Cartel (album)

Cartel is Cartel's second album, released in stores on August 21, 2007 despite being announced by the band's lead singer as coming out on July 24, 2007. It was officially completed at sometime around 8:00 p.m. on June 10, 2007 and features "Lose It" as the first single.

Following its release, it debuted at number 20 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling about 28,000 copies in its first week.^[1]

The Bubble

The album was completed in 20 days inside a giant glass bubble as part of the Band in a Bubble program sponsored by Dr Pepper, MTV and KFC. The band was forced to live inside the bubble for 20 days without being able to leave. The first single, "Lose It", was performed from the bubble live on June 1 for TRL's Spankin' New Music Week. Throughout the recording of the album, the band was watched constantly by fans through 23 webcams that were positioned all through the bubble. The album was finished two days before the set time and was completed with 13 songs. The album was performed by Cartel after they left the bubble on June 12, 2007 at 8:00 p.m.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Cartel. 

Reception

The album received mixed reviews by critics, most saying the album was rushed, undefined, and unemotional.

Credits

• Nic Hudson – guitar
• Joseph Pepper – guitar
• Will Pugh – vocals, guitar, piano, programming
• Jeff Lett – bass, Backing Vocals
• Kevin Sanders – drums, Backing Vocals
• Dennis Gruenling - Harmonica
• The Boys & Girls Choir of Harlem Alumni Ensemble - Choir on "Wasted"
• Benjamin Ickies - Accordion
• Juliet Simms of Automatic Loveletter - vocals on "Lose It"

References