The days are getting shorter and it's suddenly cold and dark outside all the time, which means it's the ideal time of year to listen to one of my all-time favourite bands, AFI. 'Sing The Sorrow', released in 2003, was the band's breakthrough album and is considered by many to be their best. It's actually not my favourite of their releases, although it's hard to say which is because they've put out so many great albums, but it's pretty close to flawless.
To set the scene: AFI began as a band in 1991 as a group of high schoolers playing fast-paced, juvenile hardcore punk, and as the decade went on and the band grew up they put out darker and darker albums. By 2003 they were signed to a major label and ready to put 'Sing The Sorrow' out into the world. The album was a huge success, going platinum in the US and Canada and catapulting the band into the mainstream. Above, you can stream the full UK edition of the album including the bonus tracks not available on the standard CD.
AFI are a band who like to keep an element of mystery to their work and there are a few questions that 'Sing The Sorrow' poses: Why is 'The Leaving Song Pt II' before 'The Leaving Song' on the tracklisting? What does the 'Clandestine' film that accompanied the album on a limited edition DVD mean? And what is going on in the VMA-winning music video for hit single 'Girl's Not Grey'? There are plenty of fan theories, but the likelihood is that we'll never know.
My album highlights:
Miseria Cantare - The Beginning
Most of AFI's albums start with a dramatic opening number, and Sing The Sorrow is no different. In this case we begin with a dark, atmospheric piece with a chant proclaiming that 'you are now one of us', setting the tone for the rest of the album.
Most of AFI's albums start with a dramatic opening number, and Sing The Sorrow is no different. In this case we begin with a dark, atmospheric piece with a chant proclaiming that 'you are now one of us', setting the tone for the rest of the album.
Silver & Cold
One of the three singles to be taken from the album, Silver & Cold has a huge catchy chorus and almost makes you want to cosy up under a blanket to escape from the cold it somehow gives off. The cinematic music video features the band rushing to rescue singer Davey Havok from plummeting off a bridge to an icy grave.
One of the three singles to be taken from the album, Silver & Cold has a huge catchy chorus and almost makes you want to cosy up under a blanket to escape from the cold it somehow gives off. The cinematic music video features the band rushing to rescue singer Davey Havok from plummeting off a bridge to an icy grave.
Dancing Through Sunday
This song absolutely sounds like something you'd want to dance and have a good time to, and it would be perfect for a night out if the band didn't sing 'we dance in misery' throughout the chorus. There are a lot of beautiful lyrics on this album but this song has some particularly good moments.
This song absolutely sounds like something you'd want to dance and have a good time to, and it would be perfect for a night out if the band didn't sing 'we dance in misery' throughout the chorus. There are a lot of beautiful lyrics on this album but this song has some particularly good moments.
Death Of Seasons
My favourite from the album, this is one of the first AFI songs to incorporate electronic elements. It sounds great on the album but it has to be seen live to be truly appreciated; the way that Davey gets down on his knees to yell out the final lines is heart wrenching.
My favourite from the album, this is one of the first AFI songs to incorporate electronic elements. It sounds great on the album but it has to be seen live to be truly appreciated; the way that Davey gets down on his knees to yell out the final lines is heart wrenching.
This Celluloid Dream
This was one of the first songs from the album that resonated with me, although for years I struggled to make out exactly what Davey was saying. When I finally looked up the lyrics I was pleased by the image that they painted.
The Leaving Song
'The Leaving Song' is an acoustic number with a lovely simple guitar melody accompanying the words. There's not much I can say about it other than that it's beautiful.
'The Leaving Song' is an acoustic number with a lovely simple guitar melody accompanying the words. There's not much I can say about it other than that it's beautiful.
...But Home Is Nowhere
The final track on the standard version of the album, this song starts very quiet and builds up into a giant widescreen chorus. If this song really was the last one it would make a perfect conclusion, but of course there are still a couple more amazing moments to follow.
The final track on the standard version of the album, this song starts very quiet and builds up into a giant widescreen chorus. If this song really was the last one it would make a perfect conclusion, but of course there are still a couple more amazing moments to follow.
Spoken Word (Untitled)
A hidden track at the end which forms a bridge between the false ending (...But Home Is Nowhere or Now The World on the UK edition) and the final hidden song, Spoken Word is a poem read in three parts by a child, an old man and Davey Havok himself about a couple on the last night on Earth. I'd recommend listening to get the full experience, but as the voices are almost drowned out by the piano accompaniment the transcript can be read here.
A hidden track at the end which forms a bridge between the false ending (...But Home Is Nowhere or Now The World on the UK edition) and the final hidden song, Spoken Word is a poem read in three parts by a child, an old man and Davey Havok himself about a couple on the last night on Earth. I'd recommend listening to get the full experience, but as the voices are almost drowned out by the piano accompaniment the transcript can be read here.
This Time Imperfect
The true ending to the album; 'This Time Imperfect' rides in on the wind, slowly breaks your heart, and then fades back into the night. It's a poignant close to a heartbreaking set of dramatic songs to listen to on a dark night.
The true ending to the album; 'This Time Imperfect' rides in on the wind, slowly breaks your heart, and then fades back into the night. It's a poignant close to a heartbreaking set of dramatic songs to listen to on a dark night.
'Sing The Sorrow' has since been followed by three more stunning albums, 'Decemberunderground' (2006), 'Crash Love' (2009) and 'Burials' (2013). The latter is the one I would recommend to fans of 'Sing The Sorrow', it's similar in its themes of darkness and despair but it has an added element of anger.
'Sing The Sorrow' is a perfect collection of songs and deserves all the critical and fan praise that has been bestowed upon it. If you haven't taken the time to sit down and listen to it yet this is the perfect time of year to turn out the lights, wrap up warm, and dedicate an evening to a great album by one of my favourite bands, AFI.
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