Review: Rev Theory - ‘Light It Up’
Posted: June 9th, 2008
Contributed By: Nick
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Purchase @ Amazon.com Release Date: June 10th, 2008 via Van Howes Records/Maloof Music/Interscope |
| Rev Theory is: Rich Luzzi (Vocals) Julien Jorgensen (Guitar) Rikki Lixx (Guitar) Matty McClosky (Bass) Dave Agoglia (Drums) |
Overview: It was August 2005, and I was heading to a local music venue to check out headlining act Five Bolt Main. Opening for Chris Volz’s pet project was a band out of the greatest city in the world (that’d be NYC) called Revelation Theory. There were, give or take, 30 people in attendance to witness their set, but their ferocious energy and stage presence, combined with the strangely humorous veins that bulged from singer Rich Luzzi’s head caught my attention. I signed up for their e-mail list, caught wind of their debut album ‘Truth is Currency‘ which was to come out the following month, and headed on my merry way. It was not until December 2005 when I heard the then quartet being interviewed on our local rock station, as they were in town for a pre-Christmas show supporting Sevendust, as well as their first single “Slowburn”. I listened to the track, caught their set that night, and immediately I was back on the bandwagon. I soon found out Revelation Theory was to co-headline the 2006 Girls Gone Wild Tour with Hinder and once again, I was thoroughly pleased with their bombastic performance; so much so, that it even topped watching my then girlfriend on that same stage in a make-out contest with a blazing hot biddie. I caught two more of their shows that year, including a marvelous interview, and began to wait for them to come out of hibernation. Summer of 2007 rolled around, and Revelation Theory announced their signing on with Interscope Records, who would release their next album upon completion. Aligned with Paul Ebersold (who produced ‘Truth is Currency‘), as well as producers Josh Abraham and Brian Howes (who enlisted the band as the first signing to his imprint label Van Howes), the now branded Rev Theory pieced together the ten songs that comprise ‘Light It Up‘. The group also added ex-Operator axeman Rikki Lixx to help round out the fold, and have since hit the road full time. The album’s first single “Hell Yeah” is steadily climbing the charts, and you can catch Rev on tour all summer opening for Shinedown and Puddle of Mudd.
The Good: I’ve had high hopes for ‘Light It Up‘, and Rev Theory exceeded my expectations and left me with a huge grin on my face. This ten song gem sparks with its very first single, the roaring, high velocity kick in the balls that is “Hell Yeah”. Fueled up, fiery, and fearless, the engaging “Hell Yeah” is hard not to enjoy, even if only once. Hooky and bubbling, “Favorite Disease” is further catalyzed by the sleazy riff assigned to its verses, as Rev Theory tackles its peachiest, sun-kissed song with poise. The title track of ‘Light It Up‘ does just what it suggests, a gritty, pulsating slab of mountainous hard rock that dumps gasoline into the album’s already brightly burning flame. The enveloping and tranquil “Broken Bones” will catch you by surprise, but fear not, because the song’s enviable synergy or melodic harmony and melody, coupled seamlessly with an impassioned and heartfelt delivery ensures that “Broken Bones” will not be reckoned with by its heavier predecessors. The halfway point of ‘Light It Up‘ is achieved by the soaring and effervescent “Headlights”, an upbeat and multi-purpose jaunt that not only would serve as a capable contender for the position of single number two, but also sums up the first part of the album in eloquent fashion. The towering, robust “Wanted Man” signals the start of the final five cuts, imbued by searing guitars and one of the disc’s strongest choruses. “Ten Years” starts off with a haunting, nostalgic introduction, recalling a sound akin to Metallica’s ‘Black Album’; once that moment wraps up, Rev Theory delivers the rest of “Ten Years”, never letting you go. As urgent as it is cathartic, “Ten Years” is a smooth yet chilling blend of revealing emotion and exquisite orchestra embellishments, adding vibrant colors to a song that could do tremendous things for Rev Theory. ‘Light It Up‘ returns to the advertised claim of its moniker with explosive and sweeping “Falling Down”, the band’s current concert opener that blazes ahead with a catastrophic chorus and some of Rich Luzzi’s most guttural vocal work. “You’re the One” commences with a serene piano and vocal duet and fittingly sets the mood. The telling and elegant track is bolstered by an epic chorus and solid lyrics, ironically best described as a catchy, hook-laden dirge. ‘Light It Up‘ hops on its horse and gallops into the sunset with the slyly titled “Far From Over”, where surging guitars and whimsical verses send Rev Theory out swinging, unrelenting until the final moment. For a band thrust into the over-saturated cast of modern rock, Rev Theory have charitably donated us ‘Light It Up‘, which, in a nutshell, is sick. Period.
The Bad: While I hate to hate on ‘Light It Up‘ and Rev Theory, there is one thing, although most may not notice nor even care about it. The record was done by two different producers, and I can often decipher which track was recorded with which. “Favorite Disease” is an obvious Howes incarnation, while “Falling Down” showcases Abraham’s guitar-heavy production work. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but at times ‘Light It Up‘ lacks solid cohesiveness. Other than some cliche song titles, hooks, and the fact that the album is far too brief at ten songs, Rev Theory covered some ground with ‘Light It Up‘.
Bottomline: The one thing Rev Theory has always prided themselves upon is how they worked hard to earn their success, never finding themselves at the other end of the silver spoon or reaching for the brass ring. ‘Light It Up‘ is the soundtrack to their “rags to riches” journey, and proves hard work, determination, and the ability to adapt eventually pays off. Because I’m starting to sound trite and hackneyed, I’ll leave you now to listen to ‘Light It Up‘, an album that takes the thousands of flames bands of their genre have burning right now and turns them into one hell of a fireworks display.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Lucas said:
The biggest thing for me was the length of the album. That holds it down to an 8/10 for me, which has risen a point since I first heard the album. Some of the songs took a while to grow on me, too, but I’ve come around on most of the new stuff. Good review, Nick.
June 9th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Lucas said:
“Ten Years” is probably my favorite track on the album, too, btw.
June 9th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Meagan said:
A solid album but definitely not 9/10 for me. Too short.
June 9th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Cfw828 said:
Having heard some of the album, I think You’re the One is my favorite thus far. It sounds very different from Rev Theory. Even though I didn’t really like the change in the first place, that was definitely worth the listen. Better songs and album than I gave credit for.
June 9th, 2008 at 11:51 am
beyondthesun said:
Mighty fine review with a mighty fine rating. This album deserves no worse than that!
Light It Up is bombastic well polished package from start to finish, I like all the ten songs on it. Dirty, catchy, soaring at times. That is what I like!
And also, Brian Howes did a mighty fine job with these guys. Almost everything he touches turns into gold.
June 9th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Gravity said:
This disc is worth every penny. Shut the haters up!
June 9th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Mikel said:
blast to the past with the interview link nick haha
June 9th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
lancer said:
I agree Lucas Ten Years is the best track on the album hands down.
June 9th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
TaNbULL said:
I do like this album. However, in my opinion, this thing was overhyped and it just doesnt live up to it. It is still a great album, and definitely a step in the right direction for them though. My fav. track so far is Ten Years as well, closely followed by You’re The One.
June 9th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Sox5452 said:
Good review, I’d probably give it an 8, there are a few tracks that I havent been able to get into yet, and of course the length doesnt help. But there are plenty of great songs on the disc.
June 9th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Jason said:
I love this CD but I have one thing to say about it. A bunch of the tracks sound like songs written by other bands. Maybe it’s just me or does anyone think Tenn Years sounds like Blackbird by Alter Bridge or You’re The One sounds like a Linkin Park song?
June 9th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Nick said:
ten years=so effin good
worth the price of the album
June 9th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Mike said:
“Voices” is a good song as well but it’s not on their CD…
~please don’t link to copyrighted material not posted by the copyright holder~
And I think the best songs are “Hell Yeah,” “Light It Up” and “You’re The One.”
June 9th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
salastna said:
Does anyone hear the similarities in:
Rev Theory’s “Far From Over”
And
Three Days Grace’s “Take Me Under”
Or is it just me?
June 9th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Jason said:
Wow, I totally hear that. Add that to the list of songs sounding like other songs. Still a fantastic CD, just a very familiar sound.
June 9th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Mike said:
Jason, you’re right. “You’re The One” sounds just like Linkin Park.
June 9th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
lateralus said:
“Wanted Man” intro almost identical rip off of Atreyu http://youtube.com/watch?v=8Fa74btBwVI
June 9th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
salastna said:
I dont really hear that one lateralus.
June 9th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Nate said:
such a disappointment, but its what i expected based on their early songs. the album isn’t heavy at all. they completely lost their sound. the 1st half of the album is a joke. 2nd half gets slightly better. didn’t live up to the hype.
June 9th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Jason said:
Yea lateralus, not at all.
June 9th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Nick said:
ooooohhhhhhh paar with the burn
June 9th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
salastna said:
Ive got another one:
The intro to:
“Headlights”
and Puddle Of Mudd’s “Control”.
………well kind of.
What do you guys think.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Nick said:
meh, not really but i see where you’re coming from
June 9th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
salastna said:
Well at least I wasnt as off as lateralus. Ok then I am going to stop talking shit about this album and enjoy it.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Nick said:
which you should my good sir
June 9th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Lucas said:
I wanted to note, just to be fair, that Rev Theory’s first album is only 10 songs long and it’s one of my favorite album.s. I guess it’s just this album has a few songs that haven’t really grown on me. In time it probably will though.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:05 am
dadgbe said:
The only song which really seemed to grab me was “10 Years”. I think it is the best song on the album, which is odd cause the thing that grab my attention from their first album was all the heavy songs like “Out of Our Hands”, “Undone”, & “Loathe.” I miss all their trademark heavy riffs from there first album, although their are some scatterings of them on this album like in “Wanted Man.” This one will just take longer to grow on me. I’d say 7/10 for me.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:26 am
dadgbe said:
This album feels like Revelation Theory + Puddle of Mudd + Buckcherry + (insert Southern Rock Band). IMO, all three of those combinations water down what I love about Rev Theory. Oh Well, I am still dying to see them live. Some of those song comparisions are striking though..like:
“Far from Over” vs. “Take Me Under” - same chorus melody, etc.
“You’re the One” - Man, I can really hear Chester behind it.
“Headlights” - really sounds like a Puddle of Mudd song. He even sings like Wes.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:34 am
dadgbe said:
“Light It Up” really sounds like a Theory of a Deadman song that I can’t think of right now.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:37 am
drastic8 said:
I prefer a quality record over a long one. I’ve been disappointed way to many times by records with only a few really strong tracks and the rest filler. This record rocks my balls. Haven’t been this impressed with a record for a while. I’m making a mental note not to listen to this record too much (I know I will want to) because in time I would hate to become tired of it.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Mikel said:
great album, i do wish it had more songs, but just about every song is a keeper!
June 10th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Meagan said:
Well, I have another one, I forgot but one of the songs choruses reminds me of Saliva’s “Black Sheep” song… I’ll have to listen to the track and report back, but the sound is significantly similar to Saliva
June 10th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
FooAreYou said:
I absolutely loooooove this CD, every song is solid. The main riff in track three (Light it Up) reminds me of a Seether riff. Not that I’m complaining!
June 10th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Ryan said:
huh….maybe since all of these bands sound the same, they should be in the same genre or something. maybe we could call it hard rock……..
June 10th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Jay said:
^ what Ryan said
June 11th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
dadgbe said:
touché Ryan:) I merely liked their first album better…
June 11th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Jason said:
Ryan wins.
June 11th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Ryan said:
sweet….I like winning….with that said I must say this is a badass cd, however, I do wish that it was longer. I do like the first one better, but most debuts outshine the subsequent releases by any band. it’s like they lose a little something along the way….
June 11th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Moose said:
Okay, the new release, “Far From Over” made me go and buy the album. It’s a great song and I have to say, I agree that I wish it was longer but its loaded with good tunes!
March 11th, 2009 at 1:18 pm