Review / 200 Words Or Less
Lighten Up
I'd Rather be Snoring

Brain Drain (2007) Michael

Lighten Up – I'd Rather be Snoring cover artwork
Lighten Up – I'd Rather be Snoring — Brain Drain, 2007

Philadelphia is always shooting out new hardcore bands. Lighten Up is one of the more recent products of the city of endless hardcore. The members of this four-piece likely have extensive collections of Revelation and Dischord records, or at least that's what one would guess while listening to their music.

I'd Rather be Snoring is five tracks of super fast-paced hardcore with a dash of melody in it. Stylistically I would compare Lighten Up most closely to Paint it Black. They both play fast paced hardcore that is obviously aggressive, but at the same time showcases a tender size. Lyrically the band tackles topics of concern that would plague a kid in his mid-twenties that is super into hardcore.

This is a promising release from Lighten Up, though it is still rough around the edges. They've been writing since this was originally recorded over two years ago, so look out for their full-length that drops later this year.

6.5 / 10Michael • February 14, 2008

Lighten Up – I'd Rather be Snoring cover artwork
Lighten Up – I'd Rather be Snoring — Brain Drain, 2007

Related news

Lighten Up Post New Song

Posted in MP3s on May 5, 2009

Recently-posted album reviews

Spillings

Spillings
The Garotte (2026)

Spillings is a minimalist reconfiguration undertaken by two artists whose careers have been about genre deconstruction. The paths of Mathieu Ball and Liam Andrews have been running on parallel tracks, but both have been aiming for a similar endpoint. That is to strip down the heavy, experimental rock form, while at the same time retaining its destabilizing core. With Big … Read more

Pacifist

Five
Independent (2026)

There’s a reason five doesn’t feel like just another EP title. This isn’t a casual release or a stopgap between bigger moves but a line in the sand. On their latest five song statement, Bombay’s Pacifist sound fully aware of the lineage they’re working within, and just as aware of how much effort it takes to keep those ideals alive … Read more

Pure Intention

Pure Intention
Independent (2026)

Pure Intentions is a hard hitting punk band first emerging in the Chicago scene in 2020. Since its formation by Joe Asshole and Tommy Volume, they have since added Judson Jones in 2024 to become its current standing trio. During that time, these guys have spread their gritty sound by touring the United States while gaining a strong following along … Read more