Artist: A.F.I.
Album: Decemberunderground
Label: Interscope
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: June 6, 2006
Overall: 8.6
Music: 8.9
Lyrics: 8.4
Production: 8.5
A.F.I. captured mainstream success with “Sing the Sorrow.” The album received mixed feelings from longtime fans. It was a drastic change for the band, sound wise, and because it was released on a major label. The follow up album, “Decemberunderground” is sure to alienate even more older fans just for the fact that’s it’s not the same thing over again.
The opening track “Predlude 12/21” musically sounds like a new theme for Harry Potter, but remains hauntingly chilling to listen to. “Kill Caustic” shows sparks of the AFI of old: fast, loud, and in your face. You can still tell that the band’s pop sensibilities are shining through again, though. The album proceeds to throw itself in different directions throught the course of nearly an hour. Listening to “Love Like Winter” will make you ask yourself if you just jumped back into the 80s. More synths and effects have been added to this album than any other. The band have really tried to keep moving their sound forward on this disc and have done a great job.
If the right singles are picked(I don’t think “Miss Murder” was a great choice), A.F.I. should have no problem surpassing the sales of “Sing the Sorrow” and gaining a multitude of new fans.
Track Listing
1. Prelude 12/21
2. Kill Caustic
3. Miss Murder
4. Summer Shudder
5. The Interview
6. Love Like Winter
7. Affliction
8. The Missing Frame
9. Kiss and Control
10. The Killing Lights
11. 37mm
12. Endlessly, She Said
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