CLASS
A Healthy Alternative
Feel It Records [2024]
“CLASS blends punk attitude with power-pop finesse, delivering a record that’s sharp, raw, and impossible to resist.”
Album Overview: CLASS is a group from Tucson, Arizona, that once again deliver an effortless dose of punk rock. A Healthy Alternative, the band’s third full-length album in as many years, offers an irresistible blend of power pop, punk, and garage rock. Clocking in at just 25 minutes, it serves up high-energy tracks with sharp hooks, jangly guitars, and emotionally raw lyrics. The album radiates nostalgia, nodding to the punk-pop era of the late ’70s while remaining authentic rather than derivative. Every song feels meticulously crafted, capturing the thrill, messiness, and heartbreak of youth. The interplay of melancholy lyrics and exuberant melodies gives the record a timeless, bittersweet charm.
Musical Style: The album offers an eclectic mix of punk, power pop, and garage rock, tied together with clever arrangements and playful saxophone flourishes. The riffs are straightforward yet memorable, leaning into catchy hooks without losing edge. There’s a gritty feel to the music, but it’s executed with precision, striking a balance between raw energy and nuance. CLASS also makes room for experimentation, introducing rhythmic shifts and instrumental surprises that add depth to their otherwise concise structures.
Evolution of Sound: Compared to their previous work, A Healthy Alternative showcases a broader musical palette and a playful spirit. The band leans further into genre-blending, incorporating saxophones and other unexpected elements, signaling a willingness to push beyond their punk roots.
Artists with Similar Fire: The album channels the energetic precision of bands like The Buzzcocks and the narrative flair of the Sex Pistols. There’s also a kinship with Parquet Courts’ wry humor, the straight-ahead punk rock of The Exploding Hearts, and the angular drive of early Wire. Fans of classic punk with touches of garage revival and offbeat storytelling will find CLASS right in their wheelhouse.
Pivotal Tracks: “Scared To Care” encapsulates the album’s tension between personal alienation and societal expectations, offering sharp commentary on how people navigate both. “Biggest Sale of the Year” critiques modern consumerism, pairing biting lyrics with an irresistible melody that undercuts the message with irony. “Milkman” takes a storytelling approach, exploring power dynamics and questioning whether success must come at another’s expense. “Be-Bop With The Rats” injects punk energy with a saxophone twist, adding an unexpected edge to the band’s sound. The album closes with “You Who Sucks The Rind,” a rousing, sing-along anthem that practically demands a replay.
Lyrical Strength: The lyrics throughout A Healthy Alternative reflect a blend of sarcasm, thoughtfulness, and sincerity. CLASS pokes fun at heavy topics while still engaging with them meaningfully, giving the album a distinctive character that remains true to its punk roots. Rhyming “narcissist” with “anarchist” exemplifies the band’s sharp wit, while everyday references ground their observations in relatable experiences.
CLASS LINKS
Instagram | Bandcamp | Feel It Records
- CLASS: A Healthy Alternative [Album Review] - October 18, 2024
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