Customer Reviews

Thief & Heartbreaker

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

 

 

I don't know how many times I've read about a band in Rolling Stone that sounded cool in how they were described, had cool influences, even looked cool in the photo - and then I checked out their music and it stunk. Well, I read an article on Alberta Cross a few weeks ago, checked out their website, and listened to a stream of their new album. Instead of the usual few seconds of the first few songs, I listened to the entire thing all at once, and was just captivated. They sound fresh yet familiar, modern yet old, and honest - exactly how I felt when I heard Pearl Jam's and Blind Melon's first records, two debuts I also fell in love with at first listen. Also think Black Crowes, Kings of Leon, Neil Young.

But speaking of this record specifically (the new full-length album, Broken Side of Time, is darker and heavier), it opens with the amazing title track. Drums first, a little bass, some guitar, and then a haunting chord progression, all building up until the stunning voice of Petter Ericson Stakee starts to sing. Fantastic song.

The next two tracks are a bit more upbeat, think Blind Melon, though with melancholy lyrics. The remaining songs are lower-tempo songs of loneliness, trouble and heartbreak - standard lyrical fare, you may think, but even the cliches sound good.

All in all, this is a stunning debut. All seven of the songs are solid; any music listener looking for the perfect blend of classic and modern rock in a new band will absolutely love this great foundation for a very promising band. These guys are the real deal - something I haven't said about a band since KOL hit the scene in 2003.

I am not even sure how I found out about these guys. I saw that they were playing the Viper room and decided to check out their MySpace page. Unfortunately I never went to the show but I did become totally addicted their music. Now I can not wait to see them. I digress. Alberta Cross is the first band to get me excited again about music in years. They are hard to categorize but I would say if you put together early 70s Neil Young with Band of Horses and My Morning Jacket and sent them to the depression era South to get some soul, the bubbling creation would be Alberta Cross. I don't mean to name check some of the hotter bands right now but they really do have the americana-folk-beard rock sound but with solid head noodling rhythms. The falsetto stylings of the vocals (def early Young/Jim James) may not appeal to everyone but trust me this guy has range and really an amazing and unique voice. Too bad this is only 7 songs long but TRUST ME - BUY/DOWNLOAD THIS CD immediately. So friggin' good. [..]

It's good to hear something fresh lately. If you are disappointed with the lack of creativity of rock/alternative, even music in general lately, give this album a chance. Its really something else and I really enjoy it. Although short, it was worth the low price.

Ok, so he's got a great voice and lyrics, and of course guitar.....but the whole album casts a fairly sorrowful emotional blanket on its listener, however that being said...I like it!

Alberta Cross is a new band from London, England (or is it New York? Their website is a little vague) that released an E.P. about 2 years ago called The Thief & The Heartbreaker. They are just now getting some attention, and are going to play Bonnaroo this year. This album shows a lot of promise, I can hear some Neil Young and My Morning Jacket influence, yet the singing is highly emotional, and the songs are really something. The title track is straight out of late 60's Neil Young, only with strong vocal harmonies and slighty janglier guitars. These guys have been compared to The Band, and I can see why due to the emotional power of their songs. The last song, especially, The Devil's All You Ever Had, just builds to a heavenly climax. Other treats include the Byrds folk of Lucy Rider, and Hard Breaks, which is a little more rocking than the rest of the material. Low Man is REALLY reminiscent of At Dawn-era My Morning Jacket, what with the reverb-filled production and soaring vocals. These guys are gonna go somewhere, I know that. This album is too good to ignore.

It is a good album. I only liked 4-5 songs. It is missing Hollow talk which I also wanted. The transaction was very good, thanks Amazon