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Hit the Lights

This Is a Stick-Up…Don't Make It a Murder
2006
EastWest / Triple Crown

Hit the Lights - This Is a Stick-Up…Don't Make It a Murder (Cover Artwork)

Review by: MarkRowan
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Published on April 11th 2006

If you were into pop-punk in 1998, this album may make you realize you didn’t fully “grow out” of that genre of music. If you don’t like pop-punk in any way, shape, or form, I wouldn’t bother with this album. Hit the Lights' debut full-length This Is a Stick Up…Don't Make It a Murder is pop-punk in its purest and maybe even finest form. I can’t stress this enough: There are no catches here, just catchy music.

It’s hard to put a finger on why this album is so good because there’s nothing groundbreaking here. Hit the Lights doesn’t tread any new water or even travel their own unique path. They follow right in the footsteps of New Found Glory and the Ataris, but at the same time those bands haven’t put out a really good album in recent history. I’m talking about those bands when you couldn’t stop listening to their albums. That is the exact same thing Hit the Lights is doing on this album.

With any good pop-punk album, you will find yourself singing along well before you finish your second listen. But, also going with most pop-punk albums, you will find yourself questioning the lyrics. While the lyrics on this album are clearly the weakest part of it, you will still find yourself occasionally thinking lines here and there are rather clever. Of course, when dealing with this genre you aren’t exactly looking for a deep meaning, but instead looking for some addictive tunes to listen to.

The most addictive of those tunes has to be “Bodybag.” As I write this, “Bodybag” has been played almost double the amount of times as any of the others. Not to say that this song is so much better than the rest, just that it is such a standout track. The opening track, “The Call Out (You Are the Dishes)” is a perfect way to introduce listeners to what to expect from the rest of the album. The album takes a slightly slower pace on “One Hundred Times,” but still feels completely at home with the rest of the songs and is even a welcomed change. The final track, “Make a Run for It” states “We got this down to a science, baby.” Something listeners are going to have trouble denying as they join in.

This album isn’t going to blow anyone’s mind away. Plain and simple, this album will give you something to sing along to. You will find that Hit the Lights does everything right as far as pop-punk goes and if that is a genre that you enjoy, then I can’t recommend this album enough. It also happens to be a perfect album for warm weather and makes me question whether or not Triple Crown Records somehow planned that out. Make sure you go to the nearest store, buy this album, and play it with the windows down.

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Posted by x_xPurePoisonx_x on 2008-02-17 18:46:31
My Score:

that exactly what kill the lights is..i like all of their songs because they are very catchy and plus they dont really sound like the bands that are barely coming out..they have their unique sound..

Posted by Waders on 2008-01-18 12:30:49
My Score:

While your review was quite short, I think you are right on it.

The best songs on this album have to be the Hidden Track, Bodybag, and of course Talk Us Down.

I find myself listening to Talk Us Down more than any other release on the album. I think they are walking down a different path then on any of their other songs on this one. They seem to have that The Starting Line sound, mixed with New Found Glory. The lyrics on that song make you addicted, and want to listen over and over.

Overall rating: 10, and I don't give that lightly.

Posted by twannabehawk on 2007-09-02 05:21:21
My Score:

very good album. hooks galore!

Posted by blacky6464 on 2007-08-06 23:53:41
My Score:

thank god somebody understands pop-punk
it is at heart youth music.
thaks fro the great review

Posted by kelbug on 2007-02-23 12:23:31
My Score:

I have seen these guys play live more times than I can count and I never get bored. They have come such a long way on their own and have earned a spot as one of my favorite bands. I have seen some of the greats of all times play and Hit the Lights has just as much energy and connection with their fans mixed with talent that I have ever seen. I'll be at the next show.... singin' all the words!

Posted by RondoMondo on 2006-11-10 17:12:17
My Score:

I'm in love with this cd. I fucking LOVE ME some pop-punk.

Posted by crazytoledo on 2006-06-24 13:20:00
My Score:

This first song on the album is about Scott Weber's review of their previous release. They even use lines from the review. I was reading about that on AP. Now that's funny...

And anyway, this is really catchy. That's about it, but I like it.

Posted by smit on 2006-06-17 21:00:00
My Score:

great album best live band i have ever seen and I have no idea what the hell you others are talking about cause hit the lights is going to be the next big band to hit mtv u guys just have bad tste in music

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 28, 2006 at 6:00 PM (EDT)

hit the lights rocks....

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 17, 2006 at 11:21 PM (EDT)

nate is the fucking man

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 17, 2006 at 2:17 PM (EDT)
My Score:

eh...this albums ok...I LOVE pop punk and am not ashamed of that. NFG's s/t album, midtown-living well, STD-through being cool and FOB-TTTYG all rank in my favorite albums of all time. That said I was stoked to hear the hype about this supposed 'best new pop punk band' hit the lights.

the albums decent at best. its somewhere in the league of 'amber pacific' in that they have a few really good songs, no real bad ones, and a shitload of in between and filler. its nothing new, sounds like FOB crossed with new found glory but with really bad lyrics and not as good of musicianship (miles musically from nfg, and not even up to FOB standards). the albums totally front loaded. the first 3 songs are by far the best. after that its pretty middle of the road with the exception of that 100 ways song or whatever the slower one is called. the last song is terrible.

go get the new saves the day.

Paul

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 15, 2006 at 3:00 PM (EDT)

"this is a totally tate album!
-greg!"

BACKED!

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 8:02 PM (EDT)

wow, someone in this band really wants to be in at the drive-in.

Posted by onegirlarmy on 2006-04-12 17:22:35

Not surprising to see everyone here hating this, but I actually was not expecting this to get a good review at all from punknews so this is a shock. That being said, I'm in the minority here. I really like this band/album. I realize how bad they are, but I can't help it. They're catchy as fuck and I really enjoy their harmonies. It's a serious guilty pleasure for me.

Posted by dietcokeofpunk on 2006-04-12 04:29:15

i still prefer the blinde guy from karate kid...."PUT HIM IN A BODY BAGGG!!! YEEEAAAA!!"

Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2006-04-11 20:09:41

yyOUUREE GONAA NEED A BODYBAAAG! I'LL BREAK BONES YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU HAAAAD..WHEN I'M DONE THERE WILL BE NOTHING LEFT OF YOU..FOR YOUR FRIENDS TO HOLD ON TO, WHEN THEY FIND YOU COLD AND BLUE TONIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT...FACE DOWN IN A PARKING LOT!!

Or, who can forget the huge singalong of:

you sound like aaa.....
RADIO WITH THE SPEAKERS BLOWN
THE KINDA SOUND THAT YOU NEVER KNOW
TREBLE HIGH AND THE BASS DOWN LOOOOW.......WHooOO-OOO--OOAA WHOO OOAAAOO OOUUW!

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 3:32 PM (EDT)

i'm a sucker for good pop punk, but this is shitty.

Posted by pdlawry on 2006-04-11 14:40:00
My Score:

this is a totally tate album!
-greg!

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 2:39 PM (EDT)
My Score:

so i got my hands on a copy of the new living end record. i've only really listened to a few songs but i think it's gonna be good. seems like they're working on their songwriting, trying to give their songs structure, like The Room on MA. That was my favorite song. Anyway, i don't mean they're going too pop, i mean it seems like they're genuinely trying to advance they're sound. I like.

Posted by Anchors on 2006-04-11 14:15:05

I love pop punk, but this is terrrrrrrrrrible.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 1:49 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Ugh, this album is terrible. i cannot even make it through one song. The lead singer's voice is nothing short of terrible, and the music is the same derivative pop punk sound that a million bands have already done to death.

Save your money and pick up Moneen, Mono, STD, or Josh Ritter today.

Posted by rkl on 2006-04-11 13:20:51
My Score:

yeah im sorry, i just cant see an 8 for this.
maybe a 3. maybe.
this sounds nothing like the pop punk i was listening to in 98... the vocals are that generic whine that any "punk" band that wants to get on the radio feels the need to have.

Posted by darkstarm on 2006-04-11 12:25:16

An 8? What the balls?

Posted by Scruffy on 2006-04-11 12:18:42

And, I'm sorry. This is catchy. Buuuut....
"You're gonna need a body bag. I'll break bones you didn't know you had."
First off, I find it funny that Saves The Day writes these kinds of lyrics so much better than anyone else who has come after them. You'd think omeone would get it right the way they have.
Second, these guys couldn't put anyone in a body bag. These kind of lyrics might sound tough coming from huge hardcore guys that weigh 250 pounds. They sound laughable coming from young rail thin guys with afros and swoosh haircuts living in their parents' houses.

Posted by MarkRowan on 2006-04-11 11:50:14
My Score:

fuck this, this isn't punk rock

Posted by Scruffy on 2006-04-11 09:45:36

It's reminiscent of late 90's pop-punk...
...On Drive-Thru Records...
...with lyrics that come right from the Hawthorne Heights playbook...

Posted by OverDefined on 2006-04-11 08:42:57

So, yeah, I don't like this. But that's just my opinion.

Posted by almostpunkenough on 2006-04-11 05:51:47
My Score:

oh come on, this really isn't that bad. my roomate (who loves all things tateXcore) loves this shit and plays it all the time. pretty much all of the songs have been stuck in my head, which i guess is pretty impressive.

it's not new or even remotley original and the lyrics are straight cheese, but good god it's catchy. i know that doesn't make it good, but it takes at least a little talent to write that many hooks.

Posted by kingofpain on 2006-04-11 03:54:18
My Score:

I've heard one song from this album and it's horrible. And according to this review, it's the standout track. So I'm just going to make a scientific guess about the score for the rest of the album.

Posted by dusticles on 2006-04-11 02:51:48

this band sucks.

I am also fucking tired of these "cleaver" disc titles. they are not funny they are goddamn stupid

Posted by swingline on 2006-04-11 01:36:27

wow... it's exactly like the starting line. EXACTLY.

Posted by fattony on 2006-04-11 01:31:56
My Score:

wow, i listened to about 15 seconds of one of their tracks up on purevolume, and this band fucking blows. the vocals are laughably bad.

Posted by colin on 2006-04-11 01:26:12

You and Amanda S. (wrote the bullet in a bible review) should probably date. But for the love of god, please don't procreate.

that's fucking mean...

...but i cracked up.

in all honesty, if this is reminiscent of '98 pop punk, it'd be worth a spin. i haven't heard of these guys, but i did like that genre back then. however cheesy lyrics are very rarely in a 4 star album.

Posted by kingofpain on 2006-04-11 01:24:47

I haven't heard this album, but living in the same area as this band, I've been subjected to this band live many times. I can't imagine this possibly deserving more than two stars.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 1:18 AM (EDT)

You and Amanda S. (wrote the bullet in a bible review) should probably date. But for the love of god, please don't procreate.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 1:15 AM (EDT)

Come the fuck on. This is a 1 star album. Tops.

Posted by swingline on 2006-04-11 01:14:08

gay shit foo. na mean?

Posted by InaGreendase on 2006-04-11 01:12:40

Cannot get through 4 seconds of this due to vocals. endstory