Lifetime

When you’re living in the moment, it’s almost impossible to realize the full significance of your actions. Many artists never receive the praise, fame or acclaim they seek from their peers or the general populace while they’re still breathing. LIFETIME was lucky. The band came tearing out of a basement in New Jersey in the early 90s and was almost an overnight phenomenon. Not only did their airtight, revved-up melodic hardcore ultimately play a huge role in defining a burgeoning sound, but singer Ari Katz’ impassioned tales of everyday struggle and heartache instantly connected with punkers and underdogs everywhere. LIFETIME were loved, respected and understood. Then, almost as suddenly as their ascent had occurred, it was over. They broke up at what was seemingly their peak, but the reverence they had found would stand the test of time.

However, over ten years later, with the band’s legacy seemingly well documented by the two albums released on Jade Tree – Hello Bastards and Jersey’s Best Dancers – things still felt unresolved. There was more to the story and the band’s ex-members decided to set the record straight. According to guitarist Dan Yemin, “Some of our old stuff was out of print, and some was sort of haphazardly kept in print by people with whom we no longer have a relationship. We thought that we should keep the old material in print and have it all under one roof, so to speak.” So various members of the band and Jade Tree, the place that had always been the aforementioned roof, set about the task of creating Somewhere in the Swamps of Jersey.

Everyone involved wanted the double-disc set to be as comprehensive a representation of the band’s entire career pre-Jade Tree – including singles, compilation tracks, covers and demos – as humanly possible. Yet everyone knew the foundation had to be LIFETIME’s 1992 debut album, Background. The original mix of the record had not stood the test of time and, even beyond standing the test of time, it had never sounded that great to begin. Given these sonic shortcomings, bassist Dave Palaitis and engineer Bob Strakle took it upon themselves to completely remix the record at Atomic Studios.

The end result was something LIFETIME could finally be proud of over a decade later. The album, as it appears now on disc one of the set, actually foreshadows the tight, loud and exuberant sound that would become the band’s calling card. Nonetheless, in the spirit of the completist nature of the project, the band decided to also include the original version of Background, in all its reverb-drenched, muddy glory, complete with the bonus live show. The project was truly completed by collecting and compiling all of the stories, lyrics, archival information, rare photographs and opinions from all of LIFETIME’s ex-members for the double-disc’s accompanying 52-page perfect bound book. This thoroughness and thoughtfulness has paid off, as Somewhere in the Swamps of Jersey is a glorious testament to the early days of a brilliant and blessed band.