Album Notes

It’s virtually unheard of to release your debut album as a single track. That’s exactly what the boys in Cardinale have done - on their 2006 release for the Arclight label, ’31:13’ (you guessed it right – titled after the length of the extended track). Formed in Austin, Texas in early 2005, Cardinale is comprised of a pair of guitarists/vocalists, Dave Finner and Tommy Messbauer, bassist Derek Moreland, and drummer Keith Palumbo.

“Finner and I work together, and did a project I had called Orca,” explains Palumbo about Cardinale’s beginnings. “We wanted to refocus on a heavier sound. Derek and I were already in a band together called Sea of Thousand - Finner and Derek were in a band together previously. So, the starting line up was just us three, then we asked Tommy to join, who was already in Sea of Thousand with Derek and myself.”

Moreland picks up on the group’s interesting choice for a name. “As almost anyone will tell you, naming a band is a huge pain-in-the-ass. We were no different. We liked the imagery it brought with it as well as its potential double-triple meaning. It brings to mind the deep red color, almost blood-like, almost regal. You also have the religious and numerical aspects. Cardinal Sin, Cardinal Rule, etc.

Although extended compositions usually immediately bring to mind prog rock of the ‘70s, there’s nothing ‘prog’ about ’31:13’ – just a journey from heavy and intense to melodic and fluid. Messbauer describes the songwriting process for the band as such – “We record our writing sessions, and then evolution occurs. Initially, we play by feel, but eventually go back to the practice recordings to capture the idea of where we were going. Then, the strong parts survive and evolve, layer by layer. Somewhere along the way, we take these atomic ideas and arrange them, play, tweak, and play some more. There are really no boundaries to anything, except maybe to keep things fluid.”

Messbauer also pointed out that ’31:13’ was pieced together out of several different compositions. “We had over 60 minutes of stuff we liked, sort of the top of the evolutionary chain. We each took a CD and listened to it. When we came back, we wrote up an arrangement based on the uncut tracks. Then, that became one piece and it evolved. We don't hold ourselves to that format, but I think it would be in ballpark to say the terms epic, fluid, and heavy are involved.”

Cardinale has already tested ’31:13’ on stage, and according to Moreland, the response has been positive. “Yes, the crowd response is really good. People don't go crazy as in mosh pits and all that, but they definitely pay attention.”

Messbauer sums up the Cardinale experience as the following. “Cardinale takes you on an epic, thought-provoking, emotional, and aggressive journey through life. As this band grows, I see a solid link between our lives, influences, and music.”