Reaching into their back catalog, new Universal signees Anberlin have re-recorded and will be releasing “The Feel Good Drag” as the first single from their major label debut, due out September 30. The track originally appeared on their 2005 album “Never Take Friendship Personal” (which has sold 150k albums to date). This decision is one that has been questioned by some fans who wonder why the band couldn’t just record a new song that is just as good, or better than this older track. We’ve seen this plan of action work most successfully with the Plain White T’s release of “Hey There Delilah”. Stephen Christian (Anberlin’s frontman) claims the band chose to re-record the song because they didn’t feel it received enough attention on their 2005 album. The question is, is this a good marketing decision? Does it merely come down to the strength of the song, or should questions of the label not having faith in a new song as a lead single be raised? Will it spark more interest in their older albums than the new one? Will Anberlin be the next Mae and see little success on a major?
Personally, I stand by the band and label’s decision to re-release this song as the first single because, in my opinion, it is the best song they’ve ever made and deserves a shot at mainstream radio. “The Feel Good Drag” impacts alternative radio on 8/19. Check out the clip here.
One-Hit Wonders: Maybe the aforementioned Plain White T’s should continue to reach back and grab some older tracks, because it does not sound like the new single will touch the success of ‘Delilah’, listen to “Natural Disaster” on their Myspace.
Young Buzz: With an appearance on TRL this past week, and the release of his new Yippee EP, the young Joplin, MO one-man-band Nevershoutnever! Is getting a lot of attention, and surely a good deal of friend requests. Makes me think of a younger version of Bryce Avery of the Rocket Summer.
Virginia emo pop/rock band My Favorite Highway should not remain unsigned for much longer after the release of the very strong “How To Call a Bluff”. This release puts recent major label releases from Forever The Sickest Kids, Metro Station & Cobra Starship to shame (which wasn’t too tough in the first place). Good songwriting, and plenty of radio ready tracks.
Tracks worth checking out:
People in Planes – “Mayday (M’aidez)”
The Morning Of – “Reverie” (here’s one the kids will love)
Innerpartysystem – “Don’t Stop” (There’s no excuse for this to not be a hit at alternative radio)
Shawn Fisher – Listen to original songs @ www.myspace.com/shawnfisher and watch an great cover of Augustana’s “Sweet and Low” here.
Soundcheck is written by Dallas who currently attends San Francisco State University and works on the Live 105 (KITS) Action Team.
I like Anberlin and My Favorite Highway, but dude..that nevershoutnever dude is awful. Just listen to that high pitched bird voice – it will kill you in 30 seconds, hence, you were warned!
after all this time, my fav anberlin track comes off their first debut, READYFUELS!
Glad you mentioned People in Planes, love the whole record. Love my fav highway, have to get the new record. Innerpartysystem is ok and that nevershoutnever kid must be 9 years old (pretty bad in my opinion).
Republic Records probably wont break Anberlin because the band never broke to begin with. The reason why they are re-releasing the feel good drag is because the band couldnt come up with another song that could meet radio standards. Radio stations doesn’t play emo bands with the exception of My Chem and Fallout Boy. But you can’t find those bands on radio anymore.
I do like Anberlin but they are not that platinum band. They are good for a 150k records and should be quite happy with that.
To Davey: I didn’t tell you he was anything too great, but there just seems to be a lot of people (Teen girls) goin’ crazy for him.
PS: Nevershoutnever!’s acoustic performance of “Bigcitydreams” on TRL yesterday, was nothing worth writing home about.
Kid’s got some catchy stuff though – “Heregoesnothin” is one that’s growing on me,
My opinion, for what its worth:
Nevershoutnever: Doesn’t sound any better, worse or even different than all the other post-emo, Dashboard Confessional stuff out there.
My Favorite Highway: Not bad, but nothing we haven’t heard before.
The Morning Of: MySpace music player wouldn’t spit out the track. A shining example of why you should still have your own ‘official’ Web site.
People in Planes: One of the most interesting bands I’ve heard out here. Looking forward to the full length release.
InnerPartySystem: Not bad (the video made it a better song) but still a few years too late. Sounds like they should be on tour with Orgy or Celldweller.
Shawn Fisher: Again, good but not great.
Read the explanation from Stephen Christian as to why the whole re-release situation here:
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=437652
I think it’s a great idea! I remember seeing Anberlin for the first time in 2004 and that is the only song I can remember. But I can still remember every word of the chorus. Just from the live show alone. And that’s rare.
Great rock song. Great single. Great decision.
Beau
Rescue Signals
Myspace.com/rescuesignals
According to allaccess.com
Anberlin’s “The Feel Good Drag” is the #1 song on Sirius AltNation’s (channel 21) playlist @ 44 spins this week.
Good start.
I listened to everything you recommended. All I can say is the record industry is in trouble. The only group you recommended lately is the group from South Africa. THey signed with Wind-up Records. I think they have a shot.
To the first comment. Ready Fuels was definitely bad ass! People, its not like this is something new. TONS of bands have put remakes on their first major release. And plenty of those bands had been around even longer than Anberlin. The only thing that Anberlin has stacking up against them in this situation, is that they’re independent career has been more successful than most others. This is not a new thing.
I can think of a handful of hits that were re-recordings.
One that pops into my head instantly was Finch’s “What It Is To Burn.” That song was actually on their previous record. They included it as the bonus track to their major release and it was the hit of the record.
If you’ve got a hit. Why the hell would you sit on it?
The recording industry is no longer about record sales or dollar bills, it’s a fucking popularity contest. He who has the most 15 year old girls singing along wins.
I’m really wondering when the indie mullet will go away. I’m getting tired of bands with the whole side-sweep hair thing.
why wasn’t “Dirty Words” myspace.com/dirtywordsmusic featured here?…. i saw them play the viper room (sunset) on wed and i haven’t seen talent like that in years! was unreal!
“I’m really wondering when the indie mullet will go away. I’m getting tired of bands with the whole side-sweep hair thing.” — The hair police are working on it and said they’ll get to it as soon as they finish up with the bald dudes with gotee’s and tribal tattoos….