Symphony Soldier
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Symphony Soldier is the second studio album by American rock band The Cab. It was released on August 23, 2011 as the follow-up to their first album Whisper War in 2008.[2]
The album's first single, "Bad", was released to iTunes on July 11, 2011 and was announced by the band on July 18; a music video was later released. The album received critical praise, with AbsolutePunk giving 'it a positive review with a rating of 95%, calling the album a "masterpiece."[3] The album art was revealed on July 19.[4]
Ian Crawford, the group's former lead guitarist,[5] played guitar for the album. With most music and lyrics written by band members, guest artists include Pete Wentz and John Feldmann co-writing "Grow Up and Be Kids"[6] and "Endlessly" co-written with Bruno Mars.
Release
The album was originally released independently following the group's departure from Fueled by Ramen/Decaydance Records. The Cab funded the entire album, with lead vocalist Alexander DeLeon Tweeting "we paid for it all on our own and refused to take no for an answer."[7]
Pre-orders were available on the band's webstore, the only place the physical album can be purchased.[citation needed] Their webstore offered 11 options, with prices ranging from $10 to $10,000;[8][9] The $10,000 "General of the Army" fan pre-order included bonuses such as:[8]
- Alex DeLeon and Alex Marshall write a song in their honor, which is then performed and recorded;
- an iPod Touch with The Cab catalog on it, and some of the group's favorite songs
- "guest list for life" at all their appearances;
- an autographed guitar
The album is available digitally on iTunes. Upon its release it entered the top 10 of US iTunes Albums chart. It debuted on the US Billboard 200 at No. 62.[10]
Promotion
In support of Symphony Soldier the band toured as headliners and supporters, as well as playing at radio station sponsored shows. Among that, they have opened for All Time Low, Simple Plan for their US fall tour in 2011, Avril Lavigne on a Canadian arena concert tour and Maroon 5 during their Asia Pacific tour in 2012.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Angel with a Shotgun" | 3:43 |
| 2. | "Temporary Bliss" | 3:45 |
| 3. | "Bad" | 3:21 |
| 4. | "Endlessly" | 3:58 |
| 5. | "Animal" | 3:51 |
| 6. | "Intoxicated" | 4:09 |
| 7. | "La La" | 3:26 |
| 8. | "Her Love Is My Religion" | 3:48 |
| 9. | "Another Me" | 3:25 |
| 10. | "Grow Up and Be Kids" | 3:10 |
| 11. | "Lovesick Fool" | 4:17 |
| 12. | "Living Louder" | 4:43 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Endlessly -Feelgud Remix-" | 3:37 |
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Absolutepunk.net | 95%[11] |
| Allmusic |   [12] |
| Alternative Press | [13] |
| Sputnikmusic |  [14] |
Critical response
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So far the album has been a critical success, with critics commenting on the strong continuous vibe of the album and the strength in vocals and lyrics.
Personnel
The Cab
- Alexander DeLeon – lead vocals
- Alex Marshall – piano, guitar
- Joey Thunder – bass guitar
Additional personnel
- John Feldmann – production, co-write on "Grow Up and Be Kids"
- Ian Crawford – guitar
- Dean Butterworth – drums
- Devin Bronson – guitar on "Angel with a Shotgun"
- Brandon Paddock – guitar, bass, additional programming and arrangements
- Pete Wentz – co-write on "Grow Up and Be Kids"
- Bruno Mars – co-write on "Endlessly"
- Adam Levine and Jesse Carmichael– co-write on "Animal"
- Evan Taubenfeld – co-write on "Angel with a Shotgun"
- The Messengers – co-write on "Temporary Bliss"
- Martin Johnson from Boys Like Girls - co-write and additional production on "Bad"
Charts
| Charts (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[15] | 62 |
| US Digital Albums (Billboard)[16] | 12 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[17] | 9 |
References
- ^ Bad - Single on iTunes iTunes. Retrieved July 19, 2011
- ^ The Cab's Symphony Soldier Release Date AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
- ^ The Cab - Symphony Soldier Review AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved July 19, 2011
- ^ Exclusive: View the cover art of the Cab’s new album, “Symphony Soldier” Alternative Press. Retrieved July 19, 2011
- ^ DeLeon, Alexander Michael (June 1, 2009). "Dear friends". symphonysoldier.com. Archived from the original on 2009-06-05. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
Ian Crawford, is no longer going to be pursuing this dream with us. He has made the decision to leave the band,...This was not easy for us, or for Ian, but it needed to happen....His heart was simply not in this genre of music. He didn't want to play pop or music suitable for the radio.
- ^ Alexander DeLeon Tweet on "Grow Up and Be Kids" song Twitter. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
- ^ Alexander DeLeon Tweet on Funding of Symphony Soldier Twitter. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
- ^ a b "And For $10,000 You Can Have a Lock of Alex Marshall's Hair..." Buzznet. July 20, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
- ^ The Cab Webstore The Cab official website. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
- ^ Independent Albums Week of September 10, 2011 by Biggest Jump Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
- ^ "The Cab – Symphony Soldier". Album Review. Absolutepunk.net. 2011-08-23. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
- ^ Allmusic.com Symphony Soldier
- ^ Reviews: Symphony Soldier from The Cab Alternative Press. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
- ^ The Cab Symphony Soldier Sputnik Music. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
- ^ "The Cab Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
- ^ "The Cab Chart History (Digital Albums)".[dead link] Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
- ^ "The Cab Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2014.