Chroma

Cartel | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 13, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000FFJZLU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,216 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

They Burn So Bright

Cartel sees themselves as minstrels of their day, offering songs about life and love that have always captured the human soul. Issuing a challenge to their cohorts, Will Pugh calls out "pop punk today isn’t going anywhere- let’s make some moves." With their new album "Chroma," Cartel definitely makes some big moves in the right direction.

Having toured across the US multiple times, with a widely enjoyed, self-released EP Cartel quickly garnered a devoted and noticeably growing fan base with a reputation for being one of the most fun, genuine, talented bands around. When Alternative Press compiled their 2005 list of "Bands You Need to Know," you bet your boots that Cartel was on that list. The band’s "Ransom" EP was a hit with fans everywhere, and what the band has achieved with "Chroma" is the result of hard work, intuition, and great synergy between old friends. Cartel has only been a band for a few short years, but the band’s members have known each other for well over a decade. This record sounds like an inspired band who are unafraid to be inquisitive in their song craft and recording. It doesn’t stray far from their true sound, but at the very same time soars much higher and drags along with it noticeable influences from the band’s love for bands their parents listened to. In the song "Answer" Will Pugh! found out where a lot of his inspiration came from and tips his hat to Brian Wilson. "Chroma" reflects the band’s ability and desire to write timeless songs with genuine subject matter and classic nature in the modern world of the benign and cold. The band attempts to take a step into the same ballpark as the staid records of their parent’s generation that inspire for generations to come.

While "Chroma" is not a concept album, the album was built as a cohesive piece. Honestly, Settle Down, and If I Fail are specific examples among many of songs inspired by a common, fervent search for love and truth with beckoning lyrics and a pop tinge. Settle Down contains the darker undertones of the three, and the angst of young love with hope of lessons learned. It’s not so much pop punk anymore for the Atlanta boys, but more pop rock, now laden with more alt rock tinges and twists. Where bands in the sixties brought rock ‘n roll out of the drab singles format- Cartel has a new direction and vision for their music, bringing surprise and intrigue. "Chroma" offers plenty of surprises while remaining culturally relevant and fresh. Cartel has opened their minds to new musical possibilities that challenge their peers to achieve something more. The band brings the best of both worlds in accessibility and artistry. "Chroma" also reveals Will Pugh’s deep thoughts and philosophical questioning through bright melodies that stay in your head all day long. Their compelling guitar arrangements, driving drums, and youthful energy rival more seasoned artists and naturally invoke attention.

Cartel mesh loud, bombastic guitars with pretty melodies and rock arrangements with an acute sense of pop songwriting. The band started out as a guilty pleasure for many- who are now demanding more and more. Their LP is evidence of a creative connection that transcends the band’s relatively short life.

Product Description

Cartel have now finished tracking at the legendary Tree Sound Studios (Outkast, Beastie Boys, Jimmy Eat World, Whitney Houston, Zwan, etc.) in their hometown of Atlanta for their smashing debut album entitled "Chroma." This album will without a doubt set Cartel apart from all other bands in their genre and serve as a distinct listening experience. Produced, recorded and mixed by Zach Odom and Kenneth Mount at Tree Sound Studios.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pop Rock Purity, June 13, 2006

By 

Adam (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chroma (Audio CD)

The music featured on Cartel's debut EP "Chroma" is not something I usually find myself listening but I find it difficult not to enjoy it. Each song is filled with memorable hooks, powerful vocals, and inspired instrumentation but the thing that sets this album apart for me is the purity of the music. By this, I bring your attention to a lot of the poppier rock music one may here on radio or TV nowadays where the music is so inaccessible because it is buried beneath layers and layers of production. Other acts also exude this extreme immaturity that simply gets on my nerves.

Cartel is different in that you can tell that they know exactly what they are. The Cartel sound is exactly what Cartel wants out of itself and is not a product of musical immaturity or corporatization. It is undeniable proof that pop music isn't just for kids who don't know how to play their instruments and that pop music can be just as artistic as other genres.

My only dissent to this album is the occasional lyric that comes out as trite or overused. It's a small complaint but I grew tired of lyrics such as "it will never be the same" or "nothing can stop us now" very quickly. Although I mentioned that this album is not inspired by immaturity that is not to say that this band has already grown to its full musical maturity and potential in this their first EP. I think these guys still have a great deal of improvement in them and if they decide to keep writing these types of pop-rock songs I am sure they will continue to greatly improve. This is a band with a lot of promise and "Chroma" is a wonderful start for these guys.

Most notable tracks: Say Anything (Else), Save Us, Luckie St., Q & A

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's all to be considered...It's a game and CARTEL IS THE WINNER!!, September 25, 2005

By 

defenselessXdependent (Tampa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chroma (Audio CD)

Cartel has been one of the bands I've followed for awhile now, since the release of The Ransom. That EP was vary good, one of the best debut EP's I've ever heard, so i was expecting nothing less then great from these guys...and well, they don't dissapoint. It's about the best poprock you can come across, their lead singer can SING! a rarity these days...one of the main problems with records currently is every song sounds like the next. This is faaaar from the case in Chroma. Save Us, is all piano and it sounds spectacular. The Minstrel's Prayer has these cool weird drum things going the whole way through the song and it's really different and i wasen't expecting this but they did it and it deffinitly works. Then to top it all off, the last song "A" is a 9 minute-and-change epic, and the whole song includes the best parts from a few of the previous songs on the album. The way they mix these song all together is just genius, and the first time i realized this and heard it i was just in awe. It tops my list of favorite non-classic rock epics, and that's saying alot. There are no skippable tracks, every song has it's strong points and basicly no weak points, a must pick up for any music fan


Definitly get this album, if for nothing else do it becasue then you can say "I heard of these guys before they got huge" Because Cartel is heading straight to the top.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing pop-rock/punk, June 6, 2006

By 

Frances "the mute" (AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chroma (Audio CD)

First off, this is an amazing cd. Will's voice is amazing. All the songs are so catchy and yet they never get old. Cartel is definatly the cream of the crop of their genre. I bought this the day it came out and have listened to it at least 45 times according to my iTunes. It just doesn't get old. Now that that's over, the reason I wrote this review is because I was disgusted by the stupidity and ignorance of some of the other reviews *cough* Rocker Gal *cough*. Anyways, I'll set her straight on some things.

The last 3 songs (The Minstrel's Prayer, Q and A) are by far the highlight of the whole cd. These 3 songs are perfect, and I don't say that about a lot of songs. It is these 3 songs that elevates them above every other band in their genre. I'm positive that the band would agree with me that these 3 songs are their finest work and best accomplishment. In case you didn't read the other reviews, here is what someone said about The Minstrel's Prayer:
"10. Minstrel's Prayer: Eep. I feel almost like I'm being brainwashed into Christianity when I listen to this song. It's a slow song... still nice vocals, but it's probably my least favorite song. It's also pretty long. 3/10."
Wow, I feel sorry for you. First of all, this song has absolutly nothing to do with Christianity you idiot. Actually you could interperet it that way if you look pretty deep and make some assumptions, but I doubt you have the intellect to do dig that deep and even then it is definately not the main point of the song. By no means are you "brainwahed" into Christianity. The main lyrical theme is about how throughout all of time, "minstrel's" have written songs to win the hearts of a loved one. Musically, it is only behind Q + A. Lyrically, it is once again second to Q + A. They used 80+ drum tracks and 60+ string tracks in the recording of this song making it extremely epic sounding and unforgettable. This song alone warrants the purchase of Chroma, but the best is yet to come.

Q + A are really 2 parts of the same song. Q is the question, and A is the answer. In A, Will puts in lyrics, chord progressions, and different parts of the other songs to make a truely unforgettable song. Here's what one reviewer said:
"11. Q: Ah. I love his voice. I like how he can hit the high pitches without his voice breaking. Kind of weird lyrics, but it's still good. 6/10.

12. A: Holy cow, this is a long song (nearly 10 minutes!!) It's kind of a compilation of the rest of the songs on the album. I would listen to it more often if it just wasnt so freakin long! 8/10."
How both of these songs didn't get 10's still amazes me. I'm shocked by her lack of musical knowledge. On the plus side, she did realize that parts of other songs are mixed into A. There is hope. These lyrics are by no means weird. In one part of A, Will sings "We know there's an answer, we know now but we had to find it by ourselves". This is a reference to the great Brian Wilson and the song I Know There's An Answer off of Pet Sounds. Brian sings "I know there's an answer I know now but I have to find it by myself". The message of these songs are amazing too.

Anyways, sorry for being kind of mean, but musically ignorance and a lack of appreciation for great music really bugs me. Even though I focused on the last 3 songs, the rest of the cd is amazing too. I also highly recommend seeing them live because they put on a great show and Will sounds just as good, maybe even better live.