So So Gay
Now, there are many ‘man bands’ around at present. We have the long serving McFly, the ever popular Maroon 5, and further back we have Panic! At The Disco and even Fallout Boy… So, the questions arises, ‘Is there space for another?’
Step forward The Cab – a three-piece (Alexander, Alex and Joey) American band, whose sound is a mix of alternative, emo-pop and punk. The new album, Symphony Soldier, is in fact the band’s second full length offering, after releasing Whisper War back in 2008. After enough line-up changes to rival the Sugababes, the boys are hoping to get some commercial success with their newest release. But is it any good?
The short answer is yes.
The vocal talent of lead singer Alexander DeLeon is, to put it bluntly, out of this world. He takes the pop-punk background and gives it an emotive and extremely beautiful twist. Each song is delivered to a high level, without exception. DeLeon’s voice could be likened to those of Ryan Tedder and Adam Levine, but it offers something unique at the same time. His vocal versatility complements the incredibly well-written lyrics.
The album opener is one that is both bold and daring, and works remarkably well. ‘Angel’s With a Shotgun’ contrasts a harmonious choir and strings section with a catchy emo-punk-pop chorus. The song is a masterpiece in itself and the best possible start to Symphony Soldier. The vocals are strong and it immediately sets the listener up for what is to come.
The next track takes a different direction and dives a bit deeper lyrically: ‘I can’t keep sleeping in your bed if you keep messing with my head’. The catchy hooks are ever present in ‘Temporary Bliss’ and leads you gently into the epic single, ‘Bad’. DeLeon’s fabulous falsetto, set against a radio-friendly, electric guitar led chorus, makes this one of the best tracks on the album.
The album does feel as though it has been influenced by some modern artists, such as on ‘Animal’, which is co-written by Adam Levine, and he certainly infuses it with his sound. The song isn’t one of the stand-out tracks, failing as it does to ever really lift off, but it is still worth a listen. ‘Intoxicated’ is a much smoother and slicker song, and could have been lifted from a Michael Jackson album. The track is big, bold and really plays to the strengths of DeLeon as lead.
Symphony Soldier’s top track, though, has to be ‘La La’. The song has everything that could be expected from a pop track. It has a fierce, extremely catchy, sing-along chorus; a top-tapping, drum-enthused and slightly R&B-influenced beat; tongue-in-cheek lyrics; when this is all combined it just oozes pop brilliance. It is closely followed by the more-addictive-with-each-listen, ‘Her Love is My Religion’.
The album as a whole offers the listener a broad spectrum of pop-punk music. The tunes come thick and fast, and it can’t be mentioned enough how beautiful DeLeon’s voice sounds. Symphony Soldier is an ambitious musical masterpiece that is much needed in anyone’s music collection and they are certainly a band to keep a watchful eye on.
Go Get It: ‘La La’ / ‘Temporary Bliss’
Forget It: ‘Animal’
Symphony Soldier is available to buy from Amazon or iTunes now.
http://youtu.be/057cqiJBcpQ
