AFI - December Underground

SuperDuck · #1 06-11-2006, 09:05 AM

AFI _finally_ released their followup to Sing the Sorrow. I went into December Underground with high expectations, as Sing the Sorrow was a fantastic album, IMO.

For those who have only heard the radio single, which is "Miss Murder" as far as I know, let me tell you that it is not indicative of the rest of the album. "The Green Day Song" as we call it really does not fit in with any other songs on the album. It's kind of a mystery to me as to why it's there.

If Sing the Sorrow was a big departure from the band's hardcore roots, this is an even bigger step in another direction. Many of the songs remind me of the Cure, and there are a lot more electronic drums and production tricks than before. It's almost hard to compare this to previous albums at all, as they are so different. There are some interesting straight-ahead and, dare I say, pop-rock moments on this album.

One interesting note it that it almost sounds like Davey Havok finally blew his voice out. His screaming parts sound extremely different than they did before, and a few and far between on this album. He still has his "it-has-to-grow-on-you" vocals.

All differences aside, however, I would have to say that I'm enjoying this album. Die-hard fans from the days of yore who were hoping for AFI to return to the Hardcore band they once were after getting "Sing the Sorrow" out of their system will be sorely disappointed, however. I can understand the sentiments - I've been in the same boat with other bands. I have to say, however, that I think it's cool to AFI change their sound and progress as a band.

Anyone else pick it up yet?

lbpark · #2 06-11-2006, 09:14 AM

+1 on everything

I bought it a couple days ago and was very surprised. Totally different in every way from their previous albums. I was hoping for something like STS again, but I'm actually enjoying this album. But, while I was very impressed with Jade's guitar work on STS, I'm not at all impressed with his work on this album. Pretty generic.

It's a very catchy album if you can let go of the old, hardcore AFI stuff.

SuperDuck · #3 06-11-2006, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbpark

But, while I was very impressed with Jade's guitar work on STS, I'm not at all impressed with his work on this album. Pretty generic.

This is very true! I was very impressed with the guitar work on the previous album. There were even a few solos that I really dug.

His playing is noticeably different this time around.

Don W · #4 06-11-2006, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbpark

It's a very catchy album if you can let go of the old, hardcore AFI stuff.

That's the hard part, I've been an AFI fan for a long time but I've realized that they will never do another Black Sails in the Sunset.

That being said. I really like this album, it took me a few listens to really get into it, but there are some really good songs on this album.

jenderfazz · #5 06-12-2006, 09:17 PM

I really enjoy this cd, and it gets better with every listen.

Jade has taken a different approach this time around, as his guitar has a much more passive role compared to STS. I think he had a lot to do with the electronic sounds and keyboards. In a sense, this cd comes off as a Davey solo project with a huge Cure influence, but I really love the songwriting. I'm a huge fan of Davey's vocals, and I like the screaming. Frankly, I wouldn't have minded an album full of Kill Caustic and Afflictions either.

Hunter has swapped his many J's for a P bass - preposterous! But his tone is amazing, his playing always tasteful. Much like STS, him and Adam just lock in and make it all sound tight.

I can't complain at all about this cd, it's definitely their strongest work. Black Sails remains the perennial favorite, though.

lbpark · #6 06-13-2006, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenderfazz

Hunter has swapped his many J's for a P bass - preposterous! But his tone is amazing, his playing always tasteful.

Where did you hear this? In the few recent live clips I've seen of them playing live, he's used a RI stack-knob Jazz.

FrigginChris · #7 06-13-2006, 11:37 AM

I've taken a few listens to it and I don't know, I'm just not getting it. Something about it just seems off to me. However. I will say that i find the lyics of the albumn are quite possibly the best i've seen from afi. I'm not counting it out just yet, so I'm going to take a few more listens and see if I change my mind.

Marcus · #8 06-13-2006, 11:53 AM

I wanted a lot more Kill Caustic, I'll tell you that right now...

I've been listening since Black Sails and I like AFI because their progression is so apparent from one album to the next. I'm happy for the guys too. They deserve all of the attention they're receiving, as they've been around for quite a long time now.

jrthebassguy · #9 06-13-2006, 06:08 PM

I stopped caring since Art Of Drowning

Black Sails In The Sunset, Answer That And Stay Fashionable, All Hallows E.P., all make for great listening. But it seems they get more goth and less punk with each cd, and they will not stop until Davey becomes a Robert Smith meets Glen Danzig.

Davey turned into too much of a wiener for his own good.

jenderfazz · #10 06-14-2006, 01:12 PM

You're right, at their Montreal show last night he switched between a white 62 reissue J (half a step down, newer songs) and a black 62 reissue J (standard, older songs). However his album tone is distinctly Precision, and in a couple live clips from earlier this year (secret shows, etc) and the Miss Murder music video he's using his black P. Listen to their performance of Miss Murder at the MTV awards (his white J) and his tone on the cd track.