I give this album a 5 out of 5, not simply because I am a biased "Fanboy," but because I feel it truely deserves it. AFI has been one of my favorite bands for a long time, and this album is the absolute apex of their career so far. I firmly belive that Jade Puget is truely one of the best guiarists of our time. Though not comparable to the idolistic Hendrix and Paige, I think he is a strong contender with Tom Morello and John Frusciante. He is very underrated though, but his genius comes from the ease with which he is able to through chords together, yet stay so fast and smooth. I would love to see him show off his raw talent a little bit more, with some more flashing solos (a la "Dancing through Sunday on Sing the Sorrow) I hope to see the raw talent shown on this album furthered on their June 6th release, "Decemberunderground."
1. Initiation- A simple guitar track to begin the album, I can't really rate it because it is hardly a song.
2. The Lost Souls - A terrific song, fast, hard, satisfying. Cool chord progressions throughout the song, complemented by a great chorus, "Look what you've done to me now, you've made me perfect!" 9/10
3. The Nephilim - My least favorite song on the album, not so much as it is a bad song, but aside from some cool lyrics it really doesn't draw me in that well. It just doesn't seem to stand out beside all the other great songs on the track. 6/10
4. Ever and a Day - Yes! Great stuff here. Cool starting guitar line, softened with Davey's vocals ringing, then thrown into a thrashing chorus. One of AFI"s best songs. The traditional AFI "Oh's" thrown into the mix as well, and I love every second of it. "Will you be me destruction!?" Sang by all three band members echoing at different tones. I love this song. 10/10
5. What a ****ing awesome song. I can listen to this song over and over. Amazing guitar/bass work in this song, with ringing lyrics and lightning drums. Every part of this song is awesome. It's fast but short. The break in the middle with a cool palmuted guitar part makes this song complete for me. I love it. 9.5/10
6. Of Greetings and Goodbyes - A cool song, although better than the Nephilim, it still doesn't seem to stand out. I still find it fun to listen to and turn up loud. It has a great bass/guitar chorus, with Jade's usuall screeching bar chords and Hunter's fast, thumping bass. 7.5/10
7. Smile - I like this song, there is some anger of this song that just makes me happy. Although I think it could have been done better, it still sounds cool. Good guitar, good drums, and cool lyrics. Hard and short. 7.5/10
8. A Story At Three - A storming, furious, blairing AFI classic. One of their most underrated songs, with my favorite line in any AFI song ever. "We are the wakeful, wry and watchful, we're awaiting. Deathless ones." The fast beginning soon turns to an immaculate display of vocals from the great Davy Havok, shifted into a memorable outro. Another one of AFI's best. 10/10
9. Days of the Phoenix - Cool guiar, cool bass, cool drums, and cool lyrics, though sometimes wierd. One of their more popular songs, I like it, but I am not obsessive over it like some of my friends. I give it credit though 8.5/10
10. Catch a Hot One - Crazy bass on this song, it hurts my fingers trying to think about it. Wierd lyrics, though they still sound pretty awesome durring the chorus. I like this song, but alot of people do not. 8.5/10
11. Wester - Here it is, my favorite AFI Song of all time. Wester. Fast, amazing guitar, and great lyrics, but there is something about this song that just mezmerizes me. The singing/backup singing pull me in, all the way into the break. Where the soft drums lead the way for a great heavy palmmute guitar part, which transitions into a loud and crazy "Near Outro." I love it, "I can feel you dreaming of me!" With great backup singing in the background. An AMAZING song. Highly recommended. 10/10
12. 6 to 8 - A traditional Soft to hard song. Simple, longish, but I like it. Beautiful solo work at the end, but still a short one. I like this song alot. 9/10
13. The Despair factor - Loud bar chords, fast bass, and double bass drums. Davy has angry-ish lyrics but yet they don't seem that angry, yet desperatet in a way. It gets unenjoyably slower towards the end, but still a good song. 8/10
14. Morningstar - Beautiful soft, but towards the end they decide they will go out with a bang. Blazing drums loud bass, great lyrics by Davy, And huge guitar chord transitions make this song a great experiance every time. If I could have one song played at my funeral, this would be the one.
9.5/10
