The Middle Class

Homeland (1982)

eatdogs

I dig deep when trying to find certain music. I like to

speak with people who know more about genres or bands than I do. You can get a

great community feeling when discussing the awesome qualities of different

artists. If I can’t find folks to speak with, I traverse the net and look at

blogs and such. Such a place is where I discovered “Homeland” by The Middle

Class.

I was curious about this band. This can’t be those same guys

who made the awesome “Out of Vogue” ep right? That one four song ep that paved

the way for American hardcore? Well, after searching through Discogs I came to

the knowledge that yes, this was the same freakin’ band. This was going to be

interesting…

Homeland is a Post-Punk record in the purest sense. It’s like

the sister album to Joy Division’s “Unknown Pleasures”. It’s also incredible.

To get a feel jump right in with album opener “The Call”. The bass rift by Mike

Patton carries that song, and most of the album with it. It harkens back to the

production wizardry that Martin Hannett did for Joy Division, except this album

came out in 1982 and it isn’t as cold or calculating, which was a product of

Joy Division’s talent and Martin’s maniacal style.

Second track “A Skeleton at the Feast” is the song I first

came in touch with on a random playlist. It’s almost too perfect a song in the

Post-Punk style. It hits all the right marks, and maybe it gets a deduction for

unoriginality, because these lads from Orange County REALLY liked Joy Division,

but regardless it’s a standout. Also singer Jeff Atta doesn’t sound like Ian

Curtis, which is a good thing, but instead has his own style and it fits the

music perfectly like its own instrument.

There are other key tunes like “Listen” with its ferocity

that is reminiscent of old Gang of Four and “Mosque”, a track that pounds the

listener as if standing by the speakers in a small club watching the band on

stage. The bass is once again a key figure on this song, which is great since

all good post punk often has the bass heard more loudly in the mix. You can

blame Public Image Ltd for that.

Lastly the album closes with “Everything” and it’s not a slow

burn funeral march, but as the track is titled, this is everything the band has

done on this album all mashed together.

Homeland was the first and only LP by the Middle Class.

As with a lot of the old hardcore bands, The Middle Class

didn’t stay around for too long (1977-1983). They left the violent early days

of the scene, changed up their sound and made Homeland, toured for a bit, then

broke up. They reunited back in 2010 but officially called it after the tragic

death of guitarist Mike Atta.

Give this a listen. It’s worth the time and

appreciation. Dig it…