AFI's December Underground: Where 80's Glam Rock Meets Punk

While not a huge jump from their last album, Sing the Sorrow, AFI's newest cd December Underground strays further yet from the bands punk roots and establishes them in a new genre outside of punk. Unfortunately this album will upset many of their early fans just as Sing the Sorrow did. On the plus side though for everyone else it will be very enjoyable and is a good entry point for those wanting to get interested in AFI.

Prelude 12/21- The opening track is a set up "song" meant to get the listener in the mood or the right mindset for the music that is about to come. This is not a departure for AFI as they have used this technique many times in past albums. It works very well and manages to give off a cold, winteresque feeling setting up the albums chilly theme.

Kill Caustic- This track is deceptive. When listening to it one gets the impression that the album is going to venture back to their punk days. Vocalist Davey Havok shows off impressive vocal range often going from screaming fits into the much softer choruses. The song's guitar is also landmark in its complexity; usually AFI songs have relatively simple guitar riffs, leaving the vocals at center stage. However here the complexity is refreshingly complex.

Miss Murder- Demonstrating AFI's uncanny ability to write songs that one just cannot stop humming; Miss Murder was born to be on TRL. That does not mean it is a bad song though. It is still definitely AFI, with trademark dark lyrics, and even a screaming section.

Summer Shudder- By far the most bizarre song on December Underground, Summer Shudder has more in common with 80's glam rock than punk or even rock. While the rock guitar remains, the guitars often part for Havok to yell, "Under the summer rain, I burned away." Where soon after all his cohorts yell in response, "BURN!" The hairspray is almost palpable.

The Interview- Nothing spectacular here. A typical breakdown song, complete with emotional lyrics, slow, steady, and soft guitar that picks up in certain places to emphasize the "epic" nature of the song.

Love Like Winter- Even though the album does not have a title track, this may as well be, repeating "Here it's December everyday." Sticking with the arena rock theme of the album Love Like Winter the guitar is again welcome in its complexity, while all else remains average.

Affliction- Here the album picks up again and delivers with intense vocals and fast paced guitar. It's unfortunate then that after such intensity the song dies back into the lull of the previous songs.

The Missing Frame- This song is a perfect example of December Underground's identity disorder. It starts out slow, picking up in certain areas, complete with screaming and hard rock guitar. While the switch is refreshing at some points, it would be better if a path was chosen. By this point in the CD the listener will notice a pattern. Almost every song on the CD follows a standard chorus verse chorus verse pattern until about three quarters of the way through where there is a breakdown to switch up the pace.

Kiss and Control- More upbeat guitar and drums come together to form one of the more entertaining songs of the album, but again the identity disorder throws the listener off.

The Killing Lights- The best song on the CD, The killing Lights, offers what few songs of the CD do, a look at AFI doing what they do best, making songs that are upbeat and dare I say it? Danceable.

37mm- Yet another identity disorder song, we get mixed messages from this one. The drums say, "Let's get up and dance", but the rest of it says, "Let's all go cry, isolated in a dark corner that is symbolic of my loneliness."

Endlessly, She Said- The album ends on a positive note with this one, with wonderful lyrics and a decidedly epic feel suitable for ending the bands first album in years.

All told December Underground is not a bad album, but for fans waiting all this time for another entry, some will be disappointed, especially those who did not like Sing the Sorrow. However, if you are able to embrace this other side of A Fire Inside then you may find yourself with a fantastic new addition to your CD collection.