Left Out

Item: For the Working Class
Author: Doug Van Pelt

For the Working Class

(1999)

Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

Discogs Bandcamp Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Grrr RecordsHM Magazine #78July 1999

hardcore punk punk

This album finds Left Out recording at JPUSA's Tone Zone Studios. The environment sounds like it worked well for these goofballs. This is pure punk rock fun. Brian Gray and company have always done a good job of mixing the fun and nonsense with serious ministry lyrics. The first thing I like about this album is the production clarity (without sterilizing the material, if you know what I mean). The guitars are given a little room to breathe, and it captures energy. One good example is the old school punk sounds of "What The Song's About," which poses the question to the person who bought a record and a t-shirt, too: "what does it really mean to you / do the words give you any clue?" And answers with, "When you scream and when you shout, don't forget what this song's about!"

"Getting Away With Killing You And Everyone Else (Smoking Self Destruction Song)" is an example of the band hitting you between the eyes, but doing so in such a way that it doesn't come off like they're cramming anything down your throat. The explanation about the song is written in diary form, which adds to the "real life" conversation that the lyrics take.

"Hindsight Or Clarity" is a cool song that brings to mind the memory of early Crucified due to the spoken lead vocals atop the cool spy music rhythm going on. The gang vocals at times seem kinda flat, but overall it's still one of the must-listens on the album. I love the desperate vocals in "Another Song About Sarah." Then there's the almost metal feel of "Lose What Was Never Yours." Another song that bears a repeat listen. And don't forget the hilarious Beastie Boys take-off in "Step Up To The Mic!" Oh, heck, the whole album keeps calling me back!

Left Out has given this album a good title, as this is good punk rock music for the working class. If there was a classic punk radio format, this could get as much airplay as anybody.