Hit The Lights - This Is A Stick Up...Don't Make It A Murder

[Drew Beringer]

HIT THE LIGHTS - This Is A Stick Up...Don't Make It A Murder

“Tell me again how we're easily forgettable/so formulaic and way too simple to be/at all original, yea so we've heard/It's time to keep your mouth shut/while we show you how to rock-n-roll”

This is how Hit The Lights begin their debut full-length album, This Is A Stick Up….Don’t Make It A Murder, by responding to a certain AbsolutePunk.net reviewer’s opinion (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=97382) on their EP Until We Get Caught. The Lima, Ohio, five-piece not only deliver on their promise to “show us how to rock-n-roll,” but this album is also one of the first feel-good albums of 2006. Produced by Matt Squire (The Receiving End Of Sirens, Panic! At The Disco, many others), HTL offers us 12 tracks of pop-punk goodness that’ll have you wishing that summer were already here.

The album begins with the aforementioned lyric from “The Call Out (You Are The Dishes),” a wild rocker that’ll get your fist pumping, as Omar Zehery and Nick Thompson’s guitars collide and the drumming of Nick VanDame crashes. “309” is a fast track that hits you hard and is unrelentless in doing so. “Talk Us Down” and “Sincerely Yours” are full of melody with just a tinge of darkness underneath. “One Hundred Times” is the slowest song on the album about regrets and second-guessing with lyrics like “So make me promises, girl/the kind I know you can't keep/and while I'm losing my mind/I hope you're home finding sleep.” “It’s All The Rage” picks the pace up by hitting you in the face with infectious hooks and rousing group vocals. “Speakers Blown” has a chorus so catchy, it should be dangerous, while “Until We Get Caught,” a song that originally appeared on the EP, will get your body moving as Dave Bermosk's bass sets the beat along with VanDame's fine drumming. But HTL saves their best for last, closing out with the insanely fun “Make A Run For It,” a fast as hell song with witty lyrics that features Colin Ross' voice very nicely. Also, good luck trying to get the chorus out of your head too, because after one listen, it’ll be there for a long time. The real gem in this track though is the hidden acoustic jam found at the end. It is definitely one of my favorite songs on the album and probably will be my favorite acoustic song of 2006.

Now, while there are a lot of positives on this album, there are just a few things that are weak. The album’s first and last halves of the album are great, but a few of the middle tracks drag down the album a bit (like “One Hundred Times) and I also think they used too many tracks from their EP on this album, although I do enjoy most of them. Another thing is Colin’s voice. For the most part, it fits with the music, but there are some instances where it makes me cringe (an example being in the song “Bodybag”).

With that being said, that is still not enough to stop me from enjoying this record. It’s no secret I love pop-punk. While my musical taste has changed a bit over the years, I still have a special place in my heart for this genre. This Is A Stick Up…Don’t Make It A Murder is one of the better pop-punk albums I have heard in the past two or three years. This is better than Chroma, Almost Here, and almost every other pop-punk release from the past year. This is the most fun I have had listening to pop-punk since Take This To Your Grave, and I highly recommend this album to you if you are a sucker for pop-punk. For those who need more convincing, definitely check out the tracks AP has put up on Hit The Lights’ artist profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/artists/showlink.php?do=showdetails&l=2038). So, while Hit The Lights debut EP might have been “formulaic,” “forgettable,” and “unoriginal,” they have definitely stepped up their game with This Is A Stick Up… and have released the best pop-punk album of 2006 thus far.

Tracklisting:
1. The Call Out (You Are The Dishes)
2. These Backs Were Made For Stabbing
3. 309
4. Bodybag
5. Talk Us Down
6. Save Your Breath
7. Sincerely Yours
8. One Hundred Times
9. It's All The Rage
10. Speakers Blown
11. Until We Caught
12. Make A Run For It

Hit The Lights are:
Colin Ross - vocals
Omar Zehery - guitar
Nick Thompson - guitar/vocals
Dave Bermosk - bass/vocals
Nate VanDame - drums

Record Label: Triple Crown Records (http://www.triplecrownrecords.com)
Release Date: April 11, 2006
Official Website (http://www.hitthelights.com); Official Myspace Page (http://www.myspace.com/hitthelights); AP.net "Leak" (http://www.absolutepunk.net/artists/showlink.php?do=showdetails&l=2038)

[March_Faster!!]

I agree when you say that they've released the best pop-punk album of 2006 so far. I think it's the best pop-punk cd I've heard since Relient K's "mmhmm". It's just a great overall album. The lyrics are witty and every song, IMO, is super catchy. Good shit for sure.

[reductiondesign]

Good review. I really enjoy this album.

[Elfie7X]

It's funny how you criticize them in your review of their EP, they put it in their intro, and you guys put up an AbsoluteExclusive album stream. How come you guys seemed to change your minds? Most of the songs that were on the EP are on this album...

[fedhed7]

I don't completely agree with your review, but I can agree that the best song by far is the hidden acoustic track.

[B4theblackout]

sorry but to say this is better then chroma is an absolute joke...this guys voice is nothing at all compared to will's

[fedhed7]

It's funny how you criticize them in your review of their EP, they put it in their intro, and you guys put up an AbsoluteExclusive album stream. How come you guys seemed to change your minds? Most of the songs that were on the EP are on this album...
You're not very observant, are you?

[zizou1790]

april 11th shuold be kind... punchline, STD, htl

[You Vandal]

It's funny how you criticize them in your review of their EP, they put it in their intro, and you guys put up an AbsoluteExclusive album stream. How come you guys seemed to change your minds? Most of the songs that were on the EP are on this album...
Look at who wrote the review for the EP...then look at who wrote the review for the full length. Yeah, exactly.

[Greg]

i freaking love One Hundred Times

and Dan from Just Surrender sings back up vocals on "Talk Us Down"

and good review

[Scott Weber]

maybe they'll write a song about this review now! probably won't be as interesting...

[Greg]

sorry but to say this is better then chroma is an absolute joke...this guys voice is nothing at all compared to will's

you are wrong

when you compare albums you compare vocals/lyrics/guitar/drums/bass/production/etc

not just the singer's voice.

over all TIASU...DMIAM pwns Cnroma

[Nick Lopez]

you are wrong

when you compare albums you compare vocals/lyrics/guitar/drums/bass/production/etc

not just the singer's voice.

over all TIASU...DMIAM pwns Cnroma
haha TIASU...DMIAM

[Nick Lopez]

maybe they'll write a song about this review now! probably won't be as interesting... Hey-oooooo.

[Greg]

haha TIASU...DMIAM
yea... it took me way too long to type that. i should have just said "stick up"

[derricklc22]

It's funny how you criticize them in your review of their EP, they put it in their intro, and you guys put up an AbsoluteExclusive album stream. How come you guys seemed to change your minds? Most of the songs that were on the EP are on this album...
I think it wsa just Scott Weber that didnt like the last album or he is the one that wrote the review. I think Drew liked the review considering he said he liked the sogns from the EP that made the album.

Good review, cant wait to buy this.

[btbam > you]

great review drew. i can't stop listening to the acoustic track. the only complaint i have on this album are the lyrics though.

[Scott Weber]

I think it wsa just Scott Weber that didnt like the last album or he is the one that wrote the review. I think Drew liked the review considering he said he liked the sogns from the EP that made the album.

Good review, cant wait to buy this.
For the record, I enjoy this CD, I think they stepped it up and it's a fun pop-punk CD. 4 years ago this would have been my favorite CD.

[TBSowns524]

i agree that there are too many songs from the ep on here even though they are all enjoyable songs

[Sureshot182]

i think assuming they wrote the song based on scott weber's review is kind of an egotistical assumption. this band reaches out further than the hallowed ground of ap.net forums. great great cd. best pop punk cd in years, since ttyg definitely.

[derricklc22]

For the record, I enjoy this CD, I think they stepped it up and it's a fun pop-punk CD. 4 years ago this would have been my favorite CD.
Oh I wasnt saying anyting negative about you, just saying how you reviewed their EP, just wanted to clear that up.

[ryheeles]

i definitely agree that they have too many songs from the EP, they honestly could have left those out and put in three other new songs and i would love it even more, but this CD is still really good

[Scott Weber]

i think assuming they wrote the song based on scotte weber's review is kind of an egotistical assumption. this band reaches out further than the hallowed ground of ap.net forums. great great cd. best pop punk cd in years, since ttyg definitely.
it's definitely not just about me/the review, it's a response to all critics, but they do use specific, quoted, lines and phrases from the review in the song.

[Drew Beringer]

maybe they'll write a song about this review now! probably won't be as interesting...

haha truth.

[Drew Beringer]

By the way, I wasn't trying to diss on Scott either.

[Sureshot182]

it's definitely not just about me/the review, it's a response to all critics, but they do use specific, quoted, lines and phrases from the review in the song.
you have to admit, being referenced in a sweet band's song must feel good.

[Drew Beringer]

you have to admit, being referenced in a sweet band's song must feel good.

Haha

[Boring Pop Song]

i like this cd, but the singers voice keeps it from being really awesome for me

[Elfie7X]

By the way, I was just being difficult. I liked the review, it's a great album.

[jhennis]

Cartel > HTL

[carramrod2005]

best pop punk cd of the year right here!

[uglystar03]

i'm sorry, but this stuff is just boring. i liked it for about a month, but then i just got sick of it.

[fedhed7]

best pop punk cd of the year right here!
It's also one of the only pop-punk cds out this year.

[abusedcat]

Can't wait for this to arrive in the mail along with new Moneen and Saves The Day.

[phaedrus]

this review was too nice, what are these poor guys going to have to write about for their next cd? Honestly though I do not understand what the point of releasing this cd is, just listen to take this to your grave or chroma

[racethesun]

yes.. but ... nevermind your right. but hands down its a great record

[sweetforever]

Very well written review. I can't wait to pick this cd up. April 11th cannot come soon enough

[pretty_in_punk3]

i knew these guys wouldnt let me down. i'm so excited for this release...

[RememberFminus]

its fuckin hilarious watching you refer to this album as pop punk

[InaGreendase]

Interesting that no one has made mention of the vocals. Super grating.

[Drew Beringer]

its fuckin hilarious watching you refer to this album as pop punk

k.

[Everiggs]

Not better than Chroma, but a solid release nonetheless.

[bubonic311]

Drew's right on many things. It's the best pop-punk CD of the year so far. I'm sure heavyweights like New Found Glory and others will top it. It's definitely not better than Chroma or Almost Here, but it's a solid debut and it should earn the band a greater fan base and scene cred.

[yeknom]

good review, don't like the album though.

[yeknom]

Good review, but I can't understand the ratings, 8 in vocals, 9 in instrumentals, 8 in lyrics? The singer is average, and so is most of the musicianship. The review was well written though, and they play the catchy pop-punk role well, just not something I'll be listening to.

[Drew Beringer]

Good review, but I can't understand the ratings, 8 in vocals, 9 in instrumentals, 8 in lyrics? The singer is average, and so is most of the musicianship. The review was well written though, and they play the catchy pop-punk role well, just not something I'll be listening to.

I understand that, but they do it well for pop-punk, if that makes sense.

[phaedrus]

Drew, have you heard Punchline's new cd yet? In my opinion that is a much better example of pop-punk. Granted they are guilty of a lot of the things HTL are, but they seem to bring something more. I'm not really hating on HTL, its just I don't get why they get so much credit when Punchline's new cd is coming out the same day and it seems to me like punchline really outshines htl.

[Drew Beringer]

Drew, have you heard Punchline's new cd yet? In my opinion that is a much better example of pop-punk. Granted they are guilty of a lot of the things HTL are, but they seem to bring something more. I'm not really hating on HTL, its just I don't get why they get so much credit when Punchline's new cd is coming out the same day and it seems to me like punchline really outshines htl.

I have not received or heard the new Punchline yet, but you can count on me reviewing it.

[Throwback]

Damn, One Hundred Times is one of the best songs on the record in my opinion.

HTL pwned Weber haha.

[RememberFminus]

Damn, One Hundred Times is one of the best songs on the record in my opinion.

HTL pwned Weber haha.


how by making another mediocre pop song?

[iihungrieii]

i liked the review. i dont know if i could say this album is better than chroma or almost here though.

[Talib Scottie]

I personally think this album would have been long lost if it had been released this time last year amongst all the pop / pop-punk releases that hit from February-August.

[michaelwinters]

i like the CD so far. fun music, but nothing deeper. The only thing i would say is that they way that the vox were mixed on the EP was a little less sharp. Colin's got that great "Jordan Pundik"-esqe voice, and it works, but it requires really good EQ work, which i think may be a little off here.

[MLLMillenium]

Almost Here > TIASU..DMIAM

HTL bores me.

[Chico]

Nice review. I'll definitely check it out.

[sputniksignals]

honestly, i dont see how this album sounds anything like fall out boy. more like older nfg to me (just listen to the intro to 309) personally, i dont get a lot of fob's lyrics, and while i usually enjoy an album with depper, introspective lyrics, i think that they equal fob's catchyness but to me they actually mean something more. in my opinion this album is on par with chroma but not better than almost here. while i love cartel, chroma didnt live up to my expectations. this cd was what i thought it could be - a pop punk album that for me, did something that pop punk should do... make you feel good

[Scott Weber]

Damn, One Hundred Times is one of the best songs on the record in my opinion.

HTL pwned Weber haha.
Oh yeah, they really got me... what?

[Drew Beringer]

Oh yeah, they really got me... what?

haha, people are taking it WAY too seriously.

[phaedrus]

I have not received or heard the new Punchline yet, but you can count on me reviewing it.
awesome, can't wait to read it

[hobbes2809]

I like this album alot, its easy to put on and enjoy, and extremely replayable

[fairview00]

sick review. album sounds amazing.

[unwritten]

Good album, but not too much lasting power with me.

[baton]

i freaking love One Hundred Times

and Dan from Just Surrender sings back up vocals on "Talk Us Down"

and good review

thanks, i waited for someone to write what song he sings on, and on which songs guys from kick over the traces and just surrender are?

[Ryan Imhof]

sorry but to say this is better then chroma is an absolute joke...this guys voice is nothing at all compared to will's
Cartel was and is my favorite pop/punk albulm. Easily.

[monkeyboyrock]

I'm not sure if anybody caught this...but the word "unrelentless" was used to describe this CD. Which, if you break it down actually is bad. The words "unrelentING" or simply "relentless" would've been just fine. Jus something that occured to me as I was reading...

[booyah.achieved]

This CD is not memorable, I don't know why people are raving about it. It's not bad, no, but it's not that good, not at all.

Scott is right. Easily forgettable still. FUCT is better than this, TTTYG is better than FUCT, and New Found Glory has never put out anything as bad as this.

And about how music is more than vocals and lyrics, it's also more than just instruments. It's how you put the songs together and how you present it. This is immature pop punk that's just too wordy. The singer seems like he's trying to fit way too many vocals in too small of a spot sometimes. At least on Chroma, Will built the songs with the band so that it sounds well fleshed out. This CD sounds like it was rushed and it's just a huge let down compared to what everyone was saying.

Next.

[capnshindig]

I don't understand what people didn't like about the EP. "Save Your Breath" is a great song. I think that Hit the Lights have simple lyrics, but their simple lyrics carry alot in them. I am a big critic of lyricists and I really enjoy his lyrics.

And why is everyone raving about Almost Here? Chroma I can understand. That album was fantastic from start to finish. But Almost Here sort of drags in places, and I don't really enjoy The Academy Is... that much in the first place (And I have almost as little respect for William Beckett as I do Pete Wentz recently.)

And one more thing I may get murdered for...in all honesty, I thought From Under the Cork Tree was a stronger release than Take This To Your Grave, lyrically and musically. Even though it got blown out of proportion and I feel dirty mentioning it in public now...it and Motion City's Commit This To Memory ruled my summer.

I haven't listened to the Hit the Lights tracks yet. I am holding out until April 11th, which I have to buy a bunch of CDs (Hit the Lights, Saves the Day, Moneen...etc.)

[marlboroman]

this cd is amazing, ive listened to it numerous times already

[Kyner]

I love HTL, but there is absolutely no way this album is better than Chroma. Maybe catchier, and more poppy....but not better in overall quality. I laughed my ass off when Weber classified them as new FOB......when HTL uses gang lyrics, they actually sound good. They pretty much owned him on the intro.....fabulous

[rockingsteady]

better than chroma and almost here? no way, i love this album and band but when you add it all up, there have been dozens of better albums of the same genre in the last yr. including TAI and Cartel

[IAmAmazing]

Comparing this to FOB and TAI just isint right becuz HTL is way better than them and all their releases. Comparing it to Cartel i can understand.

[dukeboy1986]

This band is overrated.

[tremulant14]

What a great CD, I can't wait to pick one up on Tuesday.. I've been waiting for a good pop/rock album since Cartel's Chroma.

I think "100 Times" or "Make A Run For It" are the catchiest..

[leftstranded]

tomorrow is going to be an interesting day. I've heard the songs but it'll be cool to have the cd and listen all the way through. Also punchline and moneen come out the same day. Big day for pop-punk. I would also have to say that from what i've heard, this album is in no way better than chroma, if you put out both albums same day, i guarentee everyone would pick chroma over this. Not saying it's a bad album but doesn't hold a candle to chroma.

[marlboroman]

this cd is amazing, i had it a couple of weeks ago, and listened to it for a few days. theyre nothing new to the scene, but its still so good. if you havent seen them live yet, you must.

[zizou1790]

good album however not great

[CHRISRIPPEDOUT]

"but there are some instances where it makes me cringe (an example being in the song “Bodybag”)."

dude....your fucking crazy

[lftcoastenvy05]

this cd brings back memories of new found glory's self-titled album. i love it

[jtrocka182]

this cd brings back memories of new found glory's self-titled album. i love it

My thoughts exactly

[iambmann]

this cd brings back memories of new found glory's self-titled album. i love it

Thats what I was thinking when I first heard this cd..its good but its no the best pop-punk/rock album of 2006

Cartel > Hit the lights

[TheCaptain]

definitely not better than chroma. but still a great album.

[Yellowsamredsam]

One ofmy favorite albumsof the year