Music reviews, by Fabiola Beylouni:
AFI: “December Underground” (Interscope Records)
I vividly remember the earsplitting squeal of joy that escaped me when I heard the first radio single, “Miss Murder”. They were back. After a bit of a drought, AFI fans have been able to rejoice the band’s reemergence on the music scene with their latest CD. The songs on “December Underground” are no less powerful than they were in previous albums, but seem more refined somehow. Kind of like a disgruntled, tantrum-throwing teenager growing up and mellowing out. I’ve always loved their old stuff, and it’s reassuring to see that while they’ve experimented with their sound, they haven’t lost their recognizability. http://www.afireinside.net/ – FB
Shiny Toy Guns: “We Are Pilots” (Universal Records)
I warn you; don’t listen to this CD while you’re driving, especially if you have the tendency to speed, because once that sucker is blasting over your sound system, you’ll think you’re Vin Diesel in The Fast and the Furious. With their rad mix of indie and electronica, the Shiny Toy Guns know how to make you dance, particularly with their single “Le Disko”. “When they came for us”, one of their slower tracks, kind of reminds me of a Death Cab song. Their lyrics are a little tough to decipher, but heck, who cares when you’re losing yourself in their melodic riffs? http://www.shinytoyguns.com/ – FB
The Killers: “Sam’s Town” (Island Records)
Okay, I adore the Killers. I mean, I literally know every word to every song from their last CD, so I was expecting the same kind of fast-paced eighties-esque tracks that caused my hips gyrate on so many occasions. Boy, was I let down. Why does Brandon Flowers suddenly sound ill when he sings? Like he can’t quite hold the note all the way to the end of a phrase and just gives up mid-word? Is it just me? Maybe Brandon really is sick, and the band temporarily replaced him with a billy goat. Either way, this album just doesn’t compare to its predecessor. http://www.thekillersmusic.com/ – FB