AFI is an album by the American rock band AFI, compiling tracks from their releases on Nitro Records between 1996 and 2001, before the band signed to DreamWorks Records and achieved mainstream success. Released on November 2, 2004, the compilation peaked at #88 on the Billboard 200. The compilation focuses on the band's hardcore punk sound during this era.[1][2]

AFI
Compilation album by
ReleasedNovember 2, 2004
Recorded1995–2000
Genre
Length38:27
LabelNitro
Producer
  • AFI
  • Chuck Johnson
  • Michael Rosen
AFI chronology
Sing the Sorrow
(2003)
AFI
(2004)
Decemberunderground
(2006)

The album's tracks are presented in reverse chronological order from their Nitro Records release dates, beginning with material from The Art of Drowning (2001) and proceeding through the All Hallow's E.P. (1999), Black Sails in the Sunset (1999), Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes (1997), Very Proud of Ya (1996), and Answer That and Stay Fashionable (originally released in 1995 on Wingnut Records, re-released by Nitro in 1997). It includes the Art of Drowning B-side "A Winter's Tale", previously released on The Days of the Phoenix E.P. (2001), as well as three tracks previously exclusive to the LP releases of the band's albums: "Lower It" is from the LP release of Black Sails in the Sunset, while "Rolling Balls" and "Who Said You Could Touch Me?" are from the LP release of Very Proud of Ya.

Background

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The album is the last major Nitro Records release of AFI material recorded before their DreamWorks Records debut, Sing the Sorrow. According to Discogs, the album was "Allegedly released by Nitro Records without AFI's permission".[3] A month before its release, the band posted on their official message board:

While we're really proud of our history and accomplishments we feel our career is really just getting started and feel slightly embarrassed by anything that hints at retrospect. There's plenty of time for that later when we're old. We'd rather move forward....[2]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Original release (Year)Length
1."The Lost Souls"Davey Havok, Jade Puget, Hunter Burgan, Adam CarsonThe Art of Drowning (2000)2:42
2."The Days of the Phoenix"Havok, Puget, Burgan, CarsonThe Art of Drowning (2000)3:27
3."A Winter's Tale"Havok, Puget, Burgan, CarsonThe Days of the Phoenix E.P. (2001)3:24
4."Totalimmortal"Havok, Puget, Burgan, CarsonAll Hallow's E.P. (1999)2:44
5."Fall Children"Havok, Puget, Burgan, CarsonAll Hallow's E.P. (1999)3:12
6."The Prayer Position"Havok, Puget, Burgan, CarsonBlack Sails in the Sunset (1999)3:28
7."God Called in Sick Today"Havok, Puget, Burgan, CarsonBlack Sails in the Sunset (1999)3:22
8."Lower It"Havok, Puget, Burgan, CarsonBlack Sails in the Sunset (1999)2:18
9."A Single Second"Havok, Carson, Mark StopholeseShut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes (1997)2:11
10."Third Season"Havok, Stopholese, CarsonShut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes (1997)2:49
11."He Who Laughs Last..."Havok, Geoff KresgeVery Proud of Ya (1996)1:49
12."I Wanna Get a Mohawk (But Mom Won't Let Me Get One)"Havok, KresgeAnswer That and Stay Fashionable (1995)1:12
13."Perfect Fit"Havok, StopholeseVery Proud of Ya (1996)1:58
14."Rolling Balls"Havok, StopholeseVery Proud of Ya (1996)2:21
15."Who Said You Could Touch Me?"Havok, KresgeVery Proud of Ya (1996)1:24
Total length:38:27

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic     [2]
Punk News     [1]

According to a PunkNews.org review, the album is "Purely intended as a proper introduction to fans first associated with AFI from their 2003 major label debut full-length, Sing the Sorrow" which functions as "a nice sampler of material ... of the band's back catalog."[1]

Chart positions

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Chart (2004) Peak
position
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[4] 4
US Billboard 200[5] 88

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Shultz, Brian (November 2, 2004). "AFI - AFI". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on 2012-10-21. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  2. ^ a b c d Allmusic review
  3. ^ "AFI - An Essential Retrospective Of AFI's Nitro Years". Discogs. Archived from the original on 2015-03-30. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  4. ^ "AFI Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  5. ^ "AFI Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2018.