By Lindsey Collins
AFI started out as a very important part of the 90s East Bay Hardcore scene playing shows at places such as 924 Gilman, but today you’re more likely to see them sellout in huge venues worldwide. Over the years they have changed from a hardcore punk band to a….well, not so punk band. If you lined their albums up from first to last people who aren’t die hard fans probably wouldn’t even be able to recognize that it’s the same band. I may be bias because I am the world’s biggest AFI nerd, but I know somewhere deep down you all love at least one of their songs. I think people should look at AFI as a different band each time a new record comes out because that’s essentially what you’re going to get. No two albums sound the same. Here’s a top 10 of my personal favorite “What the fuck, how is this the same band?” songs:
1. “The New Patron Saints and Angels”
This song is off the album Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes which is probably AFI’s most hardcore record. Everything about this song is perfect. It’s fast, hateful, and the chorus is so catchy you really can’t help but sing along. Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes is probably the one album every kid who thinks AFI sold out still listens to. You know it’s true.
2. “Totalimmortal”
This amazing song is off of All Hallows EP which consisted of 3 original songs and one Misfits cover. The EP features all of AFI’s current members and I think this song was a strong turning point in their musical career. If you’ve heard this song you know all the “woahs” and if you’ve listened to AFI you know how much they love them. I personally feel like this EP was a start to their more polished and produced sound. Also, lets not forget the video for this song. Black and white, Davey Havok looking goth as fuck, and pumpkins. How could you not love this song?
3. “God Called In Sick Today”
The last track off the album Black Sails in the Sunset. This record came out around the same time as All Hallows EP. Both have a dark and hateful theme. I feel like this is probably most die hard fans favorite era of AFI. This song was a huge change for the band. Instead of screaming, Davey actually sings in this song. Though the lyrics remained depressing and dark (like all AFI lyrics), you could feel a change. This song absolutely foreshadows future AFI albums. Let’s take a moment to remember the God Walk. During old AFI shows Davey would jump into the crowd right before the last chorus of this song and walk across the crowd. People would literally lose their shit trying to touch him while everyone else would sing the remaining words. It really was an awesome experience.
4. “The Despair Factor”
When Art of Drowning came out it was clear that AFI was officially done with their hardcore punk days. I chose the song “Despair Factor” because the beginning was so out of the ordinary for AFI at the time of this album’s release. Two words: Electric drums. Totally not punk, right? Lets not forget the Beetlejuice quote in the middle of the song. Unlike previous records this one was actually produced by someone other than themselves.
5. “Girls Not Grey”
The first single off AFI’s first major label release, Sing the Sorrow. Let me just start off by saying that the first time I heard this song was on the radio. I have nothing against bands getting the recognition they deserve, but CLEARLY the band had changed. “Girls Not Grey” is a great song, but it is total radio material. It has catchy hooks that get stuck in your head and it makes mindless consumers want to go out and buy the record so they can play that one track over and over. Again, I don’t have a problem with radio play, but all of that is true. Because of this song, AFI had officially made it.
6. “Death of Seasons”
This track is also off of Sing the Sorrow and it’s recognized as the heaviest track on the album. The band once again stepped out of the box with this song. They mixed electronic music into the verses creating an almost industrial sounding song. I feel like AFI gets a lot of hate for not wanting to create the same record a million times. I probably am being bias, but Sing the Sorrow is seriously one of the greatest records of all time. Most people will try and argue that it is the album that made AFI sell out, but I disagree. The band created something they loved and ended up getting a strong reaction. So what if it went platinum? You still probably have it on your iPod.
7. “Love Like Winter”
Ok. When Decemberunderground came out I think even the biggest AFI fans said what the fuck at first. Though the album has grown on me and I absolutely love it, I questioned it a bit at first. Let’s take a look at this track. Love Like Winter? What the fuck does that even mean? Also, where is the bass? Oh wait, it’s only in the chorus. Another radio jam that got Hot Topic kids lined up ready to exchange their parent’s money for this record. I sound bitter don’t I? My apologies. I actually love this record, but I still have to call AFI out on this song.
8. “37mm”
Before I even talk about this song let me just remind you that, yes, this is still the same band who used to frequent places like Gilman. “37mm” is another track off Decemberunderground. There really isn’t much music to this song. It’s basically electronics with a nice bass line in the background. Do I hate it? No. However, they probably could have turned it into a side project song. Blaqk Audio. Have you heard of them?
9. “Too Shy To Scream”
Crash Love is AFI’s most current album even though it came out in 2009. This album was proof yet again that AFI would not be going back to their punk days. Sorry for the people still hopelessly waiting. Accept AFI for how they are now or just walk away. I chose the song “Too Shy To Scream” because I honestly could not stand this song the first couple times I heard it. I literally questioned my love for this band because of this song. Some how in the 4 years between this records release and now, this song has become one of my all time favorites. I think it made me realize that AFI is having fun. I really don’t think they give a shit if you want to give them credit for being a punk band or not. They realize they have changed and they embrace it. Crash Love to me is a rock album and it’s a damn good one.
10. “End Transmission”
This is my favorite song on Crash Love. The guitar intro reminds me of earlier Art of Drowning songs. It’s slower like most of the stuff they put out these days, but there is still something about it that makes me think of old AFI. This song is tricky because the guitar gives it a happy tone even though I’m sure the lyrics are still depressing as hell.
