Now im happy to admit, I had never heard of A Fire Inside (A.F.I), until Girls Not Grey broke out, and I remember Cali's underground scene going berserk over it, Some dude actually called everyone who was new to AFI 'new found glory kids' funny considering AFI would turn out to be somewhat of an 'emocore' band.
Now at first (for some of you) I attacked the new album, when I first heard it, I fairly much just sighed, I'm one of those guys who back catalogues everything, and AFI isn't an exception, their sound has changed (its progressed from stripped down punk stuff, to the sound you hear on sing the sorrow, to this somewhat tweaked / electro sound on decemberunderground) I sighed, and then I bitched and moaned.
Today, I decided to throw it on for another listen, you have to do this sometimes, and I came to a conclusion that its pretty damn good really, sure Davey isn't screaming as much as he used too, but is that really a bad thing? 'Punk' bands do this, they develop, ever heard of a little band called Joy Division? how about New Order, guess what kiddlywinks, they're basically the same group.
I don't enjoy 60% of AFI's older music, and I fell in-love with the band due to Girls Not Grey, a song California's 'hardcore' crucified because it was popular, I think this album will do well, and If you are into 'sing the sorrow' you will love it, if you prefer 'highschool football hero', minitrucks suck or 'I wanna get a mohawk, but my mom wont let me' look elsewhere for music, just don't bitch and moan when those bands blow up and become popular aswell.
Dont change (B side for yanks, track 14 for UK release) is gorgeous, just thought id throw that out there
and has a more ‘instrument’ rather then electronic sound to it