trainwreck89
07/13/08, 02:07 PM
Hit the Lights - Skip School Start Fights
Record Label: Triple Crown Records
Release Date: July 8, 2008
"We'll weather rain, the sleet, the snow and oceans / just to get through to you," sings Hit the Lights guitarist-turned-frontman Nick Thompson on "Count It," the soothing intro track to their new record Skip School, Start Fights. You can’t help but feel the sincerity of that line considering what the band, consisting of Thompson, Omar Zehery (guitars), Dave Bermosk (bass), and Nate van Dame (drums), have been through over the past year. In mid-2007, former lead singer Colin Ross left the band, a move that would cripple most groups. However, instead of breaking up or abandoning their sound, Hit the Lights rebuilt, enlisted their own Thompson to take over on vocals, and came out of the ashes with a pitch-perfect, summer pop-punk album.
Things get started with the explosive "Breathe In," as the track reveals that Hit the Lights haven’t lost their catchy, energetic sound and showcases Thompson’s presence as lead vocalist. He shows very good potential as a singer and his voice is a welcome change from the sometimes too-nasal Ross. "Stay Out" sounds better than ever on the record and its jumpy riffs and sing-along chorus show why it is the album's first single. "Drop the Girl" has similar hit potential with its soaring "whoa-ohs" in the chorus.
"Hangs Em High" and "Statues" are standout tracks, as they are among the fastest songs in Hit the Lights' arsenal and wouldn't sound out of place on New Found Glory's earlier records. "Back Breaker" starts with a bouncy riff that will get your head bopping; "Wide Awake" is one of the catchiest songs on the record and has a verse that is slightly reminiscent of Saves the Day's "Get Fucked Up."
Things finally calm down by the finale, "On and On," which starts with an atmospheric riff and features an anthemic ending filled with group vocals. The song is a much more satisfying ending than the still impressive "Make a Run for It," which finished off 2006's This Is a Stickup, Don't Make It a Murder.
The production of Rob Freeman (Museums, Houston Calls) is impressive, as it gives the record a very natural, live feel that is a slight contrast from Matt Squire's tight, punchy sound on This Is a Stickup, Don't Make It a Murder. The record is filled with pop-punk staple "hey's" and "yeah's" that you haven't heard enough of since New Found Glory's Sticks and Stones.
The guitar work of Zehery and Thompson is tight, chuggy, and packs a bit more of a punch than it did on their debut record (see: the ending of "Cry Your Eyes Out"). It doesn't break any new ground, but it does what any good pop-punk riff should: make you want to get off your feet. The rhythm section is held down well by Bermosk and Van Dame, who provide just enough bounce to the album's fun breakdowns.
Perhaps the only flaw of Skip School, Start Fights is that it doesn’t bring anything new to the table. However, Thompson and crew have opted to play fast, fun pop-punk in an age where overly sexual, cliché bubblegum pop (The Maine) has become the style of choice for today's "rock" bands.
And that in itself might just be groundbreaking... at least in this day and age.
New Found Glory, Four Year Strong, early 2000's pop punk
myspace.com/hitthelights (http://www.myspace.com/hitthelights)
Record Label: Triple Crown Records
Release Date: July 8, 2008
"We'll weather rain, the sleet, the snow and oceans / just to get through to you," sings Hit the Lights guitarist-turned-frontman Nick Thompson on "Count It," the soothing intro track to their new record Skip School, Start Fights. You can’t help but feel the sincerity of that line considering what the band, consisting of Thompson, Omar Zehery (guitars), Dave Bermosk (bass), and Nate van Dame (drums), have been through over the past year. In mid-2007, former lead singer Colin Ross left the band, a move that would cripple most groups. However, instead of breaking up or abandoning their sound, Hit the Lights rebuilt, enlisted their own Thompson to take over on vocals, and came out of the ashes with a pitch-perfect, summer pop-punk album.
Things get started with the explosive "Breathe In," as the track reveals that Hit the Lights haven’t lost their catchy, energetic sound and showcases Thompson’s presence as lead vocalist. He shows very good potential as a singer and his voice is a welcome change from the sometimes too-nasal Ross. "Stay Out" sounds better than ever on the record and its jumpy riffs and sing-along chorus show why it is the album's first single. "Drop the Girl" has similar hit potential with its soaring "whoa-ohs" in the chorus.
"Hangs Em High" and "Statues" are standout tracks, as they are among the fastest songs in Hit the Lights' arsenal and wouldn't sound out of place on New Found Glory's earlier records. "Back Breaker" starts with a bouncy riff that will get your head bopping; "Wide Awake" is one of the catchiest songs on the record and has a verse that is slightly reminiscent of Saves the Day's "Get Fucked Up."
Things finally calm down by the finale, "On and On," which starts with an atmospheric riff and features an anthemic ending filled with group vocals. The song is a much more satisfying ending than the still impressive "Make a Run for It," which finished off 2006's This Is a Stickup, Don't Make It a Murder.
The production of Rob Freeman (Museums, Houston Calls) is impressive, as it gives the record a very natural, live feel that is a slight contrast from Matt Squire's tight, punchy sound on This Is a Stickup, Don't Make It a Murder. The record is filled with pop-punk staple "hey's" and "yeah's" that you haven't heard enough of since New Found Glory's Sticks and Stones.
The guitar work of Zehery and Thompson is tight, chuggy, and packs a bit more of a punch than it did on their debut record (see: the ending of "Cry Your Eyes Out"). It doesn't break any new ground, but it does what any good pop-punk riff should: make you want to get off your feet. The rhythm section is held down well by Bermosk and Van Dame, who provide just enough bounce to the album's fun breakdowns.
Perhaps the only flaw of Skip School, Start Fights is that it doesn’t bring anything new to the table. However, Thompson and crew have opted to play fast, fun pop-punk in an age where overly sexual, cliché bubblegum pop (The Maine) has become the style of choice for today's "rock" bands.
And that in itself might just be groundbreaking... at least in this day and age.
New Found Glory, Four Year Strong, early 2000's pop punk
myspace.com/hitthelights (http://www.myspace.com/hitthelights)