User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Crash Love
by
Crash Love Image
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 50 Ratings

  • Summary: The eighth full-length album for the rock band was produced by Joe McGrath and Jacknife Lee.

Top Track

Beautiful Thieves
My dear, there is no danger Can't you see they turn blind eyes To we swift and spotlit strangers? Oh, people the rush is over We will be revered... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. The Boston Phoenix
    100
    Crash is easily A.F.I.'s best since 2003's "Sing the Sorrow," and the cheeky pop-punk chorus of 'Too Shy To Scream' is their first successful decree to boogie the night away.
  2. Alternative Press
    90
    In no uncertain terms, Crash Love is an accomplishment that raises the bar for them as musicians and writers.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    88
    The music of AFI wasn't always as daring as its fashion sense, but the NoCal band has grown with accelerating sophistication, stepping further beyond easy pop-punk thrashings to something grander, with music to match the mopey melodrama of Havok's words.
  4. Billboard.com
    73
    Even though Crash Love isn't terribly progressive in scope and the band's '80s idolatry might one day run its course, the set is another highlight in a discography that's as consistent as it is expansive.
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Rolling Stone
    60
    Davey Havok builds lyrics around the vague concept of a souring relationship, and amid some fetching singalongs (the Cure-y, uptempo 'Veronica Sawyer Smokes'), he gets his dark mojo working.
  6. Spin
    60
    AFI may not be breaking new ground, but they never forget who listens hardest.
  7. Drowned In Sound
    30
    It's at the safest of removes; emote by rote, numbness by numbers.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. MaryR
    Oct 8, 2009
    10
    Terrific. Melodic and rockin', a worthy follow-up to Decemberunderground. Davey is in fine voice, and still testing all the different Terrific. Melodic and rockin', a worthy follow-up to Decemberunderground. Davey is in fine voice, and still testing all the different colors that voice will produce. Jade has stopped holding back--the guitars are loud and proud. Shy boys do win. Too Shy to Scrream will burrow it's way into your head like one of those worms from Star Trek III, and force you to dance around the house whether you like it or not. A winner!… Expand
  2. JeremyW
    Oct 1, 2009
    9
    Up there with Sing the Sorrow and Black Sails amongst their best.
  4. Skydog
    Apr 7, 2013
    9
    I'm perplexed that any fan that doesn't like t heir recent material is still reviewing it ,anyhoo...
    Has you can see most of negative reviews    I'm perplexed that any fan that doesn't like t heir recent material is still reviewing it ,anyhoo...
    Has you can see most of negative reviews are people who just downright dislike this band or expect them to remain in their old hardcore-punk (which I didn't find them to be all that great back in the day, Art of Drowning was probably the only CD I can honestly say I've considered and ended up buying).

    About Crash Love, I bought this the day of it's release (I got the 2 CD deluxe edition). It was one of the best CDs I've bought in recent years that is considered "mainstream" (for all those terminology gurus)
    and I loved about 95% of the CD (Including the demo tracks included on the second CD, which I loved that entire thing [it actually has been played more than the regular CD itself])

    There's a mix of genres on the CD and anyone open to alternative, 80s alternative-influenced, pop-punk/rock. Should definitely take a listen!    … Expand
  5. TruterR.
    Sep 30, 2009
    8
    Exactly what I didn't expect. A totally new sound from AFI. It may have lost that hardcore edge, but this new style isn't that bad Exactly what I didn't expect. A totally new sound from AFI. It may have lost that hardcore edge, but this new style isn't that bad at all. Something for everyone. Also the riffs are catchy and the choruses are melodic. I was most impressed by the sound engineering, the songs doesn't get dull on you that you need to press the "skip" button.… Expand
  6. JasonS
    Nov 19, 2009
    7
    If I were younger maybe something I would play all the time. It's listenable but not in the best way for someone over a certain age.
  7. KendylKlownfish
    Mar 12, 2011
    6
    While Crash Love is stylishly produced and pays tribute to the pop-punk genre more than recent albums, it's sad when the most devoted fans areWhile Crash Love is stylishly produced and pays tribute to the pop-punk genre more than recent albums, it's sad when the most devoted fans are disappointed by Havok's lackluster in the lyrical content department, as well as the band's overall depth.… Expand
  8. JamesS.
    Nov 13, 2009
    2
    That Americans continue to listen to this suburban teen crap reminds me why I never want to go back there. Honestly - America - your latest That Americans continue to listen to this suburban teen crap reminds me why I never want to go back there. Honestly - America - your latest generation has been raised by marketing execs hiding behind fake entertainment, and now you are paying the price by becoming zombies.… Expand

See all 17 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Most Discussed Album of 2009

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT - Taylor Swift
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 Ozarker - Israel Nash
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Lahai - Sampha
All Current Music »