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Symphony Soldier

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Symphony Soldier
Studio album by
the Cab
ReleasedAugust 23, 2011
Recorded2011
StudioFoxy Studios (Los Angeles)
Genre
Length45:29
LabelSelf-released
ProducerJohn Feldmann
The Cab chronology
The Lady Luck EP
(2009) 		Symphony Soldier
(2011) 		Lock Me Up
(2014)
Singles from Symphony Soldier
  1. "Bad"
    Released: July 11, 2011[5]
  2. "Angel with a Shotgun"
    Released: November 2011
  3. "La La"
    Released: April 10, 2012
  4. "Endlessly"
    Released: September 18, 2012

Symphony Soldier is the second studio album by American rock band the Cab. It was self-released by the band on August 23, 2011. The Cab first rose to prominence at the peak of the mid-2000s emo pop trend with their debut album Whisper War (2008), which was promoted via national tours with Hey Monday and the Hush Sound. The following year, the band lost two members, including guitarist Ian Crawford and bassist Cash Colligan. In addition, the band soon parted ways with their original label, Fueled by Ramen, as well as parting ways with their drummer Alex Johnson.

The album boasts a wide array of songwriting collaborators, including Bruno Mars, Adam Levine and Jesse Carmichael of Maroon 5, Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, and production team the Messengers. It was produced by John Feldmann. Its commercial performance was middling, with the album charting on the Billboard 200 at number 62. It was the Cab's last proper album; though the band signed to Universal Republic the next year and issued an EP, Lock Me Up, in 2014, it was officially dissolved.

Background

[edit]

On June 22, 2011, The Cab announced that they were departing from their label Fueled by Ramen and Decaydance Records before previewing a 90-second teaser for their second studio album, Symphony Soldier.[6] The group also parted ways with their drummer Alex Johnson.[7] Lead singer Alexander DeLeon went in depth about his departure stating, "he was having a difficult time with things, and we were completely here, as friends and family. Once things started happening and we started talking to him about things, we realized we needed to be friends first before bandmates, you know?."[8] The group had lost Ian Crawford and Cash Colligan two years prior to the album's release,[9] with Crawford leaving the group due to creative differences.[10] However, Crawford was credited for playing guitar on the album.[11] Bassist Joey Thunder also joined the band in 2009 as Colligan's replacement.

Symphony Soldier was entirely funded by the group, and was self-released.[8][12] Most of the music and lyrics for the album were written by band members and features guest artists including, Pete Wentz and John Feldmann co-writing "Grow Up and Be Kids", Bruno Mars with "Endlessly", Adam Levine with "Animal", Martin Johnson with "Bad" and Nasri and Adam Messinger with "Temporary Bliss".[11] It was produced by John Feldmann, and recorded at his home studio, Foxy Studios. Musician Brandon Paddock performed guitar and bass on the LP, with Crawford and Devin Bronson contributing additional guitar. Dean Butterworth, who is best known for his work with Good Charlotte, handled all drum work.[11]

The group was previously writing with S*A*M and Sluggo, Rob Knox and Claude Kelly for the album in 2010, however, the group decided to scrap most of those songs as "it was sounding like an American Idol record," according to DeLeon, which was something the band was not going for.[8] He also revealed that creative differences with Fueled by Ramen was the reason for the delayed album release and felt that since departing from the label, they could do what they wanted.[8]

Release

[edit]

The album's first single, "Bad," was released to iTunes on July 11, 2011,[13] and was announced by the band on July 18; a music video for the song was later released.[14] Pre-orders were available on the band's webstore, the only place the physical album can be purchased. Their webstore offered 11 options, with prices ranging from $10 to $10,000.[15] The album art and track listing was revealed on July 19.[16] The album was officially released on August 23.[17] In November 2011, the group released "Angel with a Shotgun" as the second single from the album in Singapore only.[18] On April 10, the group released the music video for "La La".[19] A music video for "Endlessly" on November 15, and the video features an appearance from actress Hailee Steinfeld.[20]

Promotion

[edit]

In support of Symphony Soldier the band toured as headliners and supporters, as well as playing at radio station sponsored shows. They embarked on a US headlining tour for five dates.[21] During this time, the band opened for All Time Low and Simple Plan for their US fall tour in 2011,[22] Avril Lavigne on a Canadian arena concert tour,[23] and Maroon 5 during their Asia Pacific tour in 2012.[24] They also co-headlined the Everything's Fine Symphony Soldier tour during January and February 2012 with The Summer Set, with supporting acts He Is We, Days Difference, and Paradise Fears.[25] They joined Daytrader on the Zumiez Couch tour in June.[26] The band also co-headlined a tour with Parachute in the summer of 2012.[27]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Absolutepunk.net95%[28]
AllMusic[29]
Alternative Press[1]
Sputnikmusic[2]

The album received critical praise, with AbsolutePunk particularly giving it a highly positive review with a rating of 95%, calling the album a "masterpiece."[28] Annie Zeleski of Alternative Press gave it 4/5 and said that "For loyal fans of the Cab, Symphony Soldier lives up to expectations; it's the album they've been waiting for since 2008".[1] SputnikMusic reviewer DaveyBoy gave Symphony Soldier a 3.5/5 ("great"), concluding "At 46 minutes, the album is undoubtedly overlong and repetitive, yet there is no real filler, just some redundancy in its mid-section. It is the kind of misstep that is predominantly forgivable when such a young band are looking to extend themselves, as The Cab are on Symphony Soldier". He recommended the tracks "Temporary Bliss", "Angel with a Shotgun", "Another Me", and "Living Louder".[2] Chrysta Cherrie of AllMusic gave the album 3/5 stars and called it "the sound of a band taking control of its destiny and breaking free from the industry standards", adding that "fans as well as new listeners will take pleasure in being along for the ride".[29]

In 2016, Billboard contributor Joe DeAndrea referred to the album as "arguably one of the most ambitious pop-rock records in recent memory."[30]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Symphony Soldier debuted on the US Billboard 200 at number 62, where it would peak.[31] The album's lead single, "Bad" peaked at number 29 on the US Adult Pop Airplay.[32] The opening track "Angel with a Shotgun" was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on October 20, 2023.[33]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)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"
  • DeLeon
  • Marshall
  • Aaron Edwards
  • Yultron
4:09
7."La La"
3:26
8."Her Love Is My Religion"
  • DeLeon
  • Marshall
  • Feldmann
3:48
9."Another Me"
3:25
10."Grow Up and Be Kids"
3:10
11."Lovesick Fool"
  • DeLeon
  • Marshall
4:17
12."Living Louder"
  • DeLeon
  • Marshall
4:43
Total length:45:29
iTunes bonus track[34]
No.TitleLength
13."La La" (Gldhouse Remix)4:14
14."La La" (Feelgud Remix)3:21
Japanese bonus track[35]
No.TitleLength
13."Endlessly" (Feelgud Remix)3:37

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from album's liner notes.[11]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Symphony Soldier
Chart (2011) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[36] 62
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[37] 6
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[38] 9

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various August 23, 2011
Z Entertainment [39]
Japan July 11, 2012 Twilight [35]
United Kingdom September 24, 2012 CD Z Entertainment [40]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Symphony Soldier". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on October 27, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d Davey Boy (August 29, 2011). "The Cab – Symphony Soldier". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved June 3, 2012. Of the multitude of bands plying their trade in the safe, inoffensive and often derided genre of pop-rock (or power-pop if you are so inclined), only a handful truly make a successful profession out of it.
  3. ^ Davey Boy (August 29, 2011). "The Cab – Symphony Soldier". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved June 3, 2012. ...whether it be their pop-punk leaning debut EP...
  4. ^ Garland, Emma (August 20, 2009). "ATP! Album Review: The Cab - Lock Me Up EP". Alter The Press!. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  5. ^ Bad - Single on iTunes iTunes. Retrieved July 19, 2011
  6. ^ "The Cab part ways with their label, release album preview". Alternative Press. June 22, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  7. ^ Tyler Common (July 3, 2011). "Alex Johnson leaves the Cab". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d "Exclusive Interview: Alex DeLeon of the Cab on "Symphony Soldier" and their label and lineup changes". Alternative Press. July 20, 2011. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  9. ^ "Cash Colligan leaves The Cab". Alternative Press. August 20, 2009. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  10. ^ DeLeon, Alexander Michael (June 1, 2009). "Dear friends". symphonysoldier.com. Archived from the original on June 5, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2013. 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.
  11. ^ a b c d Symphony Soldier (booklet). Z Entertainment. 2011.
  12. ^ @bohnes (July 23, 2011). "after three years...our new album comes out in exactly a month. we paid for it all on our own and refused to take no for an answer" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ Tyler Common (July 9, 2011). "Listen to a new song from the Cab". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  14. ^ Laurie Cataldo (February 1, 2012). "Song Pick of the Week: The Cab - Bad [Video]". WJLK-FM. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  15. ^ "And For $10,000 You Can Have a Lock of Alex Marshall's Hair..." Buzznet. July 20, 2011. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  16. ^ "Exclusive: View the cover art of the Cab's new album, "Symphony Soldier"". Alternative Press. July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  17. ^ Joe DeAndrea (July 18, 2011). "The Cab's Symphony Soldier Release Date". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  18. ^ "987FM - New This Week". MSN. Mediacorp. Archived from the original on November 2, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  19. ^ "The Cab release "La La" video". Alternative Press. April 11, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  20. ^ Alexa Gallo (November 15, 2012). "The Cab release video for 'Endlessly'". idobi Radio. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  21. ^ "The Cab announce headlining tour dates". Alternative Press. July 1, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  22. ^ "Exclusive: Simple Plan summer tour wrap-up video + U.S. fall headlining tour announcement". Alternative Press. September 14, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  23. ^ "The Cab announce tour with Avril Lavigne". Alternative Press. September 30, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  24. ^ "The Cab to open for Maroon 5 Asian Tour". June 28, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  25. ^ "The Cab confirm co-headlining tour with the Summer Set". Alternative Press. November 22, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  26. ^ "The Wonder Years, the Cab, We Came As Romans announced for Zumiez Couch Tour". Alternative Press. April 13, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  27. ^ "The Cab announce tour with Parachute". Alternative Press. May 30, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  28. ^ a b Joe DeAndrea (August 23, 2011). "The Cab – Symphony Soldier". Absolutepunk.net. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  29. ^ a b Chrysta Cherrie. "Symphony Soldier Review by Chrysta Cherrie". AllMusic.
  30. ^ DeAndrea, Joe (October 21, 2016). "10 Songs You Didn't Know Bruno Mars Wrote". Billboard. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  31. ^ "Billboard 200: Week of September 10, 2011". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  32. ^ "The Cab Chart History (Adult Top 40)". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 31, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  33. ^ "The Cab". Recording Industry Association of America. October 20, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  34. ^ "Symphony Soldier - Album by The Cab". Apple Music. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  35. ^ a b "Symphony Soldier - Album by The Cab". Apple Music. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  36. ^ "The Cab Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  37. ^ "The Cab Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  38. ^ "Top Rock Albums Chart: Week of September 10, 2011". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  39. ^ "Release: Symphony Soldier - The Cab (CD - Z Entertainment #12011-2)". AllMusic. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  40. ^ "The Cab - Bad". Female First. August 7, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
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