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Album Details

• Artist: A.f.i.
• Album: Sing The Sorrow
• Label: Dreamworks
• Year of Release: 2003
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2003-08-27

While I haven't really paid attention to AFI (A Fire Inside) I though I should take note of this former indie punk/hardcore band now that they were on Dreamworks. I still can't really figure out what Dreamworks thought they were doing but kudos to the execs for scooping up one of the underground's most talked about group. With a nice healthy, major label studio budget, AFI hit the recording studio with Jerry Finn (Green Day, Rancid) and the heavy hitter Butch Vig. Lead vocalist Davey Havok was able to venture into more of the dramatic goth sound that they had been reaching for on previous releases. I will give AFI credit for not following any trend. They are out on their own with their mix with dramatic goth style rock, punk and catchy riffs. Some of their songs reach the anthemic level as Davey's voice soars with the birds. On the track "Girls Not Grey" they get going with some sing-along backing vocals, a smart choice for a radio friendly song if they ever make it that far. But to whip you into shape, A.F.I. follow up "Girls Not Grey" with a scorcher called "Death of Seasons" that kicks off with Havok kicking in the hardcore vocals. If you want drama, wait until the 15 minute opus, "... But Home In Nowhere", that closes out the album. It has a piano piece that leads into a very gentle track. A nice way to close Sing The Sorrow. AFI is indeed a diverse band and Sing The Sorrow really showcases that. They could have easily made a mainstream album but instead the cling to their hardcore and punk roots.

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