Set Your Goals take aim at the world

By Eric Jaen
Collegian Editor
April 26, 2006

Over the past few years, hardcore music has been stereotyped as a breeding ground for “tough guys” to play their monotonous breakdowns while busting out a few windmill kicks here and there. Out of the thousands of hardcore, or dare I say “metalcore,” bands today, it has become difficult to find a band with the fortitude to try something new. Alas!

Out of the San Francisco Bay area comes the melodic hardcore/punk hybrid Set Your Goals. Bringing back memories of bands like Gorilla Biscuits, Lifetime, Kid Dynamite and Civ, these six dashing young lads made quite an impression with their 2004 demo released on Straight On Records. In 2005, they caught the attention of Eulogy Recordings and plans for the release of their highly anticipated debut were set for the summer of 2006. Until then, a reworked version of the original demo, now titled Reset, has been recently released to get some ears wet.

The EP takes off with “Reset,” a bubbly intro that serves as the perfect preview for the band’s delicious fusion of hardcore and pop-punk. Although just an instrumental, the track does not lag in the tasty rock department. The upbeat drums of Mikey Ambrose, matched with the energizing guitars of Jordan Brown, set up the positive aura of the EP.

Following “Reset” is the all out romper stomper, “How About No, Scott.” Immediately, listeners will be hit by the dual vocal attack of Brown and Matt Wilson. Their complimenting voices deliver melodies and hooks as catchy as a fishing rod, yet with enough grit to satisfy their hardcore roots.

The positive song writing proves to be one of the group’s strengths as listeners will quickly grow fond of singing along to the lyrics, “I just can’t fail forever, and some day I will set it straight. Taking chances to make things happen for myself, no one else but me.”

Set Your Goals doesn’t mess around with the blistering hardcore/punk anthem “Goonies Never Say Die!” While Ambrose’s drum skills stand out yet again on another stellar track, listeners should not overlook the abilities of bassist Israel Branson. His slick bass lines are sure to cause brain aneurisms to anyone trying to comprehend them. “Goonies Never Say Die!” will quickly work its way into the hearts of the masses as it proves to have a little something for everyone, be it the hardcore breakdowns, 2-step parts or poppy melodies, followed by the pile-on ensuing gang vocals of “Your face never looked so sad. No need to worry ’cuz I’ll be back. I’m just tired of the same routine, I need to find what it is waiting out there for me.”

Next is the short track entitled, “Sharptooth.” While it might not stand out as much as the rest of the EP, it is a great track nonetheless and worth a listen.

Set Your Goals gets things shaking and baking again with the last song off the original demo, “Latchkey.” This track could easily turn the California sextet into the next Saves The Day, Movielife or even New Found Glory, for that matter. It possesses the pop-punk-esque hooks suitable for radio play, but also has enough credibility for a hardcore fan to not be ashamed of liking.

As an added bonus, Reset also includes a jaw-dropping rendition of Jawbreaker’s “Do You Still Hate Me?” The dual vocals add their own touch to an already cosmological cover.

With an already impressive demo/re-release under its belt, nothing but “phenomenal” can be used to describe Set Your Goals. After sharing members with other California hardcore bands such as First Blood and Alcatraz, the band has finally solidified a lineup it can call its own.

While both the band and fans alike will be awaiting the upcoming full length effort this summer, 2006 will prove to be Set Your Goal’s time to take over the world. Fans of Gorilla Biscuits, Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, Civ, Comeback Kid and New Found Glory should be sure to catch the group on tour this spring and summer.

jaene1@lasalle.edu