AFI - Decemberunderground
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CD Details
Artist: AFIBrand: Baker
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2006-06-06
Model: 0602498573938
Music Label: Interscope Records
Soundtracks:
- Prelude 12/21
- Kill Caustic
- Miss Murder
- Summer Shudder
- The Interview
- Love Like Winter
- Affliction
- The Missing Frame
- Kiss And Control
- The Killing Lights
- 37 MM
- Endlessly, She Said
Music reviews of Decemberunderground
Music Review: They can make it work...
Rating: 5 Stars
Everyone talks about fixing what isn't broken, how bands seem to "experiment" a little too much instead of just going with what's made them successful.. Eventually, these guys all need to spread their wings a little.. If music doesn't evolve one album to the next, people would be complaining that these bands are always putting out "much of the same".. What bands can you think of that're still around today who have succeeded with the same exact sound for several albums? The Chili Peppers? Pearl Jam? Green Day? You can even point out a noticable change in the punk bands who have stuck with a single theme over the years, such as the atheist Bad Religion or the political Anti-Flag.. Can anyone say radio friendly?
Why is everyone so scared of change? I'll admit, I caught onto AFI between the release of 'The Art Of Drowning' and 'Sing The Sorrow', so I wasn't exactly around to see the evolution from 'Very Proud Of Ya' to 'Black Sails In The Sunset'.. For those of you that have been with them since they started with Nitro Records, you've heard a distinct change in every one of their albums from the debut, so why trash them for changing now? Are they "selling out?" because if that's your opinion, they should've sold out on their first smash hit, which came off of "Sing The Sorrow".. They're definitely not more pop punk in contrast to what some of the reviewers have said.. If you hear this album sounds like Blink 182, disregard that completely.. You'll never hear the haunting keys, driving vocals and groovy guitars on a Blink 182 album that AFI put front on "DECEMBERUNDERGROUND".. One change I will accept is that they have more of an electronic sound to this album, but that doesn't do anything but add to this dark punk genre they've seemed to invent since 'Black Sails'.. You'll hear that electronic groove in songs such as the opener, "Prelude 12/21", "Love Like Winter", "Affliction", "The Missing Frame", and "The Killing Lights"..
One of the most important aspects of "DECEMBERUNDERGROUND" that all fans need to consider is that Davey's vocals are as amazing as ever, if not better.. They made a slight adjustment in the vocals from "Sing The Sorrow" by featuring a little less chanting and a little more "post hardcore" screaming.. You'll hear some of it in the bridge of the single, "Miss Murder".. Davey can do some absolutely insane things with his voice.. If you want a comparison, "Death Of Seasons" from the last album sounds like it could fit onto "DECEMBERUNDERGROUND"
Bottom Line: If you're a true AFI fan, this disc should rank up as one of their best, if not the best.. If you're new to AFI, I'd highly recommend this album, then start working your way backwards to the beginning.. Also, consider your sources.. A majority of the negative reviews are very short and give you no specific reason why the album didn't live up to far.. Also, look at the reviewer.. Even though you could easily lie on this site, I wouldn't trust "A Kid's Review".. Once you become exposed to music over a decade or so, you have better judgement to review albums like this.. Some people give up after one listen and trash the album with one star.. That's ridiculous.. This album is worth the price (which I paid $9.99) but just incase you want to test it out before buying, I'll rate each song for you..
1) Prelude 12/21: (9.5/10) It's only 1:33, but it's still one of my favorites on the album and challenges "Miseria Cantare" for their best opener
2) Kill Caustic: (9/10) Most of the fans think this is the best song on the album.. This track is most resemblant of a post hardcore AFI.. Davey's screams are incredible, and his vocals make the song
3) Miss Murder: (10/10) I didn't like this song at first because it sounded a little too radio friendly for AFI, but it's extremely catchy and kind of meshes old AFI with new AFI
4) Summer Shudder: (9/10) I love the guitars and the chorus of this song.. This resembles the chanting AFI that we all know and love from "Sing The Sorrow"
5) The Interview: (8/10) It's a little too slow for my liking, but the chorus is pretty catchy, and I've noticed many people who list this as one of their favorite tracks
6) Love Like Winter: (10/10) This is probably my favorite track.. It grooves, has amazing guitars and really catchy keyboards.. I don't think any part of this song has a weak spot, though it hasn't been mentioned much, I think it's one of their strongest tracks over the past few albums
7) Affliction: (8.5/10) I don't LOVE this song, but it's solid.. it's a fast paced combination of screaming and background chanting.. Seems to be popular among the fans, though
8) The Missing Frame: (8.5/10) I like the vocals in the chorus of this song.. Hence "DECEMBERUNDERGROUND", it almost sounds like some kind of a punk rock christmas hymn.. (don't ask)
9) Kiss And Control: (9.5/10) This is like the ballad of the album.. Unbelievable, you need to hear it, it's beautiful.. Kind of compares to "The Great Disappointment" in a way
10) The Killing Lights: (8/10) This is the only song I consider a little too "pop punk" for AFI, and its lyrics are a bit weak, but it still has a pretty cool rhythm and beat
11) 37mm: (8.5/10) I haven't heard much talk about this track, which surprises me.. Seems like the forgotten song of the album or something, but it sounds like old AFI, which I thought would make it a fan favorite.. Not great, but solid
12) Endlessly, She Said: (10/10) I think this is their best closing song ever, with "God Called In Sick Today" close behind.. It's another beautiful song, and my second or third favorite on the album.. Great finish to a fantastic disc
For those of you who excel at math, that's 108.5/120 with averages out to 90.4%, an A- album in my opinion.. I didn't even think that was good enough..
If you need anything else to help you decide if this album is any good, go on Interpunk.com and search for the album.. It has reviews and people vote for what they think are the best tracks on the CD..
Pick up this album
Description of Decemberunderground
"DECEMBERUNDERGROUND is a time and a place. It is where the cold can huddle together in darkness and isolation. It is a community of those detached and disillusioned who flee to love, like winter, in the recesses below the rest of the world."-Davey HavokDECEMBERUNDERGROUND is also the title of AFI's seventh album. And like much of the record's lyrical and visual imagery, it seems to stand in stark contrast to the name behind the band's world-renowned moniker: A Fire Inside. Then again, the brightest flames burn white-they just don't burn bright for long?
"There's a lot more attention to detail on this record," Jade recalls. "We spent a long time writing it. We refused to rush ourselves. We took our time not just on every song but on each guitar part, each vocal, each bass line. We definitely didn't rush into the studio."
The fruit of this labor is a record that Davey Havok is confident "should break us out of any preconceived genres." And even on a cursory listen, the wealth and diversity of material backs him up from the first note: "Prelude 12/21" is a rhythm/vocal-oriented curveball that differs radically from the customary calls to arms that have opened all AFI albums since Black Sails. From there, DECEMBERUNDERGROUND veers from AFI's first straight-up vintage glam style shuffle on first single "Miss Murder" (complete with backing chants from The Despair Faction) to the stark and stunning soundscape of "Love Like Winter" and the epic suite "The Interview." The longtime AFI faithful need not worry, as DECEMBERUNDERGROUND features more than a fair share of familiar AFI hallmarks, from the slash and burn of "Kill Caustic" and "Affliction" to the balladic finale' "Endlessly, She Said."
Of AFI fans' reaction to the new record, Davey says, "Our fans always come with us every step of the way. I think they recognize honesty in our music, that this is the only way we can express ourselves, to make music that we love. Nothing else. That's what allowed us to make the jump way back when and what continues to keep us going now."
"Some artists fear change and their fans' reaction to it," Jade says. "A big part of our relationship with our fans is that we do change with every record. It's expected and embraced."
As AFI rode onto mainstream radio playlists with their gleaming major label debut, Sing the Sorrow, the rumble of disenchanted fans nearly drowned out that of their dark-hued music. But the heavily-tattooed San Francisco band aren't looking back on Decemberunderground, a slickly-produced, MTV-friendly disc brimming with sinister pop charms. The opening "Prelude 12/21" sets the upbeat tone with handclaps, strings, and a cheeky glam-rock stomp. AFI might still operate in that distinct area where punk, goth, and frightening stadium rock come together, only now they seem intent on crashing the retro '80s party attended by the likes of Franz Ferdinand and the Killers, with flashy tracks such as "Miss Muder" and the synth-heavy "Love Like Winter." "The Interview," meanwhile, is the closest Davey Havok has ever come to crooning a lighter-waving epic. Despite the odd lapse into the Cookie Monster metal territory of their early days ("Kill Caustic," "Affliction"), Decemberunderground is even more ambitious than its predecessor. First comes the backlash, then comes the platinum. --Aidin Vaziri
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