"Girl's Not Grey" by AFI from the album Sing the Sorrow (2003)

Punk purists hoping AFI would forsake increasingly introspective, melancholy auras and resume writing dumbass songs like “I Wanna Get a Mohawk (But Mom Won’t Let Me Get One)” wept in anguish upon hearing the first single off 2003’s Sing the Sorrow. Davey Havok scales to a shattering octave leap during the triumphant final chorus, as if he’s spotted a glimmer of hope in the one big, dark room he once equated with his whole life. Lyrics like “I’d send God’s grace tonight/Could it be found” don’t convey much pep. But due to Jade Puget’s glittery guitar hook, “Girl’s Not Grey” comes off bubblegummy compared to mega-maudlin Sorrow tracks like “The Leaving Song” and, uh, “The Leaving Song Part II.”

_Barry Thompson