NEVER GOING BACK TO OK is a culmination of all the buzz and excitement of the past three years for this emerging band. After receiving a Gospel Music Award for "Best New Artist of 2006" and having the most downloaded inspirational track ("Beautiful Love") of the same year on the iTunes® charts, the band is back with a diverse record that is continuing to impress a wide rang of media, including the following:
"[Never Going Back to OK is] ... a glossy collection split between catchy hooks and emotional hand-wringing on a dozen tunes ... [T]he Afters deftly balance humor and sentiment on "Myspace Girl" ... the song is punchy and bright, and a sound that's definitely worth pursuing. "
- Performing Songwriter, March/April 2008
"An album full of infectious radio-ready, infectiously melodic, highly engaging tunes. The Afters have not only established consistency in the realm of pop songcraft, they have also created credibility as a band who make the most of dynamic, arrangement, and execution in connecting with their audiences musically and emotionally. Ultimately, The Afters reinforce the notion that they are a band with a ridiculous amount of potential to rule the radio but gently remind listeners that they're more than that, as well."
- Popmatters
"... the band underwent a metamorphosis from unknown to unavoidable. Without straying too far from their roots, the Afters distanced themselves from the pack with this record.
- All Music Guide 4.5 Stars
"... more diversity ... never stagnant ... you really can't say enough about the improvement from first album to second album ... with this album looks for them to become a full-fledged hit-making machine. Look out world, here come The Afters."
- Alternative Addiction 4 out of 5 stars
The Afters will also be touring across the US throughout 2008 including headlining their own dates this spring and hitting the major summer festivals.
Releasing their debut project "I Wish We All Could Win" in 2005, The Afters received top attention from their fans and media outlets. The Afters' music has appeared on the networks of MTV, mtvU, ABC Family and E! News as well as on HOT AC and VH-1 radio along with outlets such as Billboard, BOP and Popstar.
The MTV college network and mtvU have been strong supporters of the band as their music video for "Beautiful Love" was awarded with an mtvU Award for Best Streaming Video in 2005. The Afters were awarded the Dove Award for "New Artist of the Year" (2006), and has had over 250,000 downloads to date. The foursome composed of Josh Havens, Matt Fuqua, Brad Wigg and Marc Dodd, met while working at a Starbucks in Mesquite, Texas
