Cartel Releases New Album Cycles With A U.S. Tour And A Focus On Their Fans

Author: R.P.M.Published: Oct 21, 2009 at 5:31 am 6 comments

Cartel, the alternative rock band from Atlanta, Georgia that is made up of Will Pugh (vocals, guitar, and piano), Joseph Pepper (guitar), Nic Hudson (guitar and harmonizing backing vocals), Jeff Lett (bass and harmonizing backing vocals), and Kevin Sanders (drums), released Cycles on October 20, 2009. In less than 24 hours since its release, Cycles is already at #3 on the iTunes Alternative Albums Chart.

Cartel, best known for their a brash indie sound meshed with an earnest brand of emotion can be heard as a more genre-free sound than many "post-punk" and “emo-rock bands” out in the music business today. Cycles captures Cartel at their best, giving off the same raw and tenacious enthusiasm that first skyrocketed them from indie band to a wider audience, while retaining their grounded sense of behavior and caring towards their fan base.

As a nod to the legions of loyal Cartel fans who have been waiting patiently for the last two years for this new album, there is a one day sale that can be found on the band's MySpace page to purchase Cycles for $6.99.Cartel, on their new label Wind-up Records, has been given more time to develop each song and the result is a fantastic electric blur.

The first single and the album’s first track, “Let’s Go,” is, as lead singer Will Pugh says, a “proverbial call to arms.” The song also is the album’s first video which was produced by Paul Boyd, who is best known for his work with Grammy winning artists such as Shania Twain, Lenny Kravitz, Sting, and Sugarland. Working with Cartel, Boyd filmed the "Let's Go" video (which you can view below) in an abandoned warehouse and gave random fans hand-held cameras allowing them to film; the footage is included in the video.

The Cycles album tour began in on October 20 with an in-store performance by Cartel and a CD release event allowing fans again a chance to connect with the band and continues with a 9 pm nationwide phone call. The tour will continue until November 27, ending in their hometown of Atlanta. For more information on the band’s nationwide tour dates please refer to the official Cartel Myspace, Facebook and Twitter pages and the band's official site.

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Article Author: R.P.M.

RPM aka Ross Feingold is the Executive Editor for Riddled Phantasms Magazine :: SEX - PEACE - ROCK & ROLL where you can find all arrays of music, feature articles on charities and sexually charged trends, fashion and people, places and objects are highlighted.

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  • Cycles Cycles

    2009 release from the Atlanta-based Emo Alt-Rockers. Their previous albums include Chroma & Cartel, which has sold over 300,000 copies in the U.S. They've toured with the likes of New Found Glory, Boys ...

  • Cycles Cycles

Article comments

  • 1 - chelsea

    Oct 22, 2009 at 4:53 am

    Once again, another great review. :) Cartel's new album is definitely one of my favorites of the year.

  • 2 - Noele

    Oct 22, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    Great CD, great band, and $6.99 is also a great plus.

  • 3 - R.P.M

    Oct 22, 2009 at 7:13 pm

    I know one thing...it certainly is NOT 2281 minutes long. :)

    More like 40 minutes, but still very good.

  • 4 - chissy n.

    Oct 31, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    love it! cartel is awesome and i can't wait to see them in columbus with summer set on halloween!

  • 5 - Bramy

    Oct 31, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    I saw them in NYC last week and they sounded great..reminded me a lot about Chroma material

  • 6 - Michael

    Nov 23, 2009 at 11:26 pm

    Although their self-titled second album was a bit of a disappointment, this album is one of a kind. Cartel is one of the best bands in music right now. If you get the chance to see them live, they are even better than on the album. Without a doubt, Will Pugh has one of the best voices in music!

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