Alberta Cross
Broken Side Of Time - Alberta Cross Album Review
Album Review
The debut album from London band Alberta Cross is not a silent affair in the slightest. Mixing a blend of folk, blues and rock, the comparisons to Kings of Leon can be had. But that comparison is unfair on Alberta Cross, they have blended all three genres and made it their own. Sounding like a mix of Oasis and Led Zeppelin, they seem to be 35 years out of date in terms of timing, but they are not, using their own style of genre updating, they move away from the style of blues, modern bands like The Raconteurs use and interject some Britpop bashfulness to the mix.
The single, 'ATX' is a foot-tapping tune with heavy, clunking, bluesy riffs reminiscent of Jimmy Page thrown in just for good measure. "I've got the fear, I've got the fear inside of me", there is no fear on this record; they conquer whatever fear they had with an aura of over-confidence, swagger and epic tunes. It is a loud and arrogant record but it works so well. Song 'Three Blues',' Taking Control' and the other three of the five opening tracks are loud, blues-heavy records which will free your brain from reality for a good 20 minutes.
Then we get to track six, 'Rise From The Shadows', which slows down the intensity of the album almost entirely, a heavy bass line and a gentle drum beat, adds a sense of downbeat to the record and makes you fall back down to reality with a crash. It sets the pace for the next few tracks, and adds a sombre feel to the music. 'Leave Us and Forgive Us', is the highlight of the album, gone are the bluesy riffs, in come the current crop of indie sounds, but in the process it seems to churn out the conventional Kings of Leon sound that has plagued many new bands, Alberta rips up convention and creates this wall of sound which manages to sound different somehow.
To close the album, 'Ghost of City Life' is a folksy, bluesy number, which seems to make the listener forget what a musical journey they have been on for the past 10 tracks and leaves you wanting more.
