The Quilt

by

Gym Class Heroes

Edit

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...

Ok, so where's the rest of the band? This sounds like a Travis McCoy solo project. The bass is pushed way into the back of the mix. The drums are simplified and sometimes replaced by a drum machine. The guitars have been replaced with horns, pianos, organs, keyboards, and synthesizers. Sure, there are a couple guitar solos in there, and you can hear a hint of a guitar here and there, but who knows if those were even performed by Disashi. "Why do you say that?!" Well, just take a look at the album credits for each song. It's ridiculous how many times I read, "additional guitars by..." "all other instruments by..." "additional bass by..." Wow, and this is a BAND?!?!? Did the guys actually play on this or are they just Travis's touring band now?

Considering this is the Gym Class Heroes, this album is overproduced.

Estelle adds a nice flavor to her track. Busta serves the song well. The-Dream is pretty annoying. Akon already does the annoying high pitched voice, and he does it better. And why not have k-os on the "cast of characters?" He co-wrote and sang the hook on "Blinded By The Sun" and he still can't get any love? He just gets a small little "additional vocals by k-os" credit? Alright, alright.

This album is good, definately better than the last one, but I'm just disappointed that they didn't get to be a band on this recording. It's seemingly Travis doing his thing over some third party beats. In other words, the rest of the band could have stayed home. Matter of fact, judging by the sound of the record and the extensive credits, I think they did just that.

I want to hear some stripped down stuff with just the four guys doing their thing. Also, if you like Patrick Stump, he's all over this album. Everyone's all over this album... except the Gym Class.