern Rock / Alternative Albums chart.
Anberlin went in to record their fourth album only twelve months after the 2007 release of their third, Cities. The album was recorded at NRG Recording Studios in North Hollywood, California, in early 2008 by producer Neal Avron. The first single from the album, "Feel Good Drag" was originally set to be released to radio prior to the album on August 18, 2008, but was pushed back to August 26.
In an interview with Hurley Blog, Stephen Christian stated his top five lyrical influences for the album have been: "1. The war (in Iraq War) 2. Revelations/conspiracy theories 3. Recent news that one of our close friends has been diagnosed with what could be a terminal disease 4. My time spent in New Orleans 5. My current relationship." Rhythm guitarist Christian McAlhaney has made his debut as a songwriter on the album; Stephen Christian said "He is an incredible counterpoint to Joseph Milligan and has written several songs that are going to be on this record!.".
After years of work with friend and producer Aaron Sprinkle, the band opted for change and along with Universal Republic, selected notable producer Neal Avron. Avron has been involved in the genre for years, producing albums for Yellowcard, New Found Glory and Fall Out Boy. The band completed pre-production on February 11–29, 2008, cutting down from the original 26 songs to just 15,
incidentally by turning four songs into a single one.
The actual recording and production took place at multiple studios in Hollywood, California, under Avron throughout March and early April 2008. The first recording took place at Swing House Recordings in West Hollywood, followed by NRG Recording Studios in North Hollywood, where they completed at lot of the drum tracks and began the bass and guitar tracks. Finally they completed recording at The Boat Studio in Silver Lake, where the main focus was the vocals.
The band stated in a webchat session with AbsolutePunk.net that they would be using a wide range of instruments including the sitar, this claim was later declared as a joke, with Joseph Milligan saying, "It was a joke! There’s no sitar! Now I kind of wish there was so that we could actually say that!"
Christian alluded to the title's power, "I think it's a motivational speech, in two words... Hopefully, ''New is that motivational speech in 40 minutes."
In response to some fans who claimed Anberlin was selling out, the band members released a music video called "Compound Lockdown". Christian McAlhaney introduced the video by saying that Anberlin "likes money a lot" and was going in a different direction, more towards a "hip-hop, thug rap, dirty south kind of thing". The song "Drop Dat (Did You?)" comes on next, displaying Stephen Christian and the members of Anberlin, accompanied by Vic Fuentes of Pierce the Veil and members of Four Year Strong, rapping to the song. This, of course, is meant to be taken lightly as a joke.
Tony Cummings of Cross Rhythms gave it a 10/10, alluding to how "Predictably non-Christian critics sneer at Anberlin, Mojo magazine recently decrying, that 'painfully sincere emoting'", which is why he "can only suggest Cross Rhythms readers take the advice of the vocal hook on 'The Resistance' and 'Think for yourself.'" At CCM Magazine, Andy Argyrakis gave it a 5/5, saying that "Long story short, New Surrender is hands-down one of 2008’s most essential albums to own and is sure to position Anberlin as much deserved cross-cultural superstars." Tim Grierson of About.com gave it a 3.5/5, commenting that " New Surrender may lack the rough edges of earlier Anberlin efforts, but its sleek musicianship and heartfelt songs are significant compensation." At Christianity Today, Russ Breimeier gave it 4.5/5, referencing that "though Cities will undoubtedly remain the favorite to many, these ears can't help but appreciate New Surrender as Anberlin's most varied and mature album to date." James Morovich of The Phantom Tollbooth gave it a 4/5, noting how Cities will be the best the band put out, but noting that "this album does nothing to take away me calling them one of the best Alternative Rock bands writing music right now." At Melodic, Kaj Roth gave it a 3.5/5, saying the band have "delivered a set of mighty fine songs."
In its first two weeks, New Surrender sold over 45,000 copies in the United States alone. The album held its ground in the Billboard 200, staying in the top 100 for three weeks, coming in at number 50 in week two and 79 in week three.
Title
Promotion
Reception
Critical response
Chart performance and sales
Singles chart positions
"Feel Good Drag" 1 8
Track listing
Release history
United States September 30, 2008 Universal CD, vinyl B0011710-02 Australia October 4, 2008 Universal CD 1780295 United Kingdom October 13, 2008 Universal CD, gatefold 2xLP 1204301
Personnel
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