Cartel - Cycles

Rating

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RIYL

Fall Out Boy
New Found Glory
Hit the Lights
All Time Low

Release Date

10/20/2009

Label

Wind Up Records

Tracklist

1. Let's Go
2. The Perfect Mistake
3. Faster Ride
4. Deep South
5. Only You
6. It Still Remains
7. 27 Steps
8. See Me Now
9. Typical
10. Conventional Friend
11. Retrograde

Users Rating

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5 ratings

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Recent Ratings

For a band so early in their career, Cartel has had a pretty interesting ride. Their first release, Chroma, generated some strong buzz for the Georgia-based pop punk group. It wasn't until their second release and self-titled album, though, that Cartel grew to be as well-known as they are today. Their self titled album was completed in 20 days inside of a bubble, and it was part of Dr. Pepper's “Band in a Bubble” stunt. The concept brought in quite a few new fans for the band, but the result was a mediocre album that let down those who knew what they were capable of doing. Now, two years later, Cartel is back to prove they still have plenty in them with Cycles.

With Cartel's self-titled album, it was clear they were suffering from the sophomore slump. Chroma proved they had a tremendous amount of talent, but it was also a hard debut to follow up. Cycles is a worthy successor to Chroma, though, and in some ways it's quite a bit better. The title track and first single of the album, "Let's Go," shows just how much Cartel has grown. Without skipping a beat, they dive into "Perfect Mistake," which is arguably the best song of the album. They keep things going strong until the end, but “Deep South” could definitely be considered a misstep. It’s a charming homage to their southern roots, but it also feels a bit out of place in the context of the album.

There were moments in Cartel’s previous work where vocalist Will Pugh seemed almost ahead of the rest of the band in terms of finding his sound, but Cycles proves that Cartel’s capabilities have finally caught up with their ambition. Pugh’s vocals have always been top-notch, but he has somehow found room for improvement. The whole band has clearly grown more confident and comfortable, and it shows in just how tight and cohesive Cycles is. Nic Hudson and Joseph Pepper’s layered guitar work creates the perfect base for the band to achieve some infectiously catchy hooks that will keep listeners coming back.

Pop punk is a genre whose death has been prophesied countless times now. Its prevalence in the mainstream flickers and fades, but bands like Cartel are here to prove there's plenty of life still left in the genre. Not only have they climbed out of the hole they dug with their self-titled album, they've released their best work so far. If there’s one thing they’ve taught us, it’s that trying to record an album inside of a massive bubble is not the best way to follow up a critically-acclaimed debut. Cycles may not be the most original album out there, but it still stands as one of the better pop punk albums to be released in quite some time. To all of you countless musicians out there creating Myspace profiles for your unestablished pop punk acts: check this album out because it'll show you how it’s done.

--Dant Rambo

Author

Dant Rambo
Last updated: 10/30/2009 07:55AM

Comments

Aaron Yarborough
10/30/2009
03:00PM
Age: 28
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA

pretty darn average to my ears.

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thetsaiguy
10/30/2009
03:29PM
Location
San Jose, CA

Catchy, but that's about it.

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Chris Conlan
10/30/2009
03:46PM
Age: 26
Location
Dubuque

I think this album could've been a 4.5 or 5 if they had more tracks like "Steps", "Deep South", "Retrograde", and "Conventional Friend".  Those are the tracks I listened to the most.

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Dant Rambo
10/30/2009
07:23PM
Age: 20
Location
Fort Bragg, CA
Chris Conlan

I think this album could've been a 4.5 or 5 if they had more tracks like "Steps", "Deep South", "Retrograde", and "Conventional Friend".  Those are the tracks I listened to the most.

"Deep South" didn't really do it for me, but I agree with the rest of your selections Chris.

kristacalogero
11/09/2009
11:42AM

This is really an all over amazing album. Deep South actually happens to be one of my favorite...but to be honest, chosing a favorite is hard because i enjoy this album as a whole.I agree on the fact that Will's voice somehow continues to get better and better even when it seems it's already at its best :)