If You're Still Here

I sort of let this blog die, if you have not noticed. I just got caught up with too many other things that it became overshadowed. I don't know if I will ever continue AFI Talk, but as of now it will remain stagnant until another AFI album comes upon us. In the meantime though, if you want to see what else I'm working on, head over to BrightBlackHeaven.com. It's pretty much the best Blaqk Audio fansite on the web (and one of the only), I'm not going to lie. We are news blog, a forum, a knowledge database, and more. I'll be seeing you over on the blaqk side of things!

AFI at KROQ's ACX

AFI will be performing at KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas on Dec. 12 2009

AFI will perform on Day 1 along with:
Rise Against
Alice In Chains
Thirty Seconds to Mars
Three Days Grace
Anberlin
Dead By Sunrise

Day 2:
Muse
311
Slightly Stoopid
Phoenix
The Bravery
Metric
Vampire Weekend
Cage the Elephant
White Rabbits


For more info go HERE

2 More Songs Await for Us

http://www.exploremusic.com/interview/2009-11-13/ExploreMusic-Interviews-AFI

• "The View From Here" is the only unreleased song from the Decemberunderground sessions
• "Dark Morning Conspirators" actually indeed does have a vocal track, despite Hunter's claim that the song was incomplete. Maybe it will get released on that fancy boxset set to be released soon (we hope)?

This means that since there are no other completed songs from the DU sessions "Suicide Romantic" and "Chair Kicking" were indeed changed song titles or possibly from the StS sessions (although this is unlikely). How do you think we will receive this songs, if we do at all? Do you also think there are still more unreleased songs we have yet to hear?

Status Report

I know I am lacking with the updates, and I'm sorry. Been quite busy with my real life lately. But I just want you all to know for the time being, AFI Talk will have fewer new posts, but each one will be of higher quality as well (from me, at least). Thanks for all your support!

Likewise, the new part of my network Blaqk News will continue to be updated very readily, so have no worries there.

Blaqk News

Jason of our affiliate AFI News HQ and I are ready to launch a new blog dedicated to providing you with up to date Blaqk Audio news as we await their new album. Feel free to check it out, I hope you like it :)

BlaqkNews.blogspot.com

Conclusion: Decemberunderground vs. Crash Love

Back in August, I published a special report analyzing the future success of Crash Love and comparing it to that of Decemberunderground (read it here). You guys overwhelmingly thought Crash Love would far exceed it's predecessor, as seen in one of my old polls to the right. The actual result?

Sales
Decemberunderground pushed 182,000 albums in it's first week, Crash Love only 52,000. Decemberunderground sold more than 3 times Crash Love on opening, and even Sing The Sorrow exceeded the new album in sales.

Critical Reception
Crash Love scored at 75 while Decemberunderground came close with a 72. These scores are based on Metacritic, which takes the average score based on multiple reviews. While Crash Love scored slightly higher, the negative reviews were much more critical and harsh compared to those of Decemberunderground (see: RollingStone, Spin, Drowned In Sound).

Fan Reception
Taken from this thread on the OMB, fan reception for Crash Love has been generally more positive than it was from Decemberunderground. Complaints from their past album mainly focused on the overuse of electronic elements (something which I think adds so much to music), and the overall "emo" sound. Likewise, complaints from Crash Love focus on the poppy sound of the album and lack of traditional AFI elements (screaming, a solid opener and hidden song, etc). Most people enjoy the progression Crash Love brings, though.

Conclusion
While sporting a much more positive response from AFI's fanbase, Crash Love failed to live up to their past effort in sales and overall popularity; and that could be blamed from Interscope's lack of promotion for the album.

Your Opinion
How do you view Crash Love compared to their previous albums? Is it a step in the right direction, or are they taking a path you don't like? Will the weak sales hurt the band in the future, or will they not have much relevance? If so, should AFI move away from Interscope, which seems to be the main cause of their problems lately (lack of promotion, no video for Stiff Kittens/The Missing Frame, EP cancelled, etc)? What do you want to see AFI do in the future with their next release, and likewise what do you think will happen?

Vote Etch Love NOW!

The ETCHLOVE winners etchs are now up on AFI's official website comment and rate that is how you vote.

MINE IS ON THERE!

Bright Black Heaven!!!

Is to be the title of the new Blaqk Audio album, which Jade said in this interview is done!!!

I know it's not AFI technically but WOOT!
What do you think of the title? And about when do you think it'll come out? I know it'll be after tour, but how long do you guys think after?

Contest to win one of the Medicate Vinyls!!!

On AFIVids there is a contest to win one of the Medicate 7"!!!! It ends on November 15 and it's open to US residents only. Check it out!!!!
Thanks Mark!

Best Opening Track?

Throughout the last 5 albums, AFI has left one of their trademarks by starting each record with a short, haunting, and epic opening song. Let us know which one is your favorite by voting in the new poll. (Torch song isn't entirely a solid opening track, but it is included anyways)


Personally, this is so hard for me to choose between "Miseria Cantare", "Prelude 12/21", and "Strength Through Wounding", but I had to go with the track that begins Black Sails In The Sunset. Featuring probably the most famous AFI lyric of all time "through our bleeding we are one", "Strength Through Wounding" wins this one for me.

Previous poll results:
Favorite Crash Love Song: End Transmission
Least Favorite Crash Love Song: Too Shy to Scream (not final, you can still vote on the right)