Cartel: Cycles Review

Cartel is a band that gained a lot of popularity and fame from their debut album "Chroma" with their catchy and pop punk sound that any casual rock fan could not help but be drawn to. While the biggest accusation against the band was that their music was one-dimensional, it is clear Cartel's songs actually have a lot of diversity, even if a lot of it may be subtle enough for more casual fans to not notice. Cartel's self-titled sophomore effort was a solid follow-up in my opinion even if it didn't quite meet the bar set by their debut album, but a lot of fans heavily criticized it, demanding a step back in the direction of "Chroma". Whatever your stance on "Cartel" is, I am here to happily and confidently state that "Cycles" is a return to what "Chroma" fans were expecting while still managing to keep the music fresh and new. They maintain the ability to make their music general accessible, effectively mixing heavier guitar, bass and drums with solid vocals and still managing to appease both harder rock fans and more casual rock fans. I honestly can't say if "Cycles" is the best Cartel album, because both albums have their own pros and cons, but the fact that I even have to debate the matter should be an indication to any fan that this CD is worth your money, and that Cartel is back (even though I never really thought they went anywhere anyway).
1. Let's Go- The first single of the album is also the lead-off track and it reaffirms the notion that Cartel is back with a characteristically catchy jingle. The song begins with solid Cartel-esque guitar from Joseph Pepper and Nic Hudson and vocals in the verses from Will Pugh that sometimes screech in a way that reminds one of Michael Jackson (and this is not a bad thing, it is actually a great compliment because it sounds cool and dismisses the complaint that Cartel's sound is one-dimensional). Some solid bass from Jeff Lett kicks in later, and the drums from Kevin Sanders are solid throughout. The chorus is not necessarily complex as far as lyrics go, but it doesn't really need to be because that's not the point of the song, and the verses aren't bad in themselves. Cartel demonstrates their undeniable talent for creating beguiling music that one can't help but sing along to, while expanding their sound (especially as far as the vocals are concerned) at the same time. A very solid beginner. 9.5/10
2. The Perfect Mistake- This has proven to be the most popular song on Itunes so far, and while I don't think this is the best song on the album, it's definitely really close. In fact, it's the second best song in my opinion. This song is lyrically as good as it gets, talking about being a mistake you hope your significant other will make, and the accompanying vocals add to Pugh's already solid foundation. The verses have a consistent beat and guitar strumming that eventually builds up momentum leading in to chorus, and it translates well that when the chorus hits there is an explosion of pleasant rock. Can you say catchy? I hope you can, because there's really no other way to describe this song, it's just really good, certainly up there with "Chroma" fans' standards. 10/10
3. Faster Ride- A medium-paced beginning with pretty cool guitar schemes gives way to some Kenny G-esque guitar that you can hear if you listen hard enough until the chorus hits. While I personally don't care for how much this song sounds akin to Cobra Starship/Boys Like Girls because of the synthesizers added in for the chorus, it certainly will add to the likeable aspect of the song for some. This is not a bad song; I just would have preferred it to stay true to the solid guitar and bass scheme initially displayed. Great verses, but the electronic interference sort of detracts from the reversion back to actual instruments that is seen every time the chorus ends. This is lyrically sound, talking about someone who lives on impulse and needs to slow down. This song is vocally sound as well, except for when Pugh's voice becomes warbled by the synthesizer. 9/10
4. Deep South- If not for this song, "The Perfect Mistake" would take the title of best song on the album. And the best thing about this song is that I don't think the band knew how awesome people would think it is. This song reveals Cartel's knack for having heavier guitar and drums while still being able to be classified as pop punk/alternative rock. The verses are not necessarily complex as far as the instruments are concerned, but the chorus lets everything go and rock out hard. Lyrically this song expresses the band's love for their hometown, Atlanta and talks about returning his bones to the Deep South. Vocally, Pugh's long notes are extraordinary and the song as a whole adds to the variety of the CD. While some will disagree with me on this choice, this song has too much style and kick-ass value to be ignored, and so I am able to declare it to be the best song on the album. 10/10
5. Only You- Things slow down at this point in the album, and while some will be disappointed by this attempt at a slower song in the wake of "The Minstrel's Prayer", this song is still solid and has a good deal to offer. The acoustic guitar blends in nicely with the slightly quicker beat and Pugh's softer vocals are a nice complement to the album's variety. The lyrics are heartfelt and powerful, relating how being in love allows for everything else to shrink away. It picks up near the end, but not by much, only enough to allow the emotions of the song to sink in and have a lasting effect. This song is very good and certainly should not be excluded from the spotlight. 9.5/10
6. It Still Remains- A beating heart in the beginning gives way to some guitar strumming in the intro reminiscent of Jimmy Eat World, while Pugh's more aggressive vocals turn into a fast-paced and catchy chorus with a lot of guitar. Lyrically this song is very interesting and deals with trying not to dwell on the good memories of the past in regard to someone you care about because the person is gone now. The lyrics are certainly heartfelt and it is not only shown in the vocals, but also in the musical eruption that takes place in every chorus. This is the second most popular song on Itunes so far, and its catchiness certainly can be attributed to this fact. This is a very good song and a solid entry in Cartel's song list. 9.5/10
7. 27 Steps- This is another song in the contention for the top spot on the album, and once again displays Cartel's more aggressive side not seen since "Settle Down" off the debut album back in 2006. Some pretty cool guitar and drum patterns in the beginning slow down and allow Pugh to come in and control the attention of the song until the instruments start to build up again, and they blend together nicely with a more aggressive vocal note right before the chorus. The chorus is rocking and the edge shown is carried over into the subsequent verses. The song nicely illustrates the tension felt in the lyrics talking about walking away from a negative and draining influence. There is a really sweet guitar solo near the end of the song, and the climax right before the end of the song contains an entrancing and epic buildup composed of guitars, drums, and vocals. A very well-executed rocker. 10/10
8. See Me Now- In comparison to the preceding track, things slow down, but this is more of a mellow medium-paced rocker, not a slow song. The guitar is nice and fresh while the lyrics are slightly simplistic. The chorus is good and the song is upbeat as whole but I don't really care for the instrumental construction of the verses. There is some really good guitar and drums near the end of the song in a solo and the vocals definitely pick up significantly around that time as well. The background vocals are a good addition to the song, but this song doesn't really stand out in comparison to some of the other tracks here. 8/10
9. Typical- A song that starts out with a solid guitar hook and a poppy beat that is very infectious and progresses well into a more upbeat chorus that is further illuminated by some solid lyrics, even if they may be a tad simplistic. But they don't really need to be extravagant to be effective here since the music speaks for itself here and has a lot of interesting things to say. Aside from the synthesizer, the drums and bass strumming really stand out. This is a nice song to listen to if you want to feel good about not liking someone who pisses you off. This song stands out for itself and is a fine addition to the album and the category of typical Cartel music. No pun intended. 9/10
10. Conventional Friend- A heavier song that once again displays Cartel's harder side with head-bashing guitar, a wicked beat kept by great drumming, and Pugh's appropriately spiteful and calmly dramatic tone. The verses involve a lot of intricacies on the drums and guitar and the chorus simplifies things in order for Pugh's stunning vocals to shine and this further allows the listener to rock out as well. This is about letting a shaky friend go and expresses the anger felt in the lyrics extremely well (Cartel even drops an F-Bomb here!). This song is definitely one of the highlights of the album, showcasing Pugh's vocal strength and the band's ability to have a heavy jam session. 9.5/10
11. Retrograde- The final track on "Cycles" has a medium-paced beginning of guitar chugging that gives way to a more dramatic and heartfelt chorus consisting of more blaring vocals, fast-paced strumming, and a steady beat on the drums. Out of all the songs on the album this one is definitely the most appropriate as far as a closer goes, but it doesn't really fit in with my personal preferences as far as what classifies a great closer track. However, that being said, it is still a good song with great lyrics, heartfelt vocals, and some truly attention-arresting moments. One of these aforementioned moments would be the crescendo, which is a very cool beginning of the end for the song and the album as well. The song (and the album itself, really) ends on an abrupt note, but I'm not sure how it could have been ended differently and the song is still good enough despite a few minor snags. 9/10
Total: 103/110
I cannot really say whether this is Cartel's best album or not, because "Cycles" and "Chroma" each have their own highlights and special qualities that could be used to argue either case. But I do know that Cartel's newest effort is a damn good album. For those of you who fell in love with "Chroma" and were somewhat disappointed with "Cartel", I am here to tell you that Cartel is back and (depending on your own opinion) better than ever. For those of you who saw nothing wrong with "Cartel", I am here to tell you Cartel has returned and once again they deliver. The whole album is well-thought out, well-executed, and extremely fun to listen to. This is one that is definitely worth your money if you're into bands like All Time Low, Mayday Parade, and The Starting Line. Well done, Cartel. Coming up this week will be a review on the new album from Atreyu. Thanks for tuning in. Rock on.