Full Review: Cartel – Self Titled
I’m not exactly sure where to begin with this review because I’m conflicted inside on Cartel’s newest release. “Chroma” was Cartel’s debut album and it gave me many, many hours of musical enjoyment, I was hoping for the same with the new self titled album but I don’t see that happening.
Most of the songs on the album are very bland and mediocre, which has never been Cartel’s style. The thing that I don’t understand is there are 12 songs (13 with the remix) on this record which indicates they were happy with all of them. If they weren’t happy with a song or thought the album was filler they probably would have only included 10 songs. Major record labels have never been fans of putting more songs than necessary on an album bringing us back to the fact that the band wanted those songs on the record. That is the part that disappoints me because the songs are just not up to par with everything that have released in the past.
“Lose it” was the first song released as a single a while ago which definitely peeked my interest and despite it being repetitive probably would have convinced me to buy the album thinking that’s what the album would be like. “Lose it” is not out of place on the record but turns out to be one of if not the catchiest song. “The fortunate” comes in at a close second to the catchiest song. The song’s chorus is familiar without being predictable. The song probably should be the second single which will help sell the record although along with “lose it” probably give it a false identity to radio listeners.
There are some good things about this record but a lot of them are mood and circumstance related. A good musical album should put you in the mood it’s made in rather than you having to be in a certain mood to listen to the CD. I actually began to like “Lonely One” with its laid back almost groove rock feel, it just took awhile to get to that point. The production is top notch which probably is a given but worth mentioning.
So bottom line is the record is okay, although mediocre for a band with this much talent. I doubt a lot of people will be huge fans right out of the gate but given a fair chance it will probably grow on most.
