More than clever verses and catchy choruses, truly timeless albums offer listeners the keys to another world; they catapult you into another frame of mind and jostle your soul a little bit along the way. Broken Side of Time, Alberta Cross’ ATO Records debut, is one of those albums.
A cathartic, kaleidoscope of influences, from Depeche Mode to The Band, it’s also the sound of Alberta Cross’ two principals—frontman/guitarist-vocalist Petter Ericson Stakee and bassist Terry Wolfers—going for broke and stumbling across the sound of their dreams in the process.
Broken Side of Time took root in an April 2008 jam session, Stakee and Wolfers’ first with three players they would quickly enlist—guitarist Sam Kearney, drummer Austin Beede and keyboardist Alec Higgins. With the aid of a little drink and a little smoke, the five jammed on a group of Stakee’s then-new songs, giving birth to Alberta Cross’ second incarnation almost immediately: “I remember thinking that night, ‘This is gonna be insane,’” remembers Stakee.
It was a time of upheaval for Stakee and Wolfers, ex-pat Brits living in Brooklyn. They had moved to a new, tough city, lost the major-label record deal they had moved there with, and were in the midst of reinventing both their band and their sound, while sleeping on friends’ couches. Their well-received debut EP, 2007’s The Thief & the Heartbreaker, was a modest, folk-minded, acoustic-based disc that garnered glowing reviews. But, for Stakee and Wolfers, it was a baby step.
Broken Side of Time, meanwhile, is a giant stride ahead, one that marks the band’s official introduction to America. Grand in volume and vast in vision, it’s an inspired set of electric songs that finds the intersection of The Verve, My Morning Jacket and Neil Young (with or without Crazy Horse). Recorded in Austin, produced by the band with Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Dead Confederate, Heartless Bastards) and mixed by John O’Mahoney (Depeche Mode, Coldplay, Kasabian) at Electric Lady Studios, the album melds propulsive, throbbing bass lines and crashing waves of guitar to a haunting, impassioned voice that can sound ancient and Appalachian.
Something of an about-face from The Thief & the Heartbreaker, the album, says Stakee, bears the influence of years of frustration logged in the shadow of Manhattan: “It’s kind of a desperation album, a darker album; it’s definitely angrier. We’ve been in a crazy place during the whole album, and you can hear that.” Appropriately, Stakee was listening to Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, and the grimmer, gospel songs of Depeche Mode while writing the songs of Broken Side of Time. On songs like “Rise From the Shadows” and “Ghost of City Life” he speaks directly of their situation and surroundings.
Despite any struggles, Wolfers and Stakee in many ways have had a charmed career thus far. Born in Sweden—where he spent a childhood on tour and in studios with his musician father before moving to London in his late teens—Stakee and Wolfers—a Brit charmed by everyone from Prince and My Bloody Valentine to Metallica and Ride as a teen—were playing in a guitar-rock band in London’s east end some four years ago, when Stakee brought some new songs and ideas to the band. When all were roundly rejected, Wolfers invited his bandmate to record those humble, acoustic songs on the makeshift equipment in his apartment.
“Right then and there I instantly realized that he was an extremely talented fellow,” Wolfers says. “That’s when I realized I had found someone who I could create some really great music with—after just jamming on a few things.” Those demos would become The Thief & The Heartbreaker—featuring Petter’s brother, John Alexander Ericson, on keyboards—released via Fiction in the U.K. and re-released by popular demand on the bands new U.K. label, Ark Recordings.
Bored with the scene in London and in need of a burst of energy, Stakee and Wolfers moved to New York, where they immediately created a buzz, playing spellbinding acoustic shows at venues like The Living Room, en route to capturing a new deal with ATO Records. Seeking to create more of a band vibe—“and we wanted it to be a family,” says Wolfers—they added Beede, Higgins and Kearney and a louder, grittier sound was born. “We had a show at The Mercury Lounge [in New York] like two days after that first jam,” says Wolfers, “and, without really any real time to rehearse, I remember being onstage that night thinking, ‘This is the best I’ve heard the material.’”
Alberta Cross has toured extensively through the U.K., sharing the stage with Oasis, The Shins, Bat for Lashes and Simian Mobile Disco, among others. “If we weren’t playing for people every night, we would be going mad.” Stakee says. Adds Wolfers, “We do it, because we have to.”
“I remember going to see The Verve on the Storm in Heaven tour, and I stood right in front of [guitarist] Nick McCabe the whole night,” the bassist continues. “I remember walking out of that show feeling like I had just seen a group of people pour their heart and soul out, and I felt it. It changed my life. And that’s what we want to do: We want to give people something honest, and move them, make them feel.”
Echoes Stakee, “We’re trying to give people truly soulful music, which is hopefully inspirational. I want to ease their minds and give them a little break from reality.”
Crate Of Gold
Alberta Cross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With something to speak
Looked out my window
Whose after me
Give up my heart
It's too much guilt
Gazed out my window
Hey lord show me
Too many people are after me
Oh lord show me
Too many people are mocking me
Cut off my hands
Let it bleed
I've got a crate of gold inside of me
Get it straight
I'm not a jail
And little folks don't bother me
Get it straight now
I'm not a saint
Hey lord show me
Too many people are mocking me
Oh lord show me
Too many people are mocking me
Mocking me...
The lyrics to Alberta Cross's song Crate Of Gold convey a sense of paranoia and inner turmoil that the singer experiences. The opening lines urge the listener to stay hungry with something to speak, indicating a desire to voice one's opinion and not be silenced. However, the singer is constantly looking out their window, feeling like someone is after them. The second verse talks about giving up one's heart because it is too much guilt, indicating a sense of shame or regret. This feeling of being watched and hunted continues in the chorus, where the singer asks the lord to show them who is mocking them.
Line by Line Meaning
Try to stay hungry
We should strive to always stay motivated and ambitious in our desire to succeed.
With something to speak
It's essential to have ideas, thoughts or opinions on various subjects for which we can communicate effectively.
Looked out my window
I gazed outside the window, probably during an introspective moment.
Whose after me
I felt like someone was following me or pursuing me.
Give up my heart
Acknowledging guilt for a past indiscretion and seeking forgiveness.
It's too much guilt
The guilt for my past actions is overwhelming.
Gazed out my window
I looked outside again, possibly contemplating the consequences of my past actions.
Someone's scared of me
I realized that someone else might be afraid of me because of my past actions.
Hey lord show me
Direct address to God, asking for guidance and wisdom in a difficult situation.
Too many people are after me
Feeling overwhelmed and pursued by too many people who might be seeking revenge for past actions.
Oh lord show me
Again, direct address to God for support and guidance during difficult times.
Too many people are mocking me
Feeling humiliated and ridiculed by others, who might be aware of my past actions or weaknesses.
Cut off my hands
A metaphorical plea to lose some of the privileges or blessings one has had in life to feel more grounded or to make amends for past mistakes.
Let it bleed
Suffer the consequences of my actions and accept the pain that comes with making things right.
I've got a crate of gold inside of me
An acknowledgment that there is immense potential and value inside, even if past mistakes have covered them up or obscured them.
Get it straight
Clear any misunderstandings or doubts about oneself, by being honest and truthful.
I'm not a jail
I am not someone to blame or punish for past mistakes.
And little folks don't bother me
I am not affected by petty concerns or insignificant people in my quest for inner peace.
Get it straight now
Further emphasizing the need for clarity and honesty to oneself and to others.
I'm not a saint
An acknowledgment that no one is perfect and that mistakes happen, but it's essential to learn from them and move on.
Mocking me...
Feeling vulnerable and exposed to ridicule by others, who might have a different perception of one's actions or character.
Contributed by Adeline L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Katharine Eriksson
Can't get enough of this song!! For once the video is as good as the track . . . Almost ;) Drea is so badass!
paul elliott
Great band
Awesome album this comes from and cool video
What's not to like
Mel_2011
She played Adriana in The Sopranos, Angie Bolen in Desperate Housewives and Wendy in Sons of Anarchy :). Amazing actress & great music vid!
Iniciator
Оч хорошая вещь.
Chris Klosterman
That henchman is a bad ass.
Janeandhound
wow does anyone say a freaking word about the music?! great track... and a great vid, but .. well, seems like some are a bit distracted by this (laughing)... thanks!
337i
shes from sons of anarchy
pinkeatspeaches
Is that Susie Bolen from desperate housewives?
Gypsy Rhodes
Yeah that wasn't there before...
CRDR1
read the description, buddy