The View from the Bottom
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The View from the Bottom is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Lit, released on June 19, 2012 through Megaforce Records. It is the band's first new album in eight years, since the release of their self-titled album in 2004. It also marks the first album with Nathan Walker on drums, replacing the late Allen Shellenberger, who died from cancer in 2009, and second guitarist Ryan Gillmor, making it the first time the band has recorded as a five-piece.
Background
After the band put out their fourth album, Lit in 2004, the band was hit with a number of hardships. A. Jay and Jeremy Popoff's stepfather died in a motorcycle crash, also severely injuring their mother.[3] While the band continued on with touring, eventually in 2008, the band's drummer, Allen Shellenberger, was diagnosed with a brain tumor, passing away a year later in August 2009.[2][3] After Shellenberger's passing, the band was unsure whether or not it would continue on.[4] The remaining members, during New Year's Eve in 2009, at the bar they run, "The Slidebar", came together and decided to continue on as a band and make a fifth album.[4]
Writing and recording
The band began working on writing new material throughout various sessions in 2010 and 2011.[3] The band chose Nathan Walker to fill in on drums, who had been both a friend to the band, and the drum tech in the past.[3] Ryan Gilmor was also brought in as a new, fifth band member as well, to "round out the band's sound" as a second guitarist and keyboardist.[4] In late 2011, the band entered the studio with producer Butch Walker.[4] They extensively demoed songs, and wrote many more than would make the album, both firsts for the band in the recording process.[3] The album was primarily tracked live in the studio.[3]
Release and promotion
"Same Shit, Different Drink" was made available for free download at Rolling Stone's website in April 2012.[5]
The first single, "You Tonight," was released on iTunes on May 1, 2012, and the album was released on June 19, 2012.[6]
To promote the album's release, the band will go on the Summerland Tour with Everclear, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, and Marcy Playground.[7][8]
A video for the single "The Broken" was released on August 16, 2012, and a video for "Miss You Gone" was released on Jun 13, 2013.
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [2] |
| Rock Sound | 6/10[9] |
| Rolling Stone | [10] |
The album has received mixed reviews. Matt Collar at AllMusic praised the album, giving it a 3.5 out of 5 rating, stating "...one gets the sense that Lit are re-engaged here both emotionally and creatively...Ultimately, while the album may be about the band's View from the Bottom (whether that be career woes, the loss of a friend, or the bottom of a shot glass), as the title of the rousing set closer implies, Lit definitely got it "Right This Time."[2] However, Chuck Eddy of Rolling Stone was less enthusiastic, giving it only 2 out of 5 stars, claiming that the "riffs sound re-purposed for sports and strip bars."[10]
Emily Kearns from Rock Sound, while only awarding it a 6 out of 10, praised the album for being "polished fare awash with slick harmonies, clean guitars, heavy drumbeats, giant hooks and an unadulterated wall of gleaming pop – much of which is laced with a sense of melancholy".[9]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "C'mon" | Gavin Brown, A. Jay Popoff, Jeremy Popoff | 4:21 |
| 2. | "You Tonight" | Kevin Baldes, Marti Frederiksen, A. Popoff, J. Popoff | 3:12 |
| 3. | "Same Shit, Different Drink" | A. Popoff, J. Popoff, Butch Walker | 3:20 |
| 4. | "Miss You Gone" | Matt Bair, A. Popoff, J. Popoff | 3:10 |
| 5. | "The Broken" | Blair Daly, Ryan Gillmor, A. Popoff, J.Popoff | 3:24 |
| 6. | "She Don't Know" | Gillmor, A. Popoff, J. Popoff | 3:42 |
| 7. | "Nothing's Free" | Gillmor, A. Popoff, J. Popoff, Brad Warren, Brett Warren | 3:42 |
| 8. | "You Did It" | Gillmor, Kay Hanley, A.Popoff, J. Popoff | 3:53 |
| 9. | "Partner in Crime" | Daly, Gillmor, A.Popoff, J. Popoff | 3:35 |
| 10. | "Here's to Us" | A.Popoff, J. Popoff, Blu Sanders | 3:33 |
| 11. | "The Wall" | Gillmor, A.Popoff, J. Popoff, Jon Stone | 4:06 |
| 12. | "Right This Time" | Daly, Gillmor, A.Popoff, J. Popoff | 3:00 |
| Total length: | 42:58 | ||
Personnel
- A. Jay Popoff – lead vocals
- Jeremy Popoff – guitar, backing vocals
- Kevin Baldes – bass, backing vocals
- Nathan Walker – drums, percussion
- Ryan Gillmor – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
References
- ^ Gaz E. "Lit - 'The View From The Bottom' (Megaforce Records)". Uber Rock. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Matt Collar. "The View from the Bottom - Lit - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f "lit". Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ a b c d "MP3 Download: Lit, 'Same Sh**, Different Drink'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ "MP3 Download: Lit, 'Same Sh**, Different Drink'". rollingstone.com. 2012-04-19. Retrieved 2012-04-20.
- ^ "Lit - The View From The Bottom - Release Date". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
- ^ "LIT announce new album and tour". Idioteq.com. 2012-03-27. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
- ^ "Summerland Tour 2014". Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ a b "Lit - The View From The Bottom". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ a b "Lit The View From The Bottom Album Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 13, 2015.