Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be 50 fantastic first solo albums recorded by artists who departed—or simply took a temporary hiatus from—their respective groups, representing a varied cross-section of genres, styles and time periods. Click “Next Album” below to explore each album or view the full album index here.
TRAVIE MCCOY | Lazarus
Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen/Atlantic (2010)
Selected by Daryl McIntosh
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I don’t remember anyone being more fun than Gym Class Heroes at the dawn of music’s digital age, and at the helm was the band’s frontman Travie McCoy. The band that successfully meshed every genre from hip-hop to rock to reggae had clawed their way to becoming major tour and festival headliners behind hit singles “Cupid’s Chokehold” and “Clothes Off.”
Lazarus is memorable as an early musical platform for now mega-star Bruno Mars who collaborated on the lead single “Billionaire,” and is credited as a writer throughout the LP. The album isn’t necessarily a grand effort, but closes out a decade that saw genres blend like never before, and landed well for a party-rocker who garnered an A-list roster of musicians for our listening pleasure.
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