Usually this is a really easy answer but with AFI I honestly don’t know. Pretty sure the first song of theirs I heard was totalimmortal on q101 in Chicago and I think they played days of the phoenix too, but like with many people, sing the sorrow is the first full album that got me into them so yeah probably that because it kind of bridges a gap in their discography
It took not even two minutes for Sing the Sorrow to be mentioned so yeah, starting there, thank you chat!
I don't think they're skipping art of drowning! I didn't assume they'd be going in chronological order necessarily. But yes, DO NOT skip art of drowning lol
To toss in my opinion to break up a lot of the mandatory "STS & DU" top two rankings... I go: STS AOD BSITS DU I got into AFI earlier than a lot of people here (sorry to brag I'm old), so that probably helped steer my preferences a little.
Miseria Cantare being the first or second AFI song a newcomer hears… oh how I wish I could go back in time to hear STS for the first time again. That song into The Leaving Song Part II remains an all time one two punch
Wait the quality is so much better on this recent reupload, that channel has the rest of the set song by song
If we are going to post videos… Best album closer He does some incredible lower vocals here and you can already hear signs of post punk.
I remember going to one of my local shops and picking up STS on CD (for $5.99!) at a midnight opening on release day. Driving back to my dorm listening to it for the first time is to this day my most memorable new music moment. Pretty sure I was going about 10 mph the whole way, but I didn't even care because I was so lost in the music.
Their whole aesthetic/direction during decemberunderground might be the artistic peak of the scene imo. MCR obviously were even bigger and even more commanding (for 2 albums at that) but the decemberunderground aesthetic was beautiful and elegant in a way that MCR didn’t try to be. But whenever I see those music videos and live shows I think it doesn’t get any better than this.
I got into the band with Drowning but I don't think it really affects my rankings. Sorrow Burials Drowning December Black Sails Crash Shut Your Mouth Proud Answer That Bodies Blood
So I really like this album. The only song that doesn't do a lot for me is Heart Stops. Felt like I needed to skip it on each listen
The Art of Drowning is and will always be my favorite. It has such a hardcore swagger to it accompanied with the gang vocals. Reminds me so much of Comeback Kid, etc. That inro into Lost Souls gets me every time and there is literally not bad a song on the record. Plus, the EP that proceeded it is such a 1-2 punch.
Also for anyone listening for the first time, do not forget to listen to the "secret song" on sing the sorrow, honestly one of my fav songs ever
I wish they'd put up expanded editions of their albums on streaming services, with all the bonus tracks and b-sides. There's so much gold, I think half of my favorite songs aren't on the main albums lol