AFI Returns to Roots with Crash Love

After three years, alternative rock group AFI (A Fire Inside) have returned with their eighth studio album Crash Love.

Over the years AFI has changed their sound and lineup numerous times but they have always stayed true to their gothic roots. However, 2006's Decemberunderground went a bit too far for many of their hardcore fans while broadening their mainstream appeal at the same time.

Decemberunderground had more of a electronic feel to it and got more radio airplay but it alienated many of the band's hardcore punk fans.

For Crash Love, the band decided to move away from the electronic feel and have found a way to return to their roots while still creating some new appealing sounds.

The album is both a step back and forward. At times some of the songs sound like they could have easily been included on 2003's Sing the Sorrow but on other songs AFI brings fresh new sounds to their tales of misery, death, love and self-destruction.

Crash Love opens with the haunting Torch Song, "I saw you. Angels came to light your path. I heard you keep their wings pressed under glass." The song has a beautiful melody with fading dissonant sounds that draws the listener in.

The album moves on to the single Beautiful Thieves, which kicks things up a notch as it explodes into a loud chorus. "Oh! If we run this light. Take a little life. No one will care at all." The song's lyrics do a great job of showcasing the indifference of the world around us.

End Transmission is a standout track that has a 80's punk feel to it. Lead singer Davey Havok does a great job of using his voice to coincide with the emotion of the strong guitar, piano and bassline work. The song is built around the tale of a night time car ride that ends in a possible murder/suicide, "We'll burn against the morning sun. Go grab your bag, I'll bring the gun."

The beats continue with the fast paced Too Shy To Scream, "I'd die if you'd only met my eyes before you pass by. Will you pause to break my heart?" The song is a relatable one as it speaks of the pain of being obsessed with someone who you know would only hurt you in the end.

Veronica Sawyer Smokes is a beautifully layered track that descibes the pain of realizing the difference of fact and fiction, "I was too touched to see you clearly. Far too young to realize I had loved so dearly you, whose world I had designed."

Ok, I Feel Better Now is a highlight moment for guitarist Jade Puget, whose continuously changing chords help build to the songs climax. "I cannot breathe. I can't deny I've been faking for you every sign of life."

Medicate is the first single released off of Crash Love and at first listen doesn't seem to be anything special but the song begins to grow on you. It has a passionate and catchy melody that you can't help but dance along to, "Medicate here with me now as we lose ourselves in this and ignore that you don't even know my name."

"Flash, flash, car crash. We're no fixtures." I'm Trying Very Hard To Be Here has one of those choruses that is instantly recognizable and meant to be sung along to. The song has an infectious feel to it and will probably be the song that sticks in your head after your first listen of the album.

The album moves on to the track Sacrilege, "How is it divine when it's flawed design? Fill the cracks with faith I can't find." The track is a bit of a slow moment on the album but the lyrics do a nice job of conveying the frustration of the hypocrisy of faith and religion.

Darling, I Want To Destroy You is a bit of a slow song as well but it has a powerful chorus. The hard guitar work on the track has a bit of a blues feel to it, "Oh, I must confess I am overdressed. Are you not impressed?"

Cold Hands is up next and is the track that seems to be most inspired by Decemberunderground. The song is still a dark rock song but it brings a bit more of a electronic sound with it, "I thought you sang so tastefully but now I see I was wrong. Your serenade turns to filth when I leave so, please cut the love song."

Crash Love ends with the track It Was Mine. The song returns to the softness of opener Torch Song and features another booming chorus, "You won't see them right away but you'll hear them singing."

AFI are currently on tour in support of Crash Love. They will be playing in Detroit at the Fillmore Theatre on November 9.