Album Review: Gym Class Heroes – The Papercut Chronicles II
:
Going back to their roots will undoubtedly keep fans happy. Matured lyrics, catchy choruses and well known featured artists.:
Still slightly confusing in terms of genre.Gym Class Heroes return to their Papercut roots but find some room for growth.
In late 2011, the ever-so cool Gym Class Heroes released ‘The Papercut Chronicles II’, a sequel-like follow up to their 2003 debut album ‘The Papercut Chronicles’. Seems as though GCH have taken a step back from their last three records in which a number of the tracks represented a time of playing, partying and substance abuse. It was a time where musically, GCH were all over the show. “We’ve been the proverbial sore thumb. Even before we got signed, we were playing shows with death metal and hardcore bands and whoever would let us play with them. I wouldn’t even consider us a hip-hop band. Musically, it’s just all over the place.” Said front man Travie McCoy regarding the matter.
looking ahead, the band has drawn inspiration from their first album, ‘The Papercut Chronicles’, aiming for a mature, slightly progressive album which goes back to their original roots. The ‘Papercut Chronicles II’ is well balanced with the fusion of hip hop and rock, where it seems that main man Travie McCoy has certainly matured since the old-school days of ‘Cupid’s choke-hold’ and ‘Cookie jar’. His maturity is clearly represented within the lyrics on some of the tracks, from dismantling relationship issues to the questioning of god, there is no question that these guys have progressed.
The first single released on the album “Stereo hearts” featuring Maroon 5 vocalist Adam Levine (who at that point was high in demand in the music scene) has no doubt captured the hearts of listeners. The second single released “Life Goes On” featuring Oh Land was a clear indication that Travie McCoy had returned to his simplistic style that had made him such a charming personality in the music world. GCH recently released their third single off the record, “Ass Back Home” featuring Neon Hitch, which delves into relationship problems while keeping the frame of mind relatively strong and positive. This only cemented the true musical style that GCH had been aiming for.
When asked about the record’s maturity, McCoy said: “It’s about…thinking about the bigger picture rather than the smaller things. I’m 30. We’ve all grown up now, some of us have kids.” Gym Class Heroes have brought a deeper, more refined approach to their music and have finally come together as a band who know what they want. “All I got to say is it’s definitely going back to the essence of Gym Class Heroes, which is four dudes sitting in a room, vibing off each other and making organic, dark metal.”
