Gym Class Heroes boast a discography of two demos, two extended plays and five albums where one of which holds proudly a gold certificate from the Recording Industry Association of America. That album is the third and critically acclaimed 2006 release: "As Cruel As School Children". It was produced by the Chicago based Fall Out Boy's frontman Patrick Stump and charted at a peak of 35 on the US Billboard 200 and 8 on the US Top Rap Albums Billboard, making this is one of Gym Class Heroes' pinnacle albums, showing them as a force to be reckoned with.
The beauty of this album is that instrumentally, it's a real live band. This is a credit to GCH in general. They're a "hip-hop" BAND. I hyphen this because I feel that you cannot simply define them to just the one genre. They are most certainly a hip-hop act but with funk, rock, pop and even sometimes reggae fusion. I also feel that they are tailored more towards the punk audience with Travie McCoy being very much involved with the hardcore scene from his teen years. This is backed up with their countless sets at Vans Warped Tour.
From the instant you begin listening to As Cruel As School Kids, you're in good hands starting off with The Queen And I. This is one of my all time favourite GCH songs. It's fast tempo, it's catchy, it's attitude driven and it's Travie telling us a story in a unique manner. It's all about Travie falling in love with an alcoholic whom he calls The Queen. This fantastic number found itself making it into Tony Hawk's Project 8 and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 which used the track's instrumental. We can all agree that if your band makes it into a Tony Hawk Game, it's an honour.
Shoot Down The Stars takes the speed down a notch, giving you the chance to just rock your head along to the beat. The bassline is rocky whilst the piano chords are very soothing. The drum beat is very simple yet stylish and fits in perfectly. The rapping to singing works an absolute treat for this track.
Another banger from the album comes up next: New Friend Request. The story of Travie meeting a female through a friend whom he becomes obsessively in love with over MySpace is very easy to relate to in the 21st century where everything is done over social media now. This is a hip-hop killer. The punchlines are witty, the hook is memorable, the flow is natural and the band make a backing track that's on point. Everything goes hand in hand.
"See here's the thing.. We have to take our clothes off!" This very memorable line brings us into the club goldie Clothes Off!! It's an ideal jam for both private bedroom happenings and night out singalongs with your friends. Patrick Stump features on the track giving us some cracking vocals for the chorus. It's upbeat and sexy and not too unlike the lyrics, it makes you want to have a good time.
The Sloppy Love Jingle Parts One to Three are all hilarious and make you re-think having one too many on a night in the pub. Travie? If you're reading this, I totally feel for you. Here's a tip guys: don't go home with a MySpace Mistress. She'll just leave you a note telling you lose the number oh and P.S? "The sex was whack."
Viva La White Girl comes across like another bedroom session jam and believe me, listening to it at first it's a very seducing track to place in your playlist for your ladyfriend. I thought so at first too. That's before I listened closer and realised that it's all about cocaine. Come on guys. Writing love ballads about drugs just isn't cool. You're better than that.
7 Weeks speaks to all musicians I feel. It's all about life on tour.. The highs and the lows. I feel like the hardcore punk scene can really relate to this track regardless of the chilled out hip-hop vibe. It's very punky lyrically in terms of living on the road and coping with life. Excellent guest vocals were provided from the fantastic William Beckett from the former The Academy Is...
For me, there's not one bad track on this album. My all time favourite Gym Class Heroes track features on this album at Track 14: Cupid's Chokehold/ Breakfast In America. This version is the radio remix. The song also features on the 2005 album: The Papercut Chronicles, which you should also check out. Cupid's Chokehold is an oldie but goldie. Patrick Stump yet again features on the hook which, for the record, you'll be singing over and over again for days. This song will have you jamming, have you belting your voice out everywhere from the shower to the street and have your ears killing because you'll want it up full volume on your earphones. If that ain't love then I don't know what love is.
Gym Class Heroes killed it for me on As Cruel As School Children. For me, the album's great. Every song is different, catchy and easy to listen to. Trust me, give this album a chance because if you really have an open mind about music and like me, you enjoy both punk and hip-hop, chances are you'll adore this. Go on, give it a spin.
You can find Gym Class Heroes at this link right here!
You can also purchase GCH merchandise and albums at the Fueled By Ramen store.
To check out Travie McCoy's solo works, click this!
To buy Travie McCoy's merchandise and album, check out this link.
Until next time folks, catch me at the crib on Biters Block downtown, Plagiarism's Paradise.
What did you think of Gym Class Heroes' album? Did you like it? Did you not? Are you yet to hear it? Whatever your opinion may be, let me know the truth in the comments!
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