Following frontman Travis McCoy's brief foray into a solo career (which included the smash hit "Billionaire'), he reunited with his band to release The Papercut Chronicles II, the follow-up to the band's 2005 record.
Although the record itself came out a mere few weeks ago, the album's lead single has been making ripples on the airwaves since the beginning of summer. Featuring Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, "Stereo Hearts" began picking up major momentum toward the end of summer, and continues its reign of enormous popularity as I write.
Plain and simple, the song has a hell of a hook. It was provided by Levine, who begins the abundance of music metaphors of the song with his opening vocal -- "My heart's a stereo / It beats for you, so listen close."
The metaphors flow freely throughout the song, which is sort of what makes the song so enjoyable and altogether endearing. Along the way, McCoy asks the listener what his/her reaction would be if he was "just another dusty record on the shelf," or "stuck inside your head like your favorite tune." The rapper spits quite a few other clever lines, such as, but not limited to: "And all I ask is that you don't get mad at me \ When you have to purchase mad D batteries" and "I think finally found a note to make you understand \ If you can hit it, sing along and take me by the hand."
I think Levine's part on the bridge sums it all up: "I only pray you never leave me behind / Because good music can be so hard to find." Maybe I'm just easily amused, but that happens to be one of my favorite lines of 2011, period.
The song is put over the top by Levine's vocal, but McCoy's flow is certainly not one at which to scoff. It seems like the emcee improves with each album, and his ear for a good pop song is becoming increasingly effective.
"Stereo Hearts" may not be the best pop record of 2011, but it's damn near close. When it comes to silly fun and songs about love in the form of musical metaphors, Gym Class Heroes have you covered.
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