Go buy this album now - we give it 3/5

 Filter fans have been waiting six years for a new album to hit the shelves and Anthems for the Damned will not leave them disappointed. This album delivers, encompassing different styles that leave the listener guessing.  There a few tracks that stand out above the rest and have an infectious personality about them.  The opener, “Soldiers of Misfortune” is not for the politically faint of heart, although one of my favorites.   In this song, Richard Patrick, Filter’s front man, exudes a reflective and powerful message on the wars overseas amongst the backdrop of a steady guitar riff and an electronic edge.  Another one of my favorites is the next track “What’s Next” (I’m sure no pun intended).  It’s a throwback to Filter’s earlier Amalgamut days with a post-punk/metal vibe with an awesome change up at the end. “The Wake” is explosive but  the next few tracks,  “Cold”, “Hatred Is Contagious” and “Lie After Lie” are mediocre at best, and don’t particularly do anything for me.  However, “Kill the Day” is wonderfully surprising as one of the better tracks of the album with a great combination of guitar and drums.Now, more than halfway through the album, it’s time for a wake-up and “The Take” delivers that jolt one would need after a debaucherous night out partying with the MNL crew. I plan to take this hypnotic song with me to the gym tomorrow, maybe even do some work with the punching bag.  Keep this song on your IPod.

The following track, “I Keep Flowers Around” has a great bass line, is very emotional, and makes you keenly aware of past heartbreaks.  This song catches you off guard and also lends to the diverse assortment of songs on the album.  “In Dreams” is not my favorite, I give it a big “OK”, but it is charged, especially toward the end.  “Only You” really exhibits Filter’s ability to marry electronic and organic sounds within a dream like quality.  Richard Patrick’s voice is flawless and proves that he is wide-ranging.

The last and probably least is “Can Stop This”.  The song never seems to take off and it sounds like a weak baby extension of “Only You”.

I am not sure if this album will bring Filter back into the main stream, like in the “Hey Man, Nice Shot” days, but for fans this takes the cake.  Richard Patrick has matured, and his soaring voice and intelligent lyrics make for a compelling album.  Anthems for the Damned has something for everyone since it is sonically rich, fusing old U2 elements and NIN electronics with harmonious layering. I just hope we will hear a lot more of them before we hit 2014, fingers crossed.

Rating: 3/5