" The Anselm is a UK band of three guys who have been making music together since 1995. Recording initially off-the-cuff on basic equipment for close friends and fans, one fan then set up his own record label and his first signing was The Anselm. They call the music they make "reflective sub-rock" and the debut album contains a mixture of contemplative songwriting and evocative instrumental pieces. There is a bit of everything on this album. Starting off with the simple but effective "Son Of Man" then running smoothly through "Jehovah Shalom" and "Let's All Be Nice Pt 1" which are quite meditational. Throughout the album we're served simple but profound tracks like the acoustic number "Matchless Grace" which with a flowing melody and it's powerful lyrics really does make one reflect on the track title. The band then burst into an up beat pop style track "Heaven's Coming" which reminded me of '70s band The Undertones. The Anselm create an almost ambient techno sound on "Let's All Be Nice Pt 2" and then build upon the first half of the album with strong tracks like "Peace, Peace" and the powerful "Torture In Tranquillity" and "Righteous For The Unrighteous". They wind the album up with the excellent "I Don't Know Why" in which they point to the ultimate source of their inspiration. An interesting aid to help meditate and contemplate. The more I listened to it the more it grew on me. A very original sounding album which when given a chance will draw the listener in and take them on an interesting musical journey. "

" If you are looking for Christian music but are sick of the usual stuff then you might want to take a look at The Anselm, a UK Christian "sub-rock" band glorifying Christ a little differently from the rest of the pack. The debut self-titled album from The Anselm is one of two first releases from a new Christian record label, 12Tribe Records, which started up in Northern Ireland in April. An elegant blend of soft folk rock music, enhanced by the appropriately unrefined vocals of Stephen McCabe, The Anselm immediately stands out as a Christian band that can perfectly balance searching Christian lyrics, desiring to testify the peace in Christ, with strong musical intuitiveness and a distinctive sound.

As soon as the catchy drum starts to beat in the first track, 'Son of Man', there is a sigh of relief that this is not just some other generic worship album churning out the same tired old praise format. It's hard to identify one particular track as a stand-out track as most of them are great in their own right although 'Heaven's Coming' is certainly one of the highlights of the 12-track album. A kind of sweet rock oddball in the album, the track is a delightful kind of strolling song that pleasantly surprises just when you think you've got the album sussed. As the tracks run their course, the diverse compositions of the first half - with the exception of the straightforward and excellent 'Matchless Grace' - culminate with the fantastic electro-instrumental mishmash 'Let's All Be Nice Pt 2' to give the album one last burst before it gives way to more simplistic Christian folk songs. One of the best tracks of the second half of the album is 'Peace Peace' which has a superb hint of monastic choir about its chorus. And even though the folk style of the tracks in the second half of the album is familiar the songs are far from mundane but rather lead the album to a well-rounded conclusion. And that is what is so great about The Anselm.

Stylistically, it's hard to pigeon-hole because of the diversity yet the songs still seem to melt together seamlessly. All in all, The Anselm as a band are a refreshing arrival on the Christian music scene and have with their debut album nicely carved out their own corner. This is a band that deserves to do well and if it does it could lead to an exciting break from much of the generic Christian music that has so often dominated in the last decade or so. "

"  Lyrics - some thought provoking words about Jesus and his presence in our lives, but still easy listening if you want something to chill out to.

Vocals - a refreshingly raw sound.
 
Style - a bit of something for everyone. It's quite nice not to know what's coming next and the instrumentals add an extra something!

Overall - this is a promising new band which we hope to hear more of!   The music offers food for thought and a new approach to celebrating Jesus. "

" UK based sub rock band the Anselm compliment melodic rhythms with the focus on their Savior. It's a lo-fi treat to listen to the track "Son of Man" with Stephen McCabe's delicate unforced tenderness streaming through the essence of the gospel story. Maybe it's because they're British that makes them appealing, or maybe it's their unwavering confidence in Jesus. Whatever it is, the Anselm stands unashamed at the door of indie rock with a blend of old school on such tracks as "Jehovah Shalom", and dives into folk rock on "Precious One". I would have appreciated the guys kicking it up a notch, adding some electronic sensibilities with a steady pulsing backbeat, perhaps on their next release, but for now, quoting The Killers, "it's all indie rock and roll to me". "