Symphony Soldier

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.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/the_cab_part_ways_with_their_label_release_album_preview/|title=The Cab part ways with their label, release album preview|magazine=Alternative Press|date=June 22, 2011|access-date=May 5, 2025}} The group also parted ways with their drummer Alex Johnson.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/alex_johnson_leaves_the_cab/|title=Alex Johnson leaves the Cab|author=Tyler Common|magazine=Alternative Press|date=July 3, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707113850/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/alex_johnson_leaves_the_cab/|archivedate=July 7, 2011|access-date=May 7, 2025}} 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?."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/exclusive_interview_alex_deleon_cab_symphony_soldier_fueled_by_ramen/|title=Exclusive Interview: Alex DeLeon of the Cab on "Symphony Soldier" and their label and lineup changes|magazine=Alternative Press|date=July 20, 2011|access-date=May 4, 2025}} The group had lost Ian Crawford and Cash Colligan two years prior to the album's release,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/archive_thecabcash/|title=Cash Colligan leaves The Cab|magazine=Alternative Press|date=August 20, 2009|access-date=May 5, 2025}} with Crawford leaving the group due to creative differences.{{cite web| url= http://symphonysoldier.com/post/116406777/dear-friends-wow-it-has-been-far-too | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090605080536/http://symphonysoldier.com/post/116406777/dear-friends-wow-it-has-been-far-too | archivedate= June 5, 2009 | date= June 1, 2009 | title= Dear friends | publisher= symphonysoldier.com| accessdate=July 7, 2013| quote= 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.| first= Alexander Michael | last=DeLeon| author-link=Alexander DeLeon}} However, Crawford was credited for playing guitar on the album.{{cite AV media notes|title= Symphony Soldier |year= 2011 |type= booklet |publisher= Z Entertainment}} 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.{{cite tweet|number=94859776143536129|user=bohnes|title=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.|date=July 23, 2011}} 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". 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.

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. 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.

The album's first single, "Bad," was released to iTunes on July 11, 2011,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/listen_to_a_new_song_from_the_cab/|title=Listen to a new song from the Cab|author=Tyler Common|magazine=Alternative Press|date=July 9, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716074054/https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/listen_to_a_new_song_from_the_cab/|archivedate=July 16, 2011|access-date=May 6, 2025}} and was announced by the band on July 18; a music video for the song was later released.{{cite web|url=https://943thepoint.com/song-pick-of-the-week-the-cab-bad-video/|title=Song Pick of the Week: The Cab - Bad [Video]|website=WJLK-FM|author=Laurie Cataldo|date=February 1, 2012|access-date=May 4, 2025}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://amymarissa.buzznet.com/user/journal/10784371/10000-lock-alex-marshalls-hair/|title=And For $10,000 You Can Have a Lock of Alex Marshall's Hair...|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120701112036/http://amymarissa.buzznet.com/user/journal/10784371/10000-lock-alex-marshalls-hair/|archivedate=2012-07-01|website=Buzznet|date=July 20, 2011|access-date=October 30, 2011}} The album art and track listing was revealed on July 19.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/exclusive_view_the_cover_art_of_the_cabs_new_album_symphony_soldier/|title=Exclusive: View the cover art of the Cab's new album, "Symphony Soldier"|magazine=Alternative Press|date=July 19, 2011|access-date=July 19, 2011}} The album was officially released on August 23.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2362132|title=The Cab's Symphony Soldier Release Date|website=AbsolutePunk.net|date=July 18, 2011|author=Joe DeAndrea|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120721012846/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2362132|archivedate=July 21, 2012|access-date=July 19, 2011}} In November 2011, the group released "Angel with a Shotgun" as the second single from the album in Singapore only.{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/radio/987fm/newthisweek.aspx|title=987FM - New This Week|website=MSN|publisher=Mediacorp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102191402/http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/radio/987fm/newthisweek.aspx|archivedate=November 2, 2011|access-date=May 5, 2025}} On April 10, the group released the music video for "La La".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/the_cab_release_la_la_video/|title=The Cab release "La La" video|magazine=Alternative Press|date=April 11, 2012|access-date=May 6, 2025}} A music video for "Endlessly" on November 15, and the video features an appearance from actress Hailee Steinfeld.{{cite web|url=https://idobi.com/news/the-cab-release-video-for-endlessly/|title=The Cab release video for 'Endlessly'|author=Alexa Gallo|website=idobi Radio|date=November 15, 2012|access-date=May 6, 2025}}

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.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/the_cab_announce_headlining_tour_dates/|title=The Cab announce headlining tour dates|magazine=Alternative Press|date=July 1, 2011|access-date=May 5, 2025}} During this time, the band opened for All Time Low and Simple Plan for their US fall tour in 2011,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/simple_plan_summer_tour_wrap_up_video_u-s-_fall_headlining_tour_dates/|title=Exclusive: Simple Plan summer tour wrap-up video + U.S. fall headlining tour announcement|magazine=Alternative Press|date=September 14, 2011|access-date=July 30, 2023}} Avril Lavigne on a Canadian arena concert tour,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/the_cab_announce_tour_with_avril_lavigne/|title=The Cab announce tour with Avril Lavigne|magazine=Alternative Press|date=September 30, 2011|access-date=May 5, 2025}} and Maroon 5 during their Asia Pacific tour in 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.hkclubbing.com/articles/entertainment/the-cab-to-open-for-maroon-5-asian-tour.html |title=The Cab to open for Maroon 5 Asian Tour |date=June 28, 2012 |access-date=October 28, 2012}} 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.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/the_cab_confirm_co_headlining_tour_with_the_summer_set/|title=The Cab confirm co-headlining tour with the Summer Set|magazine=Alternative Press|date=November 22, 2011|access-date=May 6, 2025}} They joined Daytrader on the Zumiez Couch tour in June.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/the_wonder_years_the_cab_we_came_as_romans_announced_for_zumiez_couch_tour/|title=The Wonder Years, the Cab, We Came As Romans announced for Zumiez Couch Tour|magazine=Alternative Press|date=April 13, 2012|access-date=May 6, 2025}} The band also co-headlined a tour with Parachute in the summer of 2012.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/the_cab_announce_tour_with_parachute/|title=The Cab announce tour with Parachute|magazine=Alternative Press|date=May 30, 2012|access-date=May 6, 2025}}

{{Album ratings

| rev1 = Absolutepunk.net

| rev1Score = 95%{{cite web|url=http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?p=92011492 |title=The Cab – Symphony Soldier|work= Absolutepunk.net |author=Joe DeAndrea |date=August 23, 2011 |accessdate=July 7, 2013|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120708014135/http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?p=92011492|archivedate=July 8, 2012}}

| rev2 = AllMusic

| rev2Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/symphony-soldier-r2290943|title=Symphony Soldier Review by Chrysta Cherrie|author=Chrysta Cherrie|website= AllMusic}}

| rev3 = Alternative Press

| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/reviews/entry/the_cab_symphony_soldier|title=Symphony Soldier|magazine=Alternative Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027221414/http://www.altpress.com/reviews/entry/the_cab_symphony_soldier |archive-date=2011-10-27}}

| rev4 = Sputnikmusic

| rev4Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}

| noprose = yes

}}

The album received critical praise, with AbsolutePunk particularly giving it a highly positive review with a rating of 95%, calling the album a "masterpiece." 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". 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". 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".

In 2016, Billboard contributor Joe DeAndrea referred to the album as "arguably one of the most ambitious pop-rock records in recent memory."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7549853/bruno-mars-songs-didnt-know-wrote-adele-adam-lambert-kanye-west-jay-z|title=10 Songs You Didn't Know Bruno Mars Wrote|date=October 21, 2016|accessdate=March 5, 2020|first=Joe|last=DeAndrea|magazine=Billboard}}

Symphony Soldier debuted on the US Billboard 200 at number 62, where it would peak.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2011-09-10 |title=Billboard 200: Week of September 10, 2011 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=September 29, 2011}} The album's lead single, "Bad" peaked at number 29 on the US Adult Pop Airplay.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/The-Cab/chart-history/ATF|title=The Cab Chart History (Adult Top 40)|magazine=Billboard|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131002855/https://www.billboard.com/music/The-Cab/chart-history/ATF|archivedate=January 31, 2020|access-date=May 3, 2025}} The opening track "Angel with a Shotgun" was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on October 20, 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=The+Cab#search_section|title=The Cab |date=2023-10-20 |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=Recording Industry Association of America}}

{{Track listing

| all_writing =

| title1 = Angel with a Shotgun

| writer1 = {{hlist|Alex DeLeon|Alex Marshall|Evan Taubenfeld}}

| length1 = 3:43

| title2 = Temporary Bliss

| writer2 = {{hlist|DeLeon|Marshall|Nasri Atweh|Adam Messinger}}

| length2 = 3:45

| title3 = Bad

| writer3 = {{hlist|DeLeon|Marshall|Martin Johnson}}

| length3 = 3:21

| title4 = Endlessly

| writer4 = {{hlist|DeLeon|Marshall|Bruno Mars|Phil Lawrence|Mike Daly}}

| length4 = 3:58

| title5 = Animal

| writer5 = {{hlist|DeLeon|Marshall|Adam Levine|Sam Farrar}}

| length5 = 3:51

| title6 = Intoxicated

| writer6 = {{hlist|DeLeon|Marshall|Aaron Edwards|Yultron}}

| length6 = 4:09

| title7 = La La

| writer7 = {{hlist|DeLeon|Marshall|John Feldmann}}

| length7 = 3:26

| title8 = Her Love Is My Religion

| writer8 = {{hlist|DeLeon|Marshall|Feldmann}}

| length8 = 3:48

| title9 = Another Me

| writer9 = {{hlist|DeLeon|Marshall|David Hodges|Steven Miller}}

| length9 = 3:25

| title10 = Grow Up and Be Kids

| writer10 = {{hlist|DeLeon|Marshall|Feldmann|Pete Wentz}}

| length10 = 3:10

| title11 = Lovesick Fool

| writer11 = {{hlist|DeLeon|Marshall}}

| length11 = 4:17

| title12 = Living Louder

| writer12 = {{hlist|DeLeon|Marshall}}

| length12 = 4:43

|total_length = 45:29

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = iTunes bonus track{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/symphony-soldier/561786181|title=Symphony Soldier - Album by The Cab|website=Apple Music|access-date=May 7, 2025}}

| title13 = La La

| note13 = Gldhouse Remix

| length13 = 4:14

| title14 = La La

| note14 = Feelgud Remix

| length14 = 3:21

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese bonus track{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/jp/album/symphony-soldier/542324102?l=en-US|title=Symphony Soldier - Album by The Cab|website=Apple Music|access-date=May 7, 2025}}

| title13 = Endlessly

| note13 = Feelgud Remix

| length13 = 3:37

}}

Credits adapted from album's liner notes.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

The Cab

• Alexander DeLeon – lead vocals
• Alex Marshall – rhythm guitar, piano, backing vocals
• Joey Thunder – bass guitar

{{col-2}}

Additional personnel

• John Feldmann – production
• Ian Crawford – guitar
• Dean Butterworth – drums
• Devin Bronson – guitar on "Angel with a Shotgun"
• Brandon Paddock – guitar, bass, additional programming and arrangements
• Martin Johnson from Boys Like Girls - additional production on "Bad"

{{col-end}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{The Cab}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2011 albums

Category:The Cab albums

Category:Albums produced by John Feldmann