Recorded at Cello Studios in Los Angeles, California between 2002 and 2003, the album was produced by Jerry Finn and Butch Vig.

Sing the Sorrow received acclaim from music critics, who praised its melodies and musicianship, as well as its mature sound in comparison to the band's previous material.

[7][8] More experimental than previous AFI albums,[8] Sing the Sorrow includes instruments other than guitar, bass and drums, such as piano and strings.

[9] A hidden track consists of a spoken word poem (accompanied by piano keys and distorted synth sounds) and the closing song "This Time Imperfect".

The black cover was exclusively available at shows on the U.S. album release tour and the band's official fan club online store.

[14] A special limited edition was released that included the short film Clandestine on DVD,[15] directed by Norwood Cheek.

The film focuses on the four band members trying to obtain a mysterious box which bears resemblance to the Sing the Sorrow album cover.

Online called it a "well-crafted mix of hardcore bluster, determined melody and anthemic grandness that boasts depth and texture rarely heard from the Warped Tour ilk.

"[16] Alternative Press awarded the album a perfect score, saying that, "Sing the Sorrow soars with the kind of melodies hit singles are made of, yet it somehow persists with AFI's esoteric darkness.

"[16] Allmusic awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars and wrote: "Emerging in early 2003 with Sing the Sorrow, it's clear the molting process AFI began with Black Sails in Sunset is complete," and concluded that, "Whatever factions of the band's longterm fans might think of their major-label affiliation, Sing the Sorrow represents a coalescing of the band's sound.

[25] Conversely, Entertainment Weekly gave the album a 'D', commenting that "The songs combine the most pretentious and overworked elements of their influences.

[27] Three singles, each with an accompanying music video, were released from Sing the Sorrow: "Girl's Not Grey", "The Leaving Song Pt.

[46] The band dedicated "Paper Airplanes (makeshift wings)" to Jawbreaker and "The Leaving Song" to album producer Jerry Finn, who died in 2008.