Goth-punk band is absolutely full of intensity

AFI is the sound of youth. They could hang around as long as the Stones and still make albums for the 18-22 year-old target demographic. The band is now prepared to enlarge its cult audience with the release of Sing the Sorrow, its major-label debut. Its goth-punk sound has evolved into a goth-post-punk sound with the help of big-name producers Jerry Finn and Butch Vig and its usual major ambition. \nLiking them still depends on liking lead vocalist Davey Havok. He's got the Robert Smith starter set on, full of dark lipstick and eye shadow. He's a galvanizing presence live, pumping his arms and climbing on stuff as if he were in a jazzercise class. He's also a dominant presence on record, carrying the marginal songs with his somewhat squealy voice. But that doesn't make the songs any less marginal. Melodies are sparse and the music isn't forceful. AFI has tried varying its arrangements with a lot of arty keyboards, cello and a vocoder. AFI might be the sound of youth, but after one listen, it's easy to outgrow.