Everyone into hardcore over the age of twenty-five reeled in shock and horror when they found that the newly reunited Lifetime had signed with Decaydance Records, the label that Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy owns. No, Lifetime, say it isn't so. Fall Out Boy? The marbled-mouth teen pop-punk mega-stars bassist signs the most revered melodic hardcore band of all time? How could this have happened?
Well it happened this way: Lifetime wanted to be on a label where they could put out records and tour on their own terms. Pete whipped out the cash because he is a Lifetime superfan. Both parties were happy with the agreement they came up with and talk of a new album was born.
The new album will be out in early 2007, but before that Lifetime put out a two song 7" to keep the naysayers at bay for a little while. I got to admit, I was a little apprehensive myself. I mean, can the band that put out the two most influential albums of my life finally sell-out? Are they going to write shitty songs to make a quick buck and have super slick production? I guess the proof would be in the pudding.
So here's the pudding spinning on my roommate's record player. Guess what? It sounds like Lifetime. They are still playing the same hyper harmonious fast hardcore that this band pretty much made a mathematical equation out of, that being melody + aggression = awesome. It's even produced by Steve Evetts, the same man that gave us both Hello Bastards and Jersey's Best Dancers.
Why were we so worried? It's Lifetime dammnit. Both "Haircuts and T-Shirts" and "All Day Long" are solid songs that would of fit anywhere on Jersey's Best Dancers. If anything the updated production values on this 7" just make Lifetime's sound seem fresh and from dated. I'm only giving this record 9 out of 10 because it's too fucking short. I want more new Lifetime. Now. Seriously, Lifetime could write a song about dogs popping out balloons and it still would be better than any rubbish that Fall Out Boy, Thursday, or Taking Back Sunday could manage. And guess what? All three of those bands love Lifetime.
I wouldn't mind if the youth of today got into Lifetime. I doubt they will because they aren't cute enough and don't have enough songs about bleeding on shirts. However, if it does happen, you can rest assure that I will be in the pit with them singing my lungs out. Lifetime is back and better than ever.
