Decemberunderground - Dark Publications

Location: Home » music » General » Decemberunderground

Similar Items:

•	Sing the Sorrow
•	The Black Parade
•	A Beautiful Lie
•	A Fever You Can't Sweat Out
•	The Art of Drowning

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
No Description Available

Track: 10: Killing Lights,

Track: 11: 37mm,

Track: 12: Endlessly, She Said,

Track: 1: Prelude 12/21,

Track: 2: Kill Caustic,

Track: 3: Miss Murder,

Track: 4: Summer Shudder,

Track: 5: Interview,

Track: 6: Love Like Winter,

Track: 7: Affliction,

Track: 8: Missing Frame,

Track: 9: Kiss and Control
Media Type: CD
Artist: A.F.I.
Title: DECEMBERUNDERGROUND
Street Release Date: 06/06/2006
Domestic
Genre: PUNK

Amazon.com
As AFI rode onto mainstream radio playlists with their gleaming major label debut, Sing the Sorrow, the rumble of disenchanted fans nearly drowned out that of their dark-hued music. But the heavily-tattooed San Francisco band aren't looking back on Decemberunderground, a slickly-produced, MTV-friendly disc brimming with sinister pop charms. The opening "Prelude 12/21" sets the upbeat tone with handclaps, strings, and a cheeky glam-rock stomp. AFI might still operate in that distinct area where punk, goth, and frightening stadium rock come together, only now they seem intent on crashing the retro '80s party attended by the likes of Franz Ferdinand and the Killers, with flashy tracks such as "Miss Muder" and the synth-heavy "Love Like Winter." "The Interview," meanwhile, is the closest Davey Havok has ever come to crooning a lighter-waving epic. Despite the odd lapse into the Cookie Monster metal territory of their early days ("Kill Caustic," "Affliction"), Decemberunderground is even more ambitious than its predecessor. First comes the backlash, then comes the platinum. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews: Read 258 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

Progression Doesn't Necessarily Mean Downfall June 11, 2006
112 out of 135 found this review helpful

When it comes to AFI, I'm very touchy about my opinions. As someone who's been listening to this band for years now, I have to say that even I have had my skepticisms about their transitions through the years. I was one of the fans who initially dismissed "Sing The Sorrow" as the horrid "sellout" album, but with time it eventually grew on me and I realized the true beauty in its nature. And "Decemberunderground" is no different from that album in any respect. Is this the best record they've ever written? Absolutely not. Does that mean that it's not good? Absolutely not. Just how I learned to expand my tastes and take new ideas into account with "Sing The Sorrow", most fans will have to with "Decemberunderground". While it's not at all perfect, it's definitely a nice stepping stone in the ever-evolving AFI sound, and something that fans who want the band to continue to grow and mature should appreciate.

First of all I was not expecting another "Black Sails In The Sunset" (commonly agreed upon as their best record) or "Art Of Drowning" when I popped "Decemberunderground" into my cd player. If you do, you're just going to be turned off immediately. Instead I just decided to let AFI take me to where they wanted to. And while it's true that they've dabbled further into experimental forms of music (there's tons of 80's influence in here), the core of what makes AFI special is still in tact. It's not going to redeem them as the saviors of music or anything like that, but "Decemberunderground" definitely has some things going for it.

The lead single "Miss Murder" at first seemed just like a "Girl's Not Grey" pt 2, in that it had its melodic, catchy chorus, and easily identifiable music. As much as I didn't really care for it at first, it has really grown on me now. There's been cries that the band has gone "emo", because of experimental pieces in "37mm" (which sounds like straight new wave) and "Love Like Winter" (which is full of synths and dance beats). However just because the band is experimenting doesn't mean these songs are bad. Part of the thing I began to love about "Sing The Sorrow" was the way AFI could throw curveballs at us, and still make them work. "Decemberunderground" is no different. "Miss Murder" and "Summer Shudder" are upbeat, poppier pieces, which are destined to be the record's singles. For the older fans, "Kill Caustic" and "Affliction" are old-school tinged rockers that are sure to get the blood flowing. "The Interview" and "The Missing Frame" are two slower pieces that rely more on melody and atmosphere to attract the listener, rather than sheer force. And the album closer "Endlessly, She Said" (however cheesy the title may sound) is simply a great way to end the record.

Musically this is probably one of the most multi-talented bands in any musical genre. How many other bands do you know which can throw out hardcore pieces one second, then instantly transform into upbeat rockers and then to slow experimental works following that? I can probably count them on one hand. Davey's voice hasn't really gotten any better or worse, but it does sound a little different this time around. Maybe due to the production. However I love the screaming he experiments with on some of the songs. It brings back the memories of "Shut Your Mouth And Open Your Eyes". Jade's guitar playing once again takes the cake. He proves how influential he has been in shaping the band ever since he officially joined up on "Black Sails In The Sunset". Adam and Hunter continue to be a solid backing section, and Hunter's bass playing has never been so fully showcased as it is on this record.

"Decemberunderground" is probably going to take time for most listeners to appreciate. Like I said you can't go in expecting any of their previous records, because as it's been shown, AFI has never made the same record twice. While it's definitely different from anything the band has done in the past, and it's a little rough around the edges, this is a bold record that proves AFI will continue to grow and expand their sound. And in almost all cases they will do it successfully. If you're an AFI fan, at least give this a listen before writing it off. It's not for everyone, but it's definitely not as bad as most are making it out to be. As it's been already evidenced, AFI are no longer "in the shadows, growing wings"; Now they're out flying high.

1 out of 5 stars

What have you done with AFI? June 13, 2006
17 out of 23 found this review helpful

I listened to the new AFI album, "decemberunderground" today. I forgot that I was on AFI's e-mail list from long ago, and I got an e-mail from them today saying "GET READY TO GO UNDERGROUND!"

How ironic, because that's the last attitude this album embraces. I knew it would be bad, and I was ready to shake my head in shame, but I had no idea it would be so horrific. This album should be guaranteed to win them all the fans they didn't already snatch from the teen trend pool with "Sing the Sorrow."

"Decemberundergound" sounds like what would happen if you put a bunch of young, impressionable hipster musicians in a room and fed them equal doses of Atreyu-style metalcore and saccharine electronic indie, and told them to write an album using all the techniques in the songs they'd heard. A trendy music focus group, if you will. All the elements are present: Synths, programmed drums, bad attempts at sounding "metal," the infamous "no chord," and vocals that go from overly-whiny-pretentious-jerk to overly-gruff-servant-of-Satan. Like I said: a completely equal mix of Atreyu and electronic indie.

I read some quotes from the boys in the band along the lines of "our fans accept all the changes we go through, and stay with us no matter what." That's because their fans are a creepy, cultish group of completely brainwashed youths who think AFI are some pantheon of gods and that their music is the only thing that matters in this world. They have their own name, their own exclusive club, and AFI responds by treating them like submissive disciples kneeling to them on the temple floor. It's very, very weird.

Change is good. I like that The Clash got so weird. I like that Killing Joke got dancey. I like that Snapcase became epic. Change is not good, however, when brilliant bands cave into the popular music machine and become everything they hated and then have the audacity to claim it's artistic progression.

I started listening to AFI about 8 or 9 years ago, and have watched them change quite a bit. I didn't mind it, and - go figure this - I even liked a lot of "Sing the Sorrow." But I've also watched them slowly become a monster, losing their cred steadily while they signed exclusive deals with corporate chains and started listening to people like Butch Vig and Jerry Finn for advice on how to write music. "Decemberunderground" is AFI's final descent into musical hell, and an especially shameful one after having built up 15 years of credibility, only to convert their band into one of the many who will be forgotten when this emocore trend passes, just like swing and ska revival, just like hair metal.

Therefore, I am officially declaring AFI my "SINGLE WORST BAND IN ROCK MUSIC NOW," below even Fallout Boy. Because at least Fallout Boy was never an incredible band. That just makes it so much worse.

4 out of 5 stars

Sounds good - but limited by something... June 16, 2006
16 out of 48 found this review helpful

The bad reviews can be completely ignored - this is a good album, for anyone's tastes. It must be listened to at least 3 times, tho - these songs are not immediately catchy. So don't give up too soon.

There isn't a song on DU that deserves less than 3.5 stars. Even with the harsh bellowing on Kill Caustic and Affliction, those songs recover just fine. That's the good news.

Unfortunately, tho, there isn't a song here that deserves more than 4 stars. Miss Murder, The Interview, Love Like Winter, The Killing Lights, 37mm... all in that 4-star range, but can't find that magical lift that made half the songs on STS instant classics.

Overall, for an album that costs $9, you will certainly get your money's worth. Quality, if not timelessness...

5 out of 5 stars

Just a rant, really August 21, 2006
16 out of 17 found this review helpful

I'm beginning to wonder about all the people who say that they're "hardcore AFI fans" before trashing this album.

I've been a fan since 2002; I was introduced via Black Sails in the Sunset and Art of Drowning. I love Very Proud of Ya, Shut Your Mouth, and Answer That for the punky aspects, I love Black Sails for the raw energy it has, I love Art of Drowning for the exceptional lyrics, I love Sing the Sorrow for the beauty of the music, and I love Decemberunderground because someone finally got the 'modernizing the 80s' sound right.

I'm not just an AFI fan, I'm a music fan. If you box yourself into one category (punk, goth, whatever; most of you think labels are stupid anyway), you're going to miss out on a lot of stuff this band has to offer. If you're really that one-dimsenional, where you only like one certain type of music, then you're not going to like AFI. Period. They change as people as life progresses, so their music changes to reflect that. You like their old stuff better? That's great, but don't say you want another Black Sails, or another Very Proud of Ya, or whatever. Bands that can't evolve don't make it. If Davey and the rest of the guys were still singing about not being able to get mohawks or how people don't understand them, you'd hate it, and I'd hate it. That's like Blink 182 still bitching about high school on their last album when they should be going to their high school reunions and taking care of their kids.

Miss Murder is definitely catchy, and gets me pumped up like only Days of the Phoenix could do. Prelude 12/21 is beautiful, and really shows that Davey knows how to control his voice to get the sound he wants. The Missing Frame is definitely full of that 80s pop sound I love (you know you like it, too, don't deny it), and Affliction is fun to (try to) scream along to, not to mention the last minute or so of it really shows a different side of AFI. 37mm, musically, reminds me that Davey is into NIN, but is still obviously AFI. Love Like Winter is possibly my favorite song on the album, and I can't wait to see the video for it. The only song I don't love is Kill Caustic, and that's only because I can't scream to sing along with it.

So yes. Five stars for Decemberunderground. All you "hardcore punks" or whatever need to get over yourselves and grow up, because AFI isn't going to slow down and stagnate for your sake.

5 out of 5 stars

Better guitar, more progressive July 10, 2006
15 out of 19 found this review helpful

One reviewer said 'The passion is gone. The pain is gone.' Well, when I first listened to Decemberunderground, I could not quite put my finger on what was missing. Finally, I realized what it was: the pain. This album sounds...well...happy! But still passionate! The passion is NOT gone - just redirected!

I am not referring to lyrics, but to the overall tone and feel of the music and of Davey's voice. It has a similar texture and artsiness as Sing the Sorrow, but is way more upbeat.

The exception is 'Endlessly...she said' which could easily have followed 'This Time Imperfect' on STS.

Once I realized this, I quit looking for that elusive 'something' and was able to really enjoy the album.

Hey, if Davey is happier now, and it reflects in his music, then that is awesome! He has touched our souls with his incredible voice; don't begrudge him a bit of joy in life!

Actually, Davey's voice has evolved. I just saw them live for the 2nd time and I noticed how much stronger Davey's voice was than the last time I saw them. Mmmmm....yummy!

Jade's guitar is superb. He does a lot of interesting, new things. So musically this album rocks!

Adam is more pronounced on this album, too, especially on tracks 8 & 9. Awesome, percussive, textured. And I love Hunter's lead bass, as always.

If you are into punk rock, start with the early albums and work your way up. However, if you are into any other style of music, start with either Decemberunderground or Sing the Sorrow and work you way back.

I love the last 4 albums pretty much equally. All of them are masterpieces from this exquisite band!

Buy it.

Powered by Associate-O-Matic

T-shirts, Posters

Pentagram T-shirts, bags, etc...

Gothic Posters

Antique Map Reproductions

Che Guevara shirts
and accessories