Boy Band Mania: Class A ~ Pride

I'll admit that it doesn't take much for me to fall hard for a boy band. Yes, I was a bit late to the Class A party but when I stumbled across their percolating dance track MOC a few weeks ago (read review here), I knew that the 6 chaps that make up Class A (Craig, Seb, Jake, Sean, Robin and James) had something special going on that would ultimately propel them to increasingly dizzying heights of success. Any smart boy band svengali knows that the initial support for a new group will come from the teenage girls and gay men. Not to generalise but both are open to feel good dance tunes, dreamy ballads and extended conversations about which fella is best looking in the band this week (general consensus from the Ace Gang at the weekend was a toss up between Jake and Craig, but none of them have been beaten with the ugly stick have they?)... Once this audience is in the bag, you look to extend your core audience with mellifluous choruses, flawless harmonies and a cracking dance routine that will get any party going (Hen, Christmas, Wedding Reception, etc). It certainly looks like Class A are hurtling in the right direction - as mentioned, not only is MOC a corking pop song but the chaps know how to get their inspiration on with the stunning, uplifting ballad Pride (available on iTunes here). The song is released in support of lesbian, gay and bisexual charity, Stonewall - an organisation that has been instrumental in securing equality for that community since 1989 (and if you are not aware of Stonewall and what they do, you really should spend some time on their webpage). Ergo, what transpires with this tune is a gloriously affirming message that will lift your spirits and imbue the listener with a sense of self respect for accepting who you are & who you fall in love with. The simple message of "I live with pride" is delivered with such conviction & through such passionate & evocative vocals that it allows the music to wash over you. It's a beautifully constructed piece of music too that soars with it's classical undertones (and transcends genres so will stand the test of time to become an anthem for the ages). There are some amazing solo vocals within from the lads that have you genuinely moved, but as with any community it's when the voices come together that the Class A gift of musical alchemy happens - intricate harmonies textured over the instrumental to fuel the message as loud & as high as it will go (note the performance in the video above from 1m35s where the crowd becomes as one with the band to spread the word). And while it's specifically supporting equality & inclusion for the lesbian, gay & bisexual community it speaks to everyone who has struggled to find themselves, who has been an outsider, who has ever felt different to the perceived norm. Elegant, elevating, educational and ennobling work from the six guys who are fast confirming their place as my fave upcoming pop group of the moment.

(note, the group have done some promo for the Jeans for Genes day campaign. What a charitable bunch of chaps they are :D)