BoySetsFire - The Misery Index: Notes From The Plague Years (Equal Vision Records) By: Derek Showerman

It has been said that pain and suffering of the human heart can often bloom into something powerful and completely fulfilling. In life, in art, it is all the same, struggle with adversity always gives away to something better. In the case of BoySetsFire, they have always been politically aware, a relevant band that throws out the concept of musical boundaries. With The Misery Index: Notes From The Plague Years the band unleashes a beautifully hideous regurgitation of frustration about the music industry, the Bush administration, personal warfare, and even a bitter slap at God.

'Walk Astray' kicks the album off with an acoustic number that sees lead singer Nathan Grey slicing his stomach open and letting his guts spill all over the place. Then, in an instant he gathers back his intestines, stuffs it back in and comes out swinging with a hardcore fury fans of BoySetsFire will love. The tone of the song is serious, his diabolical side has never been nastier, while his signature singing voice will pull at the heart strings. In the end 'Walk Astray' prepares the listener for the antithesis this record can unleash emotionally. One second in despair, the next you are charging out of the fox hole to fight the good fight.

'Requiem' might be one of the best songs BSF has ever put forth. The song features a solid chorus, finger plucking guitar work, while Nathan delivers a truly emotional release of sincerity. It is a political call to action that asks what most American’s might be asking themselves right now “does it have to be this painful just to make it through? this is not our requiem, we’re wasting time as victims, why spend our lives on bended knee, choosing not to be free?” In the end, that statement sums up the history of this band, and they seem to hit their finest moment on this effort.

The rest of the album is simply meant to be listened to as a whole, not track buy track, but as a opus. One second you are listening to hardcore fury with a horn section (So Long...And Thanks For The Crutches), the next you are listening to a boarder line ska song with their “eff you God” song titled 'With Cold Eyes'. There are even acoustic tracks that make you reflect on your own existence (And Counting, (10) ). Every track keeps you guessing as you sink your teeth into the effort.

Defining moment for BoySetsFire? Yep, sure is! You cannot classify this album as “Rock”, “Metal”, “Emo”, “Hardcore”, “Ska”, “Jazz”, or even “folk”. But yet, all those genre’s seem to have a small voice on this album, makes you wonder if that was the bands plan all along? In the end, it is a BoySetsFire album, real music, from real people who have a clue how to write emotional music with a purpose. Go into this album with an open mind, and understand this is their pain they are sharing with you. If you do that, it will be an album that will be your friend for many day, months, or even years to come.

» boysetsfire.org