Album Review: AFI - Crash Love

Album Review: AFI - Crash Love

When you spend years in love with a band, the release of a new album is a whole experience. I was introduced to AFI when I was 13. I'm 20 now. A lot happens in seven years, and that much time devoted to a band leads to expectations and even apprehension with each new album release. You have what you fell in love with in the first place, and what comes after. It might not be the same band. There's a lot riding on new releases, especially with a fan base as intense as AFI's.

When "Medicate", the first single off of Crash Love was released, I wasn't impressed. When the 30-second clips of each song off of Crash Love were released, I wasn't impressed. Still, 30 seconds can't accurately convey the power of nearly a four-minute song, as I found when AFI streamed the entire album over their MySpace starting Tuesday.

I was wrong to be so near disappointment. Crash Love is a thing of beauty. And if it had been the opposite, I wouldn't have been afraid to admit it.

For their past few albums, AFI's been known for short but strong introductory songs. Crash Love kicks off with "Torch Song" which sets the pace, as the album opener should, but isn't the usual 1-2 minute intro. It's nearly four minutes long, and when you hear it, you know what you're in for. While their last album, Decemberunderground, took a turn for the more pop-electric, Crash Love from the start almost takes a step back, returning to more solid rock but also keeping with the melodies the band has became great at constructing, which they prove with "Beautiful Thieves." The guitars on "End Transmission" have almost a Cure feel to them, and Jade Puget shows, once again, just what he's capable of doing. Same with singer Davey Havok - he might not be able to scream like he used to and like the older fans with hardcore roots want, but his voice is still arguably the most identifiable in rock music, and it's fantastic. "Too Shy to Scream" has a stellar beat and chorus that will undoubtedly end up stuck in my head. It might be my favorite song on the album, and Davey keeps it up with his signature "Oh!"'s in "Veronice Sawyer Smokes", which just continues the fantastic melodies. The pacing slows with "Okay, I Feel Better Now", but picks right up again with the aforementioned "Medicate" which - for my previous criticisms of it - does have a brilliant riff. A few of the songs, such as "I Am Trying Very Hard to Be Here", have that distinct, signature AFI sound without feeling old, overdone, or like we've heard them before. "Sacrilege" is a common fan favorite already. The toned-down vocals on "Darling, I Want to Destroy You" are almost haunting. The song has some truly beautiful quality to it, complete with a guitar crescendo. Things fit together so well and drive forward so excellently that "Cold Hands", the second to last song on the album,

doesn't feel like it's leading to the end, or that it should end so soon. But at the same time, "It Was Mine" has the slowed down feel that a solid closing song should.

Crash Love does have its flaws, though. It sounds a little bit over-produced, but I'll blame the MySpace stream for any issues regarding sound. Furthermore, a complaint from a lot of fans is the lyrics. This album is more Hollywood-geared as opposed to the dark, meaningful lyrics AFI has become known for, but the song construction is so great that it's forgivable. And it doesn't mean that Havok isn't still the supreme lyricist he's become over the years, because he's definitely still delivering fantastic lines. And all things considered, I don't think there's a single song I dislike.

Even with its flaws, Crash Love is a masterpiece, no matter how I felt even 24 hours ago. It might be AFI's best yet - I hesitate to say for sure just because it's still a little too early. Not all fans will like it, as inevitably with every AFI release there's a handful of naysayers who abandon ship, but if you're willing to let it, Crash Love delivers.

You can pick it up in stores, various places online, or stream it for free through Wednesday on AFI's MySpace. Beware the obnoxious Avril Lavigne ads the often interrupt the otherwise awesome listening experience.