Soundtrack of My Life

Song: Clothes Off!
Artist: Gym Class Heroes
Album: As Cruel As School Children (2006)

You know that scene in Knocked Up where Seth Rogen's character says he's pretty sure that he and Vince Vaughn would be good friends? That's how I feel about Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes.

While the chances of that actually being true - or ever being tested - are somewhere better than me winning the lottery, that isn't saying much. So for now, I'll continue to fly my GCH support flag proudly.

Like anyone who knows the name of this band, I got my first taste through "Cupid's Chokehold," with the difference being that I kept listening and realized that these guys are pretty much the epitome of what type of bands and musicians and music I love.

There is parts of everything in this track - a hilarious sample of a cheesy 80s tune, some quick lines that you may not catch the first time from Travie, a hook sung by Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy (Yes, I still like Fall Out Boy) and the video kicks off with the boys rolling to the casino as "Viva La White Girl" plays.

As a point of interest to perhaps no one - the white girl is Ms. "I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It" Katy Perry, Travis' girlfriend.

Back to our originally scheduled program...

These guys are basically a band that just loved doing what they do and don't take themselves too seriously. Anyone who has dance battles against Panic At The Disco dressed up as animals in their video obviously is up for a laugh, especially at themselves.

Lyrically, I love Travie because while there is a ton of humour in what he says, you have to appreciate the flow. He's not some Young MC delivering nothing but corny lyrics; he's making you laugh (maybe) by dropping well conceived, quick witted lines.

Now here's another barn burner for the slow learners
Put your helmets on and take a seat on the short bus
Next stop, right around the corner from your momma live
No turning back so you better buckle up
Shit, don't be concerned with mine
I feel like a Speak and Spell way I got you learning my lines
Fine, pull the string, replay that shit
I change my name to "did he really just say that shit?"

The other reason I have been in the corner of Gym Class Heroes since I first latched onto them is Travis' openness about his addiction to opiates.

I don't have a lot of bookmarks on my computer - mainly sports stuff for work and fantasy sports stuff for play - but one thing I do have saved is Travie's Blog. He doesn't say a lot very often, but anyone who is willing to be 100% truthful and upfront about the challenges he's faced and the battle he is fighting is good in my books.

Plus, he loves The Wire. Enough said.

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Soundtrack of My Life

Song: Thnks fr th Mmrs
Artist: Fall Out Boy
Album: Infinity on High

So many reasons for this so we'll jump right in.

First and foremost - this is my shout out to The Blockbuster Posse.

I worked my last shift last night and all I can say to E, Smash, Kim, Lo, Jen, Cal, D, Tone and The Newbies is thanks for the memories. Even though I bitch about the place incessantly, it's never been about the people, because the people are top shelf.

Now I have to go to London and teach a whole new crew of people about the "What the Hell Happened To..." Game, the Direct to DVD Hall of Fame and what the definition of gangsterdom is.

Moving on...

I love Fall Out Boy and I could care less what you think about that.

Call them emo, call them pop punk, call them sell outs... whatever. They're dope, plain and simple. Yeah, I said dope.

Been down with the boys from Illinois since before the mainstream. Ask my old roommate Beast; I used to use Fall Out Boy lyrics and titles as my MSN name when we lived to together and he, like everyone else, thought I was totally insane... until "Sugar, We're Going Down" blew up and the light went on.

As for this song itself, there is a lot to like.

Pulling all the vowels from the title is awesome and has a two-fold intention. First, it's a nod to text messaging culture where ever word in the English language is shortened to the bare minimum. While I think texting is contributing to the dumbing down of our society as a whole, it's a great marketing idea and I can appreciate that. Cash rules everything around me... (someone please finish the lyric)

The second bit of awesomeness with the title is that it's a "Here, is this better?" to FOB's record label which has always complained about the long-winded titles of their songs. While I have to agree that "Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued" is a bit much, it could be worse. They could have pulled a Fiona Apple and named their album... wait for it...

When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks like a King What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight and He'll Win the Whole Thing Fore He Enters the Ring There's No Body to Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand and Remember That Depth Is the Greatest of Heights and If You Know Where You Stand, Then You'll Know Where to Land and If You Fall It Won't Matter, Cuz You Know That You're Right.

As far as the actual song goes, the first thing that caught my ear was the great orchestral inclusions at the beginning. I don't know why but any song where orchestral music wouldn't normally be sounds really cool with an orchestral ensemble in it. Find the Orchestral Live Version of "Drive" by Incubus and tell me I'm wrong...

The second thing that hit me were, as per usual, the lyrics.

I've been the guy sitting down penning the letters or, more appropriately for this song, the text messages that fit with Pete Wentz' words:

And I want these words to make things right
But it's for wrongs that make the words come to life
Who does he think he is?
If that's the worst you got, better put your fingers back to the keys

Now there is one line that has been puzzling to many, myself included initially, from the time the album was released. It's the last line of the chorus, which goes as follows:

One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Even though they weren't so great
He tastes like you only sweeter

The "He tastes like you only sweeter" is an reference to a line from the Mike Nicholls film Closer (available at Blockbuster Video...) and is meant to be a verbal dagger to a scorned lover. She's telling him about the sex with other guy... not he's having sex with the guy too as some have thought.

I just realized that this is the longest Soundtrack I've dropped in some time, by far, so I'm going to wrap it up.

I dig this band - and their friends Gym Class Heros (One Day at a Time, Trav....) - and I dig this song.

Give them a shot and give it a listen and you will too.

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