Eric Hutchinson likes to create challenges and limitations for himself as a songwriter.

For his new album, “Class of ’98,” that meant putting together a playlist of alternative favorites from the ’90s and trying to return to the mindset of his high school years.

“The concept was there for a while,” Hutchinson said. “I love ’90s music. I’m well-versed in alternative rock. That’s what was out when I was learning to play guitar, and it was fun to write songs in that style.”

Hutchinson drew upon his own high school experiences for lyrical inspiration and tried to avoid any words or slang that wouldn’t have been used more than 20 years ago. In making his playlist, he started with some of the obvious touchstones of the decade — Nirvana and Pearl Jam — but realized he wasn’t a tortured, angst-filled teen. Instead, the sound was shaped by bands like Weezer and Green Day, which still had an outsider mentality but also had a more melodic approach.

“Weezer was kind of the north star,” he said. “Their first two records both came out in the ’90s. They were so perfectly tongue-in-cheek but also hyper-melodic.”

Along with those influences, tracks like “Cooler Than You” echo the feel of Everclear’s alternative radio hits and “Whether I Like It or Not” is built on a monster guitar riff worthy of Blur’s “Song 2.”

Lyrically, some songs take a different approach than traditional rebellious anthems. “Drunk at Lunch” doesn’t celebrate skipping school and drinking. It’s about how the reality of the experience didn’t live up to the expectation and longing for the days “when we could just watch movies, now that’s only when we smoke weed.”

“That was certainly my experience,” Hutchinson said. “It took a long time to appreciate and celebrate those parts.”

And just like any ’90s CD release, “Class of ’98” includes a hidden bonus track with the minute-long ditty “She’s a Vegan” buried at the end of “Whether I Like It or Not.”

The first reaction listening to “Class of ’98” might be, “Wow, these songs will be a lot of fun live.” If it’s frustrating for the listener knowing that live performances in the traditional sense are unlikely for the foreseeable future, imagine what it must be like for Hutchinson not knowing when he’ll be able to tour in support of the record.

“There are far more pressing issues out there. I don’t feel my album release is one of the great tragedies of the year,” he said. “But on a personal level, it’s difficult to figure out how to release it, how to make people aware of it.”

Hutchinson grew up in Maryland but is very familiar with the Mahoning Valley. His wife is Jill Bream, a 1999 Boardman High School graduate.

“I’ve spent the last 10 Thanksgivings there,” he said.

Inner Circle pizza and Handel’s ice cream are regular stops when they’re back to visit as well as Aladdin’s Eatery in Boardman (Bream is a vegan and the inspiration for that hidden bonus track).

Hutchinson played a post-Thanksgiving show last year in Akron, and he hopes to do a Mahoning Valley show someday. He was touring as an opening act for Kelly Clarkson when she played the Covelli Centre in 2009, but he had a family wedding the day of the concert.

“That happened to be the one show I couldn’t play with her. I missed my one chance.”