Customer Reviews

A.F.I.

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Since AFI had spent years in the underground expanding their fan base and appeal to ridiculous heights, it was only a matter of time before a cd of this nature surfaced. Given the success of their commercial breakthrough "Sing The Sorrow", no one should be surprised in the least that Mr. Holland and Nitro records decided to put out this compilation to cash in on AFI's popularity. Also considering the band was not even involved in the arrangement or selection of this disc, and it makes things seem even shadier. While if you've never listened to AFI before and you are looking for a good place to start, "A Fire Inside" might be appropriate, it's nothing more than a compilation of old songs, and will seem fairly disappointing to any fan who's been around a lengthy amount of time.

While the songs themselves that are found on this disc aren't bad at all, they're far from the best that AFI has produced in their 15+ year career (or for their time on Nitro Records I should say). It's more or less AFI's most popular or recognizable songs from each of their albums. They're all good, but I have to question the absence of better songs like "Of Greetings and Goodbyes", "The Last Kiss", "Triple Zero"... The list could go on for days. There's a mere two to three songs from each album (and only one from "Answer That And Stay Fashionable") and the comp really serves to showcase AFI's era from "Black Sails in the Sunset" and up. Since I'm not the biggest fan of AFI's first two releases, I don't mind that there's only three songs from those discs. However the oldest AFI fans will probably be disappointed that "Very Proud of Ya" and "Answer That And Stay Fashionable" are virtually ignored on this release.

As for the "unreleased" material that was so hyped, there's a mere two tracks that haven't been officially released, "A Winter's Tale" and "Lower It." While they're definitely great songs, there's no real point in buying this cd just for them. Itunes or just downloading them is much more sutable alternatives then handing out $15 for a cd that's not really necessary. This lack of unreleased material is really where the problem is. AFI has so many b-sides and unreleased songs floating around that an entire cd could have been devoted entirely to that. At least songs like "Dream Of Waking" and the ultra rare "Who Knew?" should have found their way on here, not to mention the millions of other rarities that AFI has produced. The fact that nitro just tacked on these two songs though as a selling point is more or less a slap in the face.

Besides the selection and lack of rarities, this greatest hits collection is also really short. This mainly comes from the fact that most of AFI's earlier material was only 1-2 minutes in length tops. The last 5 or so songs on the cd last less than 10 minutues, and the first 10 songs don't do much to make up for the time. This adds to the point that there should have been more songs included on this collection if it was going to be released. Putting out a half-efforted short compilation just makes it seem even more like Nitro's only goal behind this cd was to make money.

There's far better ways for AFI fans to spend their money than on this release. The only people I can even recommend this compilation to are those who are unfamiliar with AFI from their Nitro days and simply want a quick way to introduce themselves to it. However even to those people I would simply say, just start with "The Art Of Drowning" and work your way down. All their albums are essential owns, and you'd be much better off simply purchasing them rather than this. "A Fire Inside" reeks of the phrase "Cash In" and one look or listen should be all the evidence you need. Instead of shelling out money for a worthless comp, just pick up their proper studio albums. You'll be much happier, I Promise.

Alot of people became fans of AFI when Sing the Sorrow hit the charts last year. Before they were signed to major label Dreamworks AFI was on Dexter Holland's (of the Offspring) Nitro Records. The band released five full length albums, and two EPs on Nitro records. This CD takes songs from each album, starting with 2000's The Art of Drowning and working back to 1995's Answer That and Stay Fashionable. Not only that but the CD also has three songs that were never before released on CD, including Rolling Balls, which is an extremely hilarious song.
I have to say that I am impressed with the band's choice of songs for this CD. All of my favourites (except Wester) are included. AFI's self titled album offers new listeners a taste of every CD the band released prior to Sing the Sorrow. Old fans will not only find it a great addition to their collection, but will also enjoy the three rare tracks that are included. BUY THIS CD!

This is a good compilation of AFI's songs over the 10+ years they've been together. It's easily worthy of 10 stars. This CD allows newcomers to listen to the progress leading up to Sing The Sorrow, and to get more intimate with the band. I havn't purchased this album YET, because I already have all their albums, but plan on it.
The new tracks are from the Answer That, and Very Proud Of Ya era. They've finally been released on CD. This is a cool little feature fo newcomers also.
Anyway, buy this album only if you havn't heard any of AFIs music but want to give it a try.

This CD is perfect for those fans who don't know AFI too well or just have Sing the Sorrow. The great selections of songs gives you a taste of what AFI was like before they became goth-like. My favorite is probably Days of the Phoenix or I Wanna Mohawk (But Mom Won't Let Me Get One). You should get this if you want to learn more about AFI or even if you haven't heard of them. Their a great band.

AFI is a great band. I would recommend getting all their CD's, going backwards from Sing the Sorrow, but if you just want a sample.. for some reason.. get this. Great compilation, and a few unreleased songs like A Winter's Tale, which is a great song. The only way you can get A Winter's Tale is on the Days of the Phoenix EP, which is near impossible to get, so this CD is almost worth it just for that song. Bottom line is, if you like Girl's Not Grey or Sing the Sorrow, you owe it to yourself to discover the older AFI. It might take awhile to grow on you.

When I first listened to older AFI after falling in love with Sing The Sorrow, I hated the older stuff, because I expected it to be exactly like STS. But it is a lot different. If you don't like what you hear in the preview clips, just wait, it'll grow on you and you will fall in love in due time. Mark my words it will grow on you if you just go backwards, from Sing the Sorrow, to the Art of Drowning sound, to the Black Sails sound, to All Hollows, etc. That's one thing about this compilation, it throws everything at you at once. So if you don't like 'He Who Laughs Last' the first time you hear it, don't worry.

However, if you don't like Sing the Sorrow very much, this is good too, because it is nothing like STS.

Well, ive been an AFI fan for many years and ive seen their work from the begining. This CD is a grouping of some songs in their Nitro years. For those people that complain that the CD doesnt have any Sing The Sorrow songs..... This is a colection of songs in the NITRO years, Sing The Sorrow was released under Dreamworks. Other than this, its a good CD for those people that are getting into AFI. It has some of their older work. Frankly, I bought this CD because of songs like A Winter's Tale and Lower it. If you want to become an AFI fan with more knoledge about their older stuff, buy it for this reason. If you are an old AFI fan like me, buy it because of the unreleased songs because im preety sure that like me you ahve all their CD's

Okay, I haven't bought this album, but I don't feel the need to. I've heard these songs before. I own all the albums with these songs on it. Furthermore, my "afi retrospective" would contain much more rarities than this album ahs offered. 4 stars because I don't need it but its a good introduction to AFI's discography.

And if you think AFI sold out with Sing the Sorrow, what about Dexter Holland? As soon as AFI left his label (which was his idea), he started advertizing afi's back albums like crazy. Then he puts out a retrospective without afi's consent. Then again, he doesn't need to. His label has copyrights to those songs. And Mr. Dexter Holland is running a business. The whole point is to make money. Also it's not like AFI have the cleanest record (*cough*illegally releasing music belonging to wignut records on nitro*cough*qishare*cough*), though none of us really know what went on.

My qualms with it is that I just think it would have been a good idea to at least tell the band about it. I'd say the main reason they're angry about it is that they don't like the songs picked and a retrospective makes it seem like it's the end of their career. Still, I can't get myself to buy this because I can't get the image of Mr. Holland buying a guitar-shaped pool with the proceeds from AFI sales out of my head.

although the band didnt have anything to with with this "retrospective" it is an amazing cd. Nitro did pick a great selection of songs. its cool to have some of the vinyl only tracks on here (so that way i dont have to wear down some of my vinyls.) it is kind of upsetting that Nitro went ahead with this because AFI has made it clear that they didnt want a greatist hits type album. they wanted to wait for that until they could no longer make new music, but being the extreme AFI fan that i am i had to get this cd and of course i loved it cuz its AFI.

AFI has come a VERY long way over the last 10 years. Their music style has changed significantly throughout their last 5 albums, as has Davey's singing style. The thing is, a lot of people are relatively new to AFI, hopping on board after the release of Sing the Sorrow. While I feel that Sing the Sorrow is deffinitly their best work, their old albums are great also and often times go unrecognized. AFI appreciates that so many people love Sing the Sorow but they really wanted to give the newer fans a taste of their older stuff. In a brilliant collection of past songs (that go in reverse album order) AFI gives fans an accurate idea of what they were before the dramatic change that is Sing the Sorrow, although I really wish they would have included "Your Name Here," which is the King of their first album.
IF YOU ARE FAIRLY NEW TO AFI: Give this CD a try. It might not be what you expect from them but it is worth listening to to get a taste of their background. And when you hear it, you will truly be able to appreciate how far AFI has come along.
IF YOU ARE AN AFI VETERAN: Show some respect and buy this CD. It's great!

This was the first afi album i bought and i wasnt let down. Ok mybe it was just nitro making a compilation and alot of afi fans arent happy about it but if your just getting into the band like i was, i think that this albums holds many of afi's great songs ( some might disagree!). But after you'v got this album you should buy "ART OF DROWNING" true hardcore!