Anchor & Braille – Felt – Wood Water – Released 8/4/09 – Reviewed By Tyler Hess

It took awhile, but Stephen Christian’s goal to put this out this year has come true. After over 5 years of writing songs and trying to find time to collaborate with Copeland’s Aaron Marsh, who not only helped as producer, but also leant some vocals to the project, the Anberlin vocalist has delivered as promised.  Acoustic side projects seem to be the in thing to do lately, with singers for rock acts wanting an outlet that gives them a bit more freedom than what they can do within their band.  With Anchor & Braille, Stephen Christian is able to go deeper and more personal, letting it all hang out.

The most noticeable thing that you’ll pick up on when you hear this is that it doesn’t generally come off as a mellowed out Anberlin album by any means.  Rather, it is Marsh’s musical influence that pushes through, with Christian’s distinctive voice delicately portrayed for a whole new powerful combination.  This is like a super group of two members (though this is maily Christian’s work with Marsh’s helpful hand) which provides more than enough for this beautiful piece of art, yet it is impossible to not recognize who the players are in this game.  It is just nice to be able to hear a stripped down version of Christian’s poetic nature, seeing such a personal demonstration of his talent and heart.  The songs may not be as poppy in nature as those to which fans of Anberlin may be accustomed, but fans with a broader acceptance of different types of music will surely enjoy this as well, maybe even better.  This is more than a collection of songs, it feels more like parts of a whole, where each listen helps give a bigger understanding to the piece of art.

Grade: A

Tracklisting:
1. Rust
2. Like Steps In A Dance
3. Blur
4. Introspect
5. Summer Tongues
6. Calm, Calm, Calm Yourself
7. Wedding/Funeral
8. Sleep.  When We Die.
9. Forget Love, I just Want You
10. Sing Out
11. Sheet Music/Sheet Music