The combination of pop melodies, metallic hardcore guitar parts, and political lyrics will win you over.
TRACKLIST:
1 One Subject Notebook 2:59
2 Parasite Candy 3:20
3 Three Lefts 2:36
4 Harlot 3:22
5 Vehicle 3:21
6 The Burning Of 2:55
7 Turn The Key 3:56
8 Consider The Numbers 2:15
9 Feudal 2:33
10 Voice Over 1:47
11 The Tyranny Of What Everyone Knows 2:38
12 Loser Of The Year Award 3:12
13 Cavity 2:50
14 Holiday In Cambodia 3:42
15 Suckerpunch Training 4:23
16 Timothy 4:17
17 No Time Safe 4:19
18 Bucket Of Rain 4:26
19 With Cold Eyes 2:50
20 Fashion As A Weapon 2:60
Demo re-issues can be trying, and luckily in the case of Boysetsfire, Before the Eulogy is highly listenable. Albeit rough and off kilter, employing odd changes, shoddy recordings and some questionable moments, it is a great example of the incarnation of a band and listening back to where they were and where they are, it is easy to figure out they were and are convicted to their sound. Before the Eulogy comprises everything pre-The Day the Sun Went Out, from basement 4-trackers, seven inches, two ep�s and four comp songs. Even back to the first demo, the anger/emotion of vocalist Nathan Gray (one of the great wordsmiths of hardcore) can be felt in his vitriolic delivery (�Three Lefts�) of sociopolitical rantings contrast to his excellent (even then) singing voice. The early music is a little broader than post works, but comes together very nicely by the second demo, primarily �Vehicle� and the Woody Harrelson accompanied �The Burning Of,� a track much more depraved and pissed off sounding while retaining that awesome BSF sound. Also included is the In Chrysalis EP (released after The Day the Sun Went Out), featuring some of the heaviest material they had yet attempted, most notably �The Tyranny of What Everyone Knows,� and a very cool cover of �Holiday in Cambodia.�
Before the Eulogy is an excellent collection and look into the early days of a band that I spent lots of time with years ago, and it is nice to see them back getting some much needed love. The liner notes also provide a humorous timeline and look into each group of songs and releases. And while I was a little less than taken with the new record (The Misery Index�), this not a band to take lightly even today in the market of girls pants and backwards haircuts.
