Seeing that I’ve been keeping myself busy and writing reviews that quite a few friends enjoy I’ve decided to do a review for Set It Off’s latest EP, Horrible Kids. Set It Off consists of five guys by the names of Cody Carson on vocals, Dan Clermont and Zachary DeWall on guitars, Austin Kerr on bass, and Maxx Danziger on drums. If you have been keeping up with my numerous news posts and remember that back in December I interviewed vocalist, Cody Carson, after the first shot of the music video ‘@Reply.’ Based from Tampa, Florida, the boys have recently been signed to Equal Vision Records which is huge news to them, their fans, friends, families and of course myself. As a friend and fan of their hard work in this industry I can say that they deserve this moment. They have found a record label that they love and wanted. In hope for the wishes of the boys that EVRs is that label that they want to have a close relationship with that will also provide help for the band in their tough situations.
As much as I can keep venting the good words about these boys I wanted to explain why I have chosen to do this review although it has been out for quite some time now. Not much of you know but can figure out. As a kid growing up, I was a victim of being bullied. This record does reminds me of my days being tortured verbally everyday until the summer time after Senior year. This very record does wake me up and want to bring kids a light with that bullying isn’t okay. This is the record that younger kids can listen to as they grow up. So here now you will read my review below which there I will discuss my three favorite songs, break it down in my own way and close off why I gave this record the rating they deserved:
Set It Off was suggested to me by a friend back in November. The friend told me to check out their single at the time, ‘Hush Hush.’ Thinking it was a different style of music, it became my jam. The orchestral pop just hit the spot of my desire for new music. With this becoming some of my favorites, I looked back at their previous works to see the many changes in styles.
On December 11th, a friend and I took a trip to Brooklyn, New York for their music video shoot of ‘@Reply,’ which became one of their single for the Horrible Kids EP. I was one of the many kids who heard the song for the first time (not counting those who heard it at shows, more of the recorded version, which was quite mind blowing compared to ‘Hush Hush’ by the way). The track that played over and over made me ask myself, “Where the heck was I living while they were around!? A rock?” ‘@Reply,’ according to Cody Carson was their response to the unnecessary hate they received from people through the Internet. Where there, people accused them several times of being someone they are not. Even before they were signed, this single at the time for sure made me think that this was a huge game changer for SIO. This particular change of sound gave the band a new chapter in their career. This single officially won me over making SIO one of my favorite bands around.
Continuing on with another track that fed my addiction for more music: ‘Breathe In, Breathe Out.’ The whole idea of this track to my opinions and knowledge is a victim of bullying speaking out to the world as one part does say “Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys & Girls! Lend me your eyes and ears, I have something to tell you! Please listen up, right now.” It makes me think down that SIO was basically talking about a victim shouting out to the world what is wrong. Trying the best to speak up. At this particular track, it was the victim’s choice to prove their bullies wrong and that they are strong. At the same time however I strongly feel that it is also the victim admitting his/her faults as he/she is too a bully. As the first verse does basically say that they can board up windows and hide themselves, but the mess they made will come back at them which refers to what everyone calls it: Karma.
Now onto the last and final song and may possibly be the main reason to why I felt the necessary need to write this review. The last and final track would be: ‘Horrible Kids,’ which is the same title as the EP itself. Right off the back, I knew it was about kids being horribly mean to those that are different causing pain physically or verbally. Listening to the track it brings a story of a kid that was going through the struggle of bullying where at one point he/she had no friends and was ready to commit suicide until then it all changed. To sum this track up, it’s about us as bystanders and society, that drove a kid insane where he/she believed suicide was the right decision.
Finally, my top three favorite songs of the EP have been discussed and broken down in my own way. The three top songs spoke of cyber bullying, physical, hazing and verbal. Where it all brought down to what I’m involved with such as The Hear My Voice Movement - a soon to be anti-bullying and non-profit organization. I’ve written this review to hopefully help it spread the word of the EP for kids younger than myself to hear about it. Not only that each songs have a certain message lyrically but the harmony and melody were all put together perfectly. Each track have the unique sound of the orchestral pop rock genre which isn’t heard very often. Growing up playing an orchestral instrument along with being involved with the classicals – I am a total sucker for a band like Set It Off. Being a band like they are now, it is hard to include orchestral instruments in each piece and they’ve nailed it in every single track of the record where everything is just beautifully arranged.
With hope of writing this review I do wish that you as the reader and listener can see why this particular EP received the rating of five out of five stars. Honestly? Five stars is not even enough! If you have to know, I totally recommend this record to you and your friends along with the world. Every penny for this record was worth well spent. You may now either check out the two music videos that have been filmed from this record below or head on over to iTunes or wherever you buy music and click download.
Tracklisting:
Breathe In, Breathe Out
End In Tragedy
Ashley’s Song
@Reply
Horrible Kids
I Think It’s Arrogance
Third Wheel
Missing You
