AFI is:
Davey Havok- Vocals
Jade Puget- Guitar
Adam Carson- Drums
Hunter Burgan- Bass
A Fire Inside, or more commonly known as AFI, have gone through many changes since the band first formed in Ukiah California in 1991. From band members, to a name change and of course Davey's hair, but AFi is always noted for their change in sound from record to record. 2003's Sing the Sorrow arked the band's most dramatic and bold change yet, going from a poppy punk band to a blend of goth, punk and industrial at points. STS proved that AFI was creating art with their music, which appealed to their fans with lyrics they could relate to in their daily lives, as an avid AFI fan I know this is true, almost every song on STS i could relate to some aspect of my life. In 2003, things wer elooking promising for AFI and their fans were eagerly awaiting the release of their new album.
Fast forward 3 years to 2006. As anticipated, AFI announced their new album Decemberunderground to be released on Interscope Records on June 6th 2006. After having fans play Sherlock Holmes on the AFI message boards, a new single was released entitled "Miss Murder," which received mixed reviews from many of their loyal fans. "Miss Murder," proved once again that AFI had made another dramatic change in their sound using a different time signature and a brand new scream from Davey. However Decemberunderground does not deliver in the way 2003's Sing the Sorrow did.
Track 1: Prelude 12/21- An interesting introduction to this album. Many people upon first listen describle this as a "hip-hop background beat." I could not disagree more. This is in my opinion one of AFI's best Intro tracks. The background vocals are simply amazing combined with Adam Carsons pounding drums and symbols make this a great intro track to this album and perfectly sets the mood for the next track "Kill Caustic." This is truly one of the high points of the album for me. As far as AFI's intros go this is second only to "Strength Through Wounding," off their epic album Black Sails in the Sunset. 4.5/5
Track 2: Kill Caustic- This track begins with a volatile guitar sound that is a little disturbing, followed by a couple hits of the snare by Adam and right into Davey Havok's new and improved piercing scream. I have always loved songs with Davey's scream i.e. Death of Seasons off Sing the Sorrow, however, after a few listens I feel that the screams on this song are a feeble attempt of AFi trying to be extremely "hardcore," and shock fans. Davey's screams have always been beautiful to me, but on this song they seem too over used and repetitive. Too much of a good thing is not necessarily good. However the song has an interesting build up to a great choruswhich is the highlight of the song. 3/5
Track 3: Miss Murder- This is the first single off Decemberunderground that was released to fans in April. It begins with a boring little bass line and then erupts when Jade's guitar and Adam's drums come in, followed by Davey's high flying vocals. This song is very different than any other single AFI has ever released. It is in a completely different time signature and uses a very different drum beat. Many people complain that this song resembles Green Day's "Holiday," because of the simple drum beat and "HEY!'s" that Green Day is associated with. Sure it sound similar in some respects,but Miss Murder has something special, great lyrics. This song has some of the best lyrics on the album. By AFI standards, this is nowhere near their best single, but on Decemberunderground it is one of the best songs. Also unlike the previous track, "Kill Caustic," Davey's screams are used in moderation and add an extra kick to the song. this song is a perfect representation of the "Decemberunderground era," AFI sound and deserves a special place in the AFI canon. 4/5
Track 4: Summer Shudder- When I first heard this song I thought iTunes made a mistake and skipped to a different album, I later realized that from this track on, Decemberunderground takes a completely different turn and sounds nothing like the previous three tracks. I seriously thought I was listening to a completely different album because I remember saying to my computer "THIS IS NOT AFI!" However, I was horribly mistaken. This track begins with an somewhat orchestral intro and then explodes into somethign that sound slike it came off a thursday album. This my friends is not AFI, it is NOT the great artists that gave us songs such as "Bleed Black," and "...But Home Is Nowhere." The only thing that saves this track is that it has some of the best lyrics on the album along with Miss Murder, I just don't like the sound which they are delivered with. 2.5/5
Track 5: The Interview: This is AFI's attempt at synth pop and is a pretty depressing song. Very very slow but with smart artistic and strategic instrumentation. The chorus is one of the catchiest off Decemberunderground. Though many bands have done songs in this style, AFI make it their own with instrumentation and haunting lyrics. The song fades out with a haunting organ and Davey silently singing. It is from this song that we get the album's name "Decemberunderground." Davey's gret vocals and the instrumentation on this track make it a standout track off Decemberunderground. 3.5/5
Track 6: Love Like Winter- Quite possibly the catchiest song on the album in my opinion. Starts off with footsteps followed by synth and a couple guitar strums. It slowly builds up to the uplifting chorus with the whole band chanting "It's in the blood...etc." The song tells an odd love story between two persons. There is great use of synthesizers on this track and mkes the song very melodic, ethereal, and uplifting. Its a shame that this track is one of the shortest on the album. 4/5
Track 7: Affliction- Back to the screams. Unlike Kill Caustic, Davey's screams on "Affiction" ar ejust downright annoying. I mean Davey, I love you and your voice, but on this I just want you to shut up. However, despite these annoying screams, the song does have its shining moments. The guitar work is hard hitting and heavy. Also, the breakdown has great instrumentation and is beautiful. However, after this little "oasis" from the desert that is Davey's annoying screams, We discover it was but a mirage and the song ends with those annoying screams that began the song. Again, I feel Davey's screams are ridiculously over used in this song, more so than on "Kill Caustic." Its a shame because this could have been a great song. 2.5/5
Track 8: The Missing Frame- Easily the tied for the best track on the album, the reson being, IT ACTUALLY SOUNDS LIKE THE AFI WE KNOW AND LOVE. Great basslines, guitar, drums, and especially vocals by Davey. The lryics are filled with emotion and actually have meaning. This song was one of the tracks that truly stood out to me and moved me all I can say is if you do not wish to buy this album, download this track, you will not be disappointed. Though not the greatest trakc AFI has ever written, it is the shining gem od Decemberundeerground. 4.5/5
Track 9: Kiss And Control- "The Missing Frame" is a tough act to follow, but "Kiss And Control," is something special. Great lyrical performans by Davey, The verses kind of remind me of "This Time Imperfect," the hidden track off Sing the Sorrow. After a quiet verse the song erupts into an angry scream by Davey combined with the singing of the other band members. This screaming is good because it adds EMPHASIS to the song and is not used hap-hazardly. This is also interesting because Davey talks in this track, which is very interesting and something AFI rarely does, the only other instance i can think of is "The Despair Factor" off The Art of Drowning where he says "My whole life is a dark room. One. Big. Dark. Room." This track is great in my opinion. 3.5/5
Track 10: The Killing Lights- Gret bass work from Hunter on this track, However, I think this song is too poppy and has corny lyrics. I dont know just kind of boring for me I dont have much to say about it. I hate the stupid "cut cut cut cut cut you up part." 2/5
Track 11: 37mm- This song reminds me of a Nine Inch Nails. It begins with a chilling use of samples and then is followed by an interesting drum beat from Hunter that definitely sounds like it came off a Nine Inch Nails record. This song has an extremely catchy chorus and makes great use of samples. A definite improvement from "The Killing Lights."
Track 12: Endlessly, She Said- Decemberunderground ends with a great track. A few months ago, when numerous magazines interviewed Davey he mentioned this song, the album closer, and how it would stand out. It features quiet slow verses and then erupts into a truly epic chorus. AFI closing tracks never disappoint me. This track is great and holds its own with other closing tracks such as "God Called In Sick Today," "Morningstar," and "...But Home Is Nowhere." This song easily ties with "The Missing Frame," for the best Decemberunderground has to offer. 4.5/5
Track 13: Outro- I was confused by this. Nothing more to say, they could've just added it onto the end of "Endlessly, Said" Its just an outro, nothing special. 1/5
One thing that disappoinbted me with this album is that there is no secret track as AFI has done in the past. There is usually a secret track 10 minutes after the end of the last track of the album with Decemberunderground, this is simply not the case. This album simply ends with "Endlessly, She Said."
In conclusion Decemberunderground is a decent album, but no by AFI standards. This is not "Sing the Sorrow 2" and AFI wil never make another Sing the Sorrow or Black Sails or Art OF Drowning or Answer that and Stay Fashionable. AFI's sound is constantly evolving. Unfortunately for this die hard fan, it is not necessarily for the better.
I believe Jade Puget puts it the best:
"We didn't take time off. We didn't take vacation. We weren't on a hiatus. We never set out to write a copy of our last record. There's always people that are going to be like, 'Why don't you write something like your last record?' That's just not what we're about. We just felt that we needed to outdo ourselves, and that's the most important driving force, creatively." -Jade Puget
AFI will remain my favorite band and i look forward to their next offering. I hope their sound continues to evolve and the next record outdoes Decemberunderground, a good, but not great album when compared to AFI's phenomenal previous releases.
P.S. This is my first review, wrote it kinda fast, let me know what you think. Thanks. :)
You need to put more of that humor into your reviews but don't over do it.
