Bostancic25
07/21/09, 03:00 PM
Set Your Goals - This Will Be the Death of Us
Record Label: Epitaph
Release Date: July 21, 2009
"It was three last time we sang about the dead men and the rising of a scene we wanted so bad to help make."
If there was one line picked to describe where the scene is heading today, it would be no surprise if the powerful line from "This Will Be the Death of Us" was chosen as just that. Set Your Goals returns with a new outlook on the music industry and the problems that come with life after taking a three year break to sort things out. This Will Be the Death of Us isn't just another album you'd expect from the band that continues to stay true to their punk roots. This time, they come armed with guests, including Paramore's Hayley Williams and Vinnie Caruana of I Am The Avalanche. With songs like "This Will Be The Death Of Us," "The Fallen," "The Few That Remain," and "Equals," this is anything but a sophomore slump.
Guitarists Audelio Flores and Daniel Coddaire open the album with a guitar riff that proves to not only be catchy, but provides the base of its title track as well. It's a song for the ages, described by vocalist Matt Wilson as a song that deals with picking up the pieces and moving on. As the lyrics say, the band does just that. The album continues with twelve tracks containing a mash of "personal commentary, social commentary, personal stuff, relationships, falling out, burned bridges" and everything in between. Perhaps the bands most personal song comes through "Equals." Thousands of e-mails pouring in from fans, thanking the band for saving their lives, prompted co-vocalist Jordan Brown to examine his own life, even he couldn't save himself from the struggles of depression at the time. The song encompasses those thoughts and reaches out to fans in an effort to show themselves as relatable people. It's more than just another song. It's a hidden gem.
It's hard to miss "The Few That Remain," mainly due to the guest vocals of Hayley Williams. Paramore's lead vocalist impresses on the seventh track, marking her debut with Set Your Goals. This is where we get a taste of the talent few knew she had: rapping. The red-haired 20-year-old gives it all she has spitting rhymes into the mic. It's a successful job, but some may continue to prefer her as a vocalist instead.
As with every album, This Will Be The Death Of Us does have its faults. The vocals are admittedly not perfect. Neither Matt nor Jordan has ever claimed to be a professional singer. This is a huge step up from 2006's Mutiny, but it could be better. "Gia Bleeds (Make Way For Man)" is a hardcore anthem that appears almost randomly with the rest of the tracks. It's as if they just decided to insert a mainly heavy song at the last minute. Even the band's manager was reportedly shocked by the decision to create such a song. Was it a good idea? That’s up to the listener.
At the end of the day, This Will Be The Death Of Us is a solid album worthy of it's praise in the punk community.
Four Year Strong; I Am The Avalanche; New Found Glory
myspace.com/setyourgoals (http://www.myspace.com/setyourgoals)
Record Label: Epitaph
Release Date: July 21, 2009
"It was three last time we sang about the dead men and the rising of a scene we wanted so bad to help make."
If there was one line picked to describe where the scene is heading today, it would be no surprise if the powerful line from "This Will Be the Death of Us" was chosen as just that. Set Your Goals returns with a new outlook on the music industry and the problems that come with life after taking a three year break to sort things out. This Will Be the Death of Us isn't just another album you'd expect from the band that continues to stay true to their punk roots. This time, they come armed with guests, including Paramore's Hayley Williams and Vinnie Caruana of I Am The Avalanche. With songs like "This Will Be The Death Of Us," "The Fallen," "The Few That Remain," and "Equals," this is anything but a sophomore slump.
Guitarists Audelio Flores and Daniel Coddaire open the album with a guitar riff that proves to not only be catchy, but provides the base of its title track as well. It's a song for the ages, described by vocalist Matt Wilson as a song that deals with picking up the pieces and moving on. As the lyrics say, the band does just that. The album continues with twelve tracks containing a mash of "personal commentary, social commentary, personal stuff, relationships, falling out, burned bridges" and everything in between. Perhaps the bands most personal song comes through "Equals." Thousands of e-mails pouring in from fans, thanking the band for saving their lives, prompted co-vocalist Jordan Brown to examine his own life, even he couldn't save himself from the struggles of depression at the time. The song encompasses those thoughts and reaches out to fans in an effort to show themselves as relatable people. It's more than just another song. It's a hidden gem.
It's hard to miss "The Few That Remain," mainly due to the guest vocals of Hayley Williams. Paramore's lead vocalist impresses on the seventh track, marking her debut with Set Your Goals. This is where we get a taste of the talent few knew she had: rapping. The red-haired 20-year-old gives it all she has spitting rhymes into the mic. It's a successful job, but some may continue to prefer her as a vocalist instead.
As with every album, This Will Be The Death Of Us does have its faults. The vocals are admittedly not perfect. Neither Matt nor Jordan has ever claimed to be a professional singer. This is a huge step up from 2006's Mutiny, but it could be better. "Gia Bleeds (Make Way For Man)" is a hardcore anthem that appears almost randomly with the rest of the tracks. It's as if they just decided to insert a mainly heavy song at the last minute. Even the band's manager was reportedly shocked by the decision to create such a song. Was it a good idea? That’s up to the listener.
At the end of the day, This Will Be The Death Of Us is a solid album worthy of it's praise in the punk community.
Four Year Strong; I Am The Avalanche; New Found Glory
myspace.com/setyourgoals (http://www.myspace.com/setyourgoals)