September 9 2008 - Decaydance/ Fueled by Ramen
Having been hooked last year on The Gym Class Heroes' infectious track 'Cupid's Chokehold' (and admittedly falling for lead singer Travis Mccoy as soon as I saw the video), when I listened to their last album release As Cruel as School Children I couldn't help but feel dissapointed that the only tracks I seemed to warm to were the more commercial, sample-ridden tracks. So with the release of The Quilt I was not too sure what to expect, but thankfully I was really pleasantly surprised to embark on a journey of what i can only describe as an eclectic work of art.
Throughout The Quilt, the boys stay true to their hip-hop style but incorporate so many different genres of music within the album, that I would say that there is something for everybody - from the funky, musically vivacious opening track 'Guilty as charged' featuring the UK's very own Estelle, to the reggae undertones of 'Blinded by the Sun' and not forgetting their trademark edgier rock roots highlighted in 'Live a Little.'
I may be biased when it comes to frontman Travis and though he has understandably been criticized for his monotone vocal flow, his originality, hilarious lyrics and interesting song topics keep me hooked throughout this album. In 'Drnk Text Romeo' he talks of todays texting fascination - " I start texting, I keep texting, I can't stop it's my obsession" and his childhood memories of the 80's with 'nintendo, transformers, ninja turtles, hungry hippos and GI Joes' on my favourite track of the album 'Catch me if you can' resonante completely with me, being an 80's baby myself!
The two other tracks to watch out for are 'Peace Sign/Index Down' - a great uptempo track featuring Busta Rhymes, whose powerful vocals contrast with Travy's more relaxed, understated style and the current hit single 'Cookie Jar', a track which I hated at first (mainly due to The Dream's vocals) but it is definitely a grower. It reminds me of what good old Craig David was trying to convey in 'What's your flava' except cooler, far wittier and with no bubblegum pop in sight! The best lines have to be 'meeting after meeting and I'm still a cookieholic and 'My girl be setting booby traps to catch me eating scooby snacks.'
Overall I think this is definitely an album to check out by both fans and newcomers to The Gym Class Heroes. These days it's rare that I listen to an album and like something about nearly every song and in my opinion it is a class ahead of the last album - it's just a shame I did not get to catch them while they were recently on tour in the UK. Looks like Katy Perry really is bringing out the best of Travis Mccoy.
Link 'Peace Sign/Index Down' to http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EuJiPsOEEKs
Link Gym Class Heroes to http://gymclassheroes.com/main.php
Link Cookie Jar to http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tiMZyM4T6v0
Posted In Album Reviews, Oct 16 2008.
Words - Lori