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Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

  • Artist(s): Stephen Christian
  • Summary: The fifth album for the alternative rock band was produced by Brendan O'Brien.
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  • Record Label: Republic
  • Genre(s): Emo, Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. It's fairly apparent throughout the album that Anberlin was definitely in their element, as Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place is exactly what mainstream music needed: a challenging and engaging rock and roll album anyone can relate to. Their songwriting and musicianship have never been better.
  2. Q Magazine
    Dec 13, 2010
    80
    The grandstanding result sounds like U@ if Bono had decided tattoos, obscure piercings and the occasional sore-throated growl were the way forward. [Jan 2011, p.135]
  3. While Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place isn't the album that will make long time fans of Anberlin still holding out for some sort of magnum opus from the band weak in the knees, it is the third straight near perfect album released by them.
  4. Dec 13, 2010
    80
    With Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam, AC/DC) producing, Stephen Christian's vocals cry out louder than ever across closer 'Depraved' and it proves that five albums in Anberlin have moved beyond the light of 'New Surrender' to dabble with a more interesting, darker edge that borders on Circa Survive.
  5. While they might miss some of the drive that the band brought to the table in their earlier work, the depth of slower and more spacious songs like "Take Me (As You Found Me)" should ultimately prove more rewarding in the long run.
  6. Kerrang!
    Dec 13, 2010
    60
    Dark Is The Way sees the Winter Haven five-piece get it right, returning to form with a combination of heartfelt bombast, big choruses and bona fide hooks. [20 Nov 2010, p.52]
  7. Mojo
    Dec 20, 2010
    40
    Listeners outside their target teen demographic will find all this painfully sincere emoting pretty joyless. [Dec 2010, p.106]

See all 8 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 4
  2. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Oct 28, 2010
    10
    I would have to say that this is, so far, Anberlinâ
  2. Dec 14, 2010
    6
    A solid rock album. Their best? Maybe. Their sound has changed on this album with still keeping the signature Anberlin sound. Songs like 'YouA solid rock album. Their best? Maybe. Their sound has changed on this album with still keeping the signature Anberlin sound. Songs like 'You Belong Here" strike chords with U2 while other songs like 'Impossible' channel 80's pop/rock. Throughout the album Anberlin shows that they've matured in their songwriting and they can consistently put out good music. Expand
  3. Oct 13, 2014
    5
    This album is not very creative and doesn't have much of a theme or connection between songs. It's just average. The lyics are so vague theyThis album is not very creative and doesn't have much of a theme or connection between songs. It's just average. The lyics are so vague they might as well not be there. Just meh. Favorite track: We Owe This to Ourselves Expand
  4. Jan 6, 2011
    4
    Honestly, This does not compare to the Anberlin that produced "Never take friendship personal" or even "New Surrender". Their sound hasHonestly, This does not compare to the Anberlin that produced "Never take friendship personal" or even "New Surrender". Their sound has changed a lot in "Dark is the Way, Light Is a Place", and NOT for the better. This album was produced for the radio and the brainless listener. Anberlin let me down with this album. I don't want to even illegally download it for free that's how much I don't want to listen to it. I give it a 4 for at least sounding musically correct and for some catchy hooks. Expand