Set It Off - Calm Before the Storm
Record Label: Unsigned
Release Date: May 12, 2009
Set it Off is a pop-punk band from Tampa, Florida who are currently unsigned, but if they follow in the footsteps of the bands they look up to, they won't be for long. Cody Carson, the frontman, found some success by covering All Time Low songs on Youtube before joining the band on stage. Soon after he started Set It Off, who take their name from the song (and then used it as the title of their EP), "Calm Before the Storm," by Fall Out Boy. The EP was released earlier this year and was produced by Paul Leavitt (All Time Low, The Dangerous Summer, Mercy Mercedes).
The opening track "Introduction to Outselling a Salesman" catches the listeners attention with a quick pace, poppy guitar riffs, and a catchy hook about a girl who just isn't worth a guy's time. The next song, "143" follows the same theme with and delivers yet again. "Houston We're Going Down" slows things down just a little bit before going into anther faster one called "Pages and Paragraphs."
The best track on the album comes next with "Text Me, Kelly." It has a fast-paced intro before jumping into the lyrics with "The rain is beating down on this kid's playground / As the lights go up and the chalk hits the board." The song seems to be about two best friends, a boy and a girl, but one wants to be more than that. The EP ends on an acoustic slow note with "I Promise," about a guy who still loves his ex who just doesn't feel the same way. It's full of cheesy lyrics such as "To change your perception, want me by your side / The fact that you moved on makes me wanna cry," yet the song is still a solid way to end.
Set it Off have a lot of potential that I feel is yet to really be brought out. Calm Before the Storm is definitely an enjoyable EP, but it seems the band is really trying to more or less follow what bands before them have done. Many of the songs have a very All Time Low feel, which isn't very surprising considering the band's routes, but even the album art and band's logo are very reminiscent of any All Time Low album. I want to see where they go after "Calm Before the Storm," hopefully making their own mark and straying away from trying to sound like the other bands out there right now.
found some success by covering All Time Low songs on Youtube before joining the band on stage. Soon after he started Set It Off, who take their name from the song (and then used it as the title of their EP), "Calm Before the Storm," by Fall Out Boy.
This part made me laugh. I can imagine exactly what this band sound/look like haha
Wow, lots of haters out there. If you had any talent (scared to start your own band)you would not be calling these guys All Time Low clones. You would see they have talent and there sound is differant with differant lyrics and they have great songs. I saw them in Tampa and they put on a killer show. These guys are not tools at all. They are the guys your girlfriends will be buying tickets to see.
Stellar guys. Entertaining show. Music is anything but original, but it's pretty catchy. Rating is too high but I can appreciate the band even if I wish they would try something new (and work on writing lyrics).
Stellar guys. Entertaining show. Music is anything but original, but it's pretty catchy. Rating is too high but I can appreciate the band even if I wish they would try something new (and work on writing lyrics).
The thing with ratings is that it's all averaged. So the actual percentage doesn't really mean anything in the end, it really matters the actual numbers. Sure, it's not that creative or have tons of lasting value, but the vocals are decent, and I've heard way worse lyrics so that plus production brings up the rating. Plus, the reviewer tilt really adds a lot, and I personally like it so that's also part of the reason the rating's higher.
Wow, lots of haters out there. If you had any talent (scared to start your own band)you would not be calling these guys All Time Low clones. You would see they have talent and there sound is differant with differant lyrics and they have great songs. I saw them in Tampa and they put on a killer show. These guys are not tools at all. They are the guys your girlfriends will be buying tickets to see.
Timmyd
Dude, based on this EP they really take a lot from All Time Low. It's soooo clear through the way the songs are written/sung/lyrics that they take a ton of influence from ATL. Plus look at their album cover... I addressed that in the review. I like them, but it's real hard to say they didn't try to be like ATL.
Browse Reviews
Write a Review
Alphabetized Listing
Popular Reviews
Best New Music
View Artist Profile
View News Articles
Stream the Music
Buy the Album or MP3s
View Profile Picture
View Signature
Posts: 216
View Blog
Follow This Review
More Reviews By This Author