¡Viva la Cobra! | ||||
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Studio album by Cobra Starship | ||||
Released | October 23, 2007 | |||
Recorded | Brooklyn, New York | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 36:54 | |||
Label | Fueled by Ramen, Decaydance | |||
Producer | Patrick Stump | |||
Cobra Starship chronology | ||||
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Singles from ¡Viva la Cobra! | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AbsolutePunk.net | (69%) |
AllMusic | |
Alternative Press | |
Blender | |
Contactmusic.com | (favorable) |
Drowned in Sound | (4/10) |
Entertainment Weekly | B |
IGN | (6.1/10) |
Spin | (5/10) |
¡Viva la Cobra! is the second studio album by Cobra Starship. The album was released on October 23, 2007. It was produced by Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump, whose vocals also feature throughout the album. The album peaked at No. 80 on Billboard 200. It has sold more than 40,000 copies to date.
Cobra Starship was formed in 2005 after Midtown bassist Gabe Saporta took a trip to the deserts of Arizona. During this time, Saporta went on a "vision quest", spending time with Native American tribes and smoking peyote. He began to create his vision for a new band, a melodic style of music heavily influenced by synthpop and hip-hop. Upon returning home, Saporta rented a house in the Catskill Mountains and began writing what would become the band's debut album, While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets. He posted a parody response to Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" titled "Hollaback Boy" on Myspace. The song gained Saporta notoriety on the internet and he eventually signed to Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz's label, Decaydance Records.
Midtown's management company soon set Saporta up with an opportunity to record a song for the soundtrack to the 2006 Snakes on a Plane. Along with members of The Academy Is..., Gym Class Heroes, and The Sounds, Saporta recorded "Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)", which became a minor hit. During the recording of While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets, Saporta began recruiting new members to complete the group's lineup. He first enlisted drummer Nate Navarro, whom he met on tour while Navarro sold merchandise for fellow touring act Hidden In Plain View. After seeing Saporta in Entertainment Weekly, guitarist Ryland Blackinton and bassist Alex Suarez, who lived in the same apartment building as Midtown drummer Rob Hitt, emailed Saporta asking to join the group. The lineup was completed by keytarist Elisa Schwartz, who was later replaced by Victoria Asher in December 2006.