Alberta Cross – Broken Side Of Time
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After two well received ep’s Alberta Cross come forth with debut effort “Broken Side Of Time”. Promising more than just clever verses and catchy choruses, have the New Yorkers conjured up music that warrants your attention?
Well the clever and catchy elements that most new bands use to get there foot in the door have not been embraced here. What they have embraced however is the ability to give their music a retro vibe whilst also giving their sound a edgy feel, or that’s what they would like you to believe. The album commits itself to showing all sides of Alberta whether it’s letting it all hang out in a wall of sound (ATX) or getting all serious and bluesy (Old Man Chicago).
The album itself delivers on its promises for the first half of the album with straightforward rock and blues songs that are simple in theory, but work really well. It’s when the band try and complicate their songs that things take a turn for the worse. “Rise From The Shadows” is near seven minute effort which tries to show the slow and moody side of the album, but only succeeds in being frustrating and far, far too long. From there the album lacks what the first half of the album had and will have most people losing interest before album closer “Ghost Of The City Life” creeps in with its beautiful melodies and warm vocals. The vocals are one of the plus points, as in Petter Ericson Stakee they have a singer who can carry songs and makes listening to the more dull moments of the album just about bearable.
Alberta Cross have conjured up a equally pleasing but frustrating effort that just misses the mark, and will surely be lost in the mix-up when added to more consistent albums of the same mould.
Rating: 
1. Song 3Three Blues
2. ATX
3. Taking Control
4. Old Man Chicago
5. Broken Side of Time
6. Rise From the Shadows
7. City Walls
8. The Thief & the Heartbreaker
9. Leave Us and Forgive Us
10. Ghost of City Life
Songs to try before you buy: ATX, Old Man Chicago, Broken Side of Time, Ghost of City Life
Song to avoid: Rise From the Shadows
