Gym Class Heroes--The Quilt

Gym Class Heroes
The Quilt

Gym Class Heroes found their niche by making hip hop for indie kids, replacing street life bravado with tales of meeting chicks on Myspace. Frontman Travis McCoy is always the standout star, undeniably charismatic in his quest to become the next Jay-Z, when it's clear he's really just an emo boy at heart.

"The Quilt" is a fitting name for a record that stitches together all sorts of genres. There's the sultry club banger "The Cookie Jar," the kiss-off "Peace Sign/Index Down" (featuring Busta Rhymes) and the sappy "Like Father Like Son." The stylistic schizophrenia works, it's just the album's stuffy production that's disappointing. The feel of the live band is missing as well as the usual fun that really makes Gym Class Heroes stand out.

Rating: 3 of 4
For fans of: Outkast, N.E.R.D., Fall Out Boy