Alberta Cross album review

Alberta Cross- Broken Side of time
released September 21 2009



Broken side of time is the debut album from alternative rockers Alberta Cross, and on first listen it’s a strong and striking start to the band’s potential. The New York 5-piece used Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen as inspiration for the sombre tones, and elements of The Verve can be heard in the celebratory moments of the album.

‘Song3threeblues’ is a warm opening with unique vocals that beg you to listen to them with a guitar melody that conveys emotion in a few chords.

‘ATX’ is much more uplifting, with its Primal Scream homage to indie rock swagger and a Stone Roses guitar feel. But that’s enough comparisons. The band may show signs of some great bands but still manage to pull off a sound to call their own.
Tracks like ‘Taking Control’ are more subtle with its attention grabbing darkness and successfully combines exultant music with dark undertones, while ‘Ghost of the city’ has an acoustic start that emerges with more instrumentation with a good range of depth and tempo.

‘Old Man Chicago’ is the highlight for Petter Stakee’s talented vocal range and acts as the soothing ballad of the album and ‘The Thief and The Heartbreaker’ is their catchier song which repeats ‘you’re my heartbreaker, you’re my heartbreak’ and the soul of the band.

Vocalist Petter Stakee sums up the album perfectly and explains that Broken Side Of Time ‘bears the influence of years of frustration logged in the shadow of Manhattan’. But it seems to fit within the lives of anyone who has gone through dark times and has come through with a smile on their face. It’s not a depressing album, it just pours out life and soul with true honesty and gives you a short break from reality.