Gym Class Heroes: The Quilt

Note from Deez:  Because I’ve been so busy the past few, I needed someone to help pick up the slack. I present you with the very credible, Miss eA. She’s a very talented writer and is about her business. She’ll be doing a few writings for me here and there when I need some time to chill. Enjoy the read.

Openly accepted on hip hop websites, magazines and music video shows, Gym Class Heroes have broken nearly every rule today’s hip-hop game plays by. Representing upstate New York, the quartet is made up of drummer Matt McGinley, bassist Eric Roberts, guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo, and a heavily tattooed and pierced MC Travis “Schelprok” McCoy. Visually, the group doesn’t fit any mold record executives strive to fill; rather the live instrumental alternative hip hop group falls to the likes of Gnarls Barkley and N.E.R.D. They also embody characteristics of the rock style of The Roots, whom not surprisingly, they’re currently touring with along side Estelle. Despite having been called a one-hit wonder group, Gym Class Heroes is hardly an overnight success. Produced by the dynamic duo Cool & Dre, Tricky Stewart, and Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump, their fourth album, The Quilt, exudes Gym Class Heroes‘ attitude, quirkiness and unique sound.

The album opens on a good note with “Guilty as Charged” featuring Estelle, one of the many guest appearances on the album. The song juggles an up-tempo beat mirroring jazz and pop, and the smooth and sultry voice of Estelle. Continuing on an R&B tip, The-Dream appears on two tracks, “Cookie Jar” and “Kissin’ Ears” and both songs are about the cliché relationship. Although both songs carry awfully catchy beats, Tricky Stewart (“Umbrella”, “Case of the Ex”) managed to make both songs into electronically charged hip-pop songs with mindless disposable lyrics. A serious track that showcases the importance of live instrumentals in GCH’s music is “Home”, starting with a highly piercing guitar-riff by Disashi, reminiscent of 80’s rock, followed by Travis‘ moderately well delivered lyrics. Finally, GCH captures the essence of hip-hop on “Peace Sign/Index Down” featuring Busta Rhymes, who irrefutably steals the track with his never ending energy and gritty voice, as well as “Don’t Tell Me It’s Over” which has two versions; the album version featuring Dre, but the more commonly known version is the one featuring incoherent lyrics courtesy of Lil’ Wayne (not on the album). Regardless, this song is one of the ultimate I-don’t-give-a-fuck anthems, with Travis proclaiming that haters only make the group stronger.

Although having an undeniably unique sound, eccentric lyrics and Travis McCoy’s improved ability to deliver a verse, Gym Class Heroes stepped one foot into hip-hop instead of diving head first. Having the producers they did, the production was undoubtably successful to a hip-pop audience; however, the known-for live instrumentals are often replaced by synthesized beats. Travis McCoy’s lyrics have been dumbed down from previous albums, lacking conceptual intelligence and riveting metaphors. Nonetheless, The Quilt does bring back the notion of fun to the hip-hop game.

Overall Score: 67/100

Stand Out Tracks:

“Home”

“Peace Sign/Index Down”

“Don’t Tell Me It’s Over”

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