Set Your Goals – This Will Be The Death Of Us

Artist: Set Your Goals
Album: This Will Be The Death Of Us
Label: Epitaph Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: July 21rst, 2009

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.5
Lyrics: 7.5
Production: 8.0

It seems to be that the band Set Your Goals aren’t at all intimidated by other bands in the “scene”. They have taken all the neon-clad, faux-screaming hipsters and blown them all away with just the opening guitar off their latest album This Will Be The Death Of Us. It seems as though they are out to prove that punk-rock is still very much alive in the hearts of listeners.

The album opens up with the title track “This Will Be The Death Of Us” that pounds along with racing guitars and drums, complimented by well-placed gang vocals that make the song an intense affair and a definite sign of what to expect from the rest of the album: Fast, intense and passionate.

Set Your Goals have the formula for making a strong punk record down pat. If it isn’t present in the anti-establishment jam “Look Closer”, that pulsates with furious guitar parts and strong lyrics. Or the anthemic vibe of “The Fallen…”, with great dueling vocals and delivery that makes the lyrics more powerful then paper could provide. Switching gears and next you thing you know the album provides the pop-punk faithfuls that are afraid of head-banging to much with songs like “Equals” and “Summer Jam”.

It’s obvious that Set Your Goals are demanding some attention with This Will Be The Death Of Us. The lyrics are becoming more powerful and anthemic while not being afraid of turning the volume all the way up to 11 (See: “Gaia Bleeds (Make Way For Man”). There are (and should be) a lot of people turning their heads to see the heavy tunes Set Your Goals are churning out on their way to the top. All the bands that are popular with techno beats right now should watch out for these hardcore saviors.