AFI
“Decemberunderground”
Interscope

Josh: In 2003, it seemed like the AFI juggernaut was unstoppable. In May they released “Sing The Sorrow” which turned into a massive hit. They toured nonstop. They were MTV darlings. For some reason, their brand of eyeliner punk had struck a chord with everyone under the age of 19. And then, they disappeared. Maybe it was because their record label was sold or maybe it was Davey Havok’s throat problems. Regardless of the reason, they were silent. But now, more than three years since their last release, AFI are back with “Decemberunderground.”

After starting with what is effectively an introduction, the band immediately goes into two ass kicking songs. “Kill Caustic” slams you with overdriven guitars and a chorus that is catchy as hell. They even added a breakdown in the middle for good measure. “Miss Murder” continues the barrage of catchy choruses. Combined with a bouncing bass line and a Gary Glitter “hey” repeated throughout the chorus, it’s no wonder this is all over the airwaves.

This is when the album goes back into territory well covered by “Sing The Sorrow.” The following three songs are strikingly similar to each other and could easily be “Sorrow” outtakes. They substituted techno beats for keyboards and are at slightly different tempos, but overall, they’re interchageable. These songs represent the worst this album has to offer. But don’t worry, by the end of the album, AFI still has to offer a bunch of songs that really rock.

There are plenty of electronic and keyboard elements on the album, but that does NOT mean it can’t rock. This is a welcome return for AFI and is well worth the wait. And if you pre-order it now from itunes, you get a cover of Morrissey’s “Jack the Ripper” as a bonus. You can’t beat that, now can you?!

George: I nearly had an early mid-life crisis while listening to this CD. Having seen AFI on almost every tour that hit the East Coast (twice with the Offspring), it’s hard not to get nostalgic over the AFI of old. The brash young punk band that could keep up with scene stalwarts like Sick of it All and The Misfits and sounded like nothing else out there. Davey Havok’s nasal scream would pierce through two-dozen songs in half an hour, and he never stopped moving.

Some things never chance—The band’s live shows are crazy as ever, but there is no comparing the AFI of 2006 to the AFI of 1996. That AFI died and will never have a reunion. The AFI on “Decemberunderground” dabbles in music that is both impossible to categorize and entirely their own. Danceable grooves on songs like “The Missing Frame” give way to digital hardcore tunes like “Kill Caustic.” The call to arms is “Miss Murder,” a bouncy singalong that recalls fellow Bay Area punkers Green Day. Havok’s voice reaches higher and higher on every record. His singing has become much more bearable over the years, and he still does the switch screaming/singing on a scattered few tracks including the super-dark “Affliction.”

The closest thing AFI has to a ballad on this record is “Summer Shudder,” a delicate call and response tune backed by strings and some of guitarist Jade Puget’s best guitar work. “Love Like Winter” is a full-on digital wasteland featuring drum machines, synthesizers, and one helluva chorus. “Decemberunderground” could easily be “Sing the Sorrows” little brother, but the digital tracks that only appeared intermittently on the last record are the backbone of the new record. Pay attention and you can hear ambient sounds on almost every tune.

AFI came into their own two albums ago, but “Decemberunderground” is going to be their calling card. This melting pot of goth, punk and melodic hardcore takes from every album they ever produced, so its not worth thinking about the band that was and just appreciate what they have become. Hell, bands like The Offspring never changed and no one seems to no who they are any more.