LIT
The View From the Bottom
[The Royal Potato Family]
Verdict: 8/10
RIYL: Third Eye Blind, Eve 6, The Offspring

At first, I was disappointed by The View From The Bottom. It’s the first Lit record I’ve listened to since the famous A Place In The Sun, so I was expecting something more punk and fueled with attitude. Instead, The View From The Bottom tends to fall into mainstream trends during its twelve tracks. However, play it through a second and third time, and you’ll catch yourself learning the words and singing along. The next thing you know and you’re in my shoes, listening to this record several times a week. The opening track, “C’Mon”, is an instant party hit, constantly calling you back for me with its gang choruses and upbeat “fuck you” fuel. From here, the band seems to take popular sounds and then put their own spin on it. This is what bothered me, but at the same time, these styles are popular for a reason. For example, “Same Shit, Different Drink” has some very familiar instrumental work, and the chorus isn’t original, but it’s a catchy song nonetheless. Then you have the beat-fused “Miss You Gone”, which almost feels like it’s the 2000 era of Backstreet Boys and pop boy bands. Even with these issues, The View From The Bottom does become intensely enjoyable and fun to play again and again. Lit may not feel very original on this record, but they do take the mainstream winners and have fun with the formulas. – by Thomas Lehane

>> Classification: Arena Rock/Punk
>> Recommended Tracks: “C’Mon”, “You Tonight”, “She Don’t Know”, “Nothing’s Free”
>> In Conclusion: This isn’t quite what I expected, but even with its often mainstream knock offs, The View From The Bottom is very catchy and fun.