Rating: 
A few years back in the sweaty months of another Phoenix summer I found myself in the middle of an asphalt parking lot cluttered with stages and enthusiastic youth. An event better known to most as the “Vans Warped Tour”. On this particular year I had got a call late in the day from a friend who could get me in for the only band name I really recognized one the list. “Against Me!”.
After their set was over I had planned on going home. With a few guitar picks and drum sticks thrown out over the crowd in front of them, a “Good night Phoenix” and the lack of an encore song due to the Warped Tours limited set times, It seemed my plan was well on its way…. Little did I know, the second stage would be immediately swarmed by seemingly everyone at the festival as the sun went down, lights went up and “The Gym Class Heroes” took the stage.
This was my first exposure to the band. As I briefly stopped to give a listen to what seemed to be the hot spot of the tour I found myself not yet ready to leave.
The crowd was jumping up and down and singing along to the hooks and most importantly – The music was good. More on the side of Hip hop than rock, a nice reggae influence, and catchy fun sounding lyrics.
After a quick set I was well on my way to the parking lot and soon to be back home. I locked the bands name in my memory for future research but never happened to listen to them again…..
Until the summer of 2011.
Over and over and over in inescapable and unavoidable cycle of repeat on terrestrial radio.
Its not a bad song. Its a catchy single. Its a stylish and clever collaboration with Adam Levine (Maroon 5). Its incredibly memorable and I truly wish I could say the same for the accompanying boring, safe, truly forgettable album.
If Travie McCoy still wants to “be a billionaire, so freaking bad” I would suggest sticking to the solo career.
This album was just….. Blah.
Other than MAYBE buying the single on iTunes (If you don’t have an FM radio within your grasps between the ours of midnight and noon on any given day) I would skip this one completely.
Or possibly wait for an album written with enough creativity to bypass the Roman numerals.
Official Site / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube
Gym Class Heroes – The Papercut Chronicles II
Track listing:
- Za Intro
- Martyrial Girl$
- Life Goes On (feat. Oh Land)
- Stereo Hearts (feat. Adam Levine)
- Solo Discotheque (Whiskey Bitness)
- Holy Horseshit, Batman!!
- Ass Back Home (feat. Neon Hitch)
- Nil-Nil-Draw
- Lazarus, Ze Gitan
- The Fighter (feat. Ryan Tedder)
- Kid Nothing And The Never-Ending Naked Nightmare
November 11, 2011 – Warner Bros./Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen
Get It Now: iTunes / Amazon (CD)
Official Site / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube
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