by Saintmort Guilty Pleasures: Lit – A Place in the Sun

This summer there was a tour that was so full of nostalgia that I was genuinely angered by my lack of job and the high price of admission. The Tour was the Summerland Tour which featured a literal who’s who of 90’s alt-rockers. Everclear, Gin Blossoms, Sugar Ray, Marcy’s Playground and Lit all toured the united states reminded people in their late 20’s-early 30’s how much fun the 90’s music scene used to be.

Three of the 5 bands are undeniably some of the most successful bands of the decade. Everclear had 5+ hit singles, Gin Blossoms had at least four and Sugar Ray had about the same. It’s hard to really understand why the extended an olive branch to one and two hit wonders like Marcy’s Playground and Lit… unless of course for the fact that they’re amazing bands, particularly Lit.

In a recent interview with the Kidd Chris Show, Sugar Ray singer Mark McGrath was asked “Who’s the band that impresses you the most on the show?” and he quickly said “Lit”. The band exploded in 1999 with their catchy single “My Own Worst Enemy”. Even 10+ years later I still hear this song covered by many a local band and it almost always gets the crowd screaming along, it’s just one of those rock songs so perfectly constructed with memorable hooks and lyrics that it’s hard to become excited when you hear it.

The band had two moderately successful follow-up singles “Zip-Lock” and “Miserable” before falling into obscurity. I picked up my copy of their platinum selling record A Place in the Sun for $1 at a used CD store a few years ago. What stuck out/shocked me the most was how the record holds up.

Lit managed to craft and relatively genreless record. They put together a mixing pot of music ranging from Pop Punk, Metal, Alternative Rock and even a Ska song which lead to a record that accapulates all of 90’s radio (minus rap) in a 12 song time capsile. While that lack of focus lead to many average to negative reviews, I think it’s the very thing that allows the record to hold up now.

The opening track Four (the song is called Four, it’s the first song, it’s weird). Feels like a modern day arena rock song just exploding into heavy rock with a sound so full you almost forget that it’s all being created by 4 dudes (hey… maybe that’s what the song title means?).

Songs like Lovely Day (my favorite track) and Miserable (my least favorite track) both show off guitarist Jeremy Popoff’s ear for good guitar hooks and using guitar pedals to create truly unique and bizarre guitar solos.

It’s a shame that A. Jay Popoff isn’t more recognized for his vocal styles. He has a strong and unique voice and while his songwriting could always use some work (look no further than Perfect One which may be one of the cheesiest love songs the 90’s had to offer… and that’s saying a lot) he can really sell the cheesiness by having a real sincerity in his singing.

I’m going to be honest, I love Ska music. It was my favorite genre for years and still remains the genre I go to when I need to cheer up. That being said Lit’s “ska” song Happy isn’t a Ska song as much as it’s just a rock song with horns (Like Chicago) that being said.. I appreciate Lit’s effort at trying to do Ska, thankfully this was their only attempt.

It’s not shocking that I love 90’s one-hit wonders. Almost all the past guilty pleasures that are music related are one-hit wonders (see Harvey Danger, The New Radicals and Ugly Kid Joe for example). However unlike those artists who had moderately decent records beyond their one big hit (except New Radicals who only released one album) I’ve never bothered to purchase other Lit records. Not really sure why not since I love this album from start to finish.

All in all if you’re a fan of 90’s radio and strayed away from Lit’s massive record A Place in the Sun assume there’d only be one or two good songs I suggest you give the record a shot. Chances are you can find it in your local thrift shop for a buck or two.