AFI - Decemberunderground (CD)

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jul 9, 2007

You get so much out of just one disc

By Yahoo! Shopping User  May 13, 2007

Pros: One of the few CD's where every track is great

Cons: There's only twelve tracks

I've liked AFI songs for a while, but I've never been a fan of the band until this CD came out. I still remember listening to A Winters Tale, way back in the day.

AFI has produced alot of different sounds over the years, and whatever sound you like the best is represented on this CD. Fans of "The Leaving Song" and "The Leaving Song Pt. II" will truely appreciate Kiss and Control, which combines the sound of both songs into one.

The key track on the CD isn't the overplayed Miss Murder, it's The Interview. Slow paced with areas it picks up, very reminescent of Silver and Cold.

I was on vacation, sitting down on a lake fishing and had my XM radio with me when I first heard Love Like Winter. I promptly drove 40 miles (to the nearest k-mart) and bought the CD which had come out just weeks before, I was in nirvana on the drive back, taking in all the new sounds.

If you don't like AFI, you may still enjoy this CD, as it truely does offer something for everyone, and if you do like AFI - you probably already have this.

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Feb 13, 2007

Oh how they have changed

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Dec 6, 2006

Pros: Deep poetic lyrics AFI is known for, Davey's voice shines

Cons: less agressive than previous works, dominant techno-electronica elements

AFI has made some serious renovations of their sound. The new album seems to have made changes to their unique ability to combine aggressive punk edge, metal solos, and dark-poetic lyrics that made them so memorable in the first place. With the new album, instrumental solos have been replaced with a techno-electronica presence. The punk edge was not even replaced, just removed. But they did manage to keep the Pink Floyd/ Doors-esque lyrics.To put it bluntly, AFI can be added to the list of bands under the punk-gone-pop category.

Not to strip them of the pride of finally making it on the radio, making platinum sales, and topping the billboard charts, but what they had to sacrifice to get there doesn't seem worth it.

To start, guitarist Jade being, in my humble opinion, one of the best, yet underrated, guitar players of the past decade seems to have underplayed his role for this one. The songs have slowed down (with the exception of "Kill Caustic" and the first half of "Affliction; which seem to pay a brief tribute to what they once were) and made to have catchy sing-along beats. What happened to the sdeep, fast, complex rythms and solos we saw in early works "Black Sails in the Sunset" and "The Art of Drowning", and in most of "Sing the Sorrow"?This was the core of their dark punk rock edge and sound. The music of their older sound brought you deeper into the almost fantasy world of darkness Davey would sing about.

Not to sound like they sold out in every way possible, or even sold out at all(which i don't believe they have). I just have a hard time swallowing the changes and direction they are going.

There are things to love about the album. Singer Davey Havok is back and better than ever! With a scare a couple years ago regarding an injury to his vocal chords, he has made a big comeback- and proudly shows his newly found vocal range. He shows he can still sing softly, drop into a deep baritone, bring it up the scale and hold the notes, then switch into the harsh, punk screams. Even the screams have improved, never has he been able to have the deep, low scream and build up into an almost shrieking bringing in every bit of emotion he has in his body to make you believe and feel everything he is singing. See "Miss Murder" and "Affliction".

The lyrics have been "popped up" a bit, but still maintain that core Pink Floyd/The Doors-esque poetic quality they always have. They seem to have a more upbeat and positive emotion to the words, completely opposite those found in Sing The Sorrow. Davey uses the words and his amazing vocal range to bring, once again, that much needed emotion to every song. Davey has always been able to make the listener feel what he feels for every song, putting the listener through an emotional rollercoaster that ends when you stop the CD.

Overall, AFI has made some big changes with this new release. Mainstream pop fans will be able to get into the album (which was almost impossible with the old), and their is still some core qualities of the band that are brought back(vocals and lyrics). The new sound can be taken as a U2 meets The Cure. The darkness, the aggression, the sorrow is gone. Not to say that being upbeat and happy is a bad thing, but it is just such a shock to see it come from a band that has spent almost 10 years embracing the darker side of the world. It's a new sound that older fans like myself need to get used to, and new fans can take as the first step into what AFI can do in the music world.

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Dec 3, 2006

LOVED IT!!

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Aug 3, 2006

Pros: AFI at their best!!

Cons: ummm, maybe not enough pros.

Well when I purchased Decemberunderground I was really excited, I really loved "sing the sorrow," so I knew that AFI was going to do it again. They did, and I am thankful. I just love the lyrics and how sometimes they can get dark and how they can just switch to a poppy like mood and it still all be good. For anyone that wants a good cd to just get loose or dance to, AFI "Decemberunderground
" is perfect.

AFI

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Aug 1, 2006

Pros: Excellent listening all the way thru

Cons: none!!

I totally loved this CD. Im a fan from way back and it was different from their other stuff, but still good in the same way.
I recommend it.

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Aug 1, 2006

A must-have for your collection

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jul 25, 2006

Pros: Easy listening rock

Cons: Have to read the lyrics to understand the screamed lyrics, ha!

This CD is easily listenable from beginning to end. Miss Murder, the first single, is just a taste of what you will find. It is definitely not the best, but thats for you to decide. Every song is as catchy as the next, although very different. I couldn't stop playing it for days. The Killing Lights was repeating in my head for more than three days so that has to say something about this fantastic album. I wasn't a huge fan of AFI before, but this album has definitely increased my adoration for this bunch of talented musicians.

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jul 4, 2006

Still The Same Old AFI... Hell Yes!

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jul 3, 2006

Pros: Teh Awsomeness

Cons: Some of the tracks are kind of... meh

Having been a fan of the previous AFI albums, I expected no less AFI from this album, and I'm not disappointed, in the least.

AFI manages to stay true to their Alternative/Punk roots, while throwing in a bit of metal on the side, and even reviving an awesome Nine Inch Nails track (Head Like a Hole), and nailing it perfectly. And in some songs, they even mix it all in together, and it's a perfect blend of traditional AFI sound, mixed with some metal.

All the while, every song on this album, could be described like a work of art. Davey's voice fits in perfectly with the instrumentals, and the instrumentals are no less than fantastic. Another thing that AFI does well, is keeping their songs to the right length. Each at about 4 minutes a piece, or less, so as not to take an awesome song, and annoy the listener with it's length. Metallica could learn a little length control from this.

I've compiled some must listen to tracks for you guys;

Head Like a Hole
Miss Murder
Kill Caustic
Summer Shudder
Love Like Winter
The Missing Frame
Kiss and Control
37mm

I'm not much good at reviews, but I hope I got my point across well enough. Awesome album, go buy it. Now.

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 29, 2006

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 25, 2006

Gothic down fall

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 23, 2006

Pros: great music, great sound

Cons: not gonna last

Hey these guys are great, but there conforming their image to much into the gothic image like everyone else. Which anyone with a little intelegence would know this is just a fad. Also if they wanna stay where they're at the should come up with their own style quick

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 21, 2006

it's like instructions on how to have emotions!

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 21, 2006 | 4 out of 4 found this Decemberunderground review helpful

Pros: this band does more with three letters then almost all bands can do with WORDS!

Cons: A cave party where YOU ArE the guest of honor, and the food is your favorites thing to eat! ITS THAT GOOD!!!

do You remember the first time you heard AFI and your thoughts turned to thinking things like :"MAn, this guy (I think it's a guy?) must of SNEAKED into my house, unstapled my private diary memorized the thoughts of personal feelings then like run home and write it down with someoned also playing a guitar with a scorching Effect! And THEN placed the whole mixture on the Radio of My Mind!" ITs THAT GOOD! This is the pure sound of emotions and electronics coming together for a Meeting in which everyone Agrees and goes home HAPPY feeling like THEY got the best of the deal. Does that make sense:?! Listen to this incredible deep fried appetiser assorstment of song names: I'LL SING MY LIFE STORY IF YOU HOP UP AND DOWN ON ONE FOOT, TINY HEADED BABY, LIQUID JACKAL, HUNKY BRINEY, SOMEONE POURED KEROSENE ON MY MEMORIES, PARDON ME WHILE I FORGET TO WAKE UP, BROOKS ROBINSON ROOKIE CARD, and I'M THE GUY THAT PLAYED SCREECH. hold on the phone is ringing -- i will talk to you later! enjoy thiscomaptact disc of musicbryan evening

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 19, 2006

Love.

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 14, 2006

Pros: Amazing Album...

Cons: None

I've been patiently waiting and it's paid off. This album is so great. If you liked Sing The Sorrow, I think you'll be a bit surprised but I do believe that you'll enjoy it. The screams are definitely still there (good deal) but they're with a catchy beat. Personally, I am in love with "Love Like Winter". Alright, to wrap this up, this cd is great, you should pick it up as soon as possible. Cheers.

Decemberunderground AFI cd

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 7, 2006 | 1 out of 1 found this Decemberunderground review helpful

Pros: Loved the songs

Cons: Could be better. More songs.

I love Miss Murder!!! Its fun and loud and awesome!!!


~~~Katie

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 7, 2006