Pop/rock quartet
Cadet follows up a strong eponymous debut by unleashing a brawny sophomore effort rife with hook-heavy guitar riffs, crisp harmonies, and smartly crafted lyrics. Sporting a fuzz-tinged sound reminiscent of
Jimmy Eat World and
Green Day,
Cadet stands apart by embracing a wholly positive, Christian-based motif. Whereas the band's first release resonated a rockabilly-meets-punk-pop vibe,
The Observatory generates a weightier alternative rock panache with some British elements thrown in for good measure. That's not to say
Cadet completely metamorphosed for this project, but rather that this time out the outfit was influenced by groups such as
Coldplay and
U2. Other mainstream influences also surface, especially on the
Weezer-style cut "Stuck in a Song" and the
Beatlesque track "Wishing Well." While all the bandmembers seem abundantly proficient in their respective roles, frontman
Ryan Smith stands apart. His solid vocal aplomb compares favorably with
Jars of Clay's
Dan Haseltine in his prime. Moreover, the disc's thought-provoking subject matter, which addresses everything from eschewing pride to finding hope, lends itself nicely to the spirited delivery found here. Intense and enduringly tuneful,
The Observatory is a superlative representation of
Cadet's artistic maturity and first-rate talent. ~ David McCreary