Before Anberlin signed with major label Universal Republic, they were one of many Christian rock bands on Tooth & Nail Records. So who can blame that company from issuing a greatest hits collection from the group’s first three albums. In most cases this narrow focus would make for a lacklustre collection, but it actually works well. That’s because the group’s first three records are easily their best, the first two peppered with great tracks, and the third, Cities, spotlighting a band at their peak. 

All the hits are here, along with a single track from the B-sides collection, Lost Songs. The thing that this collection really hammers home is just how adept Anberlin can be with a hook; the vocal melodies and guitar riffs are efficient and incessantly catchy. Their songs are all muscle and no fat. Dancing Between the Fibers of Time reminds me of how great a hard rock band these guys are, and it makes me hope that they can achieve these heights again. In the meantime, this is great as an introduction or a reminder. 

Five out of five stars