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Epitaph Records -- Millencolin

AFI

Very Proud of Ya
1996
Nitro

AFI - Very Proud of Ya (Cover Artwork)


Review by: Chris
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Nitro Records (Logo)

Published on October 22nd 2001

What more can be said about AFI? You either really like them, or really hate them. Some dig the new Goth look, others despise it. But before such conceptual pieces as 'Black Sails in the Sunset' and 'Art of Drowning' were conceived, there stood a bay-punk hardcore band with Misfit influences. We all know the story, AFI starts in 1991, breaks up, plays one reunion show and bam! Back on the scene. The group's first full-length album, aptly titled 'Very Proud of Ya', showcases the group's hardcore roots. West coast hardcore. Flowing melodies mixed with ultra-paced drumbeats and bass throbs were what started it all.

If you love Davey's singy voice of recent albums, watch out. This is hardcore Davey. No singy ballads. Yelling, screaming and the continuous mid-song breakdown of words just spilling out of his mouth were what these days were all about. Care-free punk songs about misguidance, confusion and anger stood before the dark poetry. Don't get me wrong, I like the direction AFI has gone, but I'm offering full disclosure before anyone reads this. There are 2 AFI's, and if you've never heard anything before "Black Sails...", you're gonna be surprised.

'Very Proud of Ya' is an album to go out for a night on the town to. Or for that hour long ride to the show 70 miles away that you can't wait to go nuts at. You can't help but scream along. So pile up the gang, find some shit to do and throw this one in the stereo. Enjoy, you can thank me later.





People who liked this also liked:
AFI - Black Sails In The SunsetAFI - Shut Your Mouth and Open Your EyesAFI - The Art Of DrowningAgainst Me! - is Reinventing Axl RoseOperation Ivy - Operation IvyDescendents - Milo Goes To CollegeAgainst Me! - As The Eternal CowboyJawbreaker - 24 Hour Revenge TherapyThe Clash - London CallingThe Loved Ones - Keep Your Heart



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    Posted by hatefulromance on 2007-06-05 02:25:17

    This album is the best if you want fast paced, hardcore music...

    Posted by ifuckingh8you on 2007-02-24 20:07:55
    My Score:

    here's our lesson for today better listen up real fucking goooood

    Posted by randomhero323 on 2006-09-04 15:18:24

    amazing

    Posted by JohnnyTwoTits on 2006-08-30 16:24:41

    this fucking album is punk... the other afi albums, not so mutch... (i htink they are fucking lame) i love this album...if afi and chuck noris met, i think that they would al lexplode, and the chuck noris would rebuild himself, and kick afi in the face, because chuck noris does not support transvestites, or whores, and a kick from chuck noris, will turn afi into men...

    Posted by JohnnyTwoTits on 2006-08-30 16:22:24

    this fucking album is punk... the other afi albums, not so mutch... i live this album...if afi and chuck noris met, i think that they would al lexplode, and the chuck noris would rebuild himself, with little afi bits, glued on, like hed have one afi kidney, and lung....

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 6, 2006 at 6:41 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this the best afi album.
    so shut your mouth and sail away.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at 3:22 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    truly one of the best punk records ever made.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 4:20 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Great album.. 21 songs or so of pure hardcore punk.. 90's hardcore was the best..this is evident in very proud of ya.

    great album art work too !

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 25, 2004 at 2:34 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    very great hard and kickass punkrock record! and to the other comment: FUCK blink182!

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 at 8:06 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    AFI kicks ass with a capital k AND a.

    Posted by cawknocker on 2002-07-19 13:13:13
    My Score:

    whatever, afi rule, but this album is crap. it all sounds the same. i'm 22 now and just can't listen to this shit. its kids stuff.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 21, 2002 at 11:14 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    AFI sucks...we should all listen to blink 182. -fathead

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 14, 2001 at 10:16 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    I'm SO GLAD that AFI is on a major label! What more could you ask from a band than to leave thier original record label for the chance to "go somewhere in life". Man I couldn't be happier.SHIT!

    Posted by Rock on 2001-11-15 18:43:19
    My Score:

    Glad a band sounds like the chipmunks. They suck. Doesnt anyone agree with me?

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 15, 2001 at 10:54 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    A ten cannot give justice to the appreciation I have for AFI. When I think back to the summer before my freshman year, I think of all the new friends I made. most of them were hard-core punkers (or so i thought). Iwasn't really into punk in the least bit. That was all about to change. My sister's boyfriend left some CD I had never heard of before at my house. It was "Very Proud of Ya". At first, I gave no thought to listening to it, but she put it in the player! It was awesome! my sister wrote it off as a waste of time, but I knew it was an important thing. Ever since then, i have been an avid fan of AFI and devoted to the scene. And when all my so called friends eventually became a bunch of punk rock police fascists that were more worried about being punks than FEELING punk and eventually gave up on the scene cause they were bored with it, I just sat down with an AFI CD and let it all melt away.
    AFI, thanks a bunch for everything. Your CD get a score of 999(100 is saved for the day I become a member of my own Ska band.
    -Patty P.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 29, 2001 at 1:25 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Fathead-

    1.) You should give old AFI a chance, it's good punk rock...

    2.) The song on MTV was 'Third Season'

    3.) Their song on radio "rotation" is 'Days of The Phoenix'

    4.) They had a feature spread in last months AP

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 29, 2001 at 1:11 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    thankfully, I don't have MTV, but what AFI song is on there? I can't belive they, of all punk bands, are on MTV.- fathead

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 29, 2001 at 11:31 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    This is by far my favourite record by AFI. This was the first "punk" album that I ever heard (back in like grade 9!!!), and I have never put it down since!

    AFI still rocks - could do without MTV though.....

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 8:42 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This is a great record, probably the best from their "Asking For It" era. And i'll agree with the Anonymous, Asking for It is very different from A Fire Inside. I fondly recall them introducing the "I don't want to fuck you" song as "This is a love song". I saw this band when Davey used to front in a suit and a devil lock and the rest of the band wore skater attire and the bassist played a headless bass. I saw them open one of the Descendents reuninon shows at the Whiskey in LA (with Sensefield...weird) and they practically destroyed the place for me and the 19 other people who knew them. So incredible.

    And now... I like them, but i'm not as interested as I used to be. I liked "Black Sails.." but the power ballads are a bit much. Somebody needs to tell the band you don't need to wear black leather pants and white make-up and have jack-o-lanterns onstage to play evil music. It just cheapens the whole effect.

    --Cos

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 12:09 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I could give a big reason but I wont so I'll just say their new stuff is poop, this is golden.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 26, 2001 at 2:52 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    when i saw this band, th guitars sounded like shit, it was broad daylight, outside, and and the singer still looked like a Vampire, and most of they're set was goth-metal. I'm not saying they don't have some good songs, but I've never even thought about buying an (full-lngth)album by them.- fathead

    Posted by punky on 2001-10-26 12:40:11
    My Score:

    one very disturbed individual made me laugh...see below

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 26, 2001 at 12:23 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I love the kind of comments that AFI gets like, "'Very Proud of Ya', showcases the group's hardcore roots." or the ever so famous "This is hardcore Davey."
    WAKE UP!
    AFI from 'ATASF', 'Very Proud', and 'Shout Your Mouth' is not the same AFI that is now seen in Rolling Stone, AP, and on MTV.

    AFI used to stand for "Asking For It", amongst others.
    Then 1/2 the band left and they changed their name to "A Fire Inside"... the conclusion.. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME BAND... I know, I know they have the same singer/drummer... but their 2 song writers (musically) left! They have 2 new song writers (musically) so all of you people that just got into them... AFI (a fire inside) is METAL... not punk... and it pisses me off because they used to be a great band about 3 years ago, before they died.. Hell I saw them at punk house shows twice, no arenas or opening for Offspring... I'm talking a punk house with 25 people there! ... that was then this is now and AFI (asking for it) is not AFI (a fire inside)so don't try to act like your punk because you listen to AFI (a fire inside) your not!
    And no I am not a punk eiltest... but neither are you...

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 26, 2001 at 7:54 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i feel this cd would be perfect if it got rid of the songs that are also off ATASF. (i don't see the point of bands doing that)
    old stuff afi kicks the shit out of new style afi. -faceecaf

    Posted by punky on 2001-10-26 01:56:08
    My Score:

    i like this a lot, it sure is different from the newer stuff, but i like it anayway.Not too much experimenting, just straith forward mixture of hardcore and pop punk.

    Posted by coldjuly on 2001-10-25 20:48:55
    My Score:

    I love AFI and, this is their only record I Don't have. God I need to go get professional help about my CD buying problem.

    Posted by ETx310 on 2001-10-25 19:05:32
    My Score:

    I can't believe they're still playing "He Who Laughs Last." That songs over with.

    Posted by Bryne on 2001-10-25 16:39:06
    My Score:

    Good stuff. Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes is their best album, I think.

    Posted by sickboi on 2001-10-25 15:37:00
    My Score:

    You're right, I completely forgot that ATASF was released in 95', then re-released in 97', thank you for pointing out my ignorance. No more Jack Daniels when making reviews.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 25, 2001 at 3:25 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    It's their second record. ATASF was the first