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Lifetime

Jersey's Best Dancers (1997)
Jade Tree Records

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Contributed by: Huey
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on October 13th 2001

After the release of this album in 1997, Lifetime broke up. Fans were saddened, but the band left them with this great piece of music. What can I say? From start to finish, Jersey's Best Dancers is a punk masterpiece, and a brilliant way for Lifetime to say goodbye to the music world.

Lifetime was always known for the high amount of lyrical emotion, amazing riffs, vocals, and most of all, a great live show. All that energy is displayed on this disc, in just about twenty five minutes. There are so many amazing things to describe this band, but it's just hard to put it.

After listening to Jersey's Best Dancers, you will definitely have lyrics and memorable parts stuck in your mind for days. If you pick this up, I have a feeling it won't be leaving your player for a while.

I have many regrets, not seeing Lifetime live is one of them. If you had the chance, consider yourself lucky. I can only imagine the high energy packed into a Lifetime show. It had to have been amazing.

Every band progreses. With their debut release, The Background, potential was shown, but the whole package wasn't there yet. After finding a permanent line up, Hello Bastards was released. It blew the scene away. With Jersey's Best Dancers, Lifetime displays itself at its very best.

Ari Katz is one of the most under-rated punk vocalists of all time. The depth in his voice is amazing. The guitar work on this album by Dan Yemin and Pete Martin is great, as is the bass work by Dave Palaitis. Scott Golley is kicking on the drums.

The songs are short, but it doesn't even matter. Each is amazing in its own way. Songs like Turpike Gates, Theme Song For A New Brunswick Basement Show, and How We Are, are just a few of my favorites. Ari took simple situations like loneliness, and basement shows and created incredible lyrics. Again, I just can't describe the amount of emotion that this band displayed.

New Jersey has brought out some of the most memorable punk bands. Lifetime is somewhere at the top of that list. The scene there is just amazing.

Lifetime had such a strong impact on the scene. They influenced so many listeners, and musicians over the years. This will continue as more and more kids pick up a Lifetime release and give it a chance.

Should you buy this? If you'd like to think you have good taste in the scene, absolutely. It should be a staple in your collection. Jersey's Best Dancers is a classic, but sadfully, it will never get the recognition it deserves.

Could we be saved by intentions and hopes
because I'm not alright
the night seems to swallow me whole and spits out second guessing

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XHenkkaX (November 11, 2009)

I wish I had heard Lifetime in the mid-'90s. The band could easily be one of my favorites now, but with the nineties Fat, Burning Heart and Epitaph roster in my shelf this doesn't do as much for me anymore. A solid LP nonetheless.

chorus_of_one (February 10, 2008)

just started listening to this record again, i missed it

travis_x (November 24, 2007)

Plain and simple: this album changed my life.

randomhero323 (January 9, 2006)

amazing album

Anonymous (November 23, 2005)

I own HB and DL'd this.... this IMO is way fuckin' better and I'm gonna buy it ASAP.

Anonymous (September 8, 2005)

Hadn't listened to this album(or any lifetime album for that matter) in a few years, than the news of there reunion for hellfest came about and I began listening to Hello Bastards and Jersey's Best Dancers over and over again. Then Hellfest was canceld and I had the honor of going to the show at the Pony which is easily the best Hardcore show I've ever been to. It made me remember how good I had it in high school. The idiot who said that there is nothing interesting about this album obviously knows nothing about music as this album is a life changing experience to just about anybody whose ever listened to it!

etwiels88 (August 26, 2005)

omg no way

Anonymous (July 12, 2005)

Rumor has it they may reunite at hellfest!!!!!

Anonymous (January 26, 2005)

Still in regular rotation with me, after all this time...a criminally underrated band.

thatswack (January 7, 2005)

Hell Yeah!

Anonymous (May 29, 2004)

"Typical Skatepunk, ...Nothing interesting here"

You must be high or something. Like, you know, stupid as hell.

Anonymous (October 6, 2002)

Typical Skatepunk,

Nothing interesting here

Anonymous (February 22, 2002)

This album is great, it really showcases Ari's great voice and the musical side is excellent. I like this one better than Hello Bastards which was also good.

-Accident Prone

Anonymous (October 19, 2001)

By far, one of the greatest albums of all time. From start to finish. An amazing album by one of the greatest punk bands of all time. Nowadays, when you listen to bands like Saves The Day, Yellowcard, you'll hear the influence Lifetime had on them. This is a very good album for any fan of rock to have. It shows you how you don't have to have a catchy, poppy, redundant tune to write good music. This album changes format again and again. This is certainly a MUST have album in your collection. Lifetime rules by far.

Anonymous (October 19, 2001)

Isn't Ari and the gang getting back together and starting up another band (not zero zero)? i heard that on this website.

sickboi (October 17, 2001)

Daniel,
I'm in RVA, can you email me some info on how to get there?

brazenass@hotmail.com

Huey (October 17, 2001)

thanks for the feedback. i'm out in va here...pretty horrible. too bad i'm broke and don't have my license yet. that sounds like an interesting show...i want to hear that lifetime cover band!!

coldjuly (October 17, 2001)

I live in NC, but If the show is worth going to, I usually make the trip...damn as many times as I went to Richmond to see avail and ann beretta back in the day you would figure I live there.

deepfrybonanza (October 17, 2001)

Great review, great album.

Also, if there are any Virginia punk rockers on this site, Halloween night at Cogan's in Norfolk, in addition to the normal slew of Misfits cover band there will be a Lifetime cover band consisting of members of Time Flies and Project 208. Should be very, very silly.

Daniel
http://www.deepfrybonanza.com

coldjuly (October 17, 2001)

Francie Nolan is awesome

Anonymous (October 17, 2001)

Good review, but Hello Bastards is better.

Anonymous (October 17, 2001)

This album is so fucking incredible it's not even funny. If you don't like this, you must be deaf.

-Scott

Anonymous (October 17, 2001)

one of the greatest punk albums ever. yes i did review it (under an alias) but I was way too drunk and it's probably my least favorite of my reviews. good job huey.- fathead

coldjuly (October 17, 2001)

Good review...did'nt fathead do one to? great album as well.