The Quilt - Dark Publications

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•	Year of the Gentleman
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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Gym Class Heroes' eagerly anticipated third release, The Quilt, follows 2006's RIAA gold-certified As Cruel As School Children. Acclaimed for their unique approach to alternative hip-hop, Gym Class Heroes became an international sensation in 2007 with their #1 blockbuster hit, 'Cupid's Chokehold/Breakfast In America'.

Album Description
Explicit Version. The roots of genre-bending Funk-Rap band Gym Class Heroes stem from an actual ninth grade phys-ed class in Geneva, New York, where lead singer/MC Travis McCoy met drummer Matt McGinley in 1997. Just shy of a decade later, and two members stronger, the outfit began delivering cheeky observations about the pitfalls of life and love in the age of friend requests and ringtones. They quickly scored a record deal with indie stalwart Fueled By Ramen, and gained the adoration of a legion of internet fans who helped propel the Supertramp-sampling "Cupid's Chokehold" into top tens around the world.

Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

A Review of "The Quilt" September 9, 2008
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

"The Quilt" as a whole is a lot better than Gym Class Heroes' last album. The lyrics are tighter, the production of the songs is better and overall, this album is far more fun and enjoyable. What you'll enjoy are the songs such as "Cookie Jar" which marks a slightly new direction for the group as they go with a more hip-hop sound. Does it work? As a whole, yes. For me, this change in musical directions sparked the group's creativity and unlike many groups, they didn't get hung up on one sound or style on each song. Each song brings forth something new and exciting.

The Good: "Cookie Jar", "Like Father, Like Son (Papa's Song)" and "Guilty as Charged" were the stand-out songs. "Live Forever (Fly With Me)" is also a stand-out track for it really spins out an interesting, somewhat sad, story that'll have you hitting repeat just to see if you catch anything new. These were are all fresh, fun, something of a mix between hip-hop and pop. I felt the group hit its stride when they weren't as serious, though "Like Father, Like Son" is a gem both musically and lyrically. It manages to be both a fun song to listen to and rather sincere in sentiment as it comes packed with personal lyrics that really makes the track stand out from the rest. For the most part, I can listen to this CD from start to finish without feeling the need to really skip a track. The strength is really in the lyrics but, unlike the last album, the music itself is exciting and well produced to make this a complete package.

The Bad: There are a few tracks that just didn't work for me. These tracks feel a bit unbalanced, sounding a bit too pop and not really a good fit for the group. These include "Live a Little" which sounds like a throw-away track from the Jonas Brothers, "No Place to Run" which is very upbeat and odd. These songs, and a few others, felt awkwardly placed on the album with the hip-hop produced tracks. It was distracting and though they weren't terrible, they prevent the album from being solid and having a consistent sound and direction. For me, not all the tracks worked but at least alone they're still listenable and aren't bad.

In all, a good effort. Definitely recommended and unlike most of the average music and releases that seem to plague the market these days. Check it out.

5 out of 5 stars

A very colorful quilt!! September 9, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

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...

3 out of 5 stars

The Hero has left the Gym Class behind or (Great solo project Travy!) September 10, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

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.

4 out of 5 stars

Put up your peace sign, put your index down October 10, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Gym Class Heroes serves up another addictive album with a major supporting cast of producers, and guest stars as diverse as Estelle, Daryl Hall and Busta Rhymes, to name just three.

If you liked "Cupid's Chokehold" from their last album, you'll also like the single "Peace Sign/Index Down" [try it yourself] with Busta Rhymes, which has a chorus that may get you fired if you perform it at work in front of the wrong audience. [Note to self: listen with ear buds at work, but DON'T sing along if you can be overheard] Other than the PA lyrics, there are also funky, trippy lines such as "But now I'm sittin' lovely off in Wonderland with Alice / With purple people passin' me at the catapillar's chalice", and I think I've grown rather fond of this track.

The other single released is "Cookie Jar", featuring The-Dream, which is a funny song about a compulsive cheater. Another good track is "DRNK TXT Rmeo" which is about people who would rather send a text message than have an actual conversation - "I usually avoid any kind of confrontation, conversation, moderation / Lips sealed but my fingers are flying"

Other tracks for your consideration are "Like Father, Like Son (Papa's Song)", which samples "Papa Was a Rolling Stone"; the reggae-beat "Blinded By the Sun"; "Live a Little"; "Live Forever (Fly With Me)", an R&B track with Daryl Hall; and "No Place to Run", which sounds a little like BritPop.

This is a solid fourth album, and well worth a place in your collection, but remember the PA lyrics and listen responsibly.

Amanda Richards, October 9, 2008

2 out of 5 stars

A Completely Different Band September 16, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

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.

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