Criminal Class U.S.A. Is - Hush Hush Revolution

Just to make sure no one is confused, Alabama's Hush Hush Revolution has helpfully titled their record Criminal Class U.S.A. Is, after changing their name from, well, Criminal Class U.S.A. For the album, the guys have more fully embraced their Southern roots by tempering their brash punk attack with healthy amounts of grit and twang, nodding to both the Clash and Johnny Cash in the process. Their gravelly punk-country blend is kicked off on a lively note with the instrumental romp of "Grizzly," which leads well into the oscillating revelry of "Green Mark/Rise," a song that could very well be a castoff from Avail. Avail comparisons are easily fitting for just about the entire album, though This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb, early-Against Me!, or even a ska-less Rancid come to mind as well. But the Hush Hush boys seem more apt to integrate moseying guitar sections and high-spirited gang-vocal exuberance on most every song. The album, which runs the topical gamut from friendship to politics, is very raw, though the sparse production is admittedly a perfect match for the bare-bones "just hanging out with my buddies at the bar" feel of the songs. Music like this inherently lends itself to a rowdy, fun time — Hush Hush Revolution sure sounds like they're having a grand old time playing it, after all — so it's hard to not just raise up your glass and jump into the hoedown mosh pit yourself.