Search - AFI :: Crash Love

AFI
Crash Love
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock

Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
1. Torch Song
2. Beautiful Thieves
3. End Transmission
4. Too Shy To Scream
5. Veronica Sawyer Smokes
6. Okay, I Feel Better Now
7. Medicate
8. I Am Trying Very Hard To Be Here
9. Sacrilege
10. Darling, I Want To Destroy You
11. Cold Hands
12. It Was Mine
Track Listings (4) - Disc #2
1. Fainting Spells (From Decemberunderground Sessions 2006)
2. We've Got the Knife (Demo from Crash Love Sessions)
3. Where We Used to Play (Demo from Crash Love Sessions)
4. 100 Words (From Sing the Sorrow Sessions 2003)

AFI — CRASH LOVE Davey Havok - Vocals — Jade Puget - Guitar — Hunter Burgan - Bass — Adam Carson - Drums "Crash Love is certainly not a concept album or rock opera by any stretch, but the songs are generally connected by a g... more »reater theme... The album title itself can be construed as a command, as a destructive kind of love, or as a desire for a relationship that's heading inevitably toward disaster or flameout. The lyrics of some songs trace an arc from adoration to the desire to tear down the object of affection. These songs are written from perspectives both sympathetic and critical, as well from both the inside the relationship and outside."--Davey Havok Crash Love, AFI's eighth full length studio album, due out September 29, 2009 on DGC/Interscope, is indeed informed not only by the ever-evolving chemistry between the musicians in the band but also by the members' personal lives and perhaps most of all by the always intense relationship between AFI and its fans. The latter has intensified considerably over the most recent of AFI's 18 years as a band, with 2006's decemberunderground entering the chart at #1 with first week sales of nearly 200,000 and subsequent sold out shows at the Long Beach Arena and Bill Graham Civic as well as appearances on Saturday Night Live and at Live Earth--not to mention 2003's Sing The Sorrow going platinum. These experiences were bound to have an impact on four kids from Ukiah, California who formed a rudimentary punk band in 1991 with aspirations of playing in the SF Bay Area and possibly releasing a few singles and an LP or two. "The record is really more about how the great attraction to inappropriately shared intimacies, carefully constructed personas, and the loss of a sense of self can affect an entire world," Havok explains. "As well as how this loss of self is sought after rather than resisted... With today's media, we have such quick and pervasive access to the trivia of anyone's lives. Everything is intensified and indulged, this desire and ability to know everything you possibly can about anyone, from what thread-count bedsheets they sleep in to whether or not they believe in ghosts." While Crash Love is the first AFI record to feature such prevalent sociopolitical and observational perspectives, the darkly personal AFI lyrical strain is distinctly present on standout tracks like "Medicate" and its stark portrait of a user/enabler relationship, as well as throughout the ill fated death ride scenario of "End Transmission." Elsewhere, the newer approach shines on the self-explanatory "Darling I Want To Destroy You," "Veronica Sawyer Smokes" with couples Jade Puget's Smiths-esque guitar signatures with a tale of heartbreak brought on by disappointment with a teen idol, "Beautiful Thieves" with its privileged characters whose actions carry no consequences, and "Too Shy To Scream" which sets yearning, distanced adorations against the backdrop of a drumline-inspired shuffle propelled by Hunter Burgan's bass and Adam Carson's drumming. Crash Love, it has to be said, features AFI's Puget, Burgan and Carson playing at their most focused and direct. Where Sing The Sorrow and decemberunderground saw the band's compositions increasingly steeped in atmospherics that created a moody-heavy realm that often threatened to engulf the songs, Crash Love is, according to Carson, "the sound of the four of us playing in the same room. It's by no means stripped down but you really hear the band. Sing The Sorrow--and to certain extent decemberunderground--gave us our first experience with big budget recording, which led to some really dense arrangements, electronics, overdubs and so on. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but this time we came in with 14 songs we were playing really well and wanted to capture that energy."

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CD Details

All Artists: AFI
Title: Crash Love
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Label: Interscope Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2009
Re-Release Date: 9/29/2009
Album Type: Deluxe Edition
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
Styles: Hardcore & Punk, New Wave & Post-Punk
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 602527172231

Synopsis

Album Description

AFI
CRASH LOVE Davey Havok - Vocals
Jade Puget - Guitar
Hunter Burgan - Bass
Adam Carson - Drums "Crash Love is certainly not a concept album or rock opera by any stretch, but the songs are generally connected by a greater theme... The album title itself can be construed as a command, as a destructive kind of love, or as a desire for a relationship that's heading inevitably toward disaster or flameout. The lyrics of some songs trace an arc from adoration to the desire to tear down the object of affection. These songs are written from perspectives both sympathetic and critical, as well from both the inside the relationship and outside."--Davey Havok Crash Love, AFI's eighth full length studio album, due out September 29, 2009 on DGC/Interscope, is indeed informed not only by the ever-evolving chemistry between the musicians in the band but also by the members' personal lives and perhaps most of all by the always intense relationship between AFI and its fans. The latter has intensified considerably over the most recent of AFI's 18 years as a band, with 2006's decemberunderground entering the chart at #1 with first week sales of nearly 200,000 and subsequent sold out shows at the Long Beach Arena and Bill Graham Civic as well as appearances on Saturday Night Live and at Live Earth--not to mention 2003's Sing The Sorrow going platinum. These experiences were bound to have an impact on four kids from Ukiah, California who formed a rudimentary punk band in 1991 with aspirations of playing in the SF Bay Area and possibly releasing a few singles and an LP or two. "The record is really more about how the great attraction to inappropriately shared intimacies, carefully constructed personas, and the loss of a sense of self can affect an entire world," Havok explains. "As well as how this loss of self is sought after rather than resisted... With today's media, we have such quick and pervasive access to the trivia of anyone's lives. Everything is intensified and indulged, this desire and ability to know everything you possibly can about anyone, from what thread-count bedsheets they sleep in to whether or not they believe in ghosts." While Crash Love is the first AFI record to feature such prevalent sociopolitical and observational perspectives, the darkly personal AFI lyrical strain is distinctly present on standout tracks like "Medicate" and its stark portrait of a user/enabler relationship, as well as throughout the ill fated death ride scenario of "End Transmission." Elsewhere, the newer approach shines on the self-explanatory "Darling I Want To Destroy You," "Veronica Sawyer Smokes" with couples Jade Puget's Smiths-esque guitar signatures with a tale of heartbreak brought on by disappointment with a teen idol, "Beautiful Thieves" with its privileged characters whose actions carry no consequences, and "Too Shy To Scream" which sets yearning, distanced adorations against the backdrop of a drumline-inspired shuffle propelled by Hunter Burgan's bass and Adam Carson's drumming. Crash Love, it has to be said, features AFI's Puget, Burgan and Carson playing at their most focused and direct. Where Sing The Sorrow and decemberunderground saw the band's compositions increasingly steeped in atmospherics that created a moody-heavy realm that often threatened to engulf the songs, Crash Love is, according to Carson, "the sound of the four of us playing in the same room. It's by no means stripped down but you really hear the band. Sing The Sorrow--and to certain extent decemberunderground--gave us our first experience with big budget recording, which led to some really dense arrangements, electronics, overdubs and so on. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but this time we came in with 14 songs we were playing really well and wanted to capture that energy."

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CD Reviews

Long Time Fan, First Time Reviewer

J. R. Borntrager | MN | 09/30/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Alright, for starters I have been into AFI for years and years. As most people have stated: with each new album, AFI has "progressed" or "grown" (or "sold out" or something else negative). Crash Love is nothing different. AFI sounds completely different here compared to december underground which was released a little over 3 years ago. So, let's kinda hop to this...

This cd is one that is either going to grow on you, or you'll end up absolutely hating it. I have listened entirely through a few times and there are definitely some stand out tracks.

Let it be know here and now, Davey does NOT scream on this album. For me, that was a pretty large disappointment. (I haven't kept up on the news with these guys lately, but did he screw up his vocal cords again? I knew that happened before decemberunderground and he had to change the style of screams he uses). Anyways, with that being said, I believe he was trying to prove he still has chops when it comes to singing. And he definitely does. At times though, the vox get a little tiresome and seem forced. Lyrically, well-I don't believe this is Havok's strongest album for lyrical content. For a real treat, I recommend Black Sails or else Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes for some great vocals and lyrics from Havok.

When it comes to the guitar- Jade is in his own league. I am not saying he's the next SRV,Hendrix, or Satriani or anything- but WOW. On this whole cd, really listen to the layers of guitar work here. Personally, I think his work towards this album is what kept me from giving it a 2 star rating. Really, Jade's riffs and solos on this disc are fantastic. No matter what happens to AFI, this guy should always be able to find work. Yes, the single "Medicate" has good work, but listen to the whole album. One little thing that I kinda thought was weird, on this album there is a distortion effect he uses occasionally that is very similar to the distortion The Ataris use in EVERY song (practically). I am not saying it's bad, but just listen for it, and if you have heard The Atari's you will see what I mean. (Not that this has anything to do with the review, I was just sayin.)

Drums...what can I say? This disc has Adam actually DOING MORE. I thought it was great! The beats he plays are ridiculously awesome and it shows he is able to more than previous efforts. (I was not doubting his talent before, but let's be honest-they downplayed his skill and kept his drumming less "showy" on earlier releases).

Hunter...ya know-I met him once? Really nice guy. But, all that's a story for another time. Anyways, this album disappointed me greatly because Hunter is a great bassist. Really, he's one of my fav's. Someone could tell me he knows nothing of music and I couldn't care less. The work he's done on past albums was nothing short of great. Typically, I could care less about the bass,if it were any other band. But I take my AFI like my rap, BASS UP! (That comment is weak, "bass up"? What was I thinking?) Anyways, between Black Sails, Art of Drowning, and All Hallows E.P Hunter was untouchable. But this disc, this one let me down. I feel they didnt really let him do what he does best. Change isn't always bad, but more bass and bass solos, and I would have given this disc 5 stars. No lie.

Overall, this disc is a step in a different direction again for the guys. It is not exactly a bad step by any means. But it wasn't five stars hands-down. Personally, I'm still getting a feel for it. Maybe I'll change it to a four star later. But for right now, the lyrics haven't won me over, and that bass is good, but not on par with what they used to have.

OH! Before you go, I forgot something I have to admit loving about this album and something that made me cringe. 1.) They were way less "atmospheric" on this disc. I personally wasn't a huge fan of the layers of effects on decemberunderground. 2.) It's a sad day for AFI when they throw intro's to the album out the door. Really, when it comes to the start of a new album they are KINGS! Untouchable,man. No lie. Scope Black Sails, Art of Drowning, Sing The Sorrow and Decemberunderground for a fine history of kick@$$ intro's.

If you are an AFI fanatic, go ahead, get it, absorb it like we all do!

If you're an "AFI should go back to punk rock" fan, avoid this. You will not like it. It's much less punk.

If you're a "decemberunderground was the bestest album ever" uhh, this is different, maybe you'll dig it, maybe you wont...but Black Sails was better :P

"

Crash, Love (short and sweet review)

nufan | 11/02/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Crash Love is another step in the ever evolving AFI sound. From a musical standpoint, this album is great. Jade continues to be an amazing guitarist/musician. The guitar layering, solos and rhythm give this cd a very full melodic sound. Davey's vocals are strong and powerful (sorry, no screaming in this one kids). The bass lines and drums pull everything together giving it that special AFI sound.

From a song standpoint, the lyrics are (as you would expect from AFI) amazing. Davey continues to provide words which paint a vivid picture in your mind throughout each song. The songs themselves range from fist pumping, to heart string pulling. There is really a wide range of experiences with each song.

Bottom Line

*If you like Sing The Sorrow, and December Underground you will most likely enjoy this album.

*This is Rock, not punk. (I don't mean that in a negative light, I mean from a musical perspective)

*If you want hard, fast, punch you in the face punk rock, you will probably be disappointed.

Additional Note:

The cd doesn't do these songs justice in my opinion. I saw them perform many of these live recently, and the power from a live show really makes these songs stand out."

Awesome is here...

D. Buck | Sullivan, WI. USA | 11/13/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I thought that this was a triumph for AFI because it let themselves express themselves in so many perspectives, it is amazing. Best song----- WHERE WE USED TO PLAY --------!!!!!!!!!!!!!"