Album Review: AFI - Crash Love

I don't think anyone could disagree the fact that AFI are a different band, than the one that released 'The Art of Drowning' at the start of the decade. Over the last 10 years, the band have progressed from a punk rock band, to a band who are now more accesiable and, dare I say it, commercial.

'Crash Love' is their 8th studio effort and has a neat, tight presentation. For the most part, the band play it rather safe. Tracks like 'Torch Song' and 'Beautiful Thieves' are simple and good but nothing spectular. Although the latter does have a broad, polished chorus that manages to stand out brilliantly.

As always Davey Havok's dinstinctive voice is of a high standard, with his passion and emotions being shown throughout. It could be said it is ideal that these songs sound so big, as Havok's voice compliments the slick, grand sound this record has.

Whereas tracks like 'Too Shy to Scream', 'Veronica Sawyer Smokes' and 'Medicate' sees the band including hooks, and showing they have perfected the art of the radio-friendly rock song. 'OK, I Feel Better Now' is somewhat mesmerizing, with its calm build-up and once it reaches the chorus, you realise this is one of the highlights of the record.

Nevertheless 'Sacrilege', 'Cold Hands' and 'I Am Trying Very Hard to Be Here' shows hints of the bands former selves; their upbeat pace and deep rock guitars combining to create a mix of old and new. However for the most part they prove to be mediocre.

Overall 'Crash Love' is a record that has a broad, brash sound that suits AFI well. Although one to many filler tracks make this record being classed as good, rather than great. It does have it standout moments, but for the most part it is a record that is played out safely, but yet it is not predictable. At this stage of their career, 'Crash Love' is the ideal record for the direction AFI want to go in, it has the guitar-driven radio rock 'hits', that they have perfected so well. Hopefully album number 9 builds upon the positives rather than the negatives of 'Crash Love'.

3.5/5

'Crash Love' by AFI is available now on DGC/Interscope.

AFI Official Website

Sean Reid