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.

Gym Class Heroes were coming off new found fame with their newest project titled 'The Quilt'. This album is NOTHING I mean NOTHING like anything you may have heard from them. Their first album was a very dark and gloomy album that caught many of their early fans by surprise and 'As Cruel As School Children' showed a very hungry and lively band...but 'Quilt' needs patchwork.

Lead Singer Travis McCoy went through many problems in the making of the album which included his addiction to drugs and family loses...which therfore makes the album 'Quilt'. A family theme can be felt with many shout outs to family and like the chorus of Peace Sign "F.U. this is for MY people" So here is the breakdown

Guilty As Charged (formally called Tell Hip-Hop)- This track is very lively, Estelle does a nice job holding the chorus...this was supposed to be a rap to hip/hop but...you can listen to this song and cannot see what this song has to do about hip hop. The chorus really saves the song.
6.5/10

Drunk TxT Romeo- Is a very cheap version of their MakeOut Club back in the Papercut Chronicle Days and has a very generic sound even with the original concept. He talks about his desire for women and how they are his 'obsession' towards them. It has the poppy feeling and may appeal to some audience but not the die-hard GCH fan.
5.5/10

Peace Sign- Again, this song shows off the band's originality with the chorus to make the middle finger towards the industry. He says that the poppy jingles are a thing of the past and are to leave yet makes many attempts to try to make them throughout the album. Busta Rhymes goes crazy on the Cool&Dre beat and does his usual thing as appearence. The third verse kinda makes you wish Busta was back on the mic, Travie somewhat bores you with the usual.
8/10

Like Father Like Son- Shows off the 'family theme' this album has. Travis talks about the life of his father and his life growing up with him. This song has a great piano roll and clap to make a very soothing sound. Travis pays appreciation towards his father for his hard work and the chorus explains how Travis always wanted to be in the cover of the Rolling Stone and always had his father to help him. He later goes on saying how he looked up to his father....sweet song...think of a Kanye's "Hey Mama"...a manlier version.
7/10

Blinded By The Sun- This song is a switch to the alternative rock road but by this point you are a bit 'Blinded' by Travis' repition of woman and uses the sun as metaphor for the truth to the number of lies woman have told him. It has a relaxing chorus and beat but the caution to this record is...theres just nothing special...this is a track you'd likely skip.
6/10

Catch Me If You Can- Before the album Travis had said this album would prove his lyrical ability...well this song sure does. The begining of the song shows how his lyrical creativity is up to par but the problem with this track is the bear is just strange. The beat kinda ruins the song...and the song might have been better off as an acappela. But never the less, his lyricism, when attempted, can be one that is uncontested...one of the best songs on the record.
7/10

Cookie Jar- Honestly, this is actually so freaking catchy...it's hard to not like it. The Dream is on a tear with his appearences and leaves a great chorus and Travie AGAIN talks about women...but this time uses a cookie as his metaphor. Catchy chorus but you kinda get the repition thing going on right now.
7/10

Live A Little- This sounds something off of Disney...I swear. This is just a teenage rock band thing going on. It is pretty catchy but this is something you could see the Jonas Brothers doing and that kinda scares off any avid GCH fan.
6/10

Dont Tell Me Its Over- The best song on the album, Travis lets off on the haters he's made since hitting stardom. He attacks those that criticize his success and does a good job doing it. Dre is on the hook from Cool&Dre and gives a real nice feeling that makes you want to press repeat. Travis mocks the fans that criticize him and gives it to his haters....If you want to see his lyrical ability...go straight to track 9.

"Dont be mad cause you flirted with a chick that had my tongue in her
esophagus"

8.5/10

Live Forever- Is obviously one of the most powerful songs GCH has ever made. This song deals with the death of Travis' cousin and the beautiful melody keeps the listener in awe. The Plane ride symbolizes the road to death and the window is like the last views of life while going to the 'last resort'. Haryl Oats does an amazing production and chorus job and this song is one that will inspire and if you are a BIG fan of the last two CD's...this song will be one of your favorites.
9.5/10

Kissing Ears- Another metaphor that Travis claims is his love for music but you cant help but think this is another poppy single with more and more about women...this really takes away from the last song...You go from soo very inspired and perplexed to...Kissin Ears??
6/10

Home- Is a GCH version of a homecoming party. This was used on Madden 09 i believe and is a hype song, very well written and something you would expect and like t hear from GCH. The guitar's from Cool&Dre give the song another hit. This gives more of Travis' lyrical contortion and does a well job of showing hip/hop that he's still got it...for this song at least.
7/10

No Place To Run- Is a very original band production which wasn't seen a lot in this album. This is another of the various songs that has singing in the begining...and this did not occur in the previous albums. More singing on how a couple can go and run away and how nothing can stop them. Its a nice cheery song and is reminiscent to something Yellowcard would make.
6.5/10

Coming Clean- Wow, well the original song leaked last year with just guitars so hearing this awful remake kind of sums up the album. Even with the time they had to record the album, it didn't show up in the music. Its about a girl...again...but according to Travis this may be his love for music...again. I liked the original but to use it as an outro just hurts a strong GCH fan. You feel so very disappointed....
5/10

This album had gems but are overlooked with the dirt poured on it. I cant honestly think the group can feel satisfied with the project...but this just may be it for the group. Most members have other endeavors going on...and Travis may just as well go solo and try out the rapper thing for a while.

Overall: 2.5/5

"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.

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.

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...