Class Of 98
Let’s Break, 2020
9/10
If you’re a sports fan, you may have already heard Eric Hutchinson’s work on ESPN’s Fantasty Focus Podcast, and here the veteran singer-songwriter pens an alt-rock inspired peek back to his high school days in Maryland.
The aptly titled “Rock Out Tonight” starts the listen with spacey synth with power-pop tendencies illuminating the bouncy, melodic flow, and “Cooler Than You” continues the energy that clearly points to the ‘90s with its gritty yet tuneful approach that would be complemented well by an early Weezer album.
Further on, the guitar focused “Good Things Come” brings some of the strongest singing in a swirling haze of power and melody where there’s no shortage of riffs, while “Sweet Little Baby Rock N Roller” turns the rock dial all the way up with some nods to the blues, too.
Some of the best tracks reside near the end, including the busy, more forceful “If They Don’t Care (Then We Don’t Either)”, and the more abrasive, punk tinted “Whether I Like It Or Not” exits the listen lyrically with all the hallmarks of high school- turbulence, hope and acceptance.
An album of suburban adolescent anthems, no matter what your high school experience was like, you’ll find something to relate to here. Had this been released in 1998, there’s little doubt that Hutchinson would have seen rotation between Fountains Of Wayne, Green Day or Oasis, and the well thought out and exceptionally executed record sounds just as good today as it would have in the ‘90s.
Travels well with: Kali Masi- Wind Instrument; Pyjamarama- Simple Living