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As Cruel as School Children
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
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Tracks| 1 | 1st period: The Queen and I | | 2 | 2nd period: Shoot Down the Stars | | 3 | 3rd Period: New Friend Request | | 4 | 4th period: Clothes Off!! | | 5 | Lunch: Sloppy Love Jingle Pt. 1 | | 6 | 6th period: Viva La White | | 7 | 7th Period: 7 Weeks | | 8 | 8th period: It's Ok, But Just This Once! | | 9 | Study Hall: Sloppy Love Jingle Pt. 2 | | 10 | 10th Period: Biters Block | | 11 | Yearbook Club: Boys In Bands Interlude | | 12 | 12th period: Scandalous Scholastics | | 13 | 13th period: On My Own Time (Write On!) | | 14 | Intramurals: Cupid's Chokehold | | 15 | Detention: Sloppy Love Jingle Pt. 3 |
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