(4 Out of 5)

Hit the Lights proves that pop punk is still alive and well on Skip School, Start Fights.  Furthermore, HTL illustrate that bands don’t have to sound like every other pop-whatever band that has come before them.  Not only did lineup changes not hinder the Lima, Ohio-based band, it made them stronger than ever.  The answer was within the entire time.

Guitarist Nick Thompson now mans the helm with vocals that are clean, light and not overly whiny.  HTL offer up more sing-a-long opportunities than a karaoke contest at the local bar and musically, the band’s infusion of hardcore subtleties are in all the right places, especially on tracks like “Cry Your Eyes Out” or “Back Breaker.”

“Stay Out” could easily be this summer’s party song with lyrics like, “We’ll stay out all night, cause rest is for the dead.”  “Hangs Em High,” boasts a vocal tone similar that of Justin Pierre of Motion City Soundtrack, but the song itself is more energetic than a six year old on a sugar high.

Skip School, Start Fights reminds me of why early New Found Glory and The Atari’s albums got me so interested in pop-punk, those were the albums that could be put on repeat and not get old.

Suggested Listening: “Statues,” Hangs Em High” and “Back Breaker”

By: Adam K. Zak III - Senior Editor / Founder