:: Gym Class Heroes - As Cruel As School Children

Gym Class Heroes

Whatever pre-conceptions or assumptions I had held about Gym Class Heroes, were quickly smashed, broken and remoulded after one listen to their first major release ‘As Cruel as School Children’. A magnificent combination of R&B, hip hop and dance, the album feels original and different, and generates genuine excitement. The recording also includes a number of fantastic spoken word performances. Not to be confused with any kind of rap ramblings, these performances are delivered as modern poems, a commentary on contemporary life. It may sound all a bit serious, but it is in fact quite the contrary. Gym Class Heroes possess the enviable ability to inject their music with a good sense of humour, without crossing the line a becoming mere novelty act. Overall it’s an in class, all class production. The album is outstanding in itself, and is worthy of a full listen, however if I were pressed to pick some favourite tracks I think my nominations would go to ‘Sloppy Love Jingle’, parts 1, 2 and 3. For pure infectiousness the vote would have to sway in favour of ‘Viva La White Girl’ or ‘Cupid’s Chokehold’.
Gym Class Heroes record label Decaydance certainly know how to pick quality acts. Sharing the label is Panic! At the Disco, by far one of the most popular and successful bands of 2006. Given this track record I think it would be fair to say, Gym Class Heroes will be one to watch in 2007.