Also this issue: Home Records A roundup of CDs by people who go to the same dentist as you. -Paul Burress, M.J. Fine, P.R, Patrick Rapa and John Vettese More CD reviews -Debra Auspitz, Peter Burwasser, Andrew Milner and Patrick Rapa Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra -Peter Burwasser Choral Arts Society -Peter Burwasser Daniel Lanois -Sam Adams Def Jam Vendetta Tour The Creatures of the Golden Dawn -Brian Howard Prism Quartet -Peter Burwasser

May 14-20, 2003

musicpicks

A.F.I.

Band develops a cult following. Band signs to a major label. Band starts to suck. It's one of the oldest clichés in punk rock. But it also actually happens. Fortunately, sullen Californians A.F.I. don't quite drown in the mainstream on their Dreamworks debut, Sing The Sorrow. But the changes do give one pause. The angular angst of The Leaving Song, Pt. 2 and the pop gem Girl's Not Grey are among the quartet's best cuts to date, but problems arise with Butch Vig and his gluttonous big-bang production. Sometimes it adds to the band's morose vibe. Slight violins, a minor-key piano intro? Sure, that works. But more often it winds up stealing from the stripped-down intimacy of 2000's stellar The Art Of Drowning or 1999's All Hallow's EP. Crushing arena-rock drums, :wumpscut:-esque synthesizer loops, distorted electronic shrieks, church bells? No thank you. The studio is a totally different realm from the stage, however, and A.F.I. have never disappointed in a live setting. Over-produced new album or not, their Electric Factory show this weekend should be nothing to fear.

Fri., May 16, 8:30 p.m., $14-$16, with Recover and The Explosion, The Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow sts., 215-336-2000.

—John Vettese