As Cruel as School Children [CLEAN]

Gym Class Heroes

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 25, 2006)
• Original Release Date: July 25, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Clean
• Label: Fueled By Ramen
• ASIN: B000GTJSCQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #152,954 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Roots aren't the only hip-hop group to build their sound around live instrumentation. Yet this Upstate New York quartet doesn't sound much like Philly's finest. Further, As Cruel as School Children is more radio-ready than previous efforts, especially "Cupid's Chokehold," which appropriates Supertramp's "Breakfast in America" to fine effect, i.e. "Take a look at my girlfriend / She's the only one I got." (A different mix appears on The Papercut Chronicles.) Not many indie-pop artists can freestyle, though, as frontman Travis McCoy proves on "Sloppy Love Jingle, Pts. 1-3," a trio of a cappella raps. Aside from dividing these tracks into "periods," "study halls," and the like, in fitting with the high school theme, McCoy's narratives touch on teachers, cheerleaders, and lunch room chatter. Guests include William Beckett (The Academy Is...) on "7 Weeks" and Speech (Arrested Development) on "Biter's Block." Cruel as School Children was co-produced by Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy) and released by band mate Pete Wentz's Decaydance imprint. Stump, who pops up in the "Cupid" video, also provides programming and backing vocals. --Kathleen C. Fennessy --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Description
This upstate NY 4-piece hip-hop band fuse crisp guitar rhythms, deep melodic bass lines, head cracking beats, and conscious lyrics to create a sound truly their own. Their debut full-length, "The Papercut Chronicles", has sold over 32,000 copies, converting anyone within ear shot into fans. This, their follow-up, is surely going to launch the band to the next level. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing Album From Gym Class Heroes, July 26, 2006

By	Dorrie Wheeler - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: As Cruel as School Children (Audio CD)

Don't sleep on the latest release by Gym School Heroe's titled As Cruel As School Children. The group has a real fresh sound. The first single from the release "New Friend Request" is something that everyone who is a part of the whole Myspace phenomenon will be able to relate to. "Clothes Off" is an uptempo song that puts a whole new spin on the classic Jermaine Stewart song "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off."

When listening to As Cruel As School Children I had that same feeling I got when I listened to the Souls of Mischief album 93' To Infinity for the first time. From start to finish it's a solid album and it's the kind of album you can imagine listening to at a summer barbecue or at a day at the beach. Stand out tracks on the album include the first single "Friend Request," "Shoot Down The Stars," and "7 Weeks."

Travie, Matt, Dishani, and Eric have released a real fresh album for the summer. A little Jamiroquai, a little Souls of Mischief and N.E.R.D., a little Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gym Class Heroes have ushered in a brand new style of hip-hop rock pop funk.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unclassifiable Dopeness {4 Stars}, April 3, 2007

By	Norfeest "Yes Yes Y'all" (Washington DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: As Cruel as School Children (Audio CD)

I'll admit that I didn't really know much about Gym Class Heroes until I saw them at a show with P.O.S. (Rhymesayers) and K-Os (Canada's finest) back in February. I actually went only because I'm a huge K-Os fan. Anyway, after a few listens to this album, the first thing to jump out at me was how tight an MC their frontman Travis McCoy is. He rides beats very well and I gotta say it's great to hear a young, black rapper (can I call him a rapper?) come out and do his own thing instead of trying to imitate Jay Z or any other "thug of the week." His accapella freestyles (the Sloppy Love Jingles) are noteworthy and worth hearing too. Dude can flow and is a capable singer to boot. The topics range from love to MySpace usage. No stone is left unturned with these guys and that, along with a great sense of humor, is part of their charm in my humble opinion.

As far as flaws go, I couldn't really find any. I mean, some songs hit me more than others, but none of them were bad. Just a little skip material here or there, but nothing worth mentioning. I take that back. "Clothes Off!" was a misstep worth mentioning. Travis' flow on this one is dope, but the hook is annoying. It's the only track I consistently skip. The rest is great.

As Cruel As School Children is an album that I recommend to lovers of all kinds of music. Call it hip hop. Call it punk rock. Call it Pop. Call it whatever you want to call it, but just know that it's great stuff no matter what you call it. I, for one, will be seeking out their previous material as well as any future releases. I recommend adding this to your music library.

Standout Tracks: Viva la White Girl, Cupid's Chokehold, New Friend Request, The Queen and I, 7 Weeks, Sloppy Love Jingle Pt. 1, It's OK But Just This Once!, and Shoot Down the Stars (My Favorite)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Where's all the tracks, January 30, 2007

By	Lucas Tilton - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: As Cruel as School Children (Audio CD)

Recently bought "As Cruel as School Children" and two of the sixteen tracks were not included on the copy I got, one of them being Cupid's Chokehold which is supposed to be GCH single right now.....explain that