Hit the Lights - Skip School, Start Fights

[Chris Fallon]

Hit The Lights - Skip School, Start Fights
Record Label: Triple Crown Records
Release Date: July 8, 2008

Considering a majority of their fan base ranges in the age group of 14-18 years of age, Skip School, Start Fights might not be the wisest message to send to today’s ever-vulnerable youth, who have taken the bait from every young pop band with scenester haircuts. Yet for Ohio pop-punk quartet Hit The Lights, they appear to be a different breed of pop-punk - no synthesizers blazing the overproduced dance songs, no overdubbed auto-tuned vocals, and well ... no scenester haircuts to be seen as far as I can tell. In fact, they might even do pop-punk better than just about anyone out there right now, not making any large creative strides, simply offering a slice of sprightly exhilaration.

How is all this possible, you might be asking? With dozens of pop bands to choose from, the music scene for today’s teenagers has become a major-label-funded ice cream truck of sorts. Most fans likely choose their ice cream by the way it looks and not by the way it tastes (*cough* Paramore *cough*) - after all, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle ice cream is so much yummier than banana fudge. Although, in the long run, the coolest (let’s use that term lightly) looking one is always the most difficult to eat and gives you the biggest stomachache (*cough* The Maine *cough*).

Hit The Lights redeem themselves, in a sense, on their follow-up LP to 2006’s This Is A Stick-Up... Don’t Make It A Murder, which was incessantly catchy and breezy, but quickly lost its luster. Ex-vocalist Colin Ross had too much of a deviated septum to sing for 40-minutes straight and eventually, the album lost touch with its audience. After Ross subsequently left the band late last year, guitarist Nick Thompson stepped up to the microphone and surprised many as a fresher, cleaner voice for this guitar-driven, straightforward pop-punk band looking to simply bring forth some high-energy fun to the Myspace Generation.

After the piano-laden, introductory “Count It,” an anthem confirming the band has been through their hardships and is preparing to rock faces, the band pulls a 180 on the listener by ripping into “Breathe In,” which could easily be mistaken for an All Time Low b-side (come to think of it, many of these could be). “Stay Out” sounds even more amped up than it’s demo version did, and there’s no hiding the huge single potential “Drop The Girl” has; it’s infectious, addictive and despite its repetitive nature, dares to spin a web inside your eardrum. “Tell Me Where You Are” is a slick ditty with all the charm and pizazz a radio-ready single should have, but once “Hangs Em High” reaches its conclusion, the album begins to bleed together. Perhaps it is the fault of producer Rob Freeman (ex-Hidden In Plain View), who knows how to make a record sound huge, but also doesn’t provide it with enough variety. Thompson’s vocals sounded more organic on the demos and seem tinkered with here, at times so much like Alex Gaskarth (All Time Low), it’s hard to decipher who you’re listening to.

The combination of distorted guitars and crisp vocals can be used to great effect (see: New Found Glory), however in this scene, it’s a dangerous line to walk across, and easy to get lost in the shuffle. Hit The Lights does pop-punk better than most, writing enjoyable melodies with solid harmonic backing. That doesn't keep the album from having its moments though: the lyrics generally fall along the same thematic material any band of this genre would write about (growing up, falling in and out of love, etc.) and don‘t add anything to what you’re hearing; “Don’t Wait” sounds like a lost Ataris ballad from So Long, Astoria; and “Cry Your Eyes Out” drifts into “Come One, Come All” (by All Time Low) by it’s finale. “Statues” is perhaps the discs most obnoxious track, featuring a whiny chorus lacking the massive hooks - and personality - found on the first six songs.

Skip School, Start Fights really does present a worthwhile album to fans of pop-punk; guitarists Omar Zehery and Kevin Mahoney shred on each track, bringing splendid balance to each other. However, the songs are all so easily-accessible and instantly-catchy, once the album is over, they won’t stick around for much longer. The tunes provide as much energy as a couple cans of Red Bull, and sure, it’s not a bad batch of songs here, however the production is too slick for its own merit and with a rawer intensity behind it, might haven taken the familiarity away. All in all, you could do much worse in this ever-growing copycat genre - and the truth is, Hit The Lights are the perfect relief for your summertime heat wave; they do it without having to look cool or act hip for their audience. They bring immediacy to an ADD audience who refuses to wait for that tasty ice cream treat to melt and is willing to take the brain freeze.

All Time Low’s So Wrong, It’s Right; New Found Glory’s Catalyst; Just Surrender’s We’re In Like Sin; banana fudge ice cream pops“Drop The Girl,” “Say What You Want To Say” and “Stay Out”

1. Count It!
2. Breathe In
3. Stay Out
4. Drop The Girl
5. Tell Me Where You Are
6. Hangs ‘Em High
7. Back Breaker
8. Don’t Wait
9. Cry Your Eyes Out
10. Statues
11. Say What You Want To Say
12. Winding Down
13. On and OnNick Thompson - lead vocals
Omar Zehery - guitars
Kevin Mahoney - guitars
Dave Bermosk - bass, vocals
Nate Van Dame - drums, percussion

Official Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/hitthelights) | Official Purevolume (http://www.purevolume.com/hitthelights)Amazon MP3 (http://www.amazon.com/Skip-School-Start-Fights/dp/B001BNICYQ/ref=mb_oe_o)
(http://www.amazon.com/Skip-School-Start-Fights/dp/B001BNICYQ/ref=mb_oe_o)

[industrialbelt]

Very well written, Chris. I don't think Nick sounds like Alex G. that much, but otherwise this sums it up all too well.

[The Summer Ends]

Very well written review. I love this CD and would have rated it higher, but I respect your opinion on it.

Also, Statues is one of my favorite songs on the album along with Cry Your Eyes Out.

[IamTheINDUSTRY]

so let me get this straight...youre saying in your review that paramore isn't a good band but people like them because of how they look? that's misinformed and pretty ignorant. "riot!" (depending on your tastes) is a very worthwhile pop album with some good lyrics and decent musicianship.

you bring up all time low a lot, but this band seems "heavier" for lack of a better term, and with better drumming. i don't get the all time low reference, and think that nick sounds nothing like alex. again, opinions, but i think you ream the album a little to much for sounding like all time low, when the music really doesn't at all if for no other reason than freeman's production.

then you call out freeman as having so much to do with the album that he could actually change the music being played and make it not bleed together? i mean, he didn't write the songs. he can flip some knobs but, were you looking for drum loops? i mean it's hit the lights' album not rob freeman. i disagree that it bleeds together as well, but i will say "statues" should have been left off.

the score for this album is to low considering what other albums of lesser quality are receiving and paints a picture that isn't exactly correct for someone thinking about buying this. most of this website would eat this up, and it is worthy of a score in the 80%'s - maybe a 83 or so. again, opinions. but you saying "noobs are gonna kill you" over this is annoying. you're implying only people new to the website appreciate this? htl has plenty of people really excited they stuck it out, and this record is a definite triumph. it provides all the substance a pop-punk album needs.

[mroche]

Good review, but I think The Mile After does pop-punk better than these guys

[friendsfall]

Katy Perry has a better author rating than this album? That says a little something about AP credibility now, doesn't it?

[hockeyguitar99]

Great Review Chris

I absolutely love this album, but a I have my doubts about how long it will last.

[hockeyguitar99]

Katy Perry has a better author rating than this album? That says a little something about AP credibility now, doesn't it?

It's each authors own personal opinion, just because you disagree with one reviewers rating of an album doesn't mean the site doesn't have any credibility.

[bailmeout13]

Nice review. I can't wait to grab it Tuesday.

[gonfreaks]

Great review, I agree with it overall. The score's pretty fitting, I think. It's a fun pop album, but it's not amazing or original (not that I expected it to be, of course).

I still like it, and it will probably stay in my rotation for at least another week.

[allisterkid]

I expected a way worse album than this. It's a pretty damn good summer time album. I think I would've even rated it a little bit higher.

[bustamebus]

this band is better than all time low in my opinion. they have catchier hooks. their musicianship is damn good. and i just think the singer has a better voice the guy from all time low. this cd is def one of the better pop-punk albums i've heard in a while.

[fadedmemories]

great review dude, and I like how you compare bands with ice cream.... I wonder what's hayley's flavor....

[thiswokendream]

To me Colin's vocals were just fine. I still jam "This is a Stickup..." I do believe that because of Colins distinct vocals there music would be a little better, BUT I really am enjoying this album because it is the first stright up pop punk release in a while. There are many songs where the patterns repeat and many songs sound like others but I don't even care. Because there is at least one band that is still doing the pop punk thing with out having overly stylish hair and projecting a boy band type image. Lets face it, most of the bands today care more about being like other bands in their genre and looking like the scenes image standards. Houston Calls is another band that is still just confident enough to do what it is that more bands should be doing. I recommend this album to anyone who enjoys cracking a beer outdoors and listening to great upbeat music in the summer time.

[handlikesecret]

good review, Chris. i would have given it a higher rating, but you're the reviewer, not me. ;-)

well done.

[tait]

i really like this album. really really like. great for the summer

[liar23]

good review. Would have rated it higher but that's just my opinion

[cassusriff]

This is a pretty sweet album. The review threw me off a bit but it was good overall. Too many references to other bands... I can hear the similarities to ATL, but HTL is so much better.

[Blake Solomon]

I really, really like about half the songs on this album. Kinda wish it was an EP or something. But I see this having the rare potential of having me find a new favorite (read: addicting) song every few days. Let's see how long this lasts. But I have a feeling "Stay Out" will be on many a playlist to come.

[Chris Fallon]

so let me get this straight...youre saying in your review that paramore isn't a good band but people like them because of how they look? that's misinformed and pretty ignorant. "riot!" (depending on your tastes) is a very worthwhile pop album with some good lyrics and decent musicianship.
Paramore may be good to you, but I don't think they are such a fantastic pop band. They're a fabrication; Hayley is that band, and a majority of the focus in on her, not the music they present. Riot! was much like this last year: good for the first few moments, then it dies off. The reason is stays successful is not necessarily for her talent - it's how she looks, it always has been. To deny this is silly - it's the plain and simple truth.

you bring up all time low a lot, but this band seems "heavier" for lack of a better term, and with better drumming. i don't get the all time low reference, and think that nick sounds nothing like alex. again, opinions, but i think you ream the album a little to much for sounding like all time low, when the music really doesn't at all if for no other reason than freeman's production.
Nick's vocals sounded a hell of a lot better on the demos - the production is trying to make him sound like Alex, and honestly, maybe people just don't want to admit it, but the songs all sound remarkably similar to All Time Low. It makes sense - they are going after the same demographic, albeit with a "heavier" sound. The songs I mention really do sound like ATL, not simply production-wise, but because they are the "quieter" songs on the disc, slower if you will. I don't see how difficult it is to notice the similarities, you act like it's such a bad thing. Shit, it will garner them more listens because of it.

then you call out freeman as having so much to do with the album that he could actually change the music being played and make it not bleed together? i mean, he didn't write the songs. he can flip some knobs but, were you looking for drum loops? i mean it's hit the lights' album not rob freeman. i disagree that it bleeds together as well, but i will say "statues" should have been left off.
This is my biggest issue on the album: the production sounds hollow and honestly would sound substantially better with a thicker sound (Jamie from Let Go/The Stereo is great at doing this), and the sheen is simply too glossy here. Maybe you don't think production matters, but Freeman can simply vary the way it sounds to make it stand out - that's a producer's job, that is why they are there, for input. Yes, the band writes the songs but when it comes to how it's all mixed together and the way it sounds, those knobs the producer turns are what give it it's feel.

the score for this album is to low considering what other albums of lesser quality are receiving and paints a picture that isn't exactly correct for someone thinking about buying this. most of this website would eat this up, and it is worthy of a score in the 80%'s - maybe a 83 or so. again, opinions. but you saying "noobs are gonna kill you" over this is annoying. you're implying only people new to the website appreciate this? htl has plenty of people really excited they stuck it out, and this record is a definite triumph. it provides all the substance a pop-punk album needs.
First off: 7/10 is not a bad score. Jesus, why is this the one thing people bitch about? Albums I love I wouldn't give higher than a 70% - it's not a bad score, but to you, it looks bad. If you could honestly give this album that high a score in a few years, I feel bad for you, because this album is not Abbey Road or The Bends - it's Hit The Lights.

My comment is taken out of context: the amount of people I see coming here to rave about how great this is, many of them are new to the community. How about you just lighten up, it's a pop album that provides a few fun kicks in the grass, not a work of art. Their audience is a teenage community who are looking for a quick high - it's not going to stand out in the crowd, it's simply average. I respect your approach here, because you're collect, but I'm speaking not only to you, but to a huge chunk of folks who are going to complain in the same way - this is my response.

[irthesteve]

Much better than their previous release, I can say that much at least

[sputniksignals]

I enjoyed reading this review, but I still cannot hear in my ears the comparison of Nick to Gaskarth. Maybe I'm too used to hearing ATL after all the years that nobody sounds like him to me, but I respect that it's a personal opinion. I think we're all in agreeance that Statues shouldve been nixed.

[Paulb-182]

great review

agree completelywith it.

its an ok album, the vocals actually sound a bit like colin's in a few tracks, most of the songs dont stick with me though after listening and i want to turn it off after half of it

this genre is getting to be farrrr too much of the same tracks over and over again, who you would asume is just one very prolific producer of music is in fact lots of different bands who sound identical

[aolsux]

I cannot get into this album at all. I feel that in the past HTL was a vice of mine, especially after seeing them live, and they had such a stage presence - giving an enjoyable concert experience. This was before the new singer. I feel that Skip School is a complete and utter rip off of another pop punk staple Cartel's Chroma. For every song on SS,SF I can think of a song it reminds me of on Chroma. Oh well, I was not expecting much, as for 95% of all new pop punk. Valencia's new album, I think, shall be 2008's pop punk saving grace.

[Kbm600]

I like the review, But I wish the score had been a little higher. I love this album.

[EchoPark]

Nice Review Chris, I would rate this album much higher than This is a Stickup.., I enjoy Nick's vocals much better than Colins and this band does pop/punk way better than the aforementioned hair bands.


This one is a top 10 list contender so far.

[Oathy]

Cut out the *cough* parts. It from the first line that you're trying to take a more mature position on it, but the coughing joke parts are just really immature and make the read less enjoyable in my opinion.

[Bryant]

I skimmed through the songs on Myspace to get a feel and I don't think I'll like it as much as This is a Stick Up...

Out of all the songs though, the only one that stuck out was Statues, lol. Guess I'm alone on that one.

[birtcho]

the references to other bands weren't very true. i want joe to review it. i thought he would have made sure he did it instead of anyone else anyway

[Praetor]

so let me get this straight...youre saying in your review that paramore isn't a good band but people like them because of how they look? that's misinformed and pretty ignorant. "riot!" (depending on your tastes) is a very worthwhile pop album with some good lyrics and decent musicianship.

you bring up all time low a lot, but this band seems "heavier" for lack of a better term, and with better drumming. i don't get the all time low reference, and think that nick sounds nothing like alex. again, opinions, but i think you ream the album a little to much for sounding like all time low, when the music really doesn't at all if for no other reason than freeman's production.

then you call out freeman as having so much to do with the album that he could actually change the music being played and make it not bleed together? i mean, he didn't write the songs. he can flip some knobs but, were you looking for drum loops? i mean it's hit the lights' album not rob freeman. i disagree that it bleeds together as well, but i will say "statues" should have been left off.

the score for this album is to low considering what other albums of lesser quality are receiving and paints a picture that isn't exactly correct for someone thinking about buying this. most of this website would eat this up, and it is worthy of a score in the 80%'s - maybe a 83 or so. again, opinions. but you saying "noobs are gonna kill you" over this is annoying. you're implying only people new to the website appreciate this? htl has plenty of people really excited they stuck it out, and this record is a definite triumph. it provides all the substance a pop-punk album needs.
I agree that Paramore is good but you have to agree that the mainstream wouldn't have latched on to them as hard as they did if they weren't fronted by a girl.

[refgirl23]

My first reaction to hearing "Drop the Girl" a few weeks ago was that Hit the Lights beat All Time Low at their own game. Glad to know I'm not the only person who hears some similarities...then again, that's probably why I couldn't stop listening to this all the way home this weekend.

Otherwise I enjoyed the album, the first half more-so then the second half.

[ryheeles]

So when exactly did "This is a Stick up..." lose touch with its audience? I must have missed that, because I still listen to that album at least once a week. I think it's much better than this new album too.

The similarities to All Time Low might be partially responsible for this, because that's one band that I can pretty much guarantee I will always hate. Really, I just can't see myself caring about this album a month from now, let alone over two years from now like Stick up.

[brokenwings]

"this ever-growing copycat genre"

very true, but i don't think this band is an exception at all.


As far as I'm concerned the three biggest bands from that genre (Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Panic At the Disco) are the three best songwriters in the genre hands down.
which really doesn't mean much

[simplelivin_GCH]

hmm, if these songs didn't stick i don't think i would have had this album stuck in my car's cd player for the past few months....oh well, to each his/her own

[CP_Ree]

Solid album. And I didn't like the first album much at all.

[fran.182]

Yeah i like Paramore, but it makes me sick thinking that they only have sucess cause of hayley and company look

[fran.182]

i'm enjoying this album

[applesandcyanid]

Nice review dude, would've upped lyrics a little more though.

[applesandcyanid]

There's a few Paramore songs which are way better than what this band does. Riot really isn't so bad, maybe they got big because of image but "Misery Business" and "That's What You Get" are better than anything this band, CIWWAF and others have ever done.

As far as I'm concerned the three biggest bands from that genre (Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Panic At the Disco) are the three best songwriters in the genre hands down.

Alright, alright, alright, first things first, can we never mention Hit The Lights in the same breath as CIWWAF ever again? Hit The Lights are worlds away from Cute both on talent and style. I agree with you about Paramore on "Misery Business" being better than anything on this album because that's one of the best pop punk gems I've ever heard. "That's What You Get" isn't that great of a track and overall, this is a MUCH better album than Riot.

I strongly disagree with your last statement, Max Bemis from Say Anything puts Hayley, Wentzy poo
and Brendan Urine in their places every time.

[TooLateF0rRoses]

i enjoy a banana fudge ice cream pop from time to time, i enjoy this album never tho... solid review

[googirl8907]

Good review. I can't wait to pick it up tomorrow. I enjoyed it from what I heard on the stream on their myspace profile.

[iAMhollyood315]

I agree that Paramore is good but you have to agree that the mainstream wouldn't have latched on to them as hard as they did if they weren't fronted by a girl.

honestly i wouldn't really listen to paramore if it wasn't for Hayley. i do like a lot of the songs, but theirs something about that girl that makes me really interested...

and as far as hit the lights go, i mean take it for what it is. its fun and happy music that you can blast around in your car all summer long or when your having summer night partying. very enjoyable stuff

[drive-thru]

this review totally makes me not want to buy the album. but i'm gonna buy it anyway.

[wtfTouchMyBalls]

my ipod got turned on and this cd was playing and my brother thought i was listening to all time low. it sorta is an all time low b-sides cd, but it's still good.

[CurtyB]

How are people freaking about about a 70% for this album? Look at what this band is, a talented band that does nothing to refresh to a stale genre.

[billyboatkid]

Love this cd.

Pretty good review. I would have also rated it a little higher..

Favorite tracks gotta be Tell Me Where You Are. Love the little 80's style rift.

[xName Takenx]

I like the review, But I wish the score had been a little higher. I love this album.


Yea....everyone treated this album like it was the second coming of Christ, and now that it's here everyones giving it the "it's alright" gesture. I think it is what it is, a solid pop punk effort. I would've rated it a little higher than what it was given too.

Comparing to ATL is pretty crapp imo. Hit the Lights are NOTHING like ATL at all. Hit the Lights have a much bigger sound, way better vocals, and songs that are much more intricate.

I'd compare ATL to a lawn mower being used by a 13 year old; loud, obnoxious noise driven by a punk ass teenager

[chrisCcoan]

hit the lights have in a way risen through the pop punk grave. When they announced their last show with colin, i pretty much thought HTL threw in the towel. But when the webisodes came out and they said they were going to get a new frontman and etc I was excited. At first everyone thought it was rob from HIPV. For a time there I was uncertain. Looking back on those months and then looking at the band now its nothing short than geniune. At bamboozle 08 they completely went off, they were on a smaller stage, but the crowd they drew was very impressive. Nick came out and completely tore up the stage, as if he has been fronting the band forever. It was not forced and it wasn't subpar. While watching them at bamboozle you knew that had already finished the new record, had these 13 amazing songs in their arsenal. The self control not to play these songs, must have been heavy. I do believe this album could shoot them to mainstream status. Thing is, they don't even have to try, the pop rock they re playing does sound familiar but the guitar work is just dead on. Omar and Nick are popsavants. Count it friends, i give them 1 year and they ll be bigtime.

[lassise]

so let me get this straight...youre saying in your review that paramore isn't a good band but people like them because of how they look? that's misinformed and pretty ignorant. "riot!" (depending on your tastes) is a very worthwhile pop album with some good lyrics and decent musicianship.

you bring up all time low a lot, but this band seems "heavier" for lack of a better term, and with better drumming. i don't get the all time low reference, and think that nick sounds nothing like alex. again, opinions, but i think you ream the album a little to much for sounding like all time low, when the music really doesn't at all if for no other reason than freeman's production.

then you call out freeman as having so much to do with the album that he could actually change the music being played and make it not bleed together? i mean, he didn't write the songs. he can flip some knobs but, were you looking for drum loops? i mean it's hit the lights' album not rob freeman. i disagree that it bleeds together as well, but i will say "statues" should have been left off.

the score for this album is to low considering what other albums of lesser quality are receiving and paints a picture that isn't exactly correct for someone thinking about buying this. most of this website would eat this up, and it is worthy of a score in the 80%'s - maybe a 83 or so. again, opinions. but you saying "noobs are gonna kill you" over this is annoying. you're implying only people new to the website appreciate this? htl has plenty of people really excited they stuck it out, and this record is a definite triumph. it provides all the substance a pop-punk album needs.

i agree sooo much with everything you said. this albums way good and sounds nothing like all time low except that its pop punk. freeman did a great job. and the review basically talks about the album but doesn't really review it. its still well written, but i disagree entirely.

[TheArdentLove]

Very nice review. I agree with you on pretty much all accounts. I'm glad that the band was able to bounce back with an ever better album than their last.

[joeoqt]

2nd paragraph is awesome haha.

[lightcollapse]

The right score, but shitty review, no need to hate on other bands. It doesn't sound cool, I'm pretty sure Paramore doesn't give a shit about what you think about how they market themselves.

[EdTheSellout]

you bring up all time low a lot, but this band seems "heavier" for lack of a better term

I completely agree. Hit the Lights, have always had a little more of a "hardcore" influence than a lot of the other pop punk bands out there. When I listen to them, I hear more NFG than ATL.

[The Summer Ends]

I definitely get more of a Four Year Strong vibe than an All Time Low vibe, but that's just me. This album is still awesome, and I've listened to it nonstop for the last few days.

[sowrongitsjack]

good revier man, i would've given it higher, it's one of my favourite records right now and i personally think the best track is "tell me where you are" but good review!

[peterbread]

i think this is a good cd, however i do not believe that hit the lights is doing pop punk better than anyone else out right now. and there are auto-tuned vocals on this record.

[Nick Le]

i'm really loving this album right now...one of the best pop-punk albums in a while. hopefully my pre-order comes today?

[The Personist]

Stellar review, good album, can't wait to pick it up tomorrow.

I was skeptical at first, but I listened to a few songs and totally see the Alex Gaskarth sound in Nick's voice.

[G apostrophe Ra]

This review wasn't bad, and I do respect the opinions contained therein, but the suggestion that this band is any less polished, or overproduced, or fluffy and lightweight than all the other pop-punk junk out there seems fatuous. I enjoy this band, and I think they're fun to listen to for anyone with reasonable expectations of what the pop-punk genre should provide, but they are no different (or better really) than All Time Low or any other band like them. Nick's vocals are tuned as hell, and layered, and harmonized excessively- but imho, he still can't even touch Gaskarth. I think the idea that this band is somehow above the pop-punk fray aesthetically is probably reading too much into their lack of a pretty-boy boy band image, because the tunes and musicianship themselves are comparable to just about everything else out there.

[Redsox255]

gonna pick this up as well as some banana fudge pops

[permanentdan]

i cant wait to listen to this record a little later today. ive been stoked to rock out to it for far too long.

[rosematter]

I definitely get more of a Four Year Strong vibe than an All Time Low vibe, but that's just me. This album is still awesome, and I've listened to it nonstop for the last few days.

I agree with this. The album definitely has a lot of those "happy-hardcore" overtones for lack of a better description.

I really enjoy the album personally, having listened to it a bunch of times on their myspace while it was streaming.

[peewhai]

Fantastic review.
Personally, I am completely over the recent wave of punk pop bands.
This being said, I found this album much more enjoyable than any of all time low's or Paramore's work.
Despite having some of the corniest (and most expected, considering the pop roots) lyrics, I still found the melodies and harmonies really fun.
Now, let's see where this will take them.
---
Thanks again for the review.

[goodnewsgeorge]

i felt that this is a stickup... was much easier to get into that this one. maybe cos of the difference in vocals. but on the third listen, it finally caught on and i could really enjoy this album. i do agree that some songs seem to bleed into one another, but i also felt that the production value was somehow worse than their previous album.. or maybe nick's vocals just don't stand out as much as colin's. either way, i love this album and definitely see success coming for these guys if the album is pushed correctly. with songs like 'drop the girl', 'stay out', and 'cry your eyes out', people are definitely going to notice this band and more often than not, sing-along. and for HTL fans, songs like 'tell me where you are' and 'don't wait' show us a different side of the band.

these guys aren't competing with Thrice or Circa Survive in terms of song writing. but in terms of technique they aren't too bad either, there's quite a number of sexy, well-written riffs that make this band shine.

This is a stickup.. is one album i still listen to even til now. SS,SF taking its place? maybe not. but this is definitely no sophomore slump. get the album and enjoy it for what it's worth- (pop) punk goodness.

[TBSEmoKid]

I like Riot! better than this album,actually...But it's for Hayley's voice if for anything.I love her voice.
However...this album is better than what the reviewer is making it out to be (though,if I hadn't have listened to it myself,I probably would've agreed wholeheartedly,very well written review Chris).I think that the rating should be a little higher...not saying overall rating matters but I would have put the lasting value as well as vocals at a higher rating.This album has been in rotation constantly for the past two weeks,and I don't see it leaving soon.

[nashiscash1324]

suck a great album for summer. nick kills it on vocals!

[Dre Okorley]

If Scott Weber had done this review, he would have been featured in their next video.

[Chris Fallon]

The right score, but shitty review, no need to hate on other bands. It doesn't sound cool, I'm pretty sure Paramore doesn't give a shit about what you think about how they market themselves.
How am I "hating" on other bands? I'm not insulting All Time Low at all - there's just a looming similarity between sounds/styles here.

As for the minor Paramore comment, if people take that as a "dis," go right ahead - you're simply too sensitive to the fact that an average pop band has received airplay mostly due to the fact their vocalist is a cute female. It's pure and simple truth the band is popular mainly for Hayley's looks (just go peek at most of the comments whenever they are mentioned). Of course they don't care what I think - but then again, unless anything is positive, does anyone really care? No, only when I say something they may not necessarily like. So that is null and void as far as I'm concerned - try to read the review closer, not simply on the surface.

[Dre Okorley]

Btw, Chris I love your use of metaphors. They really add flavor to the reviews, heheh. Keep up that style. :)

[bethepilot]

pretty bad review

[abusedcat]

Kevin doesn't actually play on the record, he does contribute backing vocals, though.

[The Personist]

Max Bemis from Say Anything puts Hayley, Wentzy poo
and Brendan Urine in their places every time.

qft.

[Dre Okorley]

BeThePilot -You created a username just to say that? haha. lame..

[lovesara]

"How is all this possible, you might be asking? With dozens of pop bands to choose from, the music scene for today’s teenagers has become a major-label-funded ice cream truck of sorts. Most fans likely choose their ice cream by the way it looks and not by the way it tastes (*cough* Paramore *cough*) - after all, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle ice cream is so much yummier than banana fudge. Although, in the long run, the coolest (let’s use that term lightly) looking one is always the most difficult to eat and gives you the biggest stomachache (*cough* The Maine *cough*)."

BEST part :)

[WaltWizzle]

How am I "hating" on other bands? I'm not insulting All Time Low at all - there's just a looming similarity between sounds/styles here.

As for the minor Paramore comment, if people take that as a "dis," go right ahead - you're simply too sensitive to the fact that an average pop band has received airplay mostly due to the fact their vocalist is a cute female. It's pure and simple truth the band is popular mainly for Hayley's looks (just go peek at most of the comments whenever they are mentioned). Of course they don't care what I think - but then again, unless anything is positive, does anyone really care? No, only when I say something they may not necessarily like. So that is null and void as far as I'm concerned - try to read the review closer, not simply on the surface.
Agreed. Good review. For all of those bitching about the review, why don't you write a user review of your own for the album?

[bloodyr0mance87]

i've been rocking this disc since i got it a few days ago in the mail and it's perfect for this time of year. very well-written review that i think paints the perfect picture of the alubum. a few great songs, some mediocre ones, and a few others that blend in with what the rest of the pack is doing. i agree with your statement about the production detracting from the album at times. either way, still a really fun album made by some good, hard-working dudes.

[myhearturhands]

haha i loved that paramoe/maine little comment you made

[John JD Dorian]

i disagree with most of what's being said about paramore. true, the mainstream wouldn't have latched onto the band if it weren't fronted by a girl, but that means nothing, because the mainstream doesn't latch onto a whole lot of great bands.

Riot! was a great pop album, regardless.

[IamTheINDUSTRY]

Paramore may be good to you, but I don't think they are such a fantastic pop band. They're a fabrication; Hayley is that band, and a majority of the focus in on her, not the music they present. Riot! was much like this last year: good for the first few moments, then it dies off. The reason is stays successful is not necessarily for her talent - it's how she looks, it always has been. To deny this is silly - it's the plain and simple truth.


Nick's vocals sounded a hell of a lot better on the demos - the production is trying to make him sound like Alex, and honestly, maybe people just don't want to admit it, but the songs all sound remarkably similar to All Time Low. It makes sense - they are going after the same demographic, albeit with a "heavier" sound. The songs I mention really do sound like ATL, not simply production-wise, but because they are the "quieter" songs on the disc, slower if you will. I don't see how difficult it is to notice the similarities, you act like it's such a bad thing. Shit, it will garner them more listens because of it.


This is my biggest issue on the album: the production sounds hollow and honestly would sound substantially better with a thicker sound (Jamie from Let Go/The Stereo is great at doing this), and the sheen is simply too glossy here. Maybe you don't think production matters, but Freeman can simply vary the way it sounds to make it stand out - that's a producer's job, that is why they are there, for input. Yes, the band writes the songs but when it comes to how it's all mixed together and the way it sounds, those knobs the producer turns are what give it it's feel.


First off: 7/10 is not a bad score. Jesus, why is this the one thing people bitch about? Albums I love I wouldn't give higher than a 70% - it's not a bad score, but to you, it looks bad. If you could honestly give this album that high a score in a few years, I feel bad for you, because this album is not Abbey Road or The Bends - it's Hit The Lights.

My comment is taken out of context: the amount of people I see coming here to rave about how great this is, many of them are new to the community. How about you just lighten up, it's a pop album that provides a few fun kicks in the grass, not a work of art. Their audience is a teenage community who are looking for a quick high - it's not going to stand out in the crowd, it's simply average. I respect your approach here, because you're collect, but I'm speaking not only to you, but to a huge chunk of folks who are going to complain in the same way - this is my response.

fair enough. i still take issue with the paramore thing, because i think they have gotten bigger because she has a great voice and they have real talent (or maybe SHE has real talent). plus, they released arguably the best song off their album as their last single (thats what you get). i just think your wrong about the paramore thing. i really do.

[danLME]

i think this is a really solid review... i had to reread the icecream analogies a few times but i mostly agree with everything in the review. the only thing i would add or disagree with would be when chris said there was very little autotuning or dance like stuff- there is a lot of autotuning and they did follow the trend of using a few drum loops in some songs. nick definitely had some huge shoes to fill and i think he/the producer did a great job of overlaying a ton of vocal tracks to fill the difference.

[IamTheINDUSTRY]

I agree that Paramore is good but you have to agree that the mainstream wouldn't have latched on to them as hard as they did if they weren't fronted by a girl.


and if they weren't fronted by a girl they wouldn't be paramore. if you mean they stick out because of the fact a girl with great pipes sings for them then sure, yeah. but to say they are a "fabrication" as chris did is just dumb. i mean you can listen to the record and tell they have some talent. they aren't my favorite band, but geez come on.

[loj]

feel like the Paramore comment was really unsubstantiated.

[illuminated]

Great review. I also expected it to be rated a little higher, but you justified it pretty well.
I do like "Cry Your Eyes Out," though, and "Statues" has been growing on me.

[saving jonathan]

Not a bad review. I would have rated the vocals a tad higher, but that's just me.
I think his voice works better with the guitar work than Colin's ever did.

I was surprised to see this only hit a 70. Like you said, these guys do pop-punk better than almost anyone out there. From what I've heard, it's a pretty solid album.

[The Personist]

Great review of Riot!

Oh wait, this is a review of an album by Hit The Lights, not Paramore.

I got confused reading the thread.


To the Paramore faithful:
The jab at Paramore needs no justification. They are a pop-punk-by-numbers band whose originality lies in the gender of the singer, not within the songwriting. Yes, they're catchy, but nothing that hasn't been done a thousand times before. The difference is that Hayley is singing, not Patrick Stump.

Not saying that HTL haven't frequently consulted their leatherbound New Found Glory cookbook, though.

[d00d81that]

awesome review! really well written (: good job.

[GuitarR0cker1]

Great review, I agree with everything you had to say.

[seraph1214]

Pretty good review. I agree that this band sounds a lot like other bands in their scene but they still made a solid album. I'll probably pick this up tomorrow

[boscorelli]

Sorry but this review is bad...for one, how can you judge an albums lasting value when you just heard it? So many contradictions in your review, I could barely read the whole thing.

[dontleafme]

So when exactly did "This is a Stick up..." lose touch with its audience? I must have missed that, because I still listen to that album at least once a week. I think it's much better than this new album too.

The similarities to All Time Low might be partially responsible for this, because that's one band that I can pretty much guarantee I will always hate. Really, I just can't see myself caring about this album a month from now, let alone over two years from now like Stick up.


yeah, i agree with all of that..."This is a Stick Up..." will probably always be a favorite of mine, and I haven't really ever gotten tired of it. I still go through phases where it's all I listen to for a week or two. I haven't even listened to Skip School, Start Fights yet, but from the review, I can tell it's going to be pretty much what I expected. It's just not the same without Collin.

[singlexsorrow]

I basically agree with everything you said except for the All Time Low references, but nonetheless great review Chris.

[BruisedxBroken]

so let me get this straight...youre saying in your review that paramore isn't a good band but people like them because of how they look? that's misinformed and pretty ignorant. "riot!" (depending on your tastes) is a very worthwhile pop album with some good lyrics and decent musicianship.

you bring up all time low a lot, but this band seems "heavier" for lack of a better term, and with better drumming. i don't get the all time low reference, and think that nick sounds nothing like alex. again, opinions, but i think you ream the album a little to much for sounding like all time low, when the music really doesn't at all if for no other reason than freeman's production.

then you call out freeman as having so much to do with the album that he could actually change the music being played and make it not bleed together? i mean, he didn't write the songs. he can flip some knobs but, were you looking for drum loops? i mean it's hit the lights' album not rob freeman. i disagree that it bleeds together as well, but i will say "statues" should have been left off.

the score for this album is to low considering what other albums of lesser quality are receiving and paints a picture that isn't exactly correct for someone thinking about buying this. most of this website would eat this up, and it is worthy of a score in the 80%'s - maybe a 83 or so. again, opinions. but you saying "noobs are gonna kill you" over this is annoying. you're implying only people new to the website appreciate this? htl has plenty of people really excited they stuck it out, and this record is a definite triumph. it provides all the substance a pop-punk album needs.

^
...I'd agree with all of that, plus a big FUCK YOU for bashing Rob.

At the risk of sounding rude, please never review anything else again for as long as you live...

[hockeyguitar99]

I would say that this reminds me more of ATL's put up or shut up as opposed to SWIR

[hockeyguitar99]

^
...I'd agree with all of that, plus a big FUCK YOU for bashing Rob.

At the risk of sounding rude, please never review anything else again for as long as you live...

out of curiosity were you talking to chris or i am the industry?

[hockeyguitar99]

so let me get this straight...youre saying in your review that paramore isn't a good band but people like them because of how they look? that's misinformed and pretty ignorant. "riot!" (depending on your tastes) is a very worthwhile pop album with some good lyrics and decent musicianship.

you bring up all time low a lot, but this band seems "heavier" for lack of a better term, and with better drumming. i don't get the all time low reference, and think that nick sounds nothing like alex. again, opinions, but i think you ream the album a little to much for sounding like all time low, when the music really doesn't at all if for no other reason than freeman's production.

then you call out freeman as having so much to do with the album that he could actually change the music being played and make it not bleed together? i mean, he didn't write the songs. he can flip some knobs but, were you looking for drum loops? i mean it's hit the lights' album not rob freeman. i disagree that it bleeds together as well, but i will say "statues" should have been left off.

the score for this album is to low considering what other albums of lesser quality are receiving and paints a picture that isn't exactly correct for someone thinking about buying this. most of this website would eat this up, and it is worthy of a score in the 80%'s - maybe a 83 or so. again, opinions. but you saying "noobs are gonna kill you" over this is annoying. you're implying only people new to the website appreciate this? htl has plenty of people really excited they stuck it out, and this record is a definite triumph. it provides all the substance a pop-punk album needs.

I think your dwelling to much on minor parts of the review and not the bigger picture.

[BruisedxBroken]

out of curiosity were you talking to chris or i am the industry?

I'd have to assume it'd be pretty obvious if you'd actually read everything, but okay...

No. I was talking to the "reviewer"...

[SweetThye]

this band is better than all time low in my opinion. they have catchier hooks. their musicianship is damn good. and i just think the singer has a better voice the guy from all time low. this cd is def one of the better pop-punk albums i've heard in a while.

You said it all.

[alltimecam]

my cd/ glamour kills package just came in the mail, this album is great and deserved a higher rating
did anyone else's cd come today?

[JordanLML]

yeah would have given it at least an 80, but very good point on how it bleeds together after "hang em high." statues does annoy me too.

[Dre Okorley]

and if they weren't fronted by a girl they wouldn't be paramore. if you mean they stick out because of the fact a girl with great pipes sings for them then sure, yeah. but to say they are a "fabrication" as chris did is just dumb. i mean you can listen to the record and tell they have some talent. they aren't my favorite band, but geez come on.

And if she had a shaved head, looked lumpy, didnt have the vivrant red/blonde fusion with her hair/clothing style, sparkles, and that cute little girl face, they wouldnt be as popular.
Even with great pipes.

[youwithoutMe]

thank god for this review. i been hearing so much about this release and i just wasn't buying into it and when i finally listened too it i was so right about my thoughts. they sound like every other band out there that sings powerpop punk now. the old guy had a voice no one else can make so i dont think this band will ever be as good as Stickup too me

[teenagetwilight]

Disagree with the "instantly catchy" part. I've listened to it 8 times (listening again right now) and the songs aren't growing on me. Weird, this is the first time that a pop-punk album didn't grow on me after over 5 listens.

[SAOsurviveSTD]

don't know if i really agree with this review. but I do love the album... can't wait.

[BruisedxBroken]

the old guy had a voice no one else can make

Unless, of course, you've heard of New Found Glory, Last Years Hero or Round Three Fight...

[rinsedsalad]

This album kicks ass. ROb did a great job of producing, and you lacked to add that it was mixed by Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount. You said it sounded huge, that had a huge part in it i am sure.

[ScarsThatSmile]

Hit the lights is just amazing, plain and simple..

[sjb2k1]

this CD is a hell of a lot better than most of the shit being put out these days. i'll be enjoying this all summer. and though they sound somewhat similar, i'd say alex gaskarth has a better voice.

[hopeforthebest]

I completely agree. Hit the Lights, have always had a little more of a "hardcore" influence than a lot of the other pop punk bands out there. When I listen to them, I hear more NFG than ATL.

i definitely agree with you that it sounds way more like nfg. i don't know how this sounds like atl.

[Holly HoX!]

I'm really glad that I don't listen to All Time Low so I don't have to worry about comparing them to such a great band like Hit The Lights...

I was really stoked when Hit The Lights decided to stay together when Colin left the band. This Is A Sitck up... has kept growing on me even today and has been one of my most spun records of the summer. So far Nick hasn't let me down on SS/SF, but that may also be because the main reason I listen to HTL is for the musicianship...Bottom line is that HTL is one of the most pure pop punk bands out there and people better listen up, really fast.

[NFGDay182]

I think your review is way too biased because you kind of used it as a vehicle to bash other bands that you obviously seem not to like that much.

[!T-DIFS!]

it's funny that you mentioned Breathe In sounded exactly like an All Time Low song I thought the same thing. I think this cd reminds me more so of Put Up Or Shut Up from ATL than SW,IR, but with more talent on guitar.

Anyways, this is such a solid all around cd. I can't say there was one song I heard that I disliked. I recommend for everyone to listen to Statues. The chourus in that song is soooooo freakinn catchy, i can't get it out of my head.

I can't wait to see how all these songs sound live.

[bubige]

sounds a lot better then the last album.
awesome harmonies and guitar riffs, but is still missing something..
i'm not sure what it is yet, but i've only gave it one listen.
it is catchy, but then again..it isn't?
it's weird.
and to comment what the reviewer said in his review,
it seems like a lot of the songs sound similar to one another.
when one of the tracks ended,
i had to look at my ipod in my car to see if it was a different song or not
cause the chorus progression was almost exactly the same.
all in all,
i'm down to give it a second listen.
it might grow on me.

[hempy3]

while stickup is more poppy and in my opinion, a better album overall, fights deserves huge props, especially for a band who lost their singer and replaced them with one of their own. you don't hear that everyday...i hope for nothing but the best for these guys.

[The Summer Ends]

To be honest, the reviewer seemed a little biased against pop punk as a genre, so his review wasn't as objective as it should have been. I'd like to see a reviewer with a blatant love for pop punk review this album because I'm guessing that will be much more suited to my tastes, and it would be nice to see a review from both ends of the spectrum.

[Spenny]

I agree with the points you make about this album, but the pointless smearing of other bands to make the review stand out makes it lose quite a bit of credibility.

[xtheaudition]

i enjoyed reading that and i cant wait to buy the cd today! =D

[Chris Fallon]

fair enough. i still take issue with the paramore thing, because i think they have gotten bigger because she has a great voice and they have real talent (or maybe SHE has real talent). plus, they released arguably the best song off their album as their last single (thats what you get). i just think your wrong about the paramore thing. i really do.

and if they weren't fronted by a girl they wouldn't be paramore. if you mean they stick out because of the fact a girl with great pipes sings for them then sure, yeah. but to say they are a "fabrication" as chris did is just dumb. i mean you can listen to the record and tell they have some talent. they aren't my favorite band, but geez come on.
What's funniest is that people latch on more to a blip of a comment on Paramore and don't seem to bat an eye at my insult about The Maine. Says something about the power Hayley has on the male populus.

Here's my point: Hit The Lights doesn't try to be like other bands in style, which I love. They do, however, have a tendency to blend in via their sound (this album would be a stellar EP, the first six songs are great). My point was Paramore is a band who got popular based on how they look (i.e. Hayley being a cute girl), and if it weren't for her, they'd be nothing. The rest of the band is merely backup for his vocals, which pale in comparison to what people generally talk about: her looks or some sexual innuendo remark. You cannot deny that.

The band revolves around her - news stories are made up from the smallest, most asinine bits simply to focus on her. People say the same thing about Pete Wentz but since Hayley is a young, attractive female ... it's suddenly wrong of me to point out the obvious. You said it yourself - if they were not fronted by a girl, they would not be Paramore. Exactly.

(Oh and if you're going to use the "listen to them, they can play pop music, they have talent" line ... I suppose any band could fall into that category, even if their songs are written by other people or covered up by effects? I'm just saying, it doesn't require a hell of a lot of talent to play three-chord pop rock)

[Chris Fallon]

I think your review is way too biased because you kind of used it as a vehicle to bash other bands that you obviously seem not to like that much.
Jesus, since when it mentioning a band "trashing" them? READ.

I actually think Paramore is decent - nothing great, but some of their songs are alright. Nothing I would call special but decent. All Time Low ... I actually like their brand of pop. Since when is comparing "trashing"? And how is it one small blip of truth is taken so far out of context?

To be honest, the reviewer seemed a little biased against pop punk as a genre, so his review wasn't as objective as it should have been. I'd like to see a reviewer with a blatant love for pop punk review this album because I'm guessing that will be much more suited to my tastes, and it would be nice to see a review from both ends of the spectrum.
Oh, apparently you've read the autobiography about me which hasn't been written.

Bias? Where? Against pop-punk, a genre of music I grew up on and love to this day? Don't assume you know me because I don't love every pop-punk album out there. This album would be a lot better and longer-lasting if every other band in the world wasn't doing the same thing. Look at your username - if anyone is going to be bias here, it has to be you.

I agree with the points you make about this album, but the pointless smearing of other bands to make the review stand out makes it lose quite a bit of credibility.
No smearing going on. I've already explained myself thoroughly several times, people are too sensitive, learn to understand what smearing means because there is no long-winded rant in my review ... God, I am tired.

[Chris Fallon]

And if she had a shaved head, looked lumpy, didnt have the vivrant red/blonde fusion with her hair/clothing style, sparkles, and that cute little girl face, they wouldnt be as popular.
Even with great pipes.
Precisely.

thank god for this review. i been hearing so much about this release and i just wasn't buying into it and when i finally listened too it i was so right about my thoughts. they sound like every other band out there that sings powerpop punk now. the old guy had a voice no one else can make so i dont think this band will ever be as good as Stickup too me
Well ... Colin's voice was not particularly unique - it's the biggest reason I can't listen to their last album.

Disagree with the "instantly catchy" part. I've listened to it 8 times (listening again right now) and the songs aren't growing on me. Weird, this is the first time that a pop-punk album didn't grow on me after over 5 listens.
I'm a little surprised because I think the first half is terrific and catches on quickly. It just lacks the hooks that really keep with you, and with that slow second half ... it doesn't formulate as best as it could have.

This album kicks ass. ROb did a great job of producing, and you lacked to add that it was mixed by Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount. You said it sounded huge, that had a huge part in it i am sure.
Yes, I did fail to mention them - but the album, as huge as it sounds, still lacks the punch Chroma did for example. I personally think this album could have sounded much fuller with Zack and Kenneth behind the boards in full.

this CD is a hell of a lot better than most of the shit being put out these days. i'll be enjoying this all summer. and though they sound somewhat similar, i'd say alex gaskarth has a better voice.
Completely agree. And I mention that, too - however, with all the shitty bands coming out, it shoots HTL in the foot and doesn't make them look as good as they should sound. It's a double-edged sword in a way, and is part of the reason it fails to stand out for a longer period of time. For the dozens of imitations, you get one who sounds better but doesn't manage to hold your attention simply due to the familiarity.

[Chris Fallon]

Alright, that's it for me. Whew - what a workout!

[The Summer Ends]

I didn't mean to offend you or anything, it just seems like you aren't a fan of the genre when you say they "might do pop-punk better than just about anyone out there right now," then you give them the score that you did.

I know this is your opinion, and I respect it, but I'm just a little butthurt over this to be 100% honest haha.

[jeebus]

In my books, this is a great summer record and that's all that counts for me at the moment.

[sputniksignals]

I agree with this. The album definitely has a lot of those "happy-hardcore" overtones for lack of a better description.

I really enjoy the album personally, having listened to it a bunch of times on their myspace while it was streaming.

Happy hardcore is not hardcore at all.


Now, of course my opinion is biased, because well, all opinions are, but I get more out of HTL than I would out of anything ATL puts out. I do not see the comparison of this album as a collection of All Time Low b-sides, partially because I'm sick of hearing ATL. To me if these were almost ATL b-side sounding, I probably wouldn't be able to stand them. No bones to pick, I'm just wondering what makes you feel that way

[Clark]

Most of this album doesn't really feel like Hit The Lights to me. More like a super-ultra-poppy version of Four Year Strong. I'm not sure how I feel about it right now. I remember I didn't love their first album until it had been out for like a year and then I finally fell in love with it. I'll just try to give this album as much time and attention as their first.

One thing I am positive about, however, is that I do not like the lyrics on this album nearly as much.

[glimmeratziii]

and if they weren't fronted by a girl they wouldn't be paramore. if you mean they stick out because of the fact a girl with great pipes sings for them then sure, yeah. but to say they are a "fabrication" as chris did is just dumb. i mean you can listen to the record and tell they have some talent. they aren't my favorite band, but geez come on.

my thoughts exactly.

[Spenny]

No smearing going on. I've already explained myself thoroughly several times, people are too sensitive, learn to understand what smearing means because there is no long-winded rant in my review ... God, I am tired.

I didn't know that opinions are disputable.
Fine, I'll re-phrase that.
In my opinion, you were smearing both Paramore and The Maine.
Smearing doesn't have to involve a long-winded rant, it can consist of small comments as well.
Sorry, but the fact remains that it comes across as unprofessional and an attempt to draw attention to the review.

And I normally wouldn't say that, as I enjoy your reviews Chris, but I just felt like being nit-picky.

[xashkox]

i've been listening to hit the lights since their "leaving town tonight" ep and i'll admit they're still a guilty pleasure and in my opinion, one of the best pop punk acts out there. while "skip school, start fights" might not offer much in terms of originality or new sound, it's definitely a catchy, fun summer album.

great review... i especially appreciated the ice cream reference - pretty hilarious and sadly accurate.

[brandnew21g]

i find it pretty ridiculous to hate on paramore because ppl enjoy the way hailey looks. Bottom line is both paramore albums are far better then anything hit the lights has put out. This album is ordinary, generic, boring, and disapointing (and i wasnt expecting much to begin with). To compare this album to those such as so wrong its right or catalyst is absolutely ridiculous. Those albums are still enjoyable over a year later while this album will not be enjoyable tomorow. Put your biases aside and right a real review w/o atacking bands that havno nothing to do with HTL. IDK why you feel the need to use a HTL review as a forum for hating on other pop punk bands - do that elsewhere. ppl come here to hear what you think of HTL not the maine ( though i agree with you on that) or paramore.

[The Summer Ends]

i find it pretty ridiculous to hate on paramore because ppl enjoy the way hailey looks. Bottom line is both paramore albums are far better then anything hit the lights has put out. This album is ordinary, generic, boring, and disapointing (and i wasnt expecting much to begin with). To compare this album to those such as so wrong its right or catalyst is absolutely ridiculous. Those albums are still enjoyable over a year later while this album will not be enjoyable tomorow. Put your biases aside and right a real review w/o atacking bands that havno nothing to do with HTL. IDK why you feel the need to use a HTL review as a forum for hating on other pop punk bands - do that elsewhere. ppl come here to hear what you think of HTL now the maine ) though i agree with you on that) and paramore.

That entire post was made of fail and wrong.

[brandnew21g]

That entire post was made of fail and wrong.

clearly not biased from the HTL avatar

[The Summer Ends]

clearly not biased from the HTL avatar

I may be biased in favor of HtL, but come on...your entire post was thrashing Hit the Lights. Saying Paramore is better than them is pretty wrong, and saying So Wrong, It's Right is better is near blasphemy.

All that aside though...the grammar and spelling was absolutely horrible. I know this isn't school or anything, but reading something shouldn't be a chore.

[brandnew21g]

I may be biased in favor of HtL, but come on...your entire post was thrashing Hit the Lights. Saying Paramore is better than them is pretty wrong, and saying So Wrong, It's Right is better is near blasphemy.

All that aside though...the grammar and spelling was absolutely horrible. I know this isn't school or anything, but reading something shouldn't be a chore.

well i guess we'll have to agree to disagree. my point more then thrashing HTL was that i dont see why its necessary to thrash paramore and the maine in a review of a completely different band. I'm fine w/ ppl likeing HTL more then i do, i jsut dont see why they need to be praised in a way that takes down other bands that have nothing to do with them........ and yeah my bad my spelling was awfull there

[atticusfinch]

Nice review, dude. I was pleasantly surprised with this disc. Pop punk is on such a pedastal for me growing up with NFG and Blink as the standards.

[Clark]

I forgot to mention in my previous post that I don't think this is a very good review.

[Zach Cool]

To compare this album to those such as so wrong its right or catalyst is absolutely ridiculous.
So Wrong, It's Right was fucking horrible. Lol @ you for holding it in the same light as Catalyst.

I didn't mean to offend you or anything, it just seems like you aren't a fan of the genre when you say they "might do pop-punk better than just about anyone out there right now," then you give them the score that you did.
That was my exact thought.

[Chris Fallon]

I didn't mean to offend you or anything, it just seems like you aren't a fan of the genre when you say they "might do pop-punk better than just about anyone out there right now," then you give them the score that you did.

I know this is your opinion, and I respect it, but I'm just a little butthurt over this to be 100% honest haha.
Here's my thing, and follow me closely: for an album to earn an 85% or better from me, it has to be long-lasting. Example: Relient K writes strong pop songs I don't see dying off in a few months; they have more to them than three-chords and they have evolved a great deal. Hit The Lights, while fine at their craft, doesn't offer up the songs to compete with classic pop-punk records and honestly, I don't see the fuss over the rating - 70% is an average score for an album that succeeds at presenting a better selection of pop-punk currently out there, but isn't able to keep up with the classic records in this genre.

My first paragraph was written for people exactly like you and some of the others quoting you, shrugging my review off. It's fine it went over your heads, I don't discredit you at all, I just think this is not a timeless record, and my score is neither great nor is it bad. It's average, for an album that is simply so.

Happy hardcore is not hardcore at all.


Now, of course my opinion is biased, because well, all opinions are, but I get more out of HTL than I would out of anything ATL puts out. I do not see the comparison of this album as a collection of All Time Low b-sides, partially because I'm sick of hearing ATL. To me if these were almost ATL b-side sounding, I probably wouldn't be able to stand them. No bones to pick, I'm just wondering what makes you feel that way
I explained this in a previous post but here goes: Nick's voice is toned down on the record (the fault of producer Freeman. It has a hollow sound to it at times, especially during quieter moments, which reminded ME of Gaskarth (ATL). I know people are sick to death of them, but the comparisons are not that far-fetched: they are aimed at pleasing the same audience, go for the same sound and ultimately, the album is not as poppy as ATL's, but I don't see why anyone who liked So Wrong It's Right wouldn't like this record - the RIYL section doesn't mean "Hey these records sound alike" - they are simply a reference guide for listeners to think, "Hey, I enjoyed that ... maybe I will like this as well."

I didn't know that opinions are disputable.
Fine, I'll re-phrase that.
In my opinion, you were smearing both Paramore and The Maine.
Smearing doesn't have to involve a long-winded rant, it can consist of small comments as well.
Sorry, but the fact remains that it comes across as unprofessional and an attempt to draw attention to the review.

And I normally wouldn't say that, as I enjoy your reviews Chris, but I just felt like being nit-picky.
I don't see it as unprofessional at all. I'm sick of going over this - in today's scene, Paramore would NOT be as popular without her, and my basic point is, today's teenage audience (who are the demographic the band is marketed toward) liken more to her than the music. The media focuses on who in the band? Hayley and all her outside-band activities. Kids on message boards talk about what? What she's wearing, how she looks - go back and read any Paramore-related thread here: see what you find. If that is honestly the only thing you can take away from this review, I think you may be overthinking it. I've explained myself a couple of times already, people are missing it. It wasn't meant for any more than what it is - other than that, you're analyzing my small piece far too much.

i find it pretty ridiculous to hate on paramore because ppl enjoy the way hailey looks. Bottom line is both paramore albums are far better then anything hit the lights has put out. This album is ordinary, generic, boring, and disapointing (and i wasnt expecting much to begin with). To compare this album to those such as so wrong its right or catalyst is absolutely ridiculous. Those albums are still enjoyable over a year later while this album will not be enjoyable tomorow. Put your biases aside and right a real review w/o atacking bands that havno nothing to do with HTL. IDK why you feel the need to use a HTL review as a forum for hating on other pop punk bands - do that elsewhere. ppl come here to hear what you think of HTL not the maine ( though i agree with you on that) or paramore.
This is difficult to read, but you sound like you don't know what the hell you're talking about. Did you bother to read my responses to this idiotic claim? Evidently, no. Go back and read what I had to say before jumping to any conclusions here. And for Christ's sake, learn to spell properly.

And both bands I mentioned are "pop" not "pop-punk".

I forgot to mention in my previous post that I don't think this is a very good review.
I don't see why that is, but I'm sorry you don't like it.

So Wrong, It's Right was fucking horrible. Lol @ you for holding it in the same light as Catalyst.


That was my exact thought.
Please see my first and second paragraph.

[Zach Cool]

Understood. It does make more sense now. :-)

Another thing that made me curious though:

Hit The Lights redeem themselves, in a sense, on their follow-up LP to 2006’s This Is A Stick-Up... Don’t Make It A Murder, which was incessantly catchy and breezy, but quickly lost its luster. Ex-vocalist Colin Ross had too much of a deviated septum to sing for 40-minutes straight and eventually, the album lost touch with its audience.
If by eventually, you mean as soon as they heard this new album or demos or any other pre-SCSF song with Nick singing and actually heard the difference, I can understand. Personally, the only people I ever saw complain about Colin's voice before then had never liked it, period, and those that did like it had an odd love for it. I'm thinking back to when Colin announced that he would be leaving the band, and all the posts in that news thread were talking about how this band was done and that Colin WAS Hit The Lights.

[sputniksignals]

Ah I see. I guess to each his own. But man if you all are sick of ATL, try not being able to go to a local show for years where they WEREN'T playing. Impossible.

[j is constant]

http://www.fancorps.com/hitthelights/view/15456|77747.jpg

This cd is solid, I love it!

[Greg Giggles]

the first cd had some classics

this album is just good overall
catchy catchy catchy but kind of forgettable at the same time
still good

[Greg Giggles]

So Wrong, It's Right was fucking horrible. Lol @ you for holding it in the same light as Catalyst.


That was my exact thought.

all time low is horrible

[Zach Cool]

all time low is horrible
Put Up Or Shut Up is one of my favorite pop-punk EPs.

(666th post)

[Greg Giggles]

Put Up Or Shut Up is one of my favorite pop-punk EPs.

(666th post)

the ep was good, the full length made me not like them

[RetardedInLove]

I love how butt hurt people are getting over this review. What were you thinking, this album would get in the 90s?? I thought it was a very subjective view of the album and it was rated fairly as what it is: A very mid-range pop punk CD that might sound decent while it is on, but you won't find yourself rushing to listen to it again. I listened to the Myspace stream and I couldn't even get through the whole thing, so I even think a 70 is too high.

[MyNameIsRoss]

I'm wondering if it would be a complete waste of hard-drive space to get this..

[ecaballerojr]

Hey Chris! Very well written review, I respect your opinion even though I don't agree with most of your statements in it. I honestly don't know where you got the comparison with Alex from All Time Low, to me they're completely different in sound, style maybe you're right there but in sound I don't think so.

and MROCHE, I went on to listen to The Mile After and I believe (*laughs*) you are very confused, I visited their MySpace and I did not hear at least ONE song that was Pop Punk. Give it to a real pop punk fan like me and they'll classify it as mellow pop.

[Dre Okorley]

I really think they have more of a CARTEL shaped sound/influence than All Time Low, for sure. If no one else hears this, they're deaf.

[PhantomFlux]

this is a great album to listen to during the summer

[fran.182]

Best pop punk album of 2008 along with Valencia's new one

[MusicTalks]

i have bumped this cd for weeks now (since the day it came out) and have seen two htl shows since it came out. 'statues' is horrible, but other than that, the record is solid. 'say what you wanna say' is the best track and a lyric like 'payback, cause talk is cheap. you'll lose your bite trading teeth in for enemies' rivals some of the great lyrics on this is a stick up.

[Chris Fallon]

Best pop punk album of 2008 along with Valencia's new one
I will agree with you on Valenica, but there are far better selections when it comes to pop-punk over this (Punchline, Less Than Jake, even Millencolin's latest).

[stereokiller]

i REALLY hate this album - nothing personal. oops wrong thread.

anyways, i dunno. i kinda liked ross' voice more. the new vocalist doesnt have the edge that ross' voice has. well, that's just me.

This is a stick up is a catchy. This, though is a bit... you get the point.

[The Summer Ends]

i still like this album lol

i was kind of a dick to chris though, my bad

[MBIIdollaBill]

wow i stopped reading this review after it said that most of the songs could be mistaken for all time low b-sides.... i have enough trouble with their a-sides.