After the folk-tinged acoustic e.p The Thief & The Hearbreak, there was much promise for Alberta Cross and two years is a long time to have to wait for the results. Sadly, Broken Side of Time, although a brave attempt to show progress in their sound, leaves us feeling a little indifferent and somewhat bemused that it took all this time. There are some pleasing moments but there is not much to inspire.

Petter Ericson Stakee’s vocals are what prevent the album from being completely dismissed. At times he falls somewhere near Thom Yorke and Martin Grech but it would be a disservice to suggest he doesn’t bring something of his own. Throughout the record the band serve up dark and haunting blends of crashing, spiralling guitars and woozing bass lines.

The problem is that they seem so close to engulfing us with waves of stormy guitars, massive vocals and pulsating bass, but instead of sweeping us downstream, it merely laps at our feet.

Jonny Martin