Gym Class Heroes Album: “The Quilt”

Gym Class Heroes are an Alternative Hip Hop group who, much like fellow rappers The Roots, incorporate live instrumentation in their music. "The Quilt" is their fourth album, and like its name implies, is a patchwork of styles.

Lead off single (and current UK top 20 hit) "Cookie Jar" is a lovely midtempo track with synth strings, jangly guitars and features The-Dream. Opening cut is the horn sprinkled "Guilty as charged" featuring English Rapper/Songstress Estelle.

"Live a little" is a bouncy rock song (sung, not rapped), not unlike the type N*E*R*D would do, as is the extremely catchy "No place to run" (nice sixties-sounding harmonies). Continuing that rock vibe (although in a more subtle way) are the raps "Catch me if you can", "Peace sign index / Down" (featuring Busta Rhymes) and "Home" (with a lovely minute long guitar intro).

"Blinded by the sun" is a nice Ska number featurng Patrick Stump. "Drink Txt Romeo" features Patty Crash and is a groovy Rap interspersed with a Reggae chorus Bob Marley would be proud of.

Other standouts are the semi biographical "Like father like son (papa's son)", the piano sprinkled Marvin Gaye-like "Don't tell me it's over" (featuring Lil' Wayne & Dre), "Kissin' ears" (featuring The-Dream again), and the psychedelic-tinged downtempo closing cut "Coming clean".

My favourite Hip Hop album of the year so far...

Gym Class Heroes were coming off new found fame with their newest project titled 'The Quilt'. This album is NOTHING I mean NOTHING like anything you may have heard from them. Their first album was a very dark and gloomy album that caught many of their early fans by surprise and 'As Cruel As School Children' showed a very hungry and lively band...but 'Quilt' needs patchwork.

Lead Singer Travis McCoy went through many problems in the making of the album which included his addiction to drugs and family loses...which therfore makes the album 'Quilt'. A family theme can be felt with many shout outs to family and like the chorus of Peace Sign "F.U. this is for MY people" So here is the breakdown

Guilty As Charged (formally called Tell Hip-Hop)- This track is very lively, Estelle does a nice job holding the chorus...this was supposed to be a rap to hip/hop but...you can listen to this song and cannot see what this song has to do about hip hop. The chorus really saves the song.

6.5/10

Drunk TxT Romeo- Is a very cheap version of their MakeOut Club back in the Papercut Chronicle Days and has a very generic sound even with the original concept. He talks about his desire for women and how they are his 'obsession' towards them. It has the poppy feeling and may appeal to some audience but not the die-hard GCH fan.

5.5/10

Peace Sign- Again, this song shows off the band's originality with the chorus to make the middle finger towards the industry. He says that the poppy jingles are a thing of the past and are to leave yet makes many attempts to try to make them throughout the album. Busta Rhymes goes crazy on the Cool&Dre beat and does his usual thing as appearence. The third verse kinda makes you wish Busta was back on the mic, Travie somewhat bores you with the usual.

8/10

Like Father Like Son- Shows off the 'family theme' this album has. Travis talks about the life of his father and his life growing up with him. This song has a great piano roll and clap to make a very soothing sound. Travis pays appreciation towards his father for his hard work and the chorus explains how Travis always wanted to be in the cover of the Rolling Stone and always had his father to help him. He later goes on saying how he looked up to his father....sweet song...think of a Kanye's "Hey Mama"...a manlier version.

7/10

Blinded By The Sun- This song is a switch to the alternative rock road but by this point you are a bit 'Blinded' by Travis' repition of woman and uses the sun as metaphor for the truth to the number of lies woman have told him. It has a relaxing chorus and beat but the caution to this record is...theres just nothing special...this is a track you'd likely skip.

6/10

Catch Me If You Can- Before the album Travis had said this album would prove his lyrical ability...well this song sure does. The begining of the song shows how his lyrical creativity is up to par but the problem with this track is the bear is just strange. The beat kinda ruins the song...and the song might have been better off as an acappela. But never the less, his lyricism, when attempted, can be one that is uncontested...one of the best songs on the record.

7/10

Cookie Jar- Honestly, this is actually so freaking catchy...it's hard to not like it. The Dream is on a tear with his appearences and leaves a great chorus and Travie AGAIN talks about women...but this time uses a cookie as his metaphor. Catchy chorus but you kinda get the repition thing going on right now.

7/10

Live A Little- This sounds something off of Disney...I swear. This is just a teenage rock band thing going on. It is pretty catchy but this is something you could see the Jonas Brothers doing and that kinda scares off any avid GCH fan.

6/10

Dont Tell Me Its Over- The best song on the album, Travis lets off on the haters he's made since hitting stardom. He attacks those that criticize his success and does a good job doing it. Dre is on the hook from Cool&Dre and gives a real nice feeling that makes you want to press repeat. Travis mocks the fans that criticize him and gives it to his haters....If you want to see his lyrical ability...go straight to track 9.

"Dont be mad cause you flirted with a chick that had my tongue in her

esophagus"

8.5/10

Live Forever- Is obviously one of the most powerful songs GCH has ever made. This song deals with the death of Travis' cousin and the beautiful melody keeps the listener in awe. The Plane ride symbolizes the road to death and the window is like the last views of life while going to the 'last resort'. Haryl Oats does an amazing production and chorus job and this song is one that will inspire and if you are a BIG fan of the last two CD's...this song will be one of your favorites.

9.5/10

Kissing Ears- Another metaphor that Travis claims is his love for music but you cant help but think this is another poppy single with more and more about women...this really takes away from the last song...You go from soo very inspired and perplexed to...Kissin Ears??

6/10

Home- Is a GCH version of a homecoming party. This was used on Madden 09 i believe and is a hype song, very well written and something you would expect and like t hear from GCH. The guitar's from Cool&Dre give the song another hit. This gives more of Travis' lyrical contortion and does a well job of showing hip/hop that he's still got it...for this song at least.

7/10

No Place To Run- Is a very original band production which wasn't seen a lot in this album. This is another of the various songs that has singing in the begining...and this did not occur in the previous albums. More singing on how a couple can go and run away and how nothing can stop them. Its a nice cheery song and is reminiscent to something Yellowcard would make.

6.5/10

Coming Clean- Wow, well the original song leaked last year with just guitars so hearing this awful remake kind of sums up the album. Even with the time they had to record the album, it didn't show up in the music. Its about a girl...again...but according to Travis this may be his love for music...again. I liked the original but to use it as an outro just hurts a strong GCH fan. You feel so very disappointed....

5/10

This album had gems but are overlooked with the dirt poured on it. I cant honestly think the group can feel satisfied with the project...but this just may be it for the group. Most members have other endeavors going on...and Travis may just as well go solo and try out the rapper thing for a while.

Overall: 2.5/5

Gym Class Heroes have done it again! Front man Travis McCoy spits rhymes like baseball players spit gum. Fresh off spending the summer on The Vans Warped Tour, "The Quilt" is their latest release. It's appropriately titled "The Quilt" because it is indeed a coming together of a million little pieces. With tracks like "Peace Sign/Index Down" featuring Busta Rhymes, it's hard to imagine that this was the same band who put out "As Cruel as School Children" a little while ago.

There are however, several tracks which can be reminiscent of "As Cruel as School Children". "Blinded By The Sun" features Fall Out Boy frontman Patrick Stump and is definitely going to be a fan favorite for those who loved "Cupid's Chokehold" and "Clothes Off!"

It's also nice to see Gym Class Heroes branch out into a little more hip hop as well. With guests such as The Dream, Dr. Dre, and Little Wayne, it's definitely going to be a hit with the hip hop crowd as well.

My favorite tracks are "Live a Little", "Kissin' Ears", and "DRNK TXT Rmeo".

I'm a huge fan of Gym Class Heroes. One of the most unique bands around right now. But if you're a fan of the first three LPs like I am, you'll probably be severely disappointed. This doesn't even sound like the same band anymore. Tracks such as "Like Father, Like Son", "Live Forever", and "Kissin' Ears" sound just like anyhting you'd hear on top 40 radio.

I'd be lying if I said this album had no good tracks. "Cookie Jar" is midly catchy and "Peace Sign/Index Down" is a good song with a strong verse from Busta Rhymes. "Home" almost starts to sound like something we could have heard one album ago. But the better tracks are few and far between.

One of the things that made "The Papercut Chronicles" one of my favorite albums is it's cynical rap coupled with a great band. I just don't sense any of that in this new album. So, if you're looking for a follow up to "As Cruel as School Children" and not a solo project from Travis, stay away from this.

The cd is good,but not as great as the first or second one from the band.