Boston's Alternative Source!
     
  · Dining
  · DJs
  · Gossip
  · Party Pics
 
Feedback

[Off The Record]
Stars graphics
Lit
ATOMIC
(RCA)

Beneath the irresistible summer sheen of their ubiquitous ’99 smash, "My Own Worst Enemy," Lit came across as little more than faceless corporate-rock hacks. But their stylistic anonymity served them well — with its sharp humor and sharper hooks, the song spoke for itself. On their third album, the band once again score no points for originality but nevertheless come up winners. They’ve traded the snappy pop punk of "My Own Worst Enemy" for a glam-inspired rock decadence that sounds more like something from Hollywood than from their native Orange County: the opening sleaze riff and bubblegum chorus that drive the first single, "Lipstick and Bruises," could easily fit into the Buckcherry repertoire. The rest of the disc is similarly littered with loud guitars, but the band’s pop bent is probably too pronounced to win over the rock crowd. Singer A. Jay Popoff has a bit of a thing for Elvis Costello, and he’s prone to cringe-inducing wordplay like "I’m so addicted to you/And you’re such a dick to me." "Happy in the Meantime" is a worthy answer to Eve 6’s prom-season smash "Here’s to the Night" (the two groups share producer Don Gilmore), and "Sunny Weather" sports an oldies-radio melody Smash Mouth would kill for. There are few surprises, but this is high-gloss rock done right.

BY SEAN RICHARDSON

Issue Date: October 25 - November 1, 2001





home | feedback | about the phoenix | find the phoenix | advertising info | privacy policy


© 2002 Phoenix Media Communications Group