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Trying to peg the appeal of AFI
is an exercise in futility. They’re everything
and nothing you believe they are. Merely a pop band
carving their own Green Day history? Misunderstood
party crashers uncomfortable with the increasing
fame and labels? AFI sure seems to fool a lot of
people with an image that doesn’t accurately
define who they are, and the group’s psychotically
dedicated fan base only reinforces the misfit, underdog
perception.
But Ukiah, California’s finest act is far
from unwelcome in the industry.
Even actor-cum-musician Jared Leto is doing his
best Davey Havok “Man In Black” impression
these days, completing the picture with his own
version of AFI’s “The Despair Faction”
fan club.
So, what exactly are we to believe about AFI?
The short answer is, “Anything you want.”
Because as the long-awaited Sing The Sorrow follow-up
Decemberunderground proves, AFI will conquer the
world in the most unpredictable manner -- by being
as unpredictable and unconventional as possible.
Consider that AFI had put in a decade of blood,
sweat and tears before reaping the high-profile
benefits, which is enough time to relegate most
bands to the “fan favorite/commercially
impotent” ilk. Add to that the fact that
AFI has morphed more times than your average chameleon
over the course of seven full-length albums. Tangible
commercial success almost always escapes these
types of acts. All of which is a really long way
of saying that AFI is an enigma, and its latest
release does nothing to dispel this notion.
Longtime fans will be pleased to find familiar
comfort in the disc’s chant-friendly opening
“Prelude 12/21,” which is seamlessly
followed up with the explosive “Kill Caustic,”
a scream-heavy firecracker that gives a nod to
old school AFI and its Bay Area metal influences.
“Miss Murder” kicks in, keeping the
foot firmly planted against the listener’s
neck and transcending its tame tendencies with
the help of some timely terrorizing transitions.
But not all is rosy with Decemberunderground.
The album suffers some fairly glaring mid-album
glitches, with a trio of largely forgettable,
watered-down tracks that kill what had been some
decent momentum. Fortunately, the action resumes
quickly with “Affliction,” stumbles
momentarily on “The Missing Frame,”
and then locks into a steady pace on the closing
four tracks.
It’s nearly impossible for any band to
live up to severe hype and either meet or exceed
those expectations. And while AFI’s Decemberunderground
doesn’t set new standards or blow the mind,
it’s filled with enough gems and surprises
to not only satisfy the AFI contingent but also
keep that enigma rep alive and well.
www.afireinside.net
www.interscope.com
-Dave Haucke, June 21, 2006
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