New Surrender
Encyclopedia
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!"
blog quickly spread across music news sites, with them reporting his insight on the title and how "we must change, not because we want to, but because we desperately have to."
Christian alluded to the title's power, "I think it's a motivational speech, in two words... Hopefully, [New Surrender] is that motivational speech in 40 minutes."
in the US
. Anberlin
was showcasing their new material on the main stage for the entire tour, with the pre-order coming with a USB device on a wristband. The USB contained a direct link to a digital download
of the album, available on the release date September 30, 2008. The USB also had four exclusive tracks, including an alternate acoustic remix of "Breaking", and remixes of "Hello Alone", "The Unwinding Cable Car
" and "The Feel Good Drag".
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 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.
writer Blake Solomon said he "was forced to deal with some devastating news: Anberlin has signed to a major label," going onto reveal, "Of course it’s just my luck that New Surrender rocks with the force of Blueprints
(for the Blackmarket) and smarts of Never Take Friendship Personal
."
Patrol Magazine's David Sessions gave the album a 7.1/10, after being especially impressed by the opening track. "Like last time, New Surrender opens with a stunning, rocketing, riot-igniting send-off, except that “The Resistance” knocks “Godspeed
” flat on its back, immediately demanding to be named Best Anberlin Track Ever."
at the number 13 position, surpassing the number 19 peak reached by Cities
. It was also announced that the album had debuted at number five on the Billboard Top Modern Rock / Alternative Albums chart, number one on the Top Christian Albums chart, number six on the Top Digital Albums chart.. New Surrender came in at number 85 on the Australian ARIA charts
.
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.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, 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
NRG Recording Studios
NRG Recording Studios is a recording facility located in North Hollywood, California that was created by producer and mixer Jay Baumgardner in 1992.- Facilities :*Studio A console: custom vintage Neve 8068 built by Pat Schneider...
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
Silver Lake, Los Angeles, California
Silver Lake is a hilly neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles, California east of Hollywood and northwest of Downtown Los Angeles. Silver Lake is inhabited by a wide variety of ethnic and socioeconomic groups, but it is best known as an eclectic gathering of hipsters and the creative class.The...
, where the main focus was the vocals.
The band stated in a webchat session with AbsolutePunk.net
AbsolutePunk.net
AbsolutePunk is a website, online community, and alternative music news source founded by Jason Tate . The website mainly focuses on artists who are relatively unknown to mainstream audiences, but it has been known to feature artists who have eventually achieved crossover success, including Fall...
that they would be using a wide range of instruments including the sitar
Sitar
The 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
, 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!"
Title
The album's mysterious title has been explained multiple times by Anberlin's lyricist Christian. He has said the title explains people's need to give things up to change, "In everybody's life, there's something they know they have to give up... There's something they have to change or take care of in their lives to progress to the next step." His original explanation on the band's MyspaceMyspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
blog quickly spread across music news sites, with them reporting his insight on the title and how "we must change, not because we want to, but because we desperately have to."
Christian alluded to the title's power, "I think it's a motivational speech, in two words... Hopefully, [New Surrender] is that motivational speech in 40 minutes."
Promotion
A pre-order for the upcoming album was available throughout the 2008 Warped TourWarped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Anberlin
Anberlin
Anberlin is an American rock band formed in Winter Haven, Florida in 2002. Since the beginning of 2007, the band has consisted of lead vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney, bassist Deon Rexroat, and drummer Nathan Young.Members of Anberlin originally formed...
was showcasing their new material on the main stage for the entire tour, with the pre-order coming with a USB device on a wristband. The USB contained a direct link to a digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
of the album, available on the release date September 30, 2008. The USB also had four exclusive tracks, including an alternate acoustic remix of "Breaking", and remixes of "Hello Alone", "The Unwinding Cable Car
The Unwinding Cable Car
"The Unwinding Cable Car" is the second single from alternative rock band Anberlin's third album Cities. It is the band's first "slower" song released as a single. The video has been released and has received over 270,000 views...
" and "The Feel Good Drag".
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 of Pierce the Veil
Pierce the Veil
Pierce the Veil is an American post-hardcore band from San Diego, California. Formed in 2006, the group was founded by brothers Vic and Mike Fuentes after the disbandment of the group Early Times which was formed out of the San Diego punk rock scene...
and members of Four Year Strong
Four Year Strong
Four Year Strong is an American pop punk band from Worcester, Massachusetts, formed in 2001. The group consists of vocalists and guitarists Dan O'Connor and Alan Day, bassist Joe Weiss, and drummer Jackson Massucco...
, rapping to the song. This, of course, is meant to be taken lightly as a joke.
Critical response
New Surrender received a mainly positive response from reviewers, with many alluding to the fact it is their major label debut, and has been successful musically. Allmusic's Jared Johnson gave the album 4.5/5, calling New Surrender Anberlin's "best sense of direction yet" and said the album wasn't "as much a diversion as it is a realization of their potential to finally seize the full emo spirit in all its glory". Jesus Freak Hideout said, "Much respect is deserved and given to Anberlin for making the always-risky move to a major record company... Through the differences you will find, you will see these changes are not necessarily negative. At the heart of this album, you know it's still Anberlin." AbsolutePunk.netAbsolutePunk.net
AbsolutePunk is a website, online community, and alternative music news source founded by Jason Tate . The website mainly focuses on artists who are relatively unknown to mainstream audiences, but it has been known to feature artists who have eventually achieved crossover success, including Fall...
writer Blake Solomon said he "was forced to deal with some devastating news: Anberlin has signed to a major label," going onto reveal, "Of course it’s just my luck that New Surrender rocks with the force of Blueprints
Blueprints for the Black Market
Blueprints for the Black Market is the first album released by the band Anberlin. It was released barely a year after the band formed, and was the only album that was released with guitarist Joey Bruce in the band line-up. Blueprints had two singles, "Readyfuels", for which a music video was...
(for the Blackmarket) and smarts of Never Take Friendship Personal
Never Take Friendship Personal
-Personnel:*Stephen Christian – vocals, guitar*Deon Rexroat – bass*Joseph Milligan – lead guitar*Nathan Strayer – guitar*Nathan Young – drums*Aaron Sprinkle – production, engineering*JR McNeely – mixing*Troy Glessner – mastering...
."
Patrol Magazine's David Sessions gave the album a 7.1/10, after being especially impressed by the opening track. "Like last time, New Surrender opens with a stunning, rocketing, riot-igniting send-off, except that “The Resistance” knocks “Godspeed
Godspeed EP
Godspeed EP is the first EP by the band Anberlin. It was December 26, 2006, though it was originally proposed to be released two days later. Included in the EP are two tracks...
” flat on its back, immediately demanding to be named Best Anberlin Track Ever."
Chart performance and sales
In the week of its release, New Surrender sold 36,000 units, entering the Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
at the number 13 position, surpassing the number 19 peak reached by Cities
Cities (Anberlin album)
- Special-edition bonus tracks :These tracks are also included in the compilation album "Lost Songs"* Special Edition version includes a DVD behind the scenes of the making of Cities.The album released in Japan had an extra track titled "The Haunting."...
. It was also announced that the album had debuted at number five on the Billboard Top Modern Rock / Alternative Albums chart, number one on the Top Christian Albums chart, number six on the Top Digital Albums chart.. New Surrender came in at number 85 on the Australian ARIA charts
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
.
In its first two weeks, New Surrender sold over 45,000 copies in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
alone. The album held its ground in the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, staying in the top 100 for three weeks, coming in at number 50 in week two and 79 in week three.
Singles chart positions
| Single | Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| "Feel Good Drag" | 1 | |
| 8 | ||
Track listing
- All songs written and composed by AnberlinAnberlinAnberlin is an American rock band formed in Winter Haven, Florida in 2002. Since the beginning of 2007, the band has consisted of lead vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney, bassist Deon Rexroat, and drummer Nathan Young.Members of Anberlin originally formed...
unless otherwise noted.
Release history
| Country | Date | Label | Format | Catalogue # |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
- Stephen ChristianStephen ChristianStephen Christian is the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band Anberlin and his side-project Anchor & Braille. He and his bandmates started Anberlin in 2002, after the demise of their previous group, known as SaGoh 24/7...
– Vocals, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones... - Joseph MilliganJoseph milliganJoseph Milligan is a member of the American rock band Anberlin. He is the group's lead guitarist, one of the lead songwriters and one its founding members. Milligan wrote most of the music and recorded all of the guitar tracks for Anberlin's first three albums until Christian McAlhaney joined the...
– GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Nathan YoungNathan YoungNathan Young is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 science fiction comedy-drama Misfits, portrayed by Robert Sheehan. He first appeared in Series 1 Episode 1 and departed in an online spinoff entitled Vegas Baby! after Sheehan quit the role. He serves as one of the main protagonists...
– DrumDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
s - Christian McAlhaneyChristian McAlhaneyChristian Edwin McAlhaney is an American musician, and currently one of the two guitarists for the alternative rock band Anberlin. He replaced Nathan Strayer who left the band in early 2007, right before the release of the band's third album, Cities. Christian was formerly a guitarist for the band...
– Guitar - Deon RexroatDeon RexroatDeon Rexroat is the bassist for the alternative rock band Anberlin. Originally playing for the short-lived punk band SaGoh 24/7, the band dissolved, and most of its members went on to form Anberlin. He is one of the band's founding members...
– BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Neal Avron - Production, keyboards, programming, engineering, string arrangements, mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
- Nate AlbertNate AlbertNathan Albert is an American musician best known as a guitarist for ska-core band The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. He left them to go to Brown University in 2000. Soon he started a new band, The Kickovers, that released one album, Osaka, and disbanded in 2003.On July 15, 2008 he was named the Vice...
- A&RA&RArtists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :... - Jordan Butcher - Art direction, design
- Dave Colvin - Assistant engineer
- Mike FasanoMike FasanoMike "The Sack" Fasano is a drummer who has toured and recorded for several bands, including Warrant, former Eagles guitarist Don Felder, Tiger Army, Gilby Clarke, Shameless...
- Drum technician - Samuel Fischer - Violin
- Nicolas Fournier - Mixing assistant
- Kyle Griner - Management
- Ted JensenTed JensenTed Jensen is an American recording engineer. Jensen is the chief mastering engineer at Sterling Sound. He started his career as a mastering engineer in 1976 and is currently the most active Mastering Engineer in the industry...
- Mastering - Mike Laza - Assistant engineer
- Tom MacKay - A&R
- Sean MackinSean MackinSean/Seán Mackin may refer to:*Seán Mackin , Northern Irish activist, fundraiser for the Friends of Sinn Féin*Sean Mackin , American musician for the pop punk band Yellowcard...
- Orchestration, string conductor - James Minchin - Photography
- Ginger Murphy - Cello
- Sara Parkins - Violin
- Alyssa Pittaluga - Assistant engineer
- Anna Stafford - Violin
- Erich Talaba - Engineer
- Amy Wickman - Violin