Albums

Alberta Cross - The Thief and the Heartbreaker

Bruce Turnbull 02/06/2007

Rating: 3/5

In many ways, this title is so apt. “The Thief and The Heartbreaker”, a composition by a duo of multi-instrumentalists, steals left, right and centre. And it breaks my heart to do so. The only really outstanding cut is the choppy title track, whose progressive rock leanings are so close to Pink Floyd you can almost hear Gilmore and co. grumbling in the background. Unlike many inceptions, it is hard to imagine where the album will take you next. There is no road map here; Alberta Cross are a shrewd couple who happen to know how to lace up an album's influences. We have bittersweet folk rock (“I've Known for Long”), hard-rockin' country (“Hard Breaks”) and modern indie (“Lucy Rider”). As a running theme throughout the album, Petter Ericson's shrill vocals are oozing that country twang, and with some seriously authentic slide-guitars and quilted acoustics, that feel is omnipresent.

As a self produced slice of independent music, “The Thief and The Heartbreaker” isn't a bad piece of work. The album is very well produced; letting the guitars do the talking instead of the nasal vocals. Like a bag of Revels, there are various sweets to taste, but there will always be one you prefer and hope to taste again. I wonder which it'll be for you.