Rev Theory – Light It Up (CD)

Rev Theory – Light It Up / 2008 Interscope / 10 Tracks / http://www.myspace.com/revtheory /

Rev Theory has been around since 1997, and their rise to the top has been absolutely stratospheric in the last year or so. This is largely due the band’s break out single, “Hell Yeah”, which was featured as Wrestlemania 24’s theme song. “Favorite Disease” has the unenviable position of being stuck between the two singles on the album – “Hell Yeah” which started off the album, and “Light It Up”, which was the first song released as a single. The track showcases Rev Theory’s style of rock, which blends together Buckcherry with Godsmack and Papa Roach. “Light It Up” keeps things going with grit, chugging along while the act adds a little bit of Jonathan Davis to the vocals while keeping up appearances with all of the nu rock that is present on the modern rock charts.

The act links together this other acts, adding a little bit of Slipknot at points, and delving into Disturbed territory at others. “Broken Bones” is the band’s first slower track on the album, and the emotive style of the track touches on Crossfade and Finger Eleven, while the track itself is destined to be the band’s next big hit, despite the slower momentum. “Kill the Headlights” shows that Rev Theory may yet run into a rut, especially when one discusses the vocals that are present during “Light It Up”. This is due to the fact that the band puts forth vocals that are very similar through each of the album’s ten tracks. It is one thing to have a certain amount of cohesion through an album, but there is little variation in the vocal delivery that is present on “Light It Up”.

Rev Theory do provide some solid tracks on “Light It Up”, but there still seems to be a little bit of a problem with the band crafting their own unique sonnd during the album. I know that the band has been around for over a decade, but an individual can listen to a track like “Hell Yeah” and be unsure exactly what band in the modern rock scene has came out with the track. The band definitely has the level of talent that they need to succeed, but they desperately need to put their own uniqueness forward. If they do that, I have no doubt that they will have the staying power of acts like the aforementioned Disturbed or Godsmack. Give it a listen.

Top Tracks: Wanted Man, Light It Up

Rating: 6.2/10