Afters, The

Usually bands don't get into my "buy without thinking about it" level of things until they have several releases out. However, this being the second (third really, but that's a long story) album by the Afters has already gotten into "automatic purchase" for me. Part of that is my personal connection to the lead singer, having attended the same church for awhile. The other is that their last album was just damn GREAT!

Never Going Back was delayed a few times from its original end of 2007 release window. However, in late 2007, a single was put out for the title track through iTunes. So I checked it out, and it's a great, catchy (if a bit short at just 2:40) tune. I picked up the single, because well, I wanted to. My three year old LOVES the track (as do I). "Daddy! It's the new AFTERS!", and she starts jumping up and down all over the place. It's quite cool.

Then the album came out, and it wasn't as immediately accessible to me as their last one. That disappointed me a little. However, since I know them, I forced myself to listen more. I think part of it is the two most noticeable tracks (Never Going back to OK & Myspace Girl) are far more "poppy" and catchy than anything else on the album, so there's almost a disconnect between them and the rest of the album. That's not to say the rest of the album isn't good - it is. It's just not as "radio friendly" as the rest of the tracks.

While I still think the last album is more cohesive than this one, this too is a great release, and worthy of inclusion.

This is a CD that I have to admit I initially checked out because of who was in it. You see, the lead singer goes to the same church that my wife and I do. So when he came out with this CD, I had to check it out. And surprisingly, I liked it a lot. At first, I didn't think I would, since it was going to be somewhat poppish, and I generally listen to things like Black Sabbath. However, I really enjoyed this. The songs were catchy, and fit my listening tastes well. It's not perfect, mind you, but it's terribly enjoyable. I particularly loved the songs Beautiful Love, Until the World, Love Lead Me On, and Way You Are.

They're a Christian band, but they're not being marketed that way. They don't try and really "hide" their message - it's all over their lyrics, and if you talk to them, you'll know it. But in terms of marketing, it's not being pushed to the forefront. That probably allows them to get into places that they normally wouldn't, as a "Christian" bands tend to get pigeonholed into corners and not allowed access to the mainstream of public music awareness.

I'm friends with the singer (Josh Havens) through my church, and I hope the band does well from a personal aspect, and as musicians - as I liked the album and want to see what they'll do for a followup.

One note, this band existed for awhile in the Dallas area (where they're from) with the band name of Blisse. Some of the songs on this album did appear on an indie release of theirs called "When the World was Wonderful".