Sing the Sorrow

by

AFI

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Leaving Nitro, and signing with Dreamworks, AFI changes their style somewhat and not for the worst. Thought to have sold out by many of their long-time hard core fans, AFI enters new territory on their musical journey with Sing the Sorrow. AFI has done anything but "sell out." I've been a fan since Black Sails in the Sunset, and this album did not dissapoinment me in the least. It's true their first single, "Girl's Not Grey," is probably their most radio friendly song ever, but it's still AFI and it definetly isn't anything close to pop. These guys have been around a while now, and they're finally getting the respect and recognition they deserve.

This entire cd is simply incredible. Every song is outstanding. The lyrics are great and Davey delivers them beatutifully with high emotion, making you forget everything but the music. I can't recommend this cd highly enough. AFI owns.

It begins with "Miseria Cantare- The Beginning." An opening with Davey proclaiming "you are now one of us." Then "The Leaving Song Pt 2" which is the second single and one of my favorite songs on the cd. "break down and cease all feeling...burn now what once was breathing...reach out, and you may take my heart away." Awesome. Couldn't stop singing this one for months. "Bleed Black" is more upbeat, and Davey screams through much of the song. "Silver and Cold" is one of the slower songs on the album. It's neat. "Dancing Through Sunday" is probably the fastest song of all and Davey yells most of the song. Very awesome. "Girl's not Grey" is the first single, and the song that opened many people's eyes to AFI whom had never heard of the band before. Good song, but not one my favorites personally. "Death of Seasons" seems to be an album favorite for many, with Davey yelling through the verses and beautifully singing the chorus - "I watch the stars as they fall from the sky. I held a fallen star and it wept for me. I feel the fallen stars encircle me now as they cry." - some of my favorite lyrics from the album. "The Great Disappointment" is one of my favorite songs. The line "While I waited I was wasting away" is very catchy, and carries the song. "Paper Airplanes (Makeshift wings)" is simply amazing and is high energy from beginning to end. Very awesome song. "This Celluloid Dream" is another of my favs, beginning with Davey's signature "oh." I really like Jade's guitar on this track, and I found myself singing this one a lot. "The Leaving Song" is soft and slow, but the lyrics are great and this song shows just how great Davey Havok's voice is to listen to. "...But Home is Nowhere" is the last song, and there is a lot of yelling in this one. Also, "This Time Imperfect" is at the end as the hidden track, and it's soft and slow.

Really, after listening to this cd for months, I have to say that this is AFI at their best.

AFI made their major label debut with Sing the Sorrow, and became one of the "coolest" new bands on the MTV scene with their singles "Girl's Not Grey", "Silver and Cold", and "The Leaving Song Pt. 2". Sing the Sorrow is a solid introduction to the veteran punk band for those not in touch with any underground music. AFI's music has continued to progress, and fans of their previous release, The Art of Drowning, will love the emphasis on hard-edged guitars and soaring melodies on Sing the Sorrow. If you are a punk fan check out Black Sails in Sunset and Art of Drowning before picking up Sing the Sorrow. Overall, this is a solid album. I listened to it constantly for an entire month when I first picked it up from the store, and the songs are catchy and extremely well written. It receives 3 stars because the repeat value has diminished considerably.