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Starting as an old-school emocore band, in the early nineties, Lifetime released a handful of albums that presented a fast-paced post-hardcore with introspective and existential lyrics. But the result was not convincing; they should have learned from bands like Jawbreaker who adapted to the new times by offering a very personal mix of pop punk and emo.
In their first two albums, Background (1992) and Seveninches (a 1994 compilation), Lifetime struggled to be something they truly weren't, but fortunately, by the mid-nineties, Jade Tree Records (the glorious label that throughout its nearly thirty-year career collected the best of emo and melodic hardcore) signed them, and a change of tone was evident. This offered a band finally inspired and capable of doing what they truly should do, a dynamic and overwhelming melodic hardcore.
In the first albums, one could feel a melodic vein that had been strongly repressed, but with Hello Bastards (1995) and Jersey's Best Dancer (1997), Lifetime let loose and had a blast.
The format of Hello Bastards is classically hardcore: 12 songs condensed into just under 23 minutes. The songs are roughly structured in the same way: a first part always quite solid and square that would bore the listener if not for the second part, which usually begins after a short pause of all instruments. Their more melodic side is revealed right here, in these chases between the two voices and between the guitar riffs or in the bridges (sometimes really too catchy and ornate) that, supported by a hammering bass, offer us rowdy and fun songs: among all, stand out "Daneurysm", "Anchor", "Irony Is For Suckers". Also beautiful is the cover of "It's Not Funny Anymore" by Husker Du, a band from which the bassist was surely inspired quite a bit. The themes are the traditional ones, and one might say that this album is a Milo Goes To College that wasn't fortunate. Instead of the anguish and frustration of the Descendents masterpiece, here we find uncontrolled and almost unconditional rage, a sign that times for kids hadn't changed and that the protests of early punk weren't much help.
Two years later, Jersey's Best Dancers would see the light, an even angrier album that reaches great heights in some tracks like "Young, Loud, And Scotty". The homage by The Ergs with Jersey's Best Prancers in 2006 is incredibly fun. An album that fundamentally adds nothing to Hello Bastards but forms a beautiful pair of albums that it's worth listening to if the genre excites you.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Anchor (02:23)
So you can never forget me, here is my yearbook picture.
It resembles molly.
I had a great summer with you.
Hopefully the year will be great too.
So you can never forget me, here is my yearbook picture.
It resembles molly.
I had a great summer with you.
Hopefully the year will be great too.
03 What She Said (01:04)
Do you know what it's like to not know a single thing about yourself
and it's all your fault?
It's all my fault.
Do you know what it's like to not know a single thing about yourself
and it's all your fault?
It's all my fault.
When she said... when she said...
I still hear when she told me "it's all wrong".
04 I Like You Ok (00:49)
I like you ok.
Although you're not the greatest.
Quit following me around town.
Quit telling me your jokes.
I think you're kind of cute, so put away your smokes.
Quit sitting on my chair.
Quit playing with your hair. Hey.
I like you ok, but you don't hear the words I say.
So you gotta go away. Go.
09 Rodeo Clown (02:03)
Did you know that I kept that for a year?
And all this time I figured you'd be here.
Oh. Last time I saw you I tried to move through the crowd
and I was calling you name, but the band played too loud.
Last time I saw you I tried to move through the crowd.
Did you know that I kept that for a year?
And all this time I figured you'd be here. Go.
Last time I saw you I tried to move through the crowd
and I was calling you name,
oh but the band played too loud.
Last time I saw you I tried to move through the crowd.
Rodeo.
Rodeo.
Did you know?
Rodeo.
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