FDF Volume 2 Issue 188 - Lit - Atomic

By: March

Album - Atomic
Artist - Lit
Key Players - Allen Shellenberger - drums. Kevin Baldes - bass. Jeremy Popoff - guitar+vocals. A.Jay Popoff - lead vocals.
Produced By - Dan Gilmore & Lit

Release Date - October 16, 2001


What caused me to blow off the dust? - Most folks if they know the band tend to gravitate to the break out record, but I decided to mix it up.

Overview - This was the 3rd album from Fullerton, California based band Lit. This album was the follow up to the bands mainstream break through "A Place in the Sun" that had the track "My Own Worst Enemy". This album would peak at #36 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.

FDF Comments (aka the songs)

The album starts with "Something To Someone" a track that slowly builds and a live crowd begins to cheer, then helicopters seem to appear before the machine gun guitar rips over the top. The bass comes over with drums and the band quickly locks in to a very pop punk track. The drums are pushed towards the front and are not overly complex, but maintain the solid hard hitting you'd want. The chorus offers some decent harmonies, a trend that will appear later in the record as well. A. Jay's vocals are perfect for the music, he can get up there in range, but keeps the punkish feel to it. This track is actually long for the record at over four minutes as well. "The Last Time Again" opens with a sort of tricked out guitar effect before the band and vocals come in. It is a little choppier of a song, with more of a "chug chug" from the guitar before the big chords fill it out. The chorus is strong though. The listener will continually get strong harmonies and this is again, a strong example. The get a guitar break down and the band changes gears for a moment, but comes right back to the earlier feel. "Addicted" begins with a choppy guitar again, before a second guitar gives the chords over that. The bass and drums over a big sound, but the song doesn't seem to be as interesting as the other two. Vocals continue to be strong and it is funny to listen to the lyrics. One of the radio singles came in "Lipstick and Bruises" which is next. A song about the abuse of women starts off with a big guitar and a full band run down. The band is really tight on this, firing off each other and the urgency in the lyrics and music gives you a full package, this is what the band is about. The guitars on this are pretty darn happening, check it out. The vocals start right up on "Everything's Cool". It's just vocals and a lone guitar before the band joins. We find the band in the comfort zone once more. The track hammers along, but never gets overly creative. Sure everyone, and everything sounds good, you are just sort of ready for a little more. Acoustic guitars and more of a campfire sing along are how you hear "Happy In The Meantime". Just vocals and acoustic guitar make for a nice change. There are even strings to really bring out the sound. The drums do come in, but are for cymbal rolls only. The "rock" returns on the fuzzy "Drop D". A funny homage to a style of guitar tuning at the time found in many nu metal bands. The early parts of the lyrics are funny towards the genre, but never really elaborate on the song title, which you'd think would be an easy way out. "Sunny Weather" has a punchy bass line that is a little buried in the mix, but if you pick up on it you'd notice it all the time. The guitar has more of a "surf" sound to it (but not a lot) the distortion seems to be out of the guitars this time around. The song hardly fades as "Next Time Around" comes up. The bass chugs heavy on this track with the slap of the drums and it compliments the prior track really well. There is a guitar "solo" on this track which is really a surprise. When you hear it you realize the other tracks have been void of it. The guitars once again have more of a chime to them as "Slip" begins. The second guitar gives more of the flash and vibrato. The lyrics are a little looser on this more "ballad" feeling track but the rock returns on "She Comes". The big guitars and booming drums, but as the lyrics stop everyone slows way down and lays back some but switches around a fair amount with the tempo. The guitar loops and plays off the bass and drums on the intro to "Live For This". Another mid tempo track but never is timid about opening it up from time to time. The album closes with the song that I just can't get enough of the last few days of re-listening to this record. A slow vocal phase brings up "Over My Head" and it just launches. The song is sung very quickly, the band is tight and the highlights is the chorus. Filled with harmonies I'll toss it out there...Steven Tyler of Aerosmith lends his pipes. If you listen you'll pick him right out. Its a terrific sing along and A+ album closer. How this song was not huge is beyond me..seriously.

Where are they now? - The band is still active today, but are currently unsigned. The only line up change has been with Shellenberger. Shellenberger passed away on August 13, 2009 after suffering from a brain tumor. As early as April 2010 the band was interviewed saying a major label would/should have their next release and they'd be performing new songs live.

FDF Personal Comments (aka the Live experience) - If I saw them ever it would have been at a festival, radio station show, but I don't really know for sure. I am going with a no on this.

FDF Overall Take: There is a lot of that sort of "rinse/lather/repeat" with this record and in a sense that is okay. The band uses just some simple quick chords to get the point across musically. They keep within their boundaries and don't alienate the listener. Perfect record for the early part of your summer BBQ.

Curious? Check out some music!

mp3's have been removed.

Lipstick and Bruises
Over My Head

Tracks were taken from "Atomic" which you can buy here.

Disclaimer - For the most part songs listed you can find on iTunes or your local cd shop. The idea is to give you a little taste of the music. Please support the artist buy purchasing some of their work. Songs are posted for about 1 week but can and will be removed at the request of the artist, band, band management etc. If you are one of those persons contact me via the email link in the profile and they will be removed as soon as we are made aware of the request