Devotion cover

Released 13 years ago this October

Devotion

Anberlin · 2013

265 min · 57 tracks · alternative rock

A vibrant blend of soaring melodies and introspective lyrics wrapped in a polished alternative rock sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Self‐Starter Start here — This opening track sets the tone with its energetic instrumentation and introspective lyrics about seizing control over one's life.
  • →
    Unstable — The song explores themes of insecurity and emotional turmoil, driven by powerful vocals and dynamic shifts in intensity that showcase the band's range.
  • →
    God, Drugs, & Sex — An exploration of modern vices wrapped in a catchy chorus, this track highlights Anberlin's ability to tackle complex subjects with accessible melodies.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

56 /100
Foothills
Higher than 47% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong melodies and polished production but lacks a cohesive flow due to its length and remix tracks.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a steady mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
  • Several songs incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the melodic richness.
  • The lyrics often explore themes of introspection and personal struggle, with a focus on emotional resonance throughout the tracks.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic journey with emotional peaks
  • introspective lyrics for deep reflection
  • wave-like pacing for immersive experience
  • for late-night listening
  • melodic hooks that invite singing

Maybe skip if you

  • seekers of instant gratification
  • prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — 'Devotion' showcases mature songwriting, marking a strong release before the band's hiatus.
Themes
modern vices· emotional turmoil· self-empowerment journey
Career context
Released on October 15, 2013, 'Devotion' was Anberlin's sixth studio album and marked the end of their tenure with Universal Republic Records. Following their 2012 release 'Vital', this album encapsulated their evolving sound while showcasing their lyrical depth as they approached the conclusion of their career.
New to Anberlin? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Unstable

    The bridge abruptly shifts from personal reflection to an external observation, revealing a sense of urgency in the narrative.

    This shift not only heightens tension but also illustrates the conflict between internal struggles and external expectations.

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Self‐Starter Start here 3:17
  • 2 Little Tyrants 3:21
  • 3 Other Side 4:06
  • 4 City Electric 4:28
  • 5 Someone Anyone 3:30
  • 6 Unstable 3:35
  • 7 Intentions 3:08
  • 8 Innocent 4:18
  • 9 Dead American 3:10
  • 10 Desires 3:04
  • 11 Said Too Much 3:32
  • 12 IJSW 5:26
  • 13 Type Three 3:57
  • 14 No Love to Speak 4:09
  • 15 Orpheum 3:52
  • 16 Safe Here 3:41
  • 17 Modern Age 4:12
  • 18 God, Drugs, & Sex 6:14

Disc 2

  • 1 Someone Anyone (Spacebrother remix) 4:40
  • 2 Desires (Spacebrother remix) 5:32
  • 3 God, Drugs, & Sex (Resist Temptation remix) 7:12
  • 4 Innocent (Joseph Milligan remix) 4:07
  • 5 Intentions (Joseph Milligan remix) 3:54
  • 6 Little Tyrants (Joseph Milligan remix) 4:07
  • 7 Other Side (Celebrated Heroes remix) 3:38
  • 8 Self‐Starter (JT Daly remix) 4:54
  • 9 Said Too Much (Joseph Milligan remix) 3:38
  • 10 Orpheum (JT Daly remix) 4:38
  • 11 Type Three (Leverage Models remix) 5:43
  • 12 Unstable (Nick Rad remix) 5:41
  • 13 Modern Age (Nick Rad remix) 5:12

Disc 3

  • 1 Take Me as You Found Me 5:52
  • 2 A Day Late 3:53
  • 3 Inevitable 4:23
  • 4 Type Three 5:43
  • 5 Breaking 4:59
  • 6 Alexithymia 3:45
  • 7 Dismantle.Repair. 5:40
  • 8 I’d Like to Die 4:13
  • 9 Down 5:40
  • 10 The Unwinding Cable Car 6:26
  • 11 Feel Good Drag 5:11
  • 12 Naive Orleans 4:08
  • 13 Impossible 5:30

Disc 4

  • 1 Take Me as You Found Me 6:25
  • 2 A Day Late 3:48
  • 3 Inevitable 4:58
  • 4 Type Three 5:23
  • 5 Breaking 5:09
  • 6 Alexithymia 4:04
  • 7 Dismantle.Repair. 5:17
  • 8 I’d Like to Die 4:37
  • 9 Down 5:15
  • 10 The Unwinding Cable Car 6:50
  • 11 Feel Good Drag 4:27
  • 12 Naive Orleans 4:05
  • 13 Impossible 5:46

What to play next

Lowborn
Listen next

Lowborn

2014

Continues the polished sound with a fresh perspective and introspective themes.
Vital
Go back to

Vital

2012

Sets the stage with similar sonic elements and lyrical depth.
Full Anberlin discography Where to start with Anberlin Artists like Anberlin
alternative rock

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata