Customer Reviews

Broken Side Of Time

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is truly an epic release. Haven't heard a rock album which is jaw dropping in a long while, but Broken Side of Time does just that. Since I've purchased this album, as apparently it was 1st released in late Sept, then for some reason unavailable, but again re-released March 9th, it has been in my every day rotation. It's one of those albums you pop in your disc changer, but months later you dare not take it out. While I have Alberta Cross' 7 song EP, and it's good, Broken Side of Time will rock much harder from start to finish. You won't skip a track. The singing croons a bit like Neil Young, but in an edgy darker way. Perhaps if Neil Young himself started today, this is what he'd produce in voice, but it rocks you like a Zeppelin album. In comparison, I could see these guys having similar career paths to both. Looking forward to seeing them in April when they come to Philly w/ BRMC.

Bluesy rock that's really moving. This album hits a little harder as a whole than their EP, and with cleaner production on the tracks that carried over. Sometimes that's a bad thing but this album is amazing from start to finish. My personal favorite album of 2010 so far.

Solid, solid album. My closest comparison would be Ryan Adams blasting through Neil Young's wall of amps after a tough day. Excellent dynamics, with brooding, mellow parts followed by sheets of distorted, feedbacking guitar. 4 stars instead of 5, as I think they can take this to another level, but this one isn't coming out of the player for a while.

If this band has not Made It Big by the time you read this review, then it is only a matter of time.
Combining elements of My Morning Jacket, Portugal the Man, classic blues, and dare I say, the more rhythmic aspects of Bush, Alberta Cross has created an album that is diverse, engaging, and worthy of many repeated listens. While the band boasts a powerful rhythm section and a guitar attack that strikes the right balance between aggression and melody, it is the voice of the lead singer that is its greatest weapon. This singer has personality, and the warbles and nuances he inserts in his singing- see "Broken Side of Time" for an example of what sounds like studio manipulation but is just a man who knows how to use his voice- turns his voice into an extra instrument that transcends the vocals above what are admittedly- at times- pedestrian lyrics.
"ATX" is a tale of debauchery that chugs along like the aforementioned Bush. "Broken Side of Time" is a slowly building set piece that provides an unsettling core to a multi-faceted album. "Rise from the Shadows" is a minimalist gospel number that shows what the band can accomplishment without the aid of electric guitars. The two songs remade from their EP, "The Thief and the Heartbreaker" and "Old Man Chicago", were highlights on the EP and while still catchy songs (the latter sounds especially stronger here), they are two of the more standard numbers, illustrating what a strong collection this is.
A great live band, Alberta Cross demonstrates originality, energy, and enough interesting ideas on this 10 song collection to make this a band to look out for. A great album!

The cd is good and i was not very familiar with their music but had heard a cut on xm radio. i was pleased with the cd overall and will watch for more of their music.

Great record...as others have noted, not a dud in the bunch. Singer Petter Stakee's voice is incredibly ethereal...I've been fortunate enough to have seen them live three times, and it's been epic every time.

What I find most interesting are the incredibly wide range of comparisons I've seen, not only here but in all reviews of their records or shows. And while you can indeed hear echoes of so many other artists - for me, it's Blind Melon, Neil & Crazy Horse, a bit of Pearl Jam, Black Crowes and Kings of Leon - they nonetheless have a unique, classic, timeless-yet-modern sound.

It's impossible to pick a favorite: Hard rockers "ATX" and "Leave Us And Forgive Us," where the wall of guitars built by Stakee and guitarist Sam Kearney compete with Stakee's howling voice, quieting down with the haunting "Ghost of City Life" and "Rise From the Shadows" (a highlight each time I've seen them). Plus, the epic title track, slow-builders "Song Three Blues" and "Thief and the Heartbreaker," classic-sounding singalong "Old Man Chicago" - I think I've mentioned every song but the (pretty much only) upbeat song, "Taking Control," reminiscent of their earlier stuff, and "City Walls," only by default my least favorite - still a fantastic song!

My only complaints, and they're quite minor: I wish there was some ripping lead guitar, at least on some songs. Perhaps because I'm a child of the '80s (and thus, the '70s as well), i.e. Van Halen, Zeppelin, Floyd, etc. That said, it's not necessary - I just think some tasty leads could add to the songs. Marc Ford is currently a free agent - how well would he fit in?

Other complaint: As amazing as Stakee's voice is, and as passionate as his singing, many lyrics are extremely difficult to understand. It adds to the mystery, and part of me does like trying to figure out lyrics on my own, but in this case I feel like I'm missing too much by not understanding them! So I wish there were a lyric sheet.

Obviously, these complaints are minor. This is, after one year, one of my favorite records of the decade, perhaps ever. While you're at it, check out their seven-song debut as well: Two songs resurface on this record, but the other five are also absoultely fantastic. Not as heavy and dark, but still brilliant.

Straight out, this is a simply gorgeous album. I'm an obsessive collector of rock music in all its myriad forms, and I haven't felt this moved by an album in years. In the past decade, only Mastodon's Remission, The Mars Volta's De-loused, Muse's Origins of Symmetry and Oceanic by Isis made me think that something new and vital (and, yes, maybe proggy) was happening in the rock scene. This album is very different to those, but its shimmering anthemic grooves have me playing it beginning to end constantly. Imagine Canned Heat, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and The Decemberists and you're some way towards this band's sound.

'Rise from the Shadows' slithers along, built on a sinuous bass line, and then rises effortlessly into its chorus; 'Leave Us and Forgive Us' couches its La's-ish indie sound in shoegazery lushness; 'ATX' is a stomper with a chugging riff that proves they can get their rocks off; 'The Thief & the Heartbreaker' gets a fuller production than on the bands earlier EP (though some might prefer the aching rawness of the original; 'City Walls' shivers with spooky atmospherics...

Seriously, there's not a dud track in sight. Each song offers something new, and the whole enterprise is carried off with such grace, it makes you want to fall back in your chair with your headphones firmly clamped to your ears, turn up the volume and drift off.

one of the most original cd's to come my way in years. Both 'Broken side of Time' and 'the thief and the hearbreaker' are excellent efforts. i can not wait to see their next effort. my favorite out of the bunch is 'Rise from the ashes'. if u don't own one of these cd's u should.

already a sure thing for one of the best albums of the year.
think early Neil Young with a bit of The Verve and Blind Melon.
a complete record, not a filler to be found. although that
doesn't mean i can't pick favorites: "Taking Control" and
"Ghost of City Life" are extrordinary...

I saw Alberta Cross live at a music festival and thought they were pretty amazing. They have a really interesting rock sound with some blues to them. Although these guys have a unique sound, they possess a level of classic British rock to their music. Great guitar riffs supplemented with vocals make this band someone to check out. There's a mix of heavier fast songs and slower more melodic songs for a nice variety.