A.F.I

Art Of Drowning

my favorite cd

Review Score:

(10/10)
AFI is justly starting to gain the popularity and attention they deserve, thanks in large part to this album. For those that have followed the band from the beginning, a clear transition can be seen, from the upstart melodies of Answer That... and Very Proud Of Ya to the darker, harder sounds of Black Sails and AOD. AOD seems to be almost a refining of Black Sails. Although Black Sails was darker and more brooding, AOD has more poetic lyrics and more polished vocals from davey havok. One of the best parts about this album is the unifying mood carried throughout. However, this does not mean that the songs sound a lot alike. Anyway, here's the breakdown:

1. Initiation - just an introduction; no vocals
2. Lost Souls - a fast paced song, one of the best
3. Nephilim - a perfect example of the incresingly poetic lyrics that davey has written. Follow along with the lyrics in the booklet for all of the songs, but especially this one.
4. ever and a day - a change of pace, this song is slower. Of all the songs, this one took me the longest to truly get into.
5. Sacrifice Theory - By a thin margin, this is the best song on the cd, though it is less than 2 minutes long. Dark, but almost upbeat at the same time.
6. of Greetings and Goodbyes - like ever and a day, it is slower paced than the others
7. Smile - this almost sounds like a throwback to Shut Your Mouth
8. A Story At Three - there's no particular defining characteristic of this song that separates it from the others, but it's still excellent overall
9. Days of the Phoenix - This is one of the most emotional songs; very powerful
10. Catch a Hot One - This song is overshadowed by others, but it is one of the angrier songs; pumps me up.
11. Wester - A close second place for Best Song, also the most emotional (arguable). The solo just rips my heart out every time I hear it.
12. 6 To 8 - a slow song, and probably my least favorite on AOD (not to say that i dislike it)
13. The Deaspair Factor - It took awhile for this one to sink in, but it's still good.
14. Morningstar - also emotional and slower, this song incorporates a viola to emphasize this

There's an excellent chance you'll love AOD as well if you like tiger army or older stuff by the offspring. Buy today!

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