With two name changes and a style change, the once Metal Band(Razzle) got signed to RCA records after being noticed with their first full length debut album Tripping Light Fantastic and their single Bitter. Lit Started in 1990 in Orange County, California, during the post-grunge era. Known as Razzle they had a large following with their metal sound. They kept the name and the style for a few years and then adopted a grunge sound. And with the adaption of the sound came the change of the name. They changed their name to Stained. However due to the rising popularity of bands already using the name Stained they decided on Lit.
On December 10, 1996 Lit had their first EP with Indie Record label Malicious Vinyl and had Kurt Cobain record a track Stain . Five Months later, April fools day, April 1st 1997, Lit came out with their full length debut CD and proved that they were no fools with killer songs like Fuel Explode and their very first single Bitter .
With the mild success of Tripping Lights Fantastic they were noticed and signed by RCA. On February 23, 1999 they came out with their major record debut A Place in the Sun
A Place in the Sun was a huge success for Lit. Winning the Billboard Music Award for having the biggest hit of 1999 on the modern rock charts with My Own Worst Enemy . In 2000 Zip Lock and Miserable were among the most played songs of 2000. Having enough fame to have Pamela Anderson in one of their videos. Playing over 286 shows world wide to promote A Place in the Sun Lit also landed a coveted spot in Woodstock 1999, and played with such bands as The Offspring, Garbage, and No Doubt.
Lit is
A. Jay Popoff- Vocals
Jeremy Popoff-Guitar and Vocals
Kevin Blades- Bass Guitar
Allen Shelenbereger- Drums
The opening track “Four” opens with a decent guitar riff and then the drums kick in to grab your attention and just doesn’t let go throughout the entire song. Catchy verse and an even more catchy chorus though a bit too repetitive. The Lyrics to the song are about a couple that seem to be falling apart. Their relationship is deteriorating and they seem to just be going through the motions, refusing to admit defeat. When “My Worst Enemy” opens I guarantee it will have you nodding your head and tapping your toes. This is the cornerstone for the entire album. With lyrics that are just oh so fun to sing with. I mean who doesn’t like talking about their drunken nights in a song? This song is a jolt of energy and is just a really fun track to listen to. I enjoyed this track a lot, maybe it is because I can relate? The lyrics of this song are about very regretful things being said when he is drunk. Now I know, I definitely can relate.
“Down” opens up with a strong sound and a somewhat awkward sounding voice from A Jay. However when the chorus hits it sounds like a typical pop punk sounding chorus. Altogether a strong song and I like the clear difference between the chorus and verse in this song. Most songs on this CD just seem to run into each other. “Miserable” The softest song on the album, lays off of the catchiness and just drives it home with great lyrics and great vocals. My favorite track on the album. Has a solid and distinct sound.
An interesting fact about “No Big Thing” is that it was on their EP “Five Smoking Tracks From Lit” and their first LP “Tripping Lights Fantastic” So it is definitely a song that Lit wants us to hear. By driving it all the way from the beginning. “No Big Thing” opens up rocking and then comes in with yet again another catchy verse and chorus. No matter how bored of this song I am I just can’t seem to push skip on my CD player This song has some of the best sounding instrumentals in the whole album. The Lyrics are about a guy trying to deal with a break up.
“Zip Lock” Will definitely have you nodding your head and put a smile on your face. It is soo damn catchy The chorus is solid and no wonder it was in strong rotation on the modern rock stations back in 2000. Again a model song to what the CD is basically made of. Catchy riffs, catchy hooks, catchy chorus’. “Lovely Day” One of the lyrics of this song capture the tone to the entire CD. “Such a lovely day and it's nothing more than ordinary It's another world but it's something more than ordinary” What I mean by this is this song sounds very similar to about 9 of the other tracks on the album. Yet every song has something alittle bit different to bring to the table.
“Perfect One” Is one of the most delicate songs on the album. Softer tone, until you hit the chorus. This track has more of a rock tone to it than the rest of the album. A great track if you are trying to find individuality on this CD. Great lyrics and a different sound make this track a winner “Quicksand” Again hits you with a catchy beat and a great verse, The chorus is a real disappointment after such a strong opening. But the lyrics for the chorus go as following “Running out of you, Running out of you” I mean come on This is one of my least favorite tracks on the album, but it isn’t saying much because I’d still rather listen to this than a Brittany Spears record
“Happy” Completely different from any other track on the album It has trumpets It has freaking Trumpets man Despite the name the song isn’t all that happy Song again about dealing with a break up and being pissed about not being able to be happy again Lyrically sound I gotta give this one a thumbs up “The Best is Yet Come Undone” a rocking sound , I really enjoy the lyric, it is so optimistic . A very solid track. Give this one a listen “A Place in the Sun” has a great opening with a harder sound guitar. Not as attention grabbing as the rest of this album but still a great song.
In conclusion, one thing to take from this review, “A Place in The Sun” has a very attractive sound that is easy on the ears. I would gladly recommend this CD to anyone Even my Grandma, but she is just so into that Donny Osmond so damn much she wont listen to me . However a major draw back of this album is that most of the tracks are held together only on attractive guitar work, and have no real substance.
Final Rating 3.5 outta 5!
Tracks to listen to-Down, Perfect One, Miserable, and My Own Worst Enemy
Big Effin Tone
