Firstly, this is probably one of my favorite album covers of the year; it’s simple in its presentation, yet complex in its message. For me, the violin represents something of beauty; can be both calming and haunting. While the machine gun, well, is A GUN. Combined should be both violent and angelic child of warfare. Also it’s pretty bad ass. However, and maybe I’m missing the message, but the imagery on the album cover doesn’t really fit with the music that happens to be in the actual album.

Symphony Soldier, the second album from scene pop trio The Cab, is more of one long love letter than it is any way, shape, or form violent (like the album would lead you to believe). Each track can be placed on a mixtape; either to your significant other, or to someone who you’d rather not see again, though it’s more the latter of the two. However it’s not as heavy as the machine gun, it is soft like the violin, which is a lot better than it sounds.

The album starts with “Angel with a Shotgun,” a ruckus opening number, featuring choirs and complex guitar rhythms throughout. “Temporary Bliss” is a perfect break-up song, which lyrical content seems oddly specific to someone in the world. The first single to come off of Symphony Soldier is “Bad,” a pop radio gem; a love song for the bad girls who just love to torture you.

After the first three songs, which are great introductory songs, The Cab fines their moments to really shine. “Endlessly” is one of the best love songs to come out this year, spouting lyrics such as “I’m not perfect, but I swear I’m perfect for you.” “Intoxicated” is another pop song, reminiscent of something found on the Patrick Stump EP, or any of Maroon 5’s albums. “Lovesick Fool “is a good piano ballad, which continuously builds upon itself, turning it into a possible fan favorite for when they’re touring.

The one large problem with the album is just the repetitiveness of the theme, which is the incredibly vague “love.” Seems like each song takes some aspect of a relationship, whether it is a break-up, getting together, or what have you, and blows it up into a three minute pop song. I wish they could’ve just stretched their limits a bit.

The Cab sounds like the theoretical child of Maroon 5 and The Maine; both appeal to incredibly main stream crowds, while both crowds are completely separate from each other. Maroon 5 is more of the radio crowd, or Vh1, while The Maine plays to the Warped Tour crowd. The Cab fits comfortably in the middle of the two; they still play the large festivals, but can huge on the radio if just one of their songs breaks out. I’m anticipating “Bad” to get some decent air time, and they will eventually become larger than they are right now.
A great album for romantics, and a good album for anyone looking for something new. I highly recommend you check them out.

Final Grade: B+

Go Download: “Endlessly”