Customer Reviews

Decemberunderground

5 star:		(124)
4 star:		(60)
3 star:		(26)
2 star:		(24)
1 star:		(24)

 

 

When it comes to AFI, I'm very touchy about my opinions. As someone who's been listening to this band for years now, I have to say that even I have had my skepticisms about their transitions through the years. I was one of the fans who initially dismissed "Sing The Sorrow" as the horrid "sellout" album, but with time it eventually grew on me and I realized the true beauty in its nature. And "Decemberunderground" is no different from that album in any respect. Is this the best record they've ever written? Absolutely not. Does that mean that it's not good? Absolutely not. Just how I learned to expand my tastes and take new ideas into account with "Sing The Sorrow", most fans will have to with "Decemberunderground". While it's not at all perfect, it's definitely a nice stepping stone in the ever-evolving AFI sound, and something that fans who want the band to continue to grow and mature should appreciate.

First of all I was not expecting another "Black Sails In The Sunset" (commonly agreed upon as their best record) or "Art Of Drowning" when I popped "Decemberunderground" into my cd player. If you do, you're just going to be turned off immediately. Instead I just decided to let AFI take me to where they wanted to. And while it's true that they've dabbled further into experimental forms of music (there's tons of 80's influence in here), the core of what makes AFI special is still in tact. It's not going to redeem them as the saviors of music or anything like that, but "Decemberunderground" definitely has some things going for it.

The lead single "Miss Murder" at first seemed just like a "Girl's Not Grey" pt 2, in that it had its melodic, catchy chorus, and easily identifiable music. As much as I didn't really care for it at first, it has really grown on me now. There's been cries that the band has gone "emo", because of experimental pieces in "37mm" (which sounds like straight new wave) and "Love Like Winter" (which is full of synths and dance beats). However just because the band is experimenting doesn't mean these songs are bad. Part of the thing I began to love about "Sing The Sorrow" was the way AFI could throw curveballs at us, and still make them work. "Decemberunderground" is no different. "Miss Murder" and "Summer Shudder" are upbeat, poppier pieces, which are destined to be the record's singles. For the older fans, "Kill Caustic" and "Affliction" are old-school tinged rockers that are sure to get the blood flowing. "The Interview" and "The Missing Frame" are two slower pieces that rely more on melody and atmosphere to attract the listener, rather than sheer force. And the album closer "Endlessly, She Said" (however cheesy the title may sound) is simply a great way to end the record.

Musically this is probably one of the most multi-talented bands in any musical genre. How many other bands do you know which can throw out hardcore pieces one second, then instantly transform into upbeat rockers and then to slow experimental works following that? I can probably count them on one hand. Davey's voice hasn't really gotten any better or worse, but it does sound a little different this time around. Maybe due to the production. However I love the screaming he experiments with on some of the songs. It brings back the memories of "Shut Your Mouth And Open Your Eyes". Jade's guitar playing once again takes the cake. He proves how influential he has been in shaping the band ever since he officially joined up on "Black Sails In The Sunset". Adam and Hunter continue to be a solid backing section, and Hunter's bass playing has never been so fully showcased as it is on this record.

"Decemberunderground" is probably going to take time for most listeners to appreciate. Like I said you can't go in expecting any of their previous records, because as it's been shown, AFI has never made the same record twice. While it's definitely different from anything the band has done in the past, and it's a little rough around the edges, this is a bold record that proves AFI will continue to grow and expand their sound. And in almost all cases they will do it successfully. If you're an AFI fan, at least give this a listen before writing it off. It's not for everyone, but it's definitely not as bad as most are making it out to be. As it's been already evidenced, AFI are no longer "in the shadows, growing wings"; Now they're out flying high.

I'm beginning to wonder about all the people who say that they're "hardcore AFI fans" before trashing this album.

I've been a fan since 2002; I was introduced via Black Sails in the Sunset and Art of Drowning. I love Very Proud of Ya, Shut Your Mouth, and Answer That for the punky aspects, I love Black Sails for the raw energy it has, I love Art of Drowning for the exceptional lyrics, I love Sing the Sorrow for the beauty of the music, and I love Decemberunderground because someone finally got the 'modernizing the 80s' sound right.

I'm not just an AFI fan, I'm a music fan. If you box yourself into one category (punk, goth, whatever; most of you think labels are stupid anyway), you're going to miss out on a lot of stuff this band has to offer. If you're really that one-dimsenional, where you only like one certain type of music, then you're not going to like AFI. Period. They change as people as life progresses, so their music changes to reflect that. You like their old stuff better? That's great, but don't say you want another Black Sails, or another Very Proud of Ya, or whatever. Bands that can't evolve don't make it. If Davey and the rest of the guys were still singing about not being able to get mohawks or how people don't understand them, you'd hate it, and I'd hate it. That's like Blink 182 still bitching about high school on their last album when they should be going to their high school reunions and taking care of their kids.

Miss Murder is definitely catchy, and gets me pumped up like only Days of the Phoenix could do. Prelude 12/21 is beautiful, and really shows that Davey knows how to control his voice to get the sound he wants. The Missing Frame is definitely full of that 80s pop sound I love (you know you like it, too, don't deny it), and Affliction is fun to (try to) scream along to, not to mention the last minute or so of it really shows a different side of AFI. 37mm, musically, reminds me that Davey is into NIN, but is still obviously AFI. Love Like Winter is possibly my favorite song on the album, and I can't wait to see the video for it. The only song I don't love is Kill Caustic, and that's only because I can't scream to sing along with it.

So yes. Five stars for Decemberunderground. All you "hardcore punks" or whatever need to get over yourselves and grow up, because AFI isn't going to slow down and stagnate for your sake.

It's the Lebron James problem. The guy can go out and have a 30 point, 10 rebound game and can get picked on for too many turnovers, or for lack of aggression. Greatness can be a burden, especially if you sustain said greatness for such a long period of time that your critics evaluate you with a whole separate set of criteria.

These poor AFI guys put out three flawless albums in a row, follow it up with a great album, and get nitpicked on for throwing in a few mediocre tracks (37mm and The Interview come to mind). All AFI has done is go from genre to genre effortlessly reinventing the craft of music. This time they take on nouveau-80's britpop and arena rock, and somehow make beauty out of them. Classics like "The Missing Frame," "Love Like Winter," and "Summer Shudder" stand up to "Bleed Black" and "This Celluloid Dream" in originality in composition, even if they aren't revolutionary like "Days of the Phoenix." (For those that pre-ordered the album and got the two bonus tracks) We are truly seeing a shocking change in AFI when they can take "The Smiths" Jack the Ripper and create a remake to stand with the original. DU deals more with an inner turmoil less than it does with a world-gone-wrong.

What's most interesting to me is that the stand-offish uber-gothy radicalism that so distinguished the band from their blander contemporaries has been softened to make room for a much more personal sound. Is it only me that is touched by the lyrics "Will the flood behind me put out the fire inside me?" The album doesn't scream so much as it cries.

If you are a true AFI fan, you know that there is no one AFI sound that DECEMBERUNDERGROUND can betray; AFI is a musical journey that requires us to stick with the band and rethink them with every new release. If you do it one more time with DU you will not be disappointed, even if it doesn't equal the last few releases.

It's the Lebron James problem. But wouldn't we all like to be a witness to greatness?

AFI still manages to create an album unlike anything on their previous records.

I've been a fan for almost seven years, and I'll admit, when I first listened to Decemberunderground, I was a little skeptical. I wasn't mentally prepared for it. Miss Murder and Kill Caustic (the previously released tracks) are nothing like the other ten tracks on the album, except for Affliction, and even that's stretching it. But after my second listen, I was in love, and the deluge of genuine emotion on this album touched me in the most poignant, eloquent of ways.

The lyrics are intense and gripping, despondent and devastatingly real. Some melodies are beautiful and gracefully tragic, while some are reminiscent of AFI's rapid, raw adrenaline past. Quite simply, Decemberunderground dug deeply into my heart, and refuses to let go.

For those who were expecting an imitation of Sing The Sorrow, or a remake of Black Sails In The Sunset, you'll be disappointed. There are references to AFI's older works on this album, but they're not painfully apparent. You can't compare Decemberunderground to their other records, or base it on a premediated standard, and I imagine if you did, you'd miss the expressiveness that this album has to offer. They've never repeated themselves, and are constantly changing their sound, so holding a grudge against them because you want AFI to musically go back 10 years is just stupid. In a nut shell, enjoy Decemberunderground for what it is - a masterpiece - and leave your preconcieved notions (or desires) that this was going to be the next Answer That And Stay Fashionable at home.

Here's a small track by track digest:

1) Prelude 12/21 - A nice opener to the album, and the beat's pretty infectuous.

2) Kill Caustic - The first example of the fast-paced parts on this album. Very straight-forward, no-nonsense, and catchy, with grating vocals and dissonant guitar.

3) Miss Murder - Reminds me vaguely of a hybrid between the Art Of Drowning and Black Sails In The Sunset, with group "Hey's" that've been basically non-existent, but dutifully missed by fans, in AFI's songs since 2000. And it's in three, which gives it an interesting, bouncy feel.

4) Summer Shudder - The melody is dance-worthy and kind of bubbly, and lends hindsight to the album's later electronic feel. The use of effects is awesome.

5) The Interview - I honestly don't know why everyone's been giving this song such a bad rep. I think the lyrics are gorgeous, like "For a change, I'll refrain from hiding all of me from you," and "Today, this small favor I'm asking. Hold me - you may drop me tomorrow." And the ending is perfect - the dual vocals coupled with the organ is absolutely stunning.

6) Love Like Winter - To put it bluntly, the chorus to this song is effing snazzy. There's more hints to Decemberunderground's electronic aspects here, too. I never thought I'd see the day that AFI would use happy synthesizers - but it's a nice change, nonetheless.

7) Affliction - Haunting, and the chord progression is done extremely well. The lyrics are sad, and when Davey sings, "So stay sweetly numb. Remain lifeless, love. Stay sweetly numb. Maintain lifeless love," not only does it break your heart, it shows just how much his voice has matured.

8) The Missing Frame - I like this song, and I can't really explain why. It's just awesome - like an early eighties pop song, but in a good way, and it's still kind of dark.

9) Kiss And Control - Wow. This song is beautiful, exquisite, magnificient, insert amazed adjectives here. The chorus is dramatic and downright heartwrenching.

10) The Killing Lights - I think it sounds like something off of Sing The Sorrw, but that's probably because of the "Oh!" at the beginning. Overall, it's melodic, but maintains a wee bit of darkness.

11) 37mm - Almost entirely electronic, and feels like a seducitve mixture of VNV Nation and Clan Of Xymox, which isn't surprising, considering that Ronan Harris helped produce this album.

12) Endlessly, She Said - A pristine closing track. Its sadness is drawn out to infinite lengths, and is remarkably epic. The last chorus, with the dueling group and single vocals is brillant. As if that weren't enough, the lyrics are fantastic, as well.

One reviewer said 'The passion is gone. The pain is gone.' Well, when I first listened to Decemberunderground, I could not quite put my finger on what was missing. Finally, I realized what it was: the pain. This album sounds...well...happy! But still passionate! The passion is NOT gone - just redirected!

I am not referring to lyrics, but to the overall tone and feel of the music and of Davey's voice. It has a similar texture and artsiness as Sing the Sorrow, but is way more upbeat.

The exception is 'Endlessly...she said' which could easily have followed 'This Time Imperfect' on STS.

Once I realized this, I quit looking for that elusive 'something' and was able to really enjoy the album.

Hey, if Davey is happier now, and it reflects in his music, then that is awesome! He has touched our souls with his incredible voice; don't begrudge him a bit of joy in life!

Actually, Davey's voice has evolved. I just saw them live for the 2nd time and I noticed how much stronger Davey's voice was than the last time I saw them. Mmmmm....yummy!

Jade's guitar is superb. He does a lot of interesting, new things. So musically this album rocks!

Adam is more pronounced on this album, too, especially on tracks 8 & 9. Awesome, percussive, textured. And I love Hunter's lead bass, as always.

If you are into punk rock, start with the early albums and work your way up. However, if you are into any other style of music, start with either Decemberunderground or Sing the Sorrow and work you way back.

I love the last 4 albums pretty much equally. All of them are masterpieces from this exquisite band!

Buy it.

Yes folks, AFI finally decided "hey, maybe we should stop all of the childish punk, and annoying songs with pointless screaming and make actual music." If some people honestly think a track like "I Wanna Get A Mohawk (But Mom Won't Let Me Get One)" is better then a track like "Summer Shudder" then they have to be on crack. Some people have to stop coming into this thread, and pissing and moaning about the same thing countless others have. "AFI isn't the same anymore! I liked them before! Why did they have to go mainstream? They suck now! I like their old stuff better!" Stop crying about the same BS over and over! Everyone has got to accept something, they're grown men and they're never going back to their annoying, teenage, punkish ways about how they're so much better then everyone.

Folks, everything before Sing the Sorrow was pure BAD, despite what all of those "longtime fans" may tell you. Answer That & Stay Fashionable all the way through The Art Of Drowning had maybe 2-3 decent songs on all of those albums combined.

Then came Sing The Sorrow, which was decent but still had a little bit of tracks where Davey was yelling really fast and you couldn't tell what he was saying. But there were a few good tracks, like Silver and Cold which was great.

And then Decemberunderground. Folks, AFI finally comes through with a great album and in the process gets rid of those immature punk addicts and gets some real music fans.

So can we stop all of the "I Hate AFI Now And They Were Better Before" because it's getting a little old.

I am usually not one to call a band a sell out, or talk about their glory days before they made it big. But I have to admit AFI's second major label album is another let down. As soon as I heard Miss Murder on my XM Radio I knew the band was going once again for the MTV audience. Then came the "Fred Durst like" growl/yell thing Davie did at the end of the song. The rest of the album has its ups and downs but all together if they make a great video it might warrant them a VMA. I just wonder what happened to the AFI from the "Art of Drowning" days and before, where their music was straight up power-punk, and truly intoxicating. This stuff is fluff, and yes the MTV crowd will buy it and make them good money. But that's a fickle crowd, I hope they don't let the rest of us forget how good they can be.

WARNING: In all, this cd does not sound at all like anything they have ever done. But at the same time it is a killer new album. THe intro to the album is done in same AFI fasion, then Kill Caustic kicks in which is the best song on the cd in my opinion. Then the rest of the tracks just take you further deeper into the oh-so experimental AFI. There are lots of new instrumentations on here which just prove of how just great of musicians these guys are. Davey's voice is beautiful throughout the whole thing. There are weird techno samples that also spice everything up and make it even more weird. New fans of AFI (like the ones that think Sing the Sorrow was the first record) will dig this. Long Term fans (like myself) may dig it depending on how open your mind is.

All of you old-school AFI fans that claim this beautiful piece of art "sucks" simply like a different genre of music, that doesn't mean this sucks. It's just a completely different type of music, they're a different band. Not because they sold out, but because they simply grew out of the childish high school punk of the Answer That-Very Proud of Ya era and the goth punk of the Black Sails-Art of Drowning era and became real mature musicians. Maybe you liked the endless screaming about mohawks and cereal wars from when they barely knew how to play musical instruments and just screwed around when it came to their lyrics, but now they're good musicians and make music with deeper meaning, and actual self-expression. Sure, call them "fags" because now they make beautiful music, just as long as you know that you're a childish punk that will only like high schoolish, juvenile hardcore screaming like "Key Lime Pie" that could be written in 5 minutes instead of beautiful music that takes time and passion like "Love Like Winter" or "Summer Shudder" which are geneous.

Now, onto my album of the year, Decemberunderground. An album with a truly gorgeous theme, a community of rejects hiding from the rest of society that resents them, and making their own society with each other. The winter or "december" is used as a metaphor to describe the hate of society and the underground is used as a metaphor to describe hiding from society and just being with the ones that accept you in your own society.

1. Prelude 12/21 - This is a great song for what it is, an intro. Although it doesn't open a show like Miseria Cantare from the Sing the Sorrow album, it is still an awesome opener. The line "kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep" is both beautiful and catchy, and some of the sound effects make it wonderful. The "woah-oh!" chanting during the chorus plants a picture in your head. 9/10

2. Kill Caustic - This is an awesome song, the hardest one on Decemberunderground. It is a hardcore song but sounds nothing like the immature AFI of 1995 because it has meaningful lyrics and is mixed with screamo instead of punk. It can really get you fired up, and it's an awesome mosh-pit song. Reminds me of Death of Seasons from Sing the Sorrow. 9/10

3. Miss Murder - Oooook, this is the lead single that all of the newbies love and all of the long-timers can't stand. It's actually a pretty good song in my opinion. The thing I really like is that Jade plays two seperate guitar riffs to start the first and second verses, and they match each other. The song is supposedly about Hitler, and when you look at the music video and the lyrics you can see why. Good, catchy song. 9.5/10

4. Summer Shudder - This is single worthy, and I'll be shocked if AFI doesn't release it as the fourth and final single from the album, it's truly beautiful and amazing. The chorus is very catchy, unique, and beautiful and the image the song paints in your head is great, "Under the summer rain, I burned away." Truly awesome. 10/10

5. The Interview - A slow song. The first few times I actually wasn't too fond of it, but it's actually amazing, and really makes you feel an inner peace with yourself. The entire chorus of this song is lyrically geneous. 9/10

6. Love Like Winter - The second single. Tied for my favorite on the album with Summer Shudder. Amazing song. Some of the unique sound effects like the techno effects and the high-pitched bells during the chorus make it very catchy. It's just awesome, and should have been higher on the charts then Miss Murder, because it's truly a better song. 10/10

Now we come to the second half of Decemberunderground, which was still solid, but doesn't come close to the first half.

7. Affliction - My least favorite on the album, but I still like it somewhat. The chorus is pretty solid but sounds a little too much like Kill Caustic's chorus. The bridge however, is the best bridge on the entire album. They got creative with the bridge and made it the best thing about the song. I don't like the rest of the song too well. It features a hidden song called "Then I'll Be Home" after Affliction ends. 7/10

8. The Missing Frame - The third single. The verses aren't to good, but those good old "woah"'s during the chorus make the chorus pretty easy to fall in love with. Some complain that the lyrics don't make sense, but it's actually about things you loved in life for so long suddenly becoming huge dissapointments. 8.5/10

9. Kiss and Control - The intro and first verse to this song rule. The screamo chorus is pretty great as well. I fell in love with this one pretty quickly, and sometimes listen to it 10 times straight, it's that addicting when you're into it. Great song with some great lyrics. 9/10

10. The Killing Lights - Everything about this song is very catchy. From the guitar intro, to the chorus, to the "cut cut cut you up!" bridge. It's pretty awesome, and in my opinion, should have been the third single instead of The Missing Frame. 9.5/10

11. 37mm - Another slow song like The Interview from earlier on the album, but this one is alot more electronic. I think this is the most lyrically deep song on the album, as you can connect the lyrics to bible quotes, ancient mayan things, and it just all goes back to the Decemberunderground theme. I love it. 9.5/10

12. Endlessly, She Said - I love the intro with all of my heart, and the song is actually very nice and a beautiful way to end the album, but there's just something this song is lacking. The lyrics however, are great. 8/10

There it is folks, my 2006 album of the year, AFI's Decemberunderground. A truly great record with alot of meaning, get yours now and don't listen to all of the reviews claiming they're "gay, emo" and so much more. Take my advice, listen to this with an open mind, and fall into the beautiful world of decemberunderground, AFI is waiting for you.

I got into AFI with the release of Art of Drowning, which is a fantastic album. My girlfriend at the time had Black Sails in the Sunset and even though I didn't really get into it then, I now think it rivals AOD. AFI has always been a band to look towards the future and embrace a sense of progress (this is highly commendable). These two albums, which formed my introduction to AFI, now stand as the mid-part of their career.

The band has always refused to simply fall into the groove of what's cool. They've always been unique. Their first two albums came out of their intense interest in the 80's and early 90's hardcore punk scene. Davey Havoc may have summarized the roots of the albums best when he says, "Ever since I can remember I wanted to be in a hardcore band," at the beginning of the "He Who Laughs Last" video. These albums are full of the intensity of the early hardcore scene. When the band emerged into this middle era the music was totally fresh and delightfully dark (it was there in the early days, though, in songs like Brownie Bottom Sundae). These middle albums (haloween ep and self-titled included) also had an intensity and an energy that blew away their old sound. Moreover, I've yet to hear a band in the world of punk (past and present) who's music rivals this intensity.

I appreciate the two newer albums on an artistic level; they continue to break the mold (the goth glam influence is pretty cool). Besides, who can say they didn't see them foreshadowed in certain moments on Black Sails and AOD. But, personally, it's pretty difficult to listen to Decemberunderground. AFI deserves all the respect in the world but I don't feel much of the fire of the old days.