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By JEFF MAKI
Midnight in America is the third release from Iowa hardcore patrons Modern Life is War, following their previous albums Witness and My Love My Way. The band's music is not the typical tough-guy hardcore you might expect, but rather a sonic soundscape that incorporates punk and modern rock influences.
Cocalist Jeff Eaton leads his bandmates, sounding like an answer to the dysfunctional youth, while backing vocals are screamed in a very NYC-Biohazard manner. The music itself has a post-hardcore sound and is grungy at moments. I can see fans of Rage Against the Machine, At the Drive In or Kylesa attaching themselves to this due to the range of style and intenisty behind it, as well as fans of true hardcore, thanks to tracks such as the quick hardcore hit “Fuck the Sex Pistols” and the opening anthem “Useless Generation.” “These Mad Dogs of Glory” and “The Motorcycle Boy Reigns” also are geared toward the so-called losers and street kids of the world, taking a stand and opening eyes with clever, thought-out lyrics by Eaton. The material is nothing new, but it is delivered with such passion that the listener can't help but be motivated. No trends here; this is music from the heart and any music fan can respect that.
Modern Life is War is one of those bands that seems capable of building a long and successful career. They are not pigeon-holed in to one specific genre and there is a meaning behind the madness. I really cannot find anything negative to say about Midnight in America. Play the record, breath easy and feel better about your life.
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