A Benchmark in Emotional, Melodic Hardcore
Jon Endonino | Ocala, Florida United States | 02/21/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the only band I can listen to every day (and if have done so for 9 years now) and not tired of them. I guess it was June of '93 when I recieved Background in the mail with a batch of other records and T-shirts that I had ordered. There was a show in town so I grabbed my new music and headed out the door. Having bought their first 7" back in highschool I had already liked this band quite a bit and I was anticipating more of the same, but I was blindsided by the raw power and emotion of this record and didn't believe what I was hearing. The music is fast, heavy, and super-melodic with lots of good hooks, breakdowns, and build-ups. Ari's words and the music made by Dan, Dave (W), Dave (P), and Peter struck a chord with me that still reverberates today. I can honestly say that this band has had more impact on me and my musical preferences than any other (including Gorilla Biscuits). Although their later releases were a departure from the sound on this record it is still to me one of their best. I was lucky enough to see them in '94 and had the opportinity to express to them just how much their music and attitude meant to me and for that I'm most greatful since I'll never have that chance again. So now I'm content with nostalgia of a bygone era and the music that meant so much to me at the time, and today still."
GOOD ISH
Sean | Philadelphia, PA | 04/05/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Here we have Lifetime's first full length. I'm not sure why kids overly sweat this record so much. Don't get me wrong, the record is SICK, but certainly not their best. The sound is much slower (although there are fast parts), and the vocals are a bit more mono-tone if you will. The overall sound is classic 90's hardcore not unlike later Endpoint or several other 90's bands. Most of the songs have a "dark" yet melodic sound. The lyrics are great and introspective of course. The change from Background to Hello Bastards is somewhat drastic, as they picked up a faster, more pop-punk oriented sound, but the root of the Lifetime sound is definitley apparant here. My favorites are "up" and "ghost". Don't be intimidated by what the kids say about Lifetime. They're a very accessible band who took the punk/hardcore sound and did something great with it."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1