Yeah ok, I know this isn’t a ‘new’ release, but I’ve only just realised that nobody has reviewed this. So to correct our error, here is my own personal take on ‘This Time Next Year‘, in my opinion The Movielife‘s best release to date. Released on Revelation in 2000, the record gained a cult following for being, well, fucking brilliant actually. One of the bands to have made it big out of the now infamous New York/New Jersey scene, The Movielife set themselves up for a move to Drive Thru with this album – 12 tracks of spite filled melodic hardcore.
You can actually smell the hate on this record and it’s so vitriolic at times that when you put it up against their recent records they just don’t compare. From the opening few bars of ‘I Hope You Die Soon’ to the salvo contained in ‘It’s Monday and Raining’, The Movielife created a modern classic with this record. The fact that they’ve matured and arguably mellowed out a little has taken the shine off them a little. The latest record, ’40 Hours…’ is a little too safe for my liking, especially when you compare it to the anger in Vinnie’s voice as he rages through the likes of ‘Single White Female’.
The record starts off with the cheeky ‘I Hope You Die Soon’, an over-the-top rant at how Vinnie would like to rip someone apart. The ironic “I’m not a violent guy line” shows that there is a humerous side to the obvious anger, especially when the band burst into laughter at its conclusion. ’10 Seconds To Late’ and the awesome ‘This Time Next Year‘ are perfect slices of melodic hardcore, with aggressive vocals and slashing guitars overlaying a very good vocal melody. But the whole thing is set around Vinnie’s apparent hatred of the opposite sex. He’s certainly mellowed out in the last few years, taking the lead from his best buddy Daryl Palumbo of Glassjaw fame.
The quality tracks continue with ‘Single White Female’ and ‘Pinky Swear’, arguably the best two tracks on offer and quite possibly the best songs the band have written to date. There’s just something that hits me when Vinnie sings that “she’s a fake” line in ‘Single White Female’, combining a great melody with such anger. Mentioning these standout tracks doesn’t do the rest of the album any justice, you really owe it to yourself to get this album. ‘Once In A Row’ is another classic, a great song on a great album.
If you only buy one The Movielife record, buy ‘This Time Next Year‘. It’s rougher, edgier and certainly less polished than their recent Drive Thru efforts, but anyone who has seen the band live knows that their energy and spirit is captured perfectly on this record. It’s just one of those albums that you have to own, a true modern day classic.
Paul