Search - Boy Sets Fire :: Tomorrow Come Today (Ltd Edition With Bonus DVD)

Jeff H. from ROYAL OAK, MI
Reviewed on 12/20/2006...

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.

Extremely Well Done

Steven Liddicoat | Portland, OR | 11/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Boy Sets Fire's last release "After The Eulogy" garned itself a great deal of support from the punk scene, and solidified BSF a place in the political puck roster. Mixing a blend of hardcore, melodic punk, and plain ol' rock, it was a powerful release but after a few weeks of listening you sort of lost interest and eventually it began slipping down to the bottom of your album collection.Several years later we now have "Tomorrow Comes Today," which blows itself onto the map as one of the strongest and most brutally powerful albums in recent years. What's so impressive about this release is that the band has managed to retain it's hard, rough, raw sound while simultaneously adopting absolutely huge volumes of melody and hook. Songs such as "Last Year's Next" (which even incorporates a brilliant piano bridge) and "Handful Of Redemption" model this extremely well. However, fans of the bands previous releases will still be pleased by tracks such as "Release The Dogs" and "Dying On Principle" which still possess their old hardcore edge. Regardless of which style of track you prefer, they are all similiar in that they surge forward with epic proportions and explode with a dynamic intensity that few bands out there today can replicate. You can't help feeling overwhelmed by this bands power. Lyrically BSF still have a primarily political focus. However, unlike many other politically spurred bands that are popular today, BSF manages to present their ideas with a mature approach that is to be taken seriously rather than dismissed as youthful ignorance or naivity. You can tell that Nathan Gray is dead serious when he sings "And what gives us the right / to judge without reprisal / To strike retaliation / and wash our hands with blood / And who gave us the crown / to claim that we're devine / Without needed repentance / and drive them into hell" Whether you enjoyed the band's last release, or this is your first time checking them out, "Tomorrow Comes Today" is a tremendous album that is well worth your time and money. Even if you aren't interested in the views of the band, or politics in general, this is still such a good release that you owe it to yourself to atleast take a peek. Highly recommended."

...Still a pro at this.

milliondollarman_ | UK | 04/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"They've done it again. BSF are one the most inspirational bands around right now. This album is awesome. Energy, power and raw aggression but with a reason. And a healthy dose of melody and serious musical thought. Take your time with it, it's a grower. But who doesn't know that's the best way. Those albums that are instantly likeable are so rarely listenable months later. The depth of this album takes time to get through and trying to grasp every nuance in one or two helpings is never going to show you the true power of this record.
This however is what one reviewer (CHRIS) seems to have done. What's the point of reviewing albums you don't like, I've read all his reviews and they're all negative except The Get Up Kids!! Enough said, no offence. And if you will so readily take any abuse about your appalling reviews why don't you show your e-mail address clearly.
And people reading this, stop likening BSF to emo, jees! It's not the same. Dashboard, Juliana theory, etc, that's emo. True emo came from the word Emotional, and this record has it aplenty, I agree. But it does not conform to any single genre, certainly not Emo.
Luckily I think BSF have found a niche that very few bands have even been near. And they are no RATM either, that's just madness. Shoes never to be filled, and no-ones trying, especially not BSF so please stop the analogies. There's no element of the funk that RATM had, its just different. Sure the powers there and even the political agenda, which is neither here nor there, considering a vast majority of mainstream bands are Christian but we don't hear them grouped into a genre.
The political thinking behind BSF is a catalyst for the music, just like love/heartbreak (emotion)is for emo, or death is for certain types of 'death metal' (of which I am sure I am ignorant and will receive abuse for). It's just what they are most passionate about, and that makes for damn good listening-passion.
I have seen BSF three times now, in both huge venues(reading '03) and tiny ones (Brighton seafront bar!???) and every time they have got better. And upon talking with Nathan, he seems like a down to earth guy, happy to talk with the guys watching him play. An honour for me, he actually seemed a bit overwhelmed!
Anyway, a SERIOUSLY solid album if not a bit different from After the eulogy (one of the finest albums ever), but bands do that,(CHRIS), they change, otherwise they become stagnant, like some bands I could mention!
The music is different compared to In Chrysalis or This Crying....both much rawer and edgier maybe. But the cleaner sound that had been called "Nu-Metal' by certain people is their ignorant take on good production. Well done.
Songs like 'the abominations of those virtuous' and `my life in the knife trade' (after the eulogy) really stop me in my tracks sometimes and songs that stand out on TCT include 'Management vs. Labour' 'On in five' and 'foundations to burn'. and the rest as well really, Can't recommend this album enough. Awesome!! also try everything else they've done, and take your time, it's worth it.
I'll end on a quote:
"All the worst enemies are somehow always friends that used to be"
BSF 2000."