The Cardinal Sin

The Cardinal Sin - Where We Shine

All Alkaline Trio comparisons aside (lyrically: drinking, loss, regret. musically: "dark" mid-tempo rocker), this song is more of a late 90s pop/punk throwback with regretful lyrics that are emotional without the baggage of a bad emo song. The band is comprised of members of defunct Minneapolis bands Cadillac Blindside, Song of Zarathusta, and The Crush. All of these bands have great histories and each band member brings something of their own and from their old bands personality to The Cardinal Sin.

I've had the melody of the chorus of this song stuck in my head for days - "This is the hardest thing I think I've ever done/You were the one I thought Would always be there." The words alone sound cliche but that tone in the James Russell's voice captures the feeling of a drunken remark of a loss of trust just perfectly. I believe him.

While The Cardinal Sin may not be doing anything remarkable in the originality department, by focusing on good, interesting songwriting, they are bringing class back to a genre that has lost its luster.

Check out their EP. The Replacements cover is excellent.