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AFI progressed from juvenile punk to thought-provoking punk in just a few albums; Black Sails In the Sunset is their CD that bridges the gap between one era and the other - possibly because it is the first full-length album that features Jade Puget.
The lyrics are intriguing, with an ... Read review
Advantages: Interesting and appealing lyrics Disadvantages: None...unless you don't like punk
...in just a few albums; Black Sails In the Sunset is their CD that bridges the gap between one era and the other - possibly because it is the first full-length album that features Jade Puget.
The lyrics are intriguing, with an element of [enjoyable] pretentiousness, as you'll be able to see from some of the titles; the sound is a combination of shouted anthems, screaming interludes, and emotionally-stirring ballads [in a similar vein ... ...and volume].
As with each AFI album, the music stands alone in its own right, although again comparisons can be made to Art of Drowning; clashing cymbals feature heavily, which is great.
The theme of self-harm is more explicit throughout this album than their others - particularly on 'Strength Through Wounding', 'The Last Kiss' and 'No Poetic Device'...just something to keep in mind.
You're possibly considering buying this album because you own an AFI album already, and want to explore their work further. If you like Art of Drowning, Sing the Sorrow or their very early albums, then you're likely to enjoy this one. If you're a fan of DecemberUnderground, then maybe not, as this CD was made many years prior to that one [when, in my opinion, they became commercial sell outs].
AFI progressed from juvenile punk to thought-provoking punk in just a few albums; Black Sails In the Sunset is their CD that bridges the gap between one era and the other - possibly because it is the first full-length album that features Jade Puget.
The lyrics are intriguing, with an element of [enjoyable] pretentiousness, as you'll be able to see from some of the titles; the sound is a combination of shouted anthems, screaming interludes, and emotionally-stirring ballads [in a similar vein to Art of Drowning, but with more emphasis on speed and volume]. As with each AFI album, the music stands alone in its own right, although again comparisons can be made to Art of Drowning; clashing cymbals feature heavily, which is great.
The theme of self-harm is more explicit throughout this album than their others - particularly on 'Strength Through Wounding', 'The Last Kiss' and 'No Poetic Device'...just something to keep in mind.
As hoped, there is a hidden track at the end of this album, a song called 'Midnight Sun'; Davey Havok can be heard whispering Baudelair's 'De Profundis Clamavi' [a poem that influenced this track] during the bridge.
Overall, this album is definitely worth buying because it's a great music experience, and tends to grow on people as much as Art of Drowning, due to the similarity in lyrical drive and the raw effort that has clearly gone into creating those CDs. AFI fans who are disappointed with the newer work will especially find some relief in discovering this gem. Enjoy.
Advantages: Up Beat, orginal Disadvantages: Similar style throughout
This is an early album from a now fairly mainstream band that have switched from Nitro records to Interscope. This album was produced while with Nitro and so this means that the mix is not as good as it is with Interscope, but it is still professional and this may be a side effect of the very packed/fast songs that this album contains. This is nothing like the new AFI, yes it is the same band, but this music is a very different genre. I had this ... ...AFI to me, but to you it may be not to your liking.
The style of music is slightly screamo with very fast punky drum beats and simple but catchy riffs. The occaisional slow song breaks up the album and shows more decemberunderground/sing the sorrow-like AFI. I enjoy this album a lot because it shows the band before they had really made it that massively and offers a genre of music that I find really appealing. This album can be decribed "crazy" ...
liambrown89 08.12.2006
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Advantages: A more mature turn from a band that has proven an incredible ability to evolve. Disadvantages: Some may see this as too far a movement away from the bands punk roots.
AFI have been knocking around a fair while now, emerging in the East Bay Hardcore scene, their first three LP's being white knuckle punk affairs. With "BlackSailsin the Sunset" AFI took a big risk in changing to be almost unrecogniseable. Gone were the sounds of early songs such as "Soap Box Derby", to be replaced by darker songs such as "God Called in Sick Today" (which is still considered to be the best AFI song). BlackSails...split the AFI fan base, and the band lost many fans but also gained a slew of new ones.
For the follow up, AFI delivered the (overrated) "The Art of Drowning", an album which contained artwork which was at odds with the content, and several songs which sounded like AFI were just "going through the paces".
However, "Sing the Sorrows" shows that the band still have the capacity to evolve, but one thing ...
Advantages: Inventive lyrics, powerful sounds Disadvantages: None, except no lyrics for the hidden track
SUMMARY
This fifth album is possibly the defining moment of AFI's career. They've shown that abstract, poetic lyrics CAN be combined with powerful choruses and AFI-trademark chords plus crashing cymbals.
If you're buying this as a surprise present for an 'AFI fan', I suggest you check that they haven't already got it, as most people's love for the band is born out of hearing this album [the CD prior to this - BlackSailsIn the Sunset - and the CD following it - Sing the Sorrow - could be great gift alternatives].
Although AFI are often dismissed as 'not punk', the range of topics covered on this album - love, drugs, violence, politics, human nature and despair to name just a few - and its original, unique sound pretty much prove that wrong.
KEY TRACKS:
Well, all of them.
You'll probably recognise Track 9, 'Days of the Phoenix ...
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