Well, AFI (A Fire Inside). I'd never heard of them until now, but having bought this album recently, I wish I had got into them sooner. This album is brilliant, and in true "When_Darkness_Falls" fashion, I'm going to do a track by track.
Prelude 12/21- On first hearing, I panicked. I thought somebody had sneakily slipped a hip hop album in my CD rack. This song certainly sounds like a hip-hip track, but that makes it sound original and different, and a great opener to the album. Simple drum beats, techno sound work, a great opening song. 8/10
Kill Caustic- Davey Havok's screaming is a good change for his singing, and this song is a great sing-a-long anthem. It's short, radio friendly, and definetly listenable. The middle/bridge part of the song is the best part, the guitars really open up, and there is little techno influence in this song, making it sound moe fresh and original. 8/10
Miss Murder- Released as a single, and for obvious reasons. The chorus has a hook which a fisherman would feel envious of. However, there are certain time during this song, that you feel AFI have been lazy, the musician work is weak, and the opening of the song, featuring the bass guiat, could've been made longer, and more prominent. Saying that though, this song is catchy and is a welcome diversion from the rest of the album. 8/10
Summer Shudder- This song has certainly got Pop influences, the stuttering guitar work, and singing from Davey Havok, as well as lavishly well worked string part, this song is another AFI anthem to sing along to. The chorus is what makes this song, as it is another good hook, and Davey's vocals almost sound boyish, young and naive, but nevertheless fit in with this song. A great Pop inspired song. 9/10
The Interview- Nice organ work, and some good techno parts, but nothing special here. Another good chorus, but not quite so sing along as the other. However, it's a different style to the previous songs, so it's very listenable, if not quite so strong as some of the others. Also, lack of a final chorus, to really finish this song off, is also a major shame, but this sogn stands strong on its own. 7.5/10
Love Like Winter- Another Pop enthused song, with a quiet, techo filled verse, and more crooning and frollocking about from Davey than at a George Michael concert. Still, the chorus is another standard sing along affair, and this song delivers a short, but somewhat sweet, flavour to this album, being only 2:44 in length. 9/10
Affliction- This song is another good song, with another memorable riff at the beginning. The riff that builds up to the chorus is what makes this song. In honesty though, this song lacks a certain something, and for reasons unknown to me, seems fairly weak compared to some of the other songs. Listenable admittedly, but not the best on this album. The little instrumental at the end of this song is a good break from the rest of the album for a while though, and is very well executed. 7/10
The Missing Frame- The riff makes this song. Another catchy chorus makes this song a personal favourite of mine. Listening to the lyrics, you can also feel Davey's pain, as he uses his boyish voice to good effect once again. This song pleases me greatly, I'm glad they put it on the album. 8/10
Kiss and Control- Davey demonstrates his throaty screaming skills again. OK, so it's not Killswitch Engage standard, but it's quite good, nonetheless. This song is somewhat heavier than the others, but it's pace is still slow, and there are times when you wonder if it's going to end. Boring moments apart, this song is by no means bad, and gives a new direction for AFI to head in. 7/10
The Killing Lights- This song is so brilliantly catchy, that even metal fans may find themselves tapping a foot to it. The chorus is again perfectly adequate, great for singing along to, and also, this song is more upbeat than some of its predecessors, which helps the mood of the album change. 9/10
37mm- This song is a slightly quieter affair for AFI, but still keeps the bands trademarks. Davey's vocal are difficult to define here at times, and I almost mistook his voice for a womans during this song, as in some of the others. The echoing chorus with backing vocals is so greatly delivered, that you wonder if this song is ever going to build up into more. But sadly it doesn't and you're always left feeling like they had a great formula for a song, but didn't quite get it 100% right. 7/10
Endlessly, she said- A musical introdcution to this song is present, and alsmost gives an acoustic vibe to it. The suitably sung chorus is perfectly done once again, and this song really fits in with the rest of the album. Some nifty guitar work too, making this all in all, a pleasant experience. 8/10
Bonus tracks
Rabbits are roadkill or Rt. 37- Perhaps the rabbits are, but this song isn't. This is utter class. The introduction, especially the drumming, is reminiscent to A-HA's 1980's hit "Take On Me" (later covered by Ska Punkers Reel Big Fish), but this song is far from a pop song. There is almost a "classic" rock feel to this song, and another single-worthy chorus, makes this song an extra well worth the extra few pounds alone. 8/10
Head like a hole (Nine Inch Nails cover)- I never thought the original of this techno rock song was any good, so I wasn't expecting anything fascinating. But, still, AFI make this song thier own, as well as keeping some parts that made it such a hit for NIN. The techno style guitar riff doesn't really fit AFI, but this is a bonus song, so I'm not complaining.
All in all, this is a great album. I'm normally into heavier music than this, and I don't normally venture for successful (Number 1 in USA) albums like this, but I'm glad I did, because it's a real treat. Crammed full of sing-a-long anthems, and good lyrics, this album is a must have for fans, and a godo listen to anyone looking for something a bit different, but not into anything too heavy.
Overall rating: 4/5
AFI are:
Davey Havok- Vocals
Jade Puget- Guitars
Hunter- Bass
Adam Carson- Drums and percussion
Thanks once again, and hopefully a marked improvement on my earlier reviews.
When_darkness_falls.
