The origins of Alberta Cross lie partly in a trans-national upbringing and partly over a few drinks enjoyed in a London pub. It was there that Terry Wolfers met Petter Ericson Stake who, being Swedish born, a little London bred and now a New York resident must be no stranger to coming to terms with many varied influences.It was the move to New York (Stakee claims) that was responsible for the dense and atmospheric rock of the band’s first (Dali inspired!) full length entitled Broken Side Of Time. It’s an evolved sound from the blues and country based sound established on much-lauded mini-album The Thief and The Heartbreaker; the question is, can Alberta Cross reconcile their myriad of different influences and remain on the functional side of good?The first few tracks are certainly encouraging. 'Song 3Three Blues' is all brash opening followed up swiftly by soulful organ and bluesy falsetto vocal lines reminiscent of a (more?) whiskey drunk Jeff Buckley. 'ATX' introduces truly howling guitars; as Stakee charismatically wails “I just wanna feel/‘cuz I just can’t relate” in the last chorus, the sense that Alberta Cross have hit their stride in rather hairy, pointedly anthemic fashion is unmistakable - for better or worse.'Taking Control' shows off the more wavering, sensitive side of Stakee's voice and at the same time starts to reveal a jarring lack similar variation in the instrumentation. 'Old Man Chicago' falls back even more heavily on the tried-and-tested country/blues tropes of Dylan or Crosby, Stills & Nash. In fact, as the album progresses, Alberta Cross slide more frequently into the 70s; or into Kings Of Leon's slipstream; or both, it becomes frustrating to try and figure out which.Then, by the brooding, crushing riffs of the eponymous fifth track, apathy is hastily plastered over with blusteringly loud guitars and the result is a crucial midway track that feels heavy-handed and devoid of the glimpses of beguiling subtlety and soul of the previous songs.A lot comparisons will occur to you throughout this record. Eventually an overwhelming sense that Alberta Cross cannot, in fact, live up to them or reconcile their attempts at sonic overload and touching, soulful crooning will overtake you. Similarly bearded Kings of Leon do the stadium rock bombast better, and new kids on the block Hockey do the blues-you-can-dance-to thing much more assuredly. Broken Side Of Time is an album of unexplored potential, brilliant commercial timing, and the hope that now Alberta Cross have physically settled down it won’t be long until the music follows suit and finds a musical centre of its own.Alberta Cross on MySpace