In a somewhat surprising move, Anberlin has left Tooth & Nail Records to sign with Universal Republic Records. Despite only releasing their last album, Cities in February, they are already expected to release a new album next year.
The band will be joining a diverse artist roster that includes John Mellencamp, Amy Winehouse, G.Love, Baby Boy Da Prince, and Don Omar, amongst others.
Monty Lipman [what a great name for the president of a record label] said of Universal Republic's latest acquirement:
Anberlin has been able to build one of the most enthusiastic followings online and across the country by remaining faithful to their music and their fans. They represent the boldest and the brightest on the rock horizon and we welcome them to the Universal Republic family.
Seeing as Anberlin has had so much good press -- citing them a "vital" and "important" band, I'm not all that shocked they moved to the majors, but at the same time, Cities has only sold 100,000 copies. And while that's indie-impressive, that's major label "dump" time.
I guess we'll see how they do -- it looks like the label is solidly behind them, especially since they have plans to have a new album out less than a year from now.
Godspeed, Anberlin. Godspeed.
