After “Sing the Sorrow”, I was expecting something similar. A more dark, dreary, melodic harmony of bass, guitar and vocals. Something that was edgy, yet with a depressing undertone. It was different, just as this new release is.
Decemberunderground is a little dark, a little dreary, but not at all edgy as it seems as though AFI wanted to go “pop.” It used to be the standard of emo, but now, I can’t really categorize it. Just like Hoobastank’s 2nd big album, I think they sold out…
Some notable songs:
Prelude 12/21: I think this would have been a great song, but the background vocals are horrible. If they were a little more melodic and if they flowed with the rhythm a little more, then it would have been great! But that same somber tune was still there.
Miss Murder (single): Let me be blunt. It starts out sounding like Good Charlotte. Very very “pop,” with catchy rhythms, riffs, and vocals. I guess they tried to break up that pop sound with some screams during the bridge. It’s one of the better songs on this album.
Summer Shudder: Another “poppy” song. Simple riffs, simple drum line with some telephone dialing in there… Another song with catchy lyrics. I did like the violin bridge and thought it was a very nice touch.
Affliction: The bass line is busy, very similar to punk (think Rancid). The problem with this song is that it starts out hard, fast and furious. The bridge is really really slow and I don’t seem to understand the flow of the song. And right when you think the song is over, it leads into a ~2 minute instrumental with some unrecognizable lyrics. Where is this song going?
The Missing Frame: I think my favorite song on the album. It does have that “pop” sound with some catchy riffs. The vocals could be a little better during the verse, but the chorus makes this song. The background vocals are superb in this song, melodic, almost like a choir. If I had to pick a single, this should have been it.
Kiss and Control: I love the sound of this song. Great lead bass line, rhythmic, somber, slow but catchy and simple.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5. Could have been a much better CD. Maybe I was expecting too much from them…Â Still a good CD regardless
