Saint Alvia

"...(the album) is enjoyable and part of that is because the band does changes styles so frequently from song to song. One minute the album is blasting a reggae inspired tune, the next straight up punk rock, then pop punk, there is even a Caribbean inspired tune.

This CD is a totally refreshing surprise, especially given the mixture of styles compared to the former bands the members once contributed to.

Highly recommended. 8/10"
- n/a

"...(the album) is enjoyable and part of that is because the band does changes styles so frequently from song to song. One minute the album is blasting a reggae inspired tune, the next straight up punk rock, then pop punk, there is even a Caribbean inspired tune.

This CD is a totally refreshing surprise, especially given the mixture of styles compared to the former bands the members once contributed to.

Highly recommended. 8/10"
- n/a

"...refreshingly non-punk, self-titled release of the Saint Alvia Cartel, which is bubbling with pop/ska/punk crossover appeal, all with a re-imagining that is totally fresh.... Saint Alvia are fearless in their toying with punk and pop tropes, combining danceable roots aesthetics with Pabst Blue Ribbon-gruff vocals"-- 4/5 Alternative Press - Alternative Press

"...refreshingly non-punk, self-titled release of the Saint Alvia Cartel, which is bubbling with pop/ska/punk crossover appeal, all with a re-imagining that is totally fresh.... Saint Alvia are fearless in their toying with punk and pop tropes, combining danceable roots aesthetics with Pabst Blue Ribbon-gruff vocals"-- 4/5 Alternative Press - Alternative Press

“For all of the “sounds like” and “influenced by” I can toss at you, they still manage to sound fresh and original. This is a great record” – Razorcake - n/a

"A cunning and bold sound that breaks all rules that every genre has put forward, making St. Alvia my number one pick for 2007" - Punk Radio Cast - Danny

“For all of the “sounds like” and “influenced by” I can toss at you, they still manage to sound fresh and original. This is a great record” – Razorcake - n/a

Started by a former member of BOYS NIGHT OUT when he ran into a former member of GRADE, THE SAINT ALVIA CARTEL play music that's far removed from either of those bands. Already released in their native Canada, the group is now bringing their roots-and-reggae-influenced punk to the States through Stomp Records. When "Karma Kill Me Again" begins to kick off the album, you'd swear the boys in THE SAINT ALVIA CARTEL had been spending a decent amount of time partying with THE HOLD STEADY. Immediately after, though, "Don't Wanna Wait Forever" gets going with a smooth, slick reggae sound that sounds more like it came from a Caribbean island than a bar in Minneapolis. Following this is a straight-up punk tune called "Dirty Dent," complete with one of the gruffest vocal performances on the album. Mind you, all of this variety is found in the first three tracks; the album has thirteen. Throughout the playing time, the CARTEL keep on adding and mastering different styles (ska in "Try To Forget," 80s pop in "Business As Usual," THE EXIT-like rock in "Gimme Til The Morning," bluesy punk in "Dead And Gone"). They even take a stab at writing a very rootsy folk song for the closer, "Stones On The Road," and succeed mostly because of a strong vocal performance from many different players. While this mish-mash of influences comes as a surprise considering some of the former bands the members have spent time in, it's a totally refreshing surprise. THE SAINT ALVIA CARTEL, aside from having an awesome band name, have written a fun album that rarely bores as a result of them executing many different styles of music so well. - Paste Punk

"I love this record" - George Stroumboulopoulos - CBC

Started by a former member of BOYS NIGHT OUT when he ran into a former member of GRADE, THE SAINT ALVIA CARTEL play music that's far removed from either of those bands. Already released in their native Canada, the group is now bringing their roots-and-reggae-influenced punk to the States through Stomp Records. When "Karma Kill Me Again" begins to kick off the album, you'd swear the boys in THE SAINT ALVIA CARTEL had been spending a decent amount of time partying with THE HOLD STEADY. Immediately after, though, "Don't Wanna Wait Forever" gets going with a smooth, slick reggae sound that sounds more like it came from a Caribbean island than a bar in Minneapolis. Following this is a straight-up punk tune called "Dirty Dent," complete with one of the gruffest vocal performances on the album. Mind you, all of this variety is found in the first three tracks; the album has thirteen. Throughout the playing time, the CARTEL keep on adding and mastering different styles (ska in "Try To Forget," 80s pop in "Business As Usual," THE EXIT-like rock in "Gimme Til The Morning," bluesy punk in "Dead And Gone"). They even take a stab at writing a very rootsy folk song for the closer, "Stones On The Road," and succeed mostly because of a strong vocal performance from many different players. While this mish-mash of influences comes as a surprise considering some of the former bands the members have spent time in, it's a totally refreshing surprise. THE SAINT ALVIA CARTEL, aside from having an awesome band name, have written a fun album that rarely bores as a result of them executing many different styles of music so well. - Paste Punk

"I love this record" - George Stroumboulopoulos - CBC