Staggered Crossing - Burgundy & Blue
Name: Staggered Crossing
Album: Burgundy & Blue
Released: 2004
Members:
Julian Taylor - vocals & guitar
Dan Black - bass
Dave Marshall - guitar
Jeremy Elliott - drums
Website: www.staggeredcrossing.com
Favourite Song: grow (Track 2)
Okay, so I met JT (Julian) in the summer of 2006 because I was unemployed at the time, and he was being hired to do some promo stuff for a band I was trying to help rep. The business end of the deal turned out sour only because you should never trust a wannabe rock star with a stackload of cash. But the good part was I did get to be introduced to really cool band, and Staggered Crossing would be it. Sadly I never did get to see them play live, two of my friends were able to make it to one of their shows, and I just read on their page that the band is on an indefinite hiatus.
Rock, Alternative, Blues. I never understood what would be considered Blues. It was my impression that blues music was depressing songs about breaking up with your girlfriend or other similar topics that would make grown men cry. This album doesn’t remind me of grown men crying, the songs lyrics are kind of down, but the music is pretty up-beat… But I’m not very hip with all sorts of terms for music. I’ll take the Rock and Alternative though. Honestly? Staggered Crossing is good music. No matter what you try to label it as.
Like I said earlier, the songs on this album… now let’s see how much of my Grade 12 English I have retained, are a bit of a dichotomy if you compare the lyrics to the music. The lyrics, if you read them in the liner notes, are pretty sad. There are songs that talk about saying goodbye, and how tough things are, how down you are etc. But the music, almost doesn’t match the lyrics. The music to me sounds quite upbeat and happy. I don’t realize half the time the songs are meant to be sad songs until I sit and read the lyrics away from listening to the album.
Honestly I feel a little embarrassed posting this review so late. I meant to write this almost a year ago when I first started this site, and just never had a chance to. And I’ve had Burgundy & Blue in my car CD rotation more than once for months at a time. But I wouldn’t have a problem playing songs like these anywhere. Maybe my next work-related lunch party I’ll play them this album, just so I can say “I know the guy who’s singing!”
