AFI “Crash Love” Review
With the release of Crash Love AFI has successful transitioned into a full-fledged, well-rounded, dynamic rock band. What?! Though many of us can track the band’s progression over the years, it’s taken some time for AFI to coalesce their punk-hardcore-emo-background with its ever evolving sound; thus, turning it into the huge, fat, rock-sound they produce on Crash Love. But the album is not their first attempt at writing a straight-ahead rock record. They tried this sound on Decemeberunderground, but ultimately fell short of creating something as well balanced as their new material. Decemberunderground, though a commercially successful album, failed to find its identity, its songs trapped somewhere between the commercially viable AFI and the band’s pre-Sing The Sorrow recordings. Their sound wandered but gave us glimpses of the greatness they possess.
On Crash Love AFI leverages the best elements of its past albums, including the rhythm of punk, the fist pumping anthem sing-a-longs, hard-core intensity, and epic song constructions with big sweeping transitions and a huge sound. Typically the prevailing elements of AFI’s songs have been their intensity and aggression, both of which became the forefront of their songs in the past. The new album retains a similar sharp edge that is pervasive but not invasive. “I Am Trying Very Hard To Be Here” is perfect example of this sound. The song is a seamless mixture of staccato drumming, crunchy chords, and driving rhythms, wrapped up in sing-a-long anthem.
On Crash Love the band has turned that aggression inwards, creating a more focused, terse sound that is both epic and cinematic, helping to signify how AFI has grown and matured. Dissect the components of “OK I Feel Better Now” and you will see how they harnessed the pivotal elements of past works and influences and focused them into a driving, intense, cinematic song, with poetic lyrics and classic Davey Havok vocals (minus the high-pitched screams).
[group photo by Jason Odell via MySpace]
People like to knock how the band has sold out or changed its sound, but what people fail to recognize is that punk and hardcore music have their limitations (and not all musicians want to play the same music they did when they were in college). Musicians seemingly always grapple with some sort of artistic direction though, and in AFI’s case, the band made a decision to grow and advance their art as they saw fit; regardless of how others viewed their evolution. “Cold Hands,” the tenth track on the album, explores the inferiority of relationships with a great hook and tight chords. The song’s format is simple yet rich with many layers. But if you want to see what all the hype is about in regards to the album being this crazy, super-rock album listen to “Torch Song”: Tragic lyrics and twisting solos coming in one speaker and drop out the other, all the while haunting harmonies loom in the background.
Crash Love is emblematic of their growth in regards to sound, style and musical arrangements. The time spent writing this album (two years in the making) allowed the band to create a sound that is artistic, bombastic and fun. “Too Shy To Scream” is hip-love song inviting a “Love in the Time of Now” feel, complete with a clap-track, quick fast-paced intro that levels out when the chorus kicks in when Havoc says “Will you pause and break my heart?” The bouncing tempo, lyrics and production all scream “bombastic.”
The time spent on the album allowed the band to really focus on the craft and arrangements while still being free to continually revisit the tacks time and time again until the right sound was created. They even switched producers half-way through recording, shifting over to Joe McGrath. Crash Love should be taken seriously, despite the nonsensical hype courtesy of Interscope, and will be remember as a quintessential rock album of 2009 because of the territory explored by a bunch of hardcore punked-out kids turned rock gods.
[review by guest contributor Kevin Farr]
![culturebully-web-ad-11-9[3]](http://www.culturebully.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/culturebully-web-ad-11-93-300x90.jpg "culturebully-web-ad-11-9[3]")
I will be the absolute first person to say that I gave up on the band, and downright despised its last album. Maybe it’s just the time in between, or maybe I’ve changed (well, we’ve ALL changed…), but I am liking “Crash Love.”
“Medicate” is awesome and reminds me a lot more of something from “Sing the Sorrow” & “Beautiful Thieves” has that over-the-top choral chant that backs Davey up in the chorus that gives it that huge rock feeling you were talking about. Am looking forward to getting a better version of the record than the stream so it can sink in a little more, but for now, it’s not sounding too bad at all.
Bullshit.
Epic Rock Gods?
Who are we talking about here, Van Halen or AFI?
A : Crash Love lyrics are shit.
B : The album sounds entirely ungenuine.
C : They’re just trying to make some fucking money now.
I don’t hate them, but I surely don’t respect the direction they chose. Its sad, and it makes me want to die.
“they are just trying to make some fucking money now” – WOW, what an irrational concept…Are you for real Hate?? This band has matured with their last 3 CD’s…..and they have tightened their music, vocals, etc. Makes you want to die huh? I cant even comment on that. Im listening to CrashLove for the 1st time right now….so ill check back. Sing the Sorrow and Decemberunderground were groundbreaking….expecting nothing but the best.
Yeah, you’re right.
Remind me not to post shit while coming down.
(not an excuse but an explanation)
I apologize.
This album is fucking sick.
I really like it now, I don’t know what the fuck I was thinking.
Its haunting, beautiful, and yet punchy at the same time.
Although the cover art is ehhh.
I think I was a little afraid they were going to fit into mainstream emo/scene or just plain rock a bit too much, but thats something that should never even factor into whether you like the music or not.
Oh, and I didn’t really like december when i first heard it. In fact I had a really similair response. But after the initial few days; for the past 3 years; I’ve loved that album.
Hopefully this will be like that.
You really have to listen to this with an open mind to start liking it. I’m an old school AFI fan so I naturally recoiled from it, and I think a lot of other fans have too. But really, its like…just get over it. They’re not making Art Of Drowning, Sing the Sorrow, or Black Sails ever again. They’re sacred albums so leave it be.
-Hate (yes thats my real name)
Yes, the album is rich in layers and has a depth and a maturity not found on earlier albums. As fans we often cling to a time period in a band’s career because of how we relate to it or because it represents something special to us…and we want the band to stay the same or give us more of the same.
AFI has grown from album to album (from the beginning)…and sure they make money…they’re a platinum selling band…good for them and their art…should we all not be proud to see good art prevail? If you say, “no”…then you are jealous, spiteful bitch that spends too much time commenting on others art instead of trying to make it yourself…
I am glad for everyone who was able to open up to this album and respect and appreciate the caliber of art AFI creates.
I have been an AFI fan for a damn long time now, and im really struggling with Crash Love. The whole album sounds like they have really fogoten about the older fans and are only focusing on the 12 to 16 age group. I understand how bands change and evolve overtime but this CD is definately not an evloution foward. Its like they took a step backwards into the mass of boring generic emo music that keeps the fringe boys and girls opening up their wallets.
In response to this writer who claims that “punk and hardcore music have their limitations”. Its only the great bands that can push those limitations and create something original. The Art of Drowning and Sing the Sorrow still remain the pinnacle of this bands career, as they are now unfortunately on the downhill slide.
so ive heard the album several times now and have come to the conclusion that they are moving downhill a bit for me. technically and musically, these guys are stellar. the songs are pretty good and varied, i find myself already humming some of the songs and attempting to sing them but not one song sticks out to me like a true SINGLE.
there is no mrs murder, girls not grey, day of the phoenix, etc. you know that one song that is so damn catchy that it makes you want to smash the face of the person next to you or simply listen to it a million times in a row. when i first heard DU, i disliked it but it grew on me after only a few listens. so far, its taking longer to really love this album. its ok, but not stellar.
im a filmmaker and in with previous albums i would instantly get pictures in my head for music vids, not many pictures come from this album, at least not any real good ones.
About limitations…there are only so many musical variations in punk and hard-core…mathematically a writer can only write so many derivations before the songs are structural, something other than punk or hard-core…so when AFI, for instance writes longer, stretched out songs, with strum patterns that reflect their roots but diverge in the length of the arrangements and time signature…they have in essence, pushed the limits and created a new format…they are not pure emo nor pure punk nor pure hard-core (they never were), in fact few bands of today are pure emo, it’s a misconception…they are post emo…which was derived from early “chunk” music made in the early nineties by bands like “Get Up Kids” and in the late nineties by bands like “Cadillac Blindside”.
i think its funny how so many people talk about “what fans want” if you want another “art of drowning” or “sing the sorrow” then just go listen to those albums. From a bands point of view, the idea is to grow and never repeat what you did in the past, and to get better at writing. I’ve been listening to afi for about ten years and honestly repeating a sound means your not growing, which is why i’ve gotten excited every album from “art of drowning” to “crash love”. The writing has gotten so much better over the years. Its also funny how some people say “they are just trying to make money”. First of all thats the point of being in a successful band, they are supposed to make money i mean they’re on a huge label, its expected. Second Davey isn’t “selling out” some of his idols, are the cure, bowie, and morrissey so is it really that surprising how is vocal melody’s are progressing. Overall i think this album is great, “sing the sorrow” is still my favorite because of its production, but i am really loving this album, and i’m glad they got all the electronica bs out of their system.
I’m gonna get this album as soon as i can. I’ve been on board since days of the phoenix, and i like very much how they’ve progressed their sound. Hopefully they’ll keep pushing the envelope.
album sucks where did this band go horrible in my opinion
It’s good…if that’s what you’re into. I’m just NOT into this. It’s radio-friendly. And parent-friendly. My mom would tap her toes to this. Where is all the screaming Davey? I just don’t understand. Maybe they’re getting old. And yes I DO want another STS album. I DO.
I’m not really understanding all the praise. I was really into punk, so their old stuff was awesome at the time. And I really dug sing the sorrow and decemberunderground. A lot of people hated on the latter, but I loved it. It had the alternative rock sound, but it had the energy that AFI always brought. This album is catchy, and not terrible, but it is missing…I know this sounds stupid…but it’s missing a fire inside. I’m glad I can listen to this cd with some of my friends who were never into punk or hardcore, but when it comes to releasing any emotions or aggression built up inside me. It hasn’t really happened. I was ready for another album that would show how the band has evolved and improved, but I also wanted the screams. At least in a few songs. And not one? That is bullshit, and all you that say it isn’t are not true fans. I love AFI, and I’ll go see them live again and again. But the album is missing what I wanted to hear.
I’ve been on AFI since the Very Proud Of Ya days. Couldn’t count how many times I’ve seen them live, from tiny 100 capacity clubs to the 8,000+ seat auditoriums. I have to say it was the early years hardcore skate punk that hooked me in the beginning, but it’s their ability to evolve and continue to make amazing music, no matter what genre they crossover into that’s kept them as one of my favorite bands to this day. Every album they’ve put out has gotten my huge thumbs up, and Crash Love is no different. I’m personally glad they’ve always been a constantly changing band, because otherwise I would’ve gotten bored by the Black Sails days. And really, as much as the die hard old school fans would like for ‘their’ bands to keep putting out the same album for 20 years straight, from the bands’ writing standpoint it would be like being 35 and still having the mentality of a 15 year old.
I guess my point is AFI continues to grow up, and so does their style. Crash Love is equally brilliant as any one of their previous releases and I myself couldn’t be happier with the new tunes!
I do like this album…though it’s far from their best. Sing the Sorrow and The Art of Drowning are definitely their peak performances. Crash definitely is way better than December though…but I do miss davey’s beautiful screams; there’s a total lack of them on crash…and I think he’s over-using the “davey oh”s…they used to be like a once in a while treat…now they’re in like every song…:(
But overall I think its an alright album.
you dis’ers are terrible, stay back in ‘03 and pump out 10 different versions of the leaving song pt.2 but ill be a real fan of music and move on
Haven’t heard the album yet, but a well contructed review regardless. As for the little debate, I first found AFI freshman year in HS with the Art of Drowning and it progressed from there. Music that truly helped me through family death, loneliness, and teenaged angst. I don’t listen to punk or even rock at all anymore, but everytime I hear a new AFI CD its like they’re progressing along with me.I’m 24 now and a little hesitant to give the album a listen myself, but I’m sure I will and eventually come to love it like every album.
I guess I was silly to think that AFI wouldn’t change their sound for Crash Love but boy, are they different. The leap from STS to December wasn’t as drastic as this is.
And to whoever said the electronic sound was garbage, you’re a fool. I’d much rather have more of that on this record than all the weirdo tracks on Crash Love that sound like they should be on a Best of 80s Pop Hits cd. Overall, disappointed they’re stepping further and further away from horrorpunk and goth
I like AFI but am not a fan of this album. It just screams Clear Channel and there is something ironic about that given the songs. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a broader appeal and to do something different but this album feels disjointed and indecisive at best. The arena-rock aspects would be cool if they were more polished — I think the background chorus in some songs kind of distracts from what would otherwise be good music. Many die hard fans of the band will still say they love it (even if they secretly don’t) because they like the idea of their favorite band more than the band itself. I find it odd that some fans pride themselves on standing apart from mainstream culture yet cling to this bizarre cultural notion that constructive criticism/sharing an honest (but contrary opinion) should be silenced. I find it amusing that the band is coming out and talking a bit more about the meaning of some of the lyrics when historically they have shied away from doing so. If the underlying meaning/message is so important it should have been delivered better lyrically/musically – I would much rather get it from the music itself.
to be honest i didnt like the album at first but on the 3rd time i listened to it i fell in love. i can tell they worked hard on the album. the guitar parts never sound the same, so it stays exciting. davey’s very good at singing. i think they are still amazing even though they changed. i cant get enough of this album.
Trying to judge the album as if I don’t know AFI and imo it’s generally a pretty good record. Im not hearing anything ground breaking nor all that ’standout ish’ about it though. Solid musicians, arrangments, recording and producing.
As an AFI fan from back in the Nitro days, well I think I can save my money from now, as ‘december’ did nothing for me and while this is a better record imo, the tingles just aint happnin.
Full credit to them for actually evolving though, from the start till sing the sorrow was an awesome journey. I’ve never had a problem with bands that do, I’ll continue along or I wont, someone else will fill my spot anyway so no big deal.
what the fuck happened to a band once so great? I’m not saying the new album is crap. I for one hate it but that doesn’t mean its crap. It’s just a completely diiferent type of music than their previous work. If a band is so unhappy with the type of music they play and need to change so much then they should change their fucking name to. Then their original fans can still claim to like them without feeling embarrassed. After the art of drowning AFI should have changed their name to faggy little fags. Then AFI fans would be happy and faggy little fag fans would be happy to, as they wouldn’t+ even realize their was previous albums. As im sure the majority of Crash Love appreciaters aren’t aware AFI had any records before Sing the Sorrow.
I love this band and always will. That being said. I do believe that AFI loves this album, and made it for the music… not the money, but it is far more generic than anything they have released in the past. The album sounds like watered down AFI. I do think that this album will bring hoards of new fans, but overall, the album is nowhere near the quality of their older albums. I believe that this album sounds tired. Nothing really sticks out to me.. and while it’s not a bad album at all… it’s not magical like any other AFI release can be. “It Was Mine” is my favorite track on the record. I am an extremely open minded AFI fan. I listened to this album at least 30 times through already.. and everytime… from the first time I listened to it… to the last, I felt like I was forcing myself to get through it. But alas, I keep listening to it hoping to find that old AFI magic. AFI is an extremely talented band. They do not need to sound punk to make amazing music… but this time, the arrow fell a little short of the target.
i like old AFI, but i still really like Crash Love. it’s really a step in a different direction though, so you have to be really open minded x_x
so i got the album and it….feels like its missing something. Oh yeah, the screams! And whats up with the clap track? That song I think would have been fine without it. I was also looking for at least one fast tempo’ed song. Love the first couple songs and the single. They have at least some energy. They’ll come around full circle in the next album like Metallica did with Death Magnetic on thier ninth album. Back to roots but still fresh and innovated. So we’ll see what they come up with next time.
Ok,here’s my thing….AFI have sold out, there new music is not progressive from there old music it has regressed and been shaped to make money…think about it it makes sence, and really I cant blame them. I mean there not getting any younger there isn’t exactly a company pension for rock stars and lets face it…you’ll starve in the indy seen sooner or later! So fuck it, they did there thing, rocked the hell out of the punk seen, made amazing albums and then decided to make some money…what the fuck is wrong with that? That’s not really selling out its smart! Answer me this people if there music is “maturing” then why does there audience keep getting younger? Please I can’t be the only one to notice this!
They were great in there time, now there a gimmic and a name. But a gimmic and name with groundbreaking albums under there belt and props to that! Not to mention loaded and set for life!
More then I can say! hahaha
This use to be my favorite band. I have afi tats. This album is their worst. For real. I thought it was gonna be something epic. It seems like they just don’t care anymore. Like their not trying hard enough
. I do love veronica sawyer smokes. I like their sound like that. Black sails aod and sts are their best work. Although DU wasn’t a bad album. This one is.
I hate all those pussy die hard Old afi was better fans. without progression we would just hear a regurgitated album over and over again. I’m very glad for their success and I enjoy afi over all the years and their albums. they all effect me in a different way and remind me of things in my life and allow me to feel things I don’t feel today. just because a band changes doesn’t mean they are selling it it means they are maturing like they should. Afi has always been based around this aura of darkness and it is always been present and it just changes perspective throughout the years. They have been hard and they have been soft. who gives a shit they are an amazing band who is progressing through their career and making the changes they see fit who they are becoming. Crash love 10 out of 10 stars. I think the B-side Where we used to play was the best song overall and i’m glad they allowed access to it through special versions of the cd. Love you guys
Please forgive my ignornace of musical composition and understanding, but why is it that when a band changes their sound (and generally toward a mainstream audience) people throw out terms such as “matured” “progression” and “moving forward”?? can someone define these vague labels for me and tell me how they apply to “crash love” pretty please with sugar on top? Seems to me, and i am trying to be objective, that the past three albums sound more and more watered down, each album gets slower and softer both vocally and musically..does this mean mature? I wonder if Afi had started off with the sound of “crash love” and changed their sound over the years in reverse to something akin to “black sails” would it have “progressed forward maturely”?, or is a faster tempo with a bit of edginess forever confined to the realms of adolesensce?
I’m sure one of you clever people could enlighten me
Oh and Jades solo in Medicate is very tasty indeed!
Give me some now the world or some celluloid dream some havoc Blackness some goose bump lyrics fuck this Crash Love! Fainting spells is the only song on this album I can enjoy
I have been a fan of AFI ever since Art of Drowning and still listen to them and look forward to hearing anything about them, from tours to new CD releases. I am in currently deployed to Afghanistan and was really excited to hear a new CD coming out from them because they have always helped me through hard time before. I just got it a few days ago and was very confused when I first heard it. I was expecting something that I would love from the first time I heard it and more so a familiar sound. I loved the Art of Drowning and Sing the Sorrow, even Decemeberunderground, but this one if the first one that didn’t click right away and I felt almost like I couldn’t relate to it. Well, after the general recoil, I listened to it a little more and came to like it. I realized that they will not and furthermore should not sound or feel like their albums that they have released in the past. They are unique and I like them for that. I know that they are changing (not selling out) and I appreciate it. The angry teen in me would like to hear more AOD or STS but as I get older, it seems like they change and some of their messages change. I owe a lot to AFI for them being there for me through tough times and I am glad that they are here with me again with another good album. I think that everyone that doesn’t think they sound like they used to should give them a second chance and they’ll find that there still is a fire inside.
honestly the first time i listened to this album i absolutely hated it, but i came back to it 2 weeks later when i aqcuired some new emotional problems and it grew on me. i generally have to listen to music more than once to like it, i mean for example, avenged sevenfold is my favorite band but for the first year of my knowing of them i couldnt stand screaming and i thought they sucked, and AFI is the same for me. this album is no sing the sorrow but it wasnt trying to be. im gonna miss the screams but its fresh none the less and i like it. and if your gonna call it 80s pop at least admit that its making pop look good. cus it is. so yeah.
first of all “crash love”? seriously? lamest album title ever. i completely lost respect for these guys when davey said in an interview that they were “never punk rock.”
i don’t care if you think this is just the evolution of a band, i say they’ve gone pu**y on the people who made them who they are. this album lacks any semblance of cohesiveness. it’s a schizophrenic mess of terrible lyrics and mediocre music. way to become cardboard cutouts, guys.
love,
a former fan
I wanted to start out by saying that I can’t really consider myself an AFI fan, as much as I can a passive listener. I went to an AFI concert this past Friday at Roseland Ballroom in NYC. I like many of their more popular songs (i.e. Leaving Song Pt. II, Girls Not Gray, Love Like Winter, Miss Murder, etc.). But, I was never blown away by an album in my life as when I did when I heard Crash Love. This is by far one of the best musical experiences I have ever encountered. Beautiful Thieves and End Transmission have become two of my favorite songs, and I can’t stop listening to them. I have got really into AFI after this weekend, and I have Crash Love on my PSP and listen to it repeatedly. This album has me going back and discovering their older stuff, and gave me a newfound respect for the band.
It is different from their other stuff, but that doesn’t make it inherently worse. I think you need to take it at face value and not associate it with their older stuff.
No one can answer my question? Again I ask…if AFI are “maturing” then why does there audience keep getting younger? Maturing is a weak statement people! You can make excuses for why you like them, or you can just like them…or not…..but whatever the reason might be, there riffs are waaay less complex, Carson looks like he’s gonna fall asleep at the drums. Davey and Jade dance around like a cross between Brittany Spears and U2’s Bono….How is any of this progression? If you look at the music…like actually LOOK at it….they have been going downhill for quite sometime now…..like what you will, Im not bashing you for that, but at least be honest….if you like them say you like them, but quit trying to pass it off as some kind of evolution but if you know anything about music you are just making yourself look bad….you don’t need to defend yourself, just enjoy them if that’s your thing! The lame “I pretend I know what Im talking about but really have no fucking clue” thing is getting old and you look stupid!
The only thing worse than the album is this review. Absolute crap and fanboy-ism. I love AFI, but this album is nothing challenging or interesting.
The album is by far their weakest, most pasteurized work. Not a good year for existing bands, it seems… the Killers, Muse, AFI, all new albums not nearly as good as previous releases.
i still havent listened to the last album which is really strange coz im a huge fan,but it already feels different.when i used to go buy AFIs albums(like sing the sorrow or black sails in the sunset…) id know where to look,what the album would look like.this time i just walked past it!its golden and it looks more like a teenage girl’s pop album!i hope i wont be as disappointed as some of the people here when i listen to it!its true their style has changed over time,it started with girl’s not grey,but the essence of their music seems to be fading away.it feels like they’re happier now.im not saying i dont want them to be,but i thought the point of A FIRE INSIDE was to bring together people who felt like what the songs described,lyrically and musically.i dont know,i guess i should wait till ive actually listened to the album!i wasnt criticising it,i was just speaking generally.
i still havent listened to the new album which is weird coz this is my fav band!but theres something different this time.i went to the store and looking for a new AFI album i walked right past it!it looks nothing like what im used to,nothing like what i expected.its golden and looks more like a teenage pop singer’s cd!i dont know about the content but theres definitely a change in their style,it started w girls not grey!but it doesnt necessarily mean its a bad thing.i kind of feel theres something strange about the new cd,but i dont exactly know what since i havent listened to any of the new tracks.i feel theyre losing the essence of what made AFI in the beginning.wasnt there a purpose behind it all?bringing together people who felt like what their songs described,musically and lyrically of course.now it feels like its not meant for those same people anymore,and it saddens me.i still have to discover what theyve changed this time.