''Anthem Lights'' is the debut album by the American

Christian pop Contemporary Christian music, also known as CCM, Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and s ...

band

Anthem Lights Anthem Lights is an American Christian group originating from Los Angeles. The group has released one EP under their former name, Yellow Cavalier and six albums under their current name. The group's debut album was released May 10, 2011 by Re ...

. The album was released on May 10, 2011, on

Reunion Records Reunion Records is a contemporary Christian record label based in Brentwood, Tennessee, that operates under the Provident Label Group. The label was founded in 1982, by Dan Harrell and Mike Blanton. History The label was formed by Amy Grant's m ...

and contains all three tracks from their self-titled EP,Jesusfreakhideout.com: Anthem Lights, "Anthem Lights EP" Review
jesusfreakhideout.com. . Retrieved 04-22-2011. which was released on February 1, 2011.

Critical reception

''Anthem Lights'' received a majority of mixed reviews, but overall positive reception in the aggregate by

music critics Music journalism (or music criticism) is media criticism and reporting about music topics, including popular music, classical music, and traditional music. Journalists began writing about music in the eighteenth century, providing commentary on w ...

. At ''

CCM Magazine ''CCM Magazine'' is a twice-monthly online magazine focusing on contemporary Christian music, published by Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications. History ''CCM'' was first published in July 1978, as a printed magazine. It has bee ...

'', Andy Argyrakis rated the album three stars, writing "Anthem Lights explodes with youthful exuberance, alongside a lyrical depth about living a life with a purpose that can simultaneously connect with peers and their parents." William Ruhlmann of

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

rated the album three stars, stating "Anthem Lights may not be original, but they are a bunch of cute young guys, and that can be as important in CCM as in pop music generally." At ''

Christianity Today ''Christianity Today'' is an evangelical Christian media magazine founded in 1956 by Billy Graham. It is published by Christianity Today International based in Carol Stream, Illinois. ''The Washington Post'' calls ''Christianity Today'' "evange ...

'', Robert Ham rated the album two stars, saying "it doesn't make any effort to differentiate itself from every other faith-based rock band on the radio these days." Jamie Maxwell of

Cross Rhythms Cross Rhythms is a Christian media organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. It operates an FM and online radio station, produces radio shows sent internationally, and its website has resources about contemporary Christian music. Hi ...

rated the album six-out-of-ten, writing that "in common with the majority of pop music, no new lyrical depth is explored here." At

Christian Broadcasting Network The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) is an American Christian media production and distribution organization. Founded in 1960 by Pat Robertson, it produces the long-running TV series ''The 700 Club'', co-produces the ongoing ''Superbook'' an ...

, Jae Rae rated the album three spins, stating that "If this promising debut is any indication, Anthem Lights' refreshing sound will benefit Christian music for many years come." Jerold Wallace of Jesus Freak Hideout rated the album two-and-a-half stars, saying that the release is "modest" that they are "sticking to the safe, pop/praise formula." At Jesus Freak Hideout, Kevin Hoskins rated the album three stars, writing that "half of ''Anthem Lights'' is pretty good while the other half is pretty weak. It's not a bad start for a band that can have a decent future if they can work out some of the kinks." Haydon Spenceley of ''The Phantom Tollbooth'' rated the album three tocks, saying "''Anthem Lights'' is a good album." At New Release Tuesday, Sarah Fine rated the album four stars, stating that it is "one of the strongest debut albums". Jono Davies of Louder Than the Music rated the album four-and-a-half stars, and according to him "what stands out more than anything on this album is how much these songs have good hooks that make them stick in your head long after you have had a listen." At Alpha Omega News, Tom Frigoli graded the album an A+, saying that "the album is an excellent testament to the band’s creativity and talent."

Track listing

Personnel

* Chad Graham - vocals * Caleb Grimm - vocals * Alan Powell - vocals * Joseph "Joey" Stamper - vocals

References

{{Authority control 2011 debut albums Anthem Lights albums