Gym Class Heroes - The Quilt

The best thing to come out of upstate New York since Southern Tier Brewing Company has released their third full-length from Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen and I have to admit that I'm torn.

I think that this release epitomizes the old adage: just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

Sure, they've seen success and fame. They now have more than 4 days to track a record and show off impressive collaborations. They finally have the wherewithal and money to completely abandon the charm and songwriting that captured their fan base from the beginning. But why?

There are so many other formulaic hip-hop production teams out there pumping out number one songs with lackluster sentiments and materialistic content that have given so many people enough reason to stay away from such bullshit music.

Finally, a group of people found something that gave them a little hope in an abused style of music called Gym Class Heroes. Reminiscent of The Roots, they offered a different demographic and generation of kids whose appreciation for music didn't satisfy a scene or magazine something real and valid in the world of Hip-Hop.

However, that was until the moment that they wrote a song called "Cookie Jar".

***** 5 Minutes passes between typing due to an extensive and discerning daze of disappointment

Anyways, I feel now like I'm being to hard on "The Quilt". While "Cookie Jar" is an offensive degradation to the bands flawless arsenal of songs, that doesn't translate to the entity of the album.

Most of the songs on this album are actually at least par. Sure, they've grown up and tried to advance themselves as a band but for the most part, hardcore GCH fans will be happy with most of this album.

However, "Cookie Jar" belongs on "NOW! That's What I Call Music: 47".

Let's get to the good news: "Peace Sign/Index Down", "Don't Tell Me It's Over", "Catch Me If You Can", "Blinded By The Sun", "Like Father, Like Son", and "Drnk Txt Rmeo" are completely ABOVE average songs that make me feel like this LP should have been an EP.

Unfortunaltely, I have to give GCH's The Quilt a less-than-impressive 6.5 that will fail to reflect their more deserving songs that are tainted by songs like "Kissin' Ears" and... ugggghhhh.... "Cookie Jar".

And as unfortunate as is that Decaydance decided to release the latter of worst song picks as a single, they also made a video for one of my best song picks, "Peace Sign/Index Down"— and, oh yeah, Busta Rhymes is in it!