Music Review: Gym Class Heroes

By Elise Stawarz

Thursday, September 11, 2008

The boys of Gym Class Heroes have Fall Out Boy—especially lead singer Patrick Stump—to thank for their breakout success with their top single “Cupid’s Chokehold,” which was produced by Stump, who also sang the hook. The Heroes also owe a lot to Stump for their new record, The Quilt. Once again, he lends his vocals to a fantastically catchy song, “Blinded by the Sun,” and produced about half the tracks on the record.

It’s the catchy songs such as this one that make the album worth listening to. Gym Class Heroes are, quite frankly, little more than a band who can write a great hook, collaborate well with other artists and sound good on the radio, nestled between Katy Perry’s “I Kissed A Girl” and “Disturbia” by Rihanna. Highlights of the album include the fabulous horn and hook song “Guilty as Charged” featuring Estelle, and the first single “Cookie Jar.”

The album suffers when Gym Class Heroes tries to be a band it’s not (i.e. The Roots). “Peace Sign/Index Down” makes McCoy seem a bit ridiculous trying to keep up with Busta Rhymes’ flow, and other songs without a catchy pop hook come off as repetitive and boring.

Gym Class Heroes truly shine when they simply embrace their inner pop stars.

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