Last Lights - Self-Titled 7"
1. There's No One Good Enough To Be Alone
2. Everybody's Working For The Weak End
3. U.S. Out Of New England
4. The Dream Home Of Insomniacs
5. No Future (The Children's Crusade)
Mightier Than The Sword Records 005
Massachussetts seems to have no shortage of cathartic and nihilistic hardcore these days. Last Lights are no exception and there are few words to describe this hardcore onslaught and thats because Last Lights does not bullshit. The best word I can come up with is "pissed." The ease with which this band goes from brutal breakdowns to breakneck verses and choruses is a spectacle necessary for all current afficionados of hardcore and punk. In fact, Last Lights transcends music all together, with flawless and unrelenting energy that drives you insane. I was fortunate enough to experience this energy live this past Friday at 242 Main in Burlington, VT.
So here is their debut 5-song 7" slapped onto cold, white vinyl (and digital download, for those who have to have an Ipod). Needless to say, the ferociuous and raw intensity of this record has basically melted my turntable. The first track "There's No One Good Enough To Be Alone," is reminiscent of the alienation and despair of Henry Rollin's lyrics in Black Flag, but comparable to the anger of Outbreak. There is no breathing room to get used to Last Lights. As soon as the needle hits the groove, you're on a fast train out of normalcy and comfort. The best part are the intelligent lyrics. For example..."The kids are choking on their own spit. My generation was born controlled. Hope I die before I get sold." Solid.
The second track "Everybody's Working For The Weak End," mocks the complacency of Bruce Springsteen and modern society as we know it, but with a hopelessness and depression. Every kid who ever grew up in the suburbs will understand lines like "every cul de sac is another dead end. Every morning I wake up looking down on a day so shallow that I can't even drown. Tell me, is this all there is?" While the subject matter isn't exactly uplifting, the sheer speed and ferocity of the music will do anything but keep you down.
"U.S. Out Of New England" is the highlight of the record. While it doesn't call for a direct secession movement or anything of that nature, it does accurately describe the constant rebellion against the status quo and indoctrination of our youth, but through the eyes of a New England resident (I suppose). The opening line says " I want to be a thorn in the side of the world, born to bite the hand that feeds the hook down our throats." The delivery of the vocals is pure fucking passion in all of its emotion. It almost sounds like the singer Dom is in pain when he screams the opening line. If this song alone doesn't hook you into these guys, then go buy a fucking Ted Nugent CD already, because you don't get it.
Side B starts off with "The Dream Homes Of Insomniacs," which describes the isolation, boredom and stagnation of small-town life and how people are not willing to step outside of their comfort zone and actually do something meaningful in life. Bravo dudes. You speak my mind. The last song, "No Future (The Children's Crusade)" ends with as much relentless anger as the record started with and will surely leave its print on your record collection. The hollowness of life and the superficiality of its components is so accurately described in lines like, "I've seen wonders of the world, they mean nothing to me. It's a slave trade/war parade/landfill/strip-mall/death factory."
Theres not much else to say, except get off your ass and pick up this 7"! Better yet, if they're playing in your area or near you, go to their show and support them directly by buying some of their merchandise, so they can afford to get home. Oh and don't forget to throw the fuck down while you're at it, because these dudes pour their hearts out into the live show. They live for the road.
Pick up the 7" at www.mtsrecords.com, www.interpunk.com or at www.myspace.com/lastlights.
DO IT!
