Gym Class Heroes The Quilt: Early Album Review

A lot has changed for Geneva, New York based band Gym Class Heroes since the release of their last album As Cruel As School Children. From the success of that album, the group has gone from under-the-radar to the next big thing in the rock-rap hybrid genre. With the bands varied interests and influences will Travis McCoy and the boys be able to satisfy the masses with their latest album The Quilt?

The first single off the album is the Cool & Dre produced Peace Sign/Index Down. The track features rap legend Busta Rhymes. The pairing of Cool & Dre, Gym Class Heroes and Busta Rhymes leads to an interesting track which should be able to appeal to various audiences.

The second single is Cookie Jar which features The-Dream. This song has the potential to be one of the biggest songs of 2008. The track crosses so many genres and features such an interesting concept. Hardcore Gym Class Heroes fans will scoff at the groups attempt for commercialism on the track; however the song is undeniably good.

Cool & Dre produce Don't Tell Me It's Over featuring Lil Wayne and Dre. The song has a more urban-rap appeal than a lot of the other tracks on the album. The song has definite single appeal as does anything with Lil Wayne at this moment in time.

The album opens with Guilty As Charged featuring Estelle. The song is incredibly catchy and the perfect way to open the album. The song starts off like a shot to the chest and features an interesting concept.

Proving that they can master any genre, Blinded By The Sun has a heavy reggae influence. The song fills a void in the marketplace and Travis delivers strong lyrics as expected.

Live Forever (Fly With Me) teams Gym Class Heroes with Daryl Hall from Hall & Oates. The song starts off with a mellow piano vibe but builds into a whole different sound which is not as solid as the intro. The lyrical content is otherworldly and Travis McCoy shows why he is one of the best lyricists in the game.

Kissin' Ears also features The-Dream. The song is solid however it is not one of the better tracks on the album.

Catch Me If You Can has a different vibe than many of the other tracks on the album. The song mixes rock music with 1970's soul. The song is just interesting.

Overall The Quilt is just what it states; a collection of different songs from different genres that work to form a cohesive whole. Overall The Quilt gets 8 out of 10. If you are fan of Gym Class Heroes make sure you pick up The Quilt when it is available in stores on September 9^th.