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AFI
(Nitro)
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Last year, alt-rockers everywhere went nuts for AFI and their breakthrough single, "Girl’s Not Grey." Funny thing is, that wasn’t the band’s first brush with corporate radio: in 2000, Nitro bosses Offspring and "Girl’s Not Grey" producer Butch Vig collaborated on a minor-hit cover of their "Totalimmortal," which first appeared on the All Hallows EP. On this "retrospective of AFI’s Nitro years," the track appears in all its original DIY glory. It’s faster than their later hits but no less melodic, and Davey Havok’s wail is at its most agonized: "I hear them calling/I feel them gnawing out/Holes through flawless souls." On their Web site, the group have pointed out that this compilation was "conceived and sold without our input." But it’s hard to argue with the song selection, which includes 11 of their best known indie anthems along with four rarities, all arranged in reverse chronological order. The nostalgic near-hit "The Days of the Phoenix" appears on the first half of the disc, which showcases the current line-up. On the bratty tantrums "He Who Laughs Last" and "I Wanna Get a Mohawk," Davey’s writing partner is Tiger Army’s Geoff Kresge. It’s been a long way to the top for AFI, and curious fans should check out this fine document of their early days.
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