Spring Break
REVIEW: Gym Class Heroes' 'Quilt' solid but unimpressive
STARS: 3.5/5
Stephen Ortiz
Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: Focus
When they first came onto the scene with their first major release, 2005's "The Papercut Chronicles," Gym Class Heroes were unlike anything else the emo scene had seen. The alternative hip-hop band from Geneva, N.Y., combined raw instrumentals and witty lyricism from frontman Travis McCoy to create an underground masterpiece. The follow-up, 2006's "As Cruel As School Children," was good, but a bit of a departure from the group's roots with more layers and mainstream pop.
Over three years since the release of "Chronicles," Gym Class Heroes bring "The Quilt," which, in what comes as a surprise, is their least impressive album to date.
But just because it's their least impressive doesn't mean it's not good - it's pretty solid for the most part - but stacked against what they're capable of, it lacks that raw Gym Class Heroes charm.
"The Quilt" opens with a horn-heavy, over polished track called "Guilty As Charged" which sports a smooth and catchy chorus sung by Brit-pop singer Estelle. At times, it may seem like there's too much going on, but it's all tied together by McCoy's quick rhymes like when he raps, "You can thrown the book at me / And I'll throw it right back / Smack the district attorney / And say, 'How you like that?'"
The lead singles off "The Quilt," - "Cookie Jar" and "Peace Sign/Index Down" - are strong tracks with plenty of potential to take off like "Clothes Off!" before them. The first features R&B singer The Dream and is yet another example of the band's ever-evolving sound. The titular cookie jar McCoy rhymes about is a metaphor for all the girls he sleeps around with, but he has to be careful of getting caught in it.
"Peace Sign/Index Down" features rapper Busta Rhymes and one of the best beats on the album. McCoy's lines hit hard and the chorus ("F--- you / This is for my people!") is a sure-hit sing-a-long.
The biggest surprise on the album comes in the form of a seven-plus-minute ballad featuring Daryl Hall (of Hall & Oates fame), "Live Forever (Fly With Me)." The melodic mix of Hall's crooning, keys, bass grooves and guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo's solo make for a great tale of everlasting love and commitment.
The problem with "The Quilt" lies in the tracks where they try to be different - yes, it sounds bad, but when it comes down to it, it's on the songs where the group tries to break the monotony of its past albums with other artists ("Live A Little" and "No Place To Run" cut McCoy out of the equation altogether) that the rest of the band fails to stand on its own. McCoy is an excellent rapper - that borders between the weirdness of Lil' Wayne and Patrick Stump with plenty of swagger, wit and energy - and there's no reason to take the spotlight away from him.
Over three years since the release of "Chronicles," Gym Class Heroes bring "The Quilt," which, in what comes as a surprise, is their least impressive album to date.
But just because it's their least impressive doesn't mean it's not good - it's pretty solid for the most part - but stacked against what they're capable of, it lacks that raw Gym Class Heroes charm.
"The Quilt" opens with a horn-heavy, over polished track called "Guilty As Charged" which sports a smooth and catchy chorus sung by Brit-pop singer Estelle. At times, it may seem like there's too much going on, but it's all tied together by McCoy's quick rhymes like when he raps, "You can thrown the book at me / And I'll throw it right back / Smack the district attorney / And say, 'How you like that?'"
The lead singles off "The Quilt," - "Cookie Jar" and "Peace Sign/Index Down" - are strong tracks with plenty of potential to take off like "Clothes Off!" before them. The first features R&B singer The Dream and is yet another example of the band's ever-evolving sound. The titular cookie jar McCoy rhymes about is a metaphor for all the girls he sleeps around with, but he has to be careful of getting caught in it.
"Peace Sign/Index Down" features rapper Busta Rhymes and one of the best beats on the album. McCoy's lines hit hard and the chorus ("F--- you / This is for my people!") is a sure-hit sing-a-long.
The biggest surprise on the album comes in the form of a seven-plus-minute ballad featuring Daryl Hall (of Hall & Oates fame), "Live Forever (Fly With Me)." The melodic mix of Hall's crooning, keys, bass grooves and guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo's solo make for a great tale of everlasting love and commitment.
The problem with "The Quilt" lies in the tracks where they try to be different - yes, it sounds bad, but when it comes down to it, it's on the songs where the group tries to break the monotony of its past albums with other artists ("Live A Little" and "No Place To Run" cut McCoy out of the equation altogether) that the rest of the band fails to stand on its own. McCoy is an excellent rapper - that borders between the weirdness of Lil' Wayne and Patrick Stump with plenty of swagger, wit and energy - and there's no reason to take the spotlight away from him.
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