I spent the last week brushing my teeth while bumping Gym Class Heroes.Their latest CD, The Quilt, serves as lyrical Rainbow Coalition, varied enough to interest a myriad of listeners. The quirky quartet infuses a miscellaneous mixture of trippy indie hip-hop sounds, light rock instrumentals and formulaic pop.
The musical melting pot will be as universally accepted in the suburbs, as it will be with more urban audiences. Juxtaposing adolescent awkwardness and adult disappointments, their stories illustrate the universality of imperfect childhoods amongst other issues.
Emancipated from brainless radio protocol, the CD is granted levity with more BET and MTV friendly tracks. Club hopper satisfaction emanates from the Dream’s hypnotic repetition in the sex fueled “Cookie Jar”.
The main album nuisance? A certain technologically savvy but annoying nonetheless, “Drnk Txt Rmeo”. With such high standards set in the remaining tracks, this one seems mildly torturous. A nasal chorus and detached delivery prompt idle fingers to fast forward to something less simple and more passionate.
Though every song is not a banger, most showcase honesty and heartfelt cadences. Whether heads nod or not, wheels will turn at their eclectic lyrics.
MC, Travis chronicles past relationship woes and pitfalls, namely fidelity and the mutual lack thereof.
He reveals a genetic predisposition to roaming loins as he chronicled his father’s woman loving ways. In “Like Father, Like Son”, early memories impregnate his heartfelt flow. “Papa was a rolling stone . Papa was a pimp, married four times/ indecisive/ trying to strike a gold mine.”
Outsiders everywhere can bask in the Heroes’ auditory complexities. Their rhythmic witticisms are smirk worthy. “Your parents must have been trans, you’re so see through.”
They dabble in fury and angst, encouraging listeners to join them in profane sign language on “Peace Sign/ Index Down”. Busta Rhymes bombards this track. Though his presence is appreciated for past contributions to the craft, the Heroes’ kill without Busta’s bass.
This album also features the muted cool of British sensation, Estelle and production from Miami based Cool and Dre. Surely, The Quilt will ubiquitously warm play lists.