In It To Win It
from City Lights
[November 08, 2011 - InVogue]
Review by Robert HamREVIEWS
FILE UNDER: Young Turks
Purchase it at:
Aren't the boys in City Lights a little too young to be griping about getting older? Yet, that's exactly what they do on their debut album. These fresh-faced pop-punkers spend the entirety of "Please Let Me Know" venting their spleen about kids these days "talking shit on the Internet" and singer Oshie Bichar missing the days when he "had the entire world at my feet and not a worry on my mind." For some young-ish fans, this is going to be a new mantra to use in their daily fret sessions. But for us older folks, get ready to hear the cries of "Get over youryelf!" In fact, if you're over the age of 30, you will likely find yourself saying that a lot as you listen to In It To Win It.
After they are done bemoaning the good old days, they spend some time calling out a young maneater ("Trophy Room"), and raking flavor-of-the-month punk bands over their lukewarm coals ("I Made A Song On Garage Band And All I Got Was This Lousy Record Deal"). At least the closing "What It Takes" expresses some honest sentiments about facing an uncertain future. Everywhere else, it is the sound of five young men taking themselves far too seriously.
City Lights should keep the strongest elements of their sound—chiefly their fine punk riffage and boundless energy—and embrace their youthfulness as completely as they do on "Just In Case," where Bichar sings about partying with his crew. Have the band mine their Twitter feeds for lyrical inspiration ("Just got told I look like the dude from Breathe Carolina. I really need to cut my hair," "I'm so thirsty but too lazy to leave my bed. Whenever I get up I'm going to get v8, purple Gatorade, and dr pepper and drink em all!"). Leave the backwards glances and bitter ruminations about lost opportunities until your 10th album.
"Just In Case"
USER 
(28)
(28)
Top release of the year!
11/01/2011 - 11:50pm by Rdub
The AP review is trash.
This band is great, 5 stars! I saw their Chicago set this weekend and it was great. Go support this band they are on tour now!
GREAT ALBUM
11/01/2011 - 9:38pm by BGDRUM
Totally disagree with the review. Love these guys.
Someone should get fired for this shitty review
10/31/2011 - 6:25pm by maury
this is gonna be one of the best albums of the year!!!
An example of terrible reviewing, AP.
10/31/2011 - 3:58pm by Joe
AP need to seriously consider their approach to reviewing bands, the irony about the sinicism in that review is that its remarkable childish for an "older" reviewer to use something they found on a band's twitter field to slate them. Review the music, even if the lyrics piss you off, there's always great melody to be found in City Lights' songs, some serious re-thinking needs to be done about this website's approach.
10/31/2011 - 3:24pm by Jake
Definitely my kind of music and the band have some of the best lyrics 
10/31/2011 - 2:21pm by Kyle
As someone said before, this is the reason why I stopped reading reviews or take anything they say seriously. I thought the point was to grade/judge a record based on musicianship and lyrical content, yet this guy goes to one of the member's Twitter feed to make a point? This is a great pop punk album from front to back and the lyrics mean a lot to the lead singer (which is something I look for when I listen to any new CD) and I know they're very relatable to their fans and other people. Its a shame that these guys can't get the credit they rightfully deserve from "critics" just because of petty things that have nothing to do with the music. This ban is going places and they deserve every bit of success they get.
What......
10/31/2011 - 2:15pm by Tony Pitkin
AP Magazine, as a subscriber for over 3 years now, I can say that you have been steadily losing my respect as a source for new music. Your reviews used to have reputable knowledge about the scene and the music.
Hire some new staff or get the fuck over yourselves.
City Lights is one of the hardest working bands I've played with and talked to, sounds like you're the ones who need to grow the fuck up AP.
this reviewer must be from Ohio
10/31/2011 - 1:37pm by Travis Yeager
and I bet one of the City Lights guys stole his girl. This record is awesome from what I've heard (3 songs). If the rest of the record is anything like this one, AP should retract this lame ass review
This album is the future of pop punk, sorry they dont sound like Blink-182 AP. Get over yourself
Awesome band, awesome album
10/31/2011 - 12:48pm by Chris.S
I give this album 5 stars for a few reasons, even though I haven't heard all the songs in full-length. First, old songs getting remade. I love when a band takes a song or 2 from their EP and re-makes it, especially the catchy songs. Only thing I can say I dislike is that the pitches are changed compared to the originals, though I guess it shouldn't be something to complain about as that's what usually gives the songs their new "re-made" sound. Second, I like the fact that the band has guitarist Jeremy Smith singing backup vocals, sounds really nice and fits with a lot of the verses/chorus's he sings. Third, the new songs are great. It's a refreshing sound and the production is done well, I'm looking forward to picking this album up November 8th and you should, too!
