 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Decemberunderground
Common Sense Media says
Teenage angst set to a rock beat.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there are some references to violence, drugs, and physical abuse in the screaming, emotional -- yet somehow perky -- vocals.
What's the story?
It seems like it would be really hard to scream your guts out on songs about angst- and drug-filled life-changing moments and still sound perky. But AFI manages to do just that on DECEMBERUNDERGROUND. AFI stands for "A Fire Inside," and lead singer David Havok's vocals ignite the group with a raw, burning energy. This guy sounds like he believes every word he sings, whether screeching over searing guitars and powerful bass and drums, or toning it down (just a bit) on "The Interview." Jade Puget (guitar), Adam Carson (drums), and Hunter (bass) provide an impeccable music bed for the powerful vocals.
Is it any good?
Notably diverse, the songs on this CD are all performed with a heavy-handed backbeat and full-tilt enthusiasm; the arrangements stay interesting through a dozen well-performed tracks. Some parents might be uncomfortable about certain lyrics; references are made to drugs and violence, and the word "suicide" shows up over and over again, setting a mood of nihilistic intensity. But there's also poetic imagery in lines like "City lights, like rain, dance and explode/Fall upon debutantes" ("Kiss and Control"). Though some of the lyrics explore the darker side of life, love, and pain, the perfectionism in AFI's production and the care taken on every track give away the fact that these guys actually really care.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the raw energy in these songs. How does AFI pull it off? What are the musical ingredients of an energetic sound?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
What what is this I don't even about 15+ as "iffy"
I don't understand why you say that the drug references are bad in this album, Davey Havok (because that is his real STAGE NAME) is straight-edge, that means total absence from drugs or alcohol, so any drug references will give a message of "DON'T DO IT" also, he never did any drugs so how can he write about a song that he can never relate to? And of course they care about this stuff, or the wouldn't writing about it. They "pull it off" because they used to be punk, punk music is very lively and fulled with energy, with that in mind, there's no doubt that they'll keep the liveliness with them. In many interveiws, AFI have said that some fans approch them and say that listening to their music has saved their LIVES! Many of them became straight-edge too. So if your children listen to this type of music but from band that aren't so great, show them AFI.
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AGE
I really love AFI's variety in sounds. Yeah, they use a lot of dark imagery, and "suicide" is a frequent word, but it's not like they're encouraging listeners to kill themselves. They are VERY poetic, and straight-edge--I have no idea what drug references YOU'RE talking about, and I've listened to this album countless times. Loverly. My favorite song is "On the Arrow," but the most accessible would be "Miss Murder." If you like a broad range of alternative music, you should try this out.
P.S. @Dawgas: Who are you to say your child has no taste in music? Even if I had a kid and s/he wanted to listen to brainless music with terrible (and terribly boring) lyrics, I'd still let him/her listen. Aren't parents supposed to help their children blossom, not stifle their interests?
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AGE
this stuff rox!
if u liked this you should check out their even better album sing the sorrow
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AGE
Great alternative/punk music.
I've been a fan of AFI, since their first album came out, and this was no dissapointment. All the suicide/drug references are with a poetic license. Wonderful music that some kids can relate to.
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AGE
Good but dark band is OK for tweens and teens.
Good band. Only bad thing is some violent and suicidal lyrics. OFF for age 8 and under, IFFY for age 9, and ON for ages 10 and up.
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AGE
AFI is one of my favorite bands, and this is an excellent CD. Although this is a great album, some songs can be depressing, and the messages aren't the brightest I've ever seen.
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AGE
There is poetry in despair
AFI are like Napoleon Dynamite. Either you hate them to death or you love them to death. I happen to practice the latter because their music is so poetic and just, dare I say, beautiful. Give this CD a few listens to and it'll grow on you quick. Decemberunderground does not have the bonus track, On the Arrow (full of acoustic beauty), but you can get it on iTunes. It's well worth the price of the whole album.
This album is not filled with teenage angst. It's filled with emotion. If you research the background behind Decemberunderground, you'll find that it paints a picture of love, sorrow, and suicide.
AFI are excellent, positive role models: because of them, I am now vegetarian. Because of them, I promise to never drink or do drugs. Their music may sound "emo" or depressing, but they are probably THE most positive people you will ever meet. I gave Decemberunderground a 13+ rating because I feel that you have to be more mature to appreciate it fully.
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AGE
amazing.
I would just like to say that AFI is my favorite band. Yes some things they write are a little depressing but you have to understand that some teens do have some of these problems. AFI personally saved my life and they really get inside your soul.
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| Artist: | AFI |
| Release date: | June 6, 2006 |
| Label: | Interscope Records |
| Genre: | Rock |
| Parental advisory: | No |
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