Music: Boy Sets Fire- The Misery Index: Notes from the Plague Years

Our Take

Boy Sets Fire has come an extremely long way and continues to change their sound on The Misery Index: Notes from the Plague Years. Listeners looking for a harder album with a good amount of screaming will be extremely disappointed with this release, but everyone else will be pleasantly surprised by a band that continues to evolve.

Things start off with a very mellow interlude, and quickly kick into the fast guitars and rough vocals that BSF has typically been known for. But The Misery Index is a very different album when compared to past releases. Things are generally a hell of a lot lighter than they have been in the past, with excellent mellow instrumentals and well done vocals. Of course the group still throws in the heavy for good measure on a few tracks (such as "Final Communique"), and even throws in some jazz esque elements. Unfortunately this decision makes the entire album feel just a tad bit disjointed. The aforementioned track is excellent and really builds listeners up for some extremely heavy music and then throws lighter sounds at them on the next track.

Vocals have changed quite a bit, as there is so much more melody and very well done singing. A few songs still have the punk/screamo vibe that the group has previously been known for, but on most songs vocalist Nathan Gray actually sings. Gray has a great voice and showcases a nice range. Longtime fans may cry foul of this new direction, some may say that the band has lost its edge, but this album ultimately shows that the group isn't afraid to change their sound even at the risk of losing longtime fans.

The Misery Index is a lot lighter, a bit uneven, and a satisfying listen overall. Provided fans and newcomers alike know what they are getting themselves into, BSF's latest effort will be appreciated for bringing a new and much different sound to a very familiar group. But leave your expectations at the door first, or you will most likely be quite disappointed.

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Chris Dahlberg
April 28, 2006