The Campus

On Sept. 29, AFI released their eighth studio album entitled Crash Love. Their last album Decemberunderground was released in 2006, and their new anticipated work does not fail to impress. As you would expect, it incorporates classic dark romance mixed with high energy and classic Davey Havok lines. However, the band has a matured sound and their music is sophisticated- making it an interesting and creative mélange of metal, power pop, and punk.

Havok, the frontman, picks "Torch Song," "Beautiful Thieves," and "Too Shy to Scream" as his top three. Those three, along with "Medicate" and "Veronica Sawyer Smokes," are some of the best of the album. The album starts off with "Torch Song," which begins very quietly, building up to an "Oh!" that is just divine. The blood-pumping "Oh!" was smoothly followed by a heartfelt chorus, "Anything, I'd tear out my eyes for you, my dear; Anything, to see everything as you do."

"Beautiful Thieves" is great, highlighted by the soft, "Who would run for cover? Who would run from us?" that is repeated in a haunting, doleful tone. The cream of the crop is "Too Shy to Scream," a super-energetic number with an upbeat rhythm that makes you want to dance. I promise the lines "I'd die, if you only met my eyes. Before you pass by, will you pause to break my heart," which are delivered beautifully, will remain stuck in your head.

Havok's vocals are superb-there are nothing like them in the world-and he doesn't disappoint in Crash Love. AFI left their synthesizers behind (Havok and Puget got it out of their system with Blaqk Audio) and Dave Puget's guitar is the focus on this album. Davey describes this album as a "straightforward rock record" and, although it is something new for AFI, they've done it brilliantly.

AFI has an ability to change up their sound and style in every album, resulting in a high quality product every time. Some fans like some albums more than others, as the band continuously experiments with their sound. Whether you're a Sing the Sorrow, Black Sails in the Sunset, or a Decemberunderground person, Crash Love definitely has something for everyone. The album is the happy medium between punk and mainstream rock, fusing genres together as only they can. My advice to you: get to iTunes, buy Crash Love and "Medicate."

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