Boy Sets Fire

Recording information: Carriage House, Stamford, Connecticut.The most explosive and passionate Boy Sets Fire record to date sees the band continuing to push the musical and political boundaries of hardcore with this release. 5 tracks 'Voiceover', 'The Tyranny Of What Everybody Knows', 'Loser Of The Year Award', 'Cavity' & 'Holiday In Cambodia'. Initial Records. 1998.

Wow! Well, when I first bought this CD, I really didn't know what I was getting into. My friend had told me about a song that related to me a bit, and I decided to go along and read the lyrics of the bands' site. The second I had finished reading the song, I had fallen in love. With each line their was a new meaning, each lyric was sincere, and great. After reading the lyrics, immediately, I said to myself "I am buying this cd!! NOW!" so I got out of the house, went over to Sam Goody, and bought a copy. The second I got back into the car, the CD was slipped in the player. I was skeptical. I turned it on to hear yelling, I was hoping for nice pretty songs, but harsh sounds come to my ears. Now, dont get me wrong, I love hardcore, I was just hoping for sensitive guitar to go along with these sensitive lyrics. But then, I TRULY listened, and realized that the singer had one of the most amazing voices ever, that the cd was genius, with the lyrical mix of sensitivity, with the hard guitar riffs that i can jump too. I once again was in love.

Overall, I have to say this is one of the best CD's I have bought all year, my favorite tracks are ones such as "Unspoken Request," "When Rhetoric Dies," and many many more. I don't even know what I can compare this band to, but if you want a good singer, with amazing lyrics, then this album is what your looking for. If you aren't into hardcore though, and aren't up for hearing some yelling during certain tracks, then this one might not be for you- But either way, I would definitely pick up this album for its lyrics alone! It sends a good message with great guitar, and a great vocalist, I can't say anything bad about it, unless your not into the yelling, but all in all, this is a great one.

Rage Against the Machine’s demise left a void in the already narrow world of astute, socio-political hard rock. Boysetsfire step into that void by presenting an industrial/punk/hardcore sound built the death-metal-influenced vocals of Nathan Gray and a taught, aggro musicality. That said, surprising melodic interludes appear here and there, as does an instrumental precision worthy of King’s X. The unexpected is unforced, while the political lyrics in songs such as "Dying on Principle" ("Corporate sponsors will see to it that the right product kills us") are explosive and inspiring, never insipid or uninformed. A tense energy and controlled, taut vigor permeates every song. "Handful of Redemption" is commercial in a Papa Roach-like manner, while "Release the Dogs" is more reminiscent of Henry Rollins. In short, Tomorrow Come Today is an exceptional record from a significant band.

Wow. Where to begin? This album was a pretty fucking big deal to me when it originally came out on Initial back in 1997. It’s been a few years since I’ve heard it and, upon replay, was immediately reminded of my stint working at the Victory Records warehouse and being introduced to the band by a coworker just when I needed it most. I’m quite happy to report that time has not dulled the intensity of this release one iota. “Pure,” “Swingset,” and “In Hope” are just three of the many standout tracks that have made this album the classic that it is. I’ll even go so far as to say that The Day The Sun Went Out ranks up there with Rites Of Spring and Embrace as one of the all-time classic emocore (yeah, I said it) records.

The band make it a point in the accompanying bio to say that this, their full length debut, was the first of three (soon to be four) albums on as many labels. Shortly after this record’s original release, Boy Sets Fire signed to Victory ironically enough, and I soon lost interest.

The Day The Sun Went Out has recently been reissued by the band’s new home at Equal Vision, who will release a brand new Boy Sets Fire album early next year. If, like me, you were left with a bad taste in your mouth after the band’s last two albums (their last album came out on Wind-Up and promptly tanked), hearing this record will renew your faith in them.