Customer Rating:  
Summary: More than OK - 4 1/2 stars
Comment: Finally, after three years and squeezing as much success as they could from their first album, I Wish We All Could Win, Texas rockers, The Afters are back. And their sophomore effort entitled Never Going Back to OK, was worth quite the wait.
The band gained much success with their first album, which made it hard to top it, but with Never..., they've outdone themselves. When I first listened to the new record, I didn't think much of it. It wasn't until I kept getting the catchy tune of the title track, "Never Going Back to OK", stuck in my head that I gave it a good listen. The Afters have kept their signature sound and passion for God intact, although here they have risen to a higher level of sound and quality.
Tracks like "Ocean Wide", "Tonight", and "Beautiful Words" will fancy fans of their first album. While on the title track and the song "Myspace Girl" the band turns up the beat creating foot tapping hits. It's too bad that it couldn't be warmer weather when this album released, it's set to be a "roll the windows down" rocker. The songs "We Are the Sound" and "Forty- Two" have a Switchfoot rock type of feel, but then the band slows down on passionate tracks "Summer Again" and "One Moment Away".
Singer Joshua Havens belts out clear, moving vocals that are accurately spiritual. On "Keeping Me Alive", Havens describes a deeper love of Jesus, telling us to be ourselves through Christ. On the cut, "Falling Into Place", the lyrics point out a rightness of belonging and how Christ fills our personal empty voids.
Even though it's been a long time since we've heard from these guys, Never Going Back to Ok is such a remarkable album. The Afters have honestly put together some beautiful tracks and soulful recordings as well as having grown in maturity as a group. Musically, lyrically, and spiritually this album hits all the marks, creating a standard for all future artists and listeners. The Afters are set to sprout more success with this release as they ascend into a higher level of respect among their peers and fans.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Sophomore Album
Comment: A great follow up to their debut album. They have matured alot and have amore polished sound on this album. Nice melodic rock albume with a mix of uptempo and slow songs. I love the title song and the song "Ocean Wide." Also the song "Myspace Girl" is a fun listen. Great songwriting on this album that really makes you stop and think.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fantastic 2nd Album, top 10 of 2008!
Comment: I LOVE this album and this band. "Beautiful Love" from their debut was a monster success and I expect even bigger things from this 2nd album. "Never Going Back To OK" is one of those rock anthems you can't get out of your head (a good thing) and "Myspace Girl" is catchy and clever, and for me the other highlights are the tender "Keeping Me Alive" and the rocking "Tonight". It's early in the year, but I can't imagine this album not being top 10 of 2008!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Even "old" people like this band!
Comment: I was listening to a Christian radio station on February 27 and heard the song, NEVER GOING BACK TO OK. I KNEW I needed this song for my photography website to display senior pictures with it. I LOVE THIS SONG! It's great! Then I breifly listened to the clips of the rest of the songs. Now I own the whole album. Great sound! Love it!
Customer Rating:
Summary: All songs ROCK
Comment: I had the opportunity to hang out w/ The Afters band one week prior to the release of this album. I was honored to have a sneak peek and hear all the songs and hear the stories behind the songs. This band is listed as a Christian Rock Band, and I am not a Christian, so this is not what draws me to them. They are deeply feeling men who love their families and their children and their faith! Each song has a nice beat and a catchy chorus without being too pop 40 sounding. Myspace girl is a true story and that is the most tongue and cheek song on the album. Every song is good. These guys are going to go FAR with their clean, honest and wonderful heart that is felt on this album.
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