Remember Crazy Town? The rap-core outfit from LA, led by short bloke with spiky blonde hair and a lot of tattoos, had a moderately successful debut album during the late '90s which spawned huge worldwide hit 'Butterfly', and faded into obscurity not long afterwards? Well, meet their successors, Gym Class Heroes. These New Yorkers share the same penchant for hip-hop influenced beats played with live instruments (rather than over a backing track) and, like Crazy Town, have sired a hugely catchy and exceedingly radio-friendly track from their latest album. It's no coincidence, either, that like Butterfly, the brilliantly poppy Cupid's Chokehold is the best track on Gym Class Heroes' third album, As Cruel As School Children. Led by MC Travis 'Schleprok' (me neither) McCoy, the quartet formed officially in 2001, but it wasn't until they signed to Fall Out Boy Pete Wentz's Decaydance label that they began the transition from borderline success story to full-blown stardom. Indeed, it's not just their super-single that's seen them under the spotlight; with FOB singer Patrick Stump producing this album, GCH are practically being molded into the hip-hop equivalent of the emo stars. As Cruel As School Children isn't a bad album; comprised of fifteen tracks that are designated into 'periods', 'study halls' and 'Yearbook Clubs', etc, a lot of the music is gratifying, if not exactly pioneering. There are funky whoomps (The Queen and I) and melodic choruses with emo edges a-plenty (Shoot Down the Stars, On My Own), while McCoy's constant hard-edged rapping is at times dark and shady. Clothes Off is particular highlight, its Luther Vandross's-style pop-funk so '80s that you can see the shoulder pads; but one listen alone is enough to recognise that although GCH strive to be as innovative as the likes of The Roots or De La Soul, they're ultimately resigned to end up in the same bargain bin as Crazy Town.
