Artist: Boy Sets Fire
Album: The Misery Index: Notes From The Plague Years
Label: Equal Vision
Tracks: 13
Reviewed By: Chaz

So, I used to be the biggest Boy Sets Fire fan. I would follow them up and down the east coast and I collected everything they ever did and in all formats. They have released some of favorite albums. They fueled my political interests and got me through some bad and good times. My own love for them is still there but it went through a downfall a few years back. They signed onto Wind Up Records. They released the forgettable Tomorrow Comes Today. They were on the Daredevil sound track with one of the worst songs they ever written called "Highwire Escape Artist" which was on Tomorrow Comes Today. Overall, the album was semi-decent but no where near any of their previous albums. This, combined with their lack of touring in the U.S. was killing my love for them. Until now.

In anticipation and probably to gain back former fans, Equal Vision Records and Boy Sets Fire decided to re-release their landmark masterpiece The Day The Sun Went Out and also release a rarity and b-side album called Before The Eulogy. I think that was the smart move. The Misery Index: Notes From The Plague Years is a window to the past BSF sound but a look into the future. They got rid of the over polish sound of their previous album and they sound a lot more raw. They weren't afraid to show their hardcore roots either but they weren't afraid to experiment with sounds I would never expect for this band. Like the overall poppy sound (and trumpet being used) for "Deja Coup". The lyrics are still holding strong onto politics, social issues and inner struggles. It won't go on top of my BSF discography but it's good to hear something that doesn't smell of sell out. They even went back to their pre-The Day The Sun Went Out sound in some parts and that is really rad.

The album also has a bonus DVD filled with interviews and behind the scene stuff and an entire live show from Germany. Not bad, right? All this, plus a bonus I found while doing this review. At the end of the last song "A Far Cry" (which itself is an off BSF song) after the prayer for war, you will find a different version of the BSF classis, "(Still) Waiting For The Punchline".

The album is extremely solid and is a must have for the BSF fans still out there hiding in their closets. Come on out, it's safe out here. Get it and buy back in.