12 years in today's music industry is basically a lifetime. As a rock band, if you can make it more than a decade without going on hiatus or drastically changing your lineup, then you are truly something special. That's what made the announcement of Anberlin's farewell tour so heartbreaking. The band has been going strong for 12 years, releasing 7 remarkable, full-length albums and touring their butts off. Astonishingly, there are no real rifts within the group. They aren't ending Anberlin because of infighting or even the much overused "creative differences." Theyve simply decided to preserve their legacy by leaving on a high note and avoid putting out any less-than-stellar music. This is a band that has a devoted following in the States and is generally adored all over the world, as evidenced by their final tour which will have several dates in the UK, Sweden, Brazil, and Australia. They touched a lot of multi-cultural hearts in their day, and it's quite sad to see that end. For many people, Anberlin was their band. One they grew up with, changed with, and were constantly inspired by. They may never have reached the popularity their fans would surely say they deserved, but they made an impact on music nonetheless. To see them go will be painful but to behold their catalogue--and a legacy as close to perfect as it gets--will satisfy a yearning for powerful, insightful rock music for years to come. In honor of the 7 impeccable albums Anberlin has given us, here are 7 reasons we'll miss the hell out of them.
