Imagine if you will a slightly deeper hardcore influence on a slightly less appealing version of the Get Up Kids. That's about what to expect from the Movielife, a four-piece from the musical tundra of Long Island who actually have a tolerable grasp on catchy melodies and supportive harmonies. They also toss in some hard-edged breakdowns and fill whatever voids are left with plenty of nasal punk-pop-styled vocals. Produced by Brian McTernan, a rocker slowly reaching veteran status,
This Time Next Year has some fairly well played drums and the expected amount of clichéd stops and thundering reentries. There are some brief attempts at handling rougher musical terrain, but the Movielife sound best when they hold back a bit and actually allow for the subtle growth of what are potentially good rock songs. They aren't an important or musically monumental undertaking, but the Movielife really aren't all that bad at what it is they've chosen to do. The group's first record was nowhere near as intriguing as this one, so things are clearly proceeding in a positive direction, but only when the group leaves behind its angry hardcore roots will the Movielife really gain distinction as anything more than a member of a moderately talented and overly similar group of bands. ~ Peter J. D'Angelo