Review Summary: Sing the Sorrow is a fine example of AFI's talent and musical genius.
AFI has entered the Main Stream. Have they changed? Of course they have. That's what AFI is all about. And if you don't like, so what? Sing the Sorrow is AFI's Masterpiece in my mind. So many different sounds collide when listening to this wonderful album. Here we go into the enjoyable dark abyss that is STS!
Track 1 : Miseria Cantare - The Beginning
Rating 4/5
Your basic AFI intro. The title translates as Sing the Sorrow. (I think...) It starts with eerie noises followed by Adam banging a defiant beat on his drums. Then, a group vocal part comes in, with an E Minor to accompany it. Then all fades, and the drums get raw, and Davey starts singing the beginning of a masterpiece. This song is just an intro, but is has so many features. Even bells in the background ringing along with the guitar. It ends and here we go folks...
Track 2 : Leaving Song Pt.2
Rating 5/5
One of AFI's classics that everyone loves. At least it seems to be that way. The chorus is always builtup into, and is a barrage of war cries. Many choruses off STS are indeed like that. Davey uses some Spanish as well to dramaticize his lyrics. Bilingual ftw! It goes into an impressive guitar part and a quiet part all leading to the chorus, ending it all.
Track 3 : Bleed Black
Rating 4/5
Very good beginning. Awsome guitar riff. Awsome drum line. A Davey "OH!" as well. The first verse is fantastic. As is the chorus, with alternating voice parts and powerful instrumentals. This song didn't entirely blow me away like it should've. It is a great song.
Track 4 : Silver and Cold
Rating 5/5
My favorite STS song. It starts with a beautiful piano part. It then starts the band up with a simple beginning with chords and slow drums. It goes acoustic, and a whisper-singing Davey. This builds up to an epic chorus, that I must say is one of my favorites. The drums get louder as do the guitars in the 2nd verse. It builds up through out the song. This is STS at it's finest.
Track 5 : Dancing Through Sunday
Rating 5/5
Although short, this is one of AFI's best songs ever. It starts out fast, and stays that way up until the guitar goes into a frenzy of "AWSOME"! With Jade's best solo as a member of AFI, this song is a favorite among everyone who has listened to AFI ever. Two greats in a row. Maybe three?
Track 6 : Girl's Not Grey
Rating 5/5
Wow. Another great song. Three in a row. This was a big 'un in 2003 on TVs everywhere. This is up there with AFI's great songs of the past 10 years. AFI fan hit + Mainstream hit = GREAT SUCCESS!
Track 7 : Death of Seasons
Rating 5/5
Another fantastic song. An amazing bass riff to begin, and Davey screaming...Turns into a fast paced onslaught full of energy and emotion. You hear a hint of DU in the 2nd verse at about 1:10-1:25 as well. When you think this goliath of a song is over, cellos start playin just about the saddest thing ever, as Davey's fading screams loom...
Track 8 : The Great Disappoint
Rating 4/5
Awwww, the run of 5 star songs has indeed ended...but this is song that I think sounds like one is discovering something never seen before...a mystery. AS the sound FX crescendo, all the instruments come in at different times. Jade with yet another creative riff, with whisper-singing by Davey. A war cry chorus with some cool guitar. Overall, an Average AFI song, which is still high on the scale.
Track 9 : Paper Airplanes (Makeshift Wings)
Rating 5/5
Great song, with some great riffs and drums. A song that is fast paced, and has that AFI kick to it. With the Group Chorus vocals of course. The long buildup to the last chorus is a good example of how far AFI have come in their career. From simple punk riffs to this...simply unbelievable.
Track 10 : This Celluloid Dream
Rating 4/5
Great vocals on this track, as well as raw emotion. You hear it in Davey's voice. He really likes singing this song. A very odd change in key close to the end of the song, leading to the final chorus, which is full of noise and group vocals. One of the best song names as well.
Track 11 : The Leaving Song
Rating 4.5/5
A complete acoustic track, with just a guitar and Davey singing with it. Beautiful chords as well, as a steady pace to go with it. The extra FX make this song a joy to listen to.
Track 12 : ...But Home is Nowhere
Rating 4/5
An epic beginning, middle, and end to this song. War cry chorus with Davey yelling over the top of it all. An AFI fan favorite. But it's not exactly this part that everyone gets excited about...
Track 12 1/2 : This Time Imperfect
Rating 5/5
After minutes of silence after "...But Home is Nowhere", you will hear this song. One of AFI's best songs ever. This has "Epic" written all over it. There is so much raw emotion put into this song, you don't want it to end. But it does.
OHHH, another extraaaaa.
Track UK : Now the World
Rating 5/5
Incredible song, that if they would've had on the album, I swear the world would've gone absolutely ape**** over it. Pretty close to as good as Dancing through Sunday. A Fan Favorite, and one that has a perfect song structure. Creative guitar, chorus, and everything. Changes in tempo, and in key. Everything you want from AFI is right here in this piece of fine divinity.
Sing the Sorrow is perhaps one of my favorite albums ever. I highly recomend getting this album. This is however, not an album you would want to start off with as a person looking to buy sn AFI CD.
This CD influences me to make my own music, and to keep believing in times of doubt. This is AFI. This is who they are.
