Adam Cross Sirens Album Review

By: Matthew Warnock

Adam Cross Sirens

South Carolina native Adam Cross makes waves with his debut album Sirens. The singer, guitarist and songwriter brings a high-level of intensity to his music, all while maintaining a strong pop sensibility that digs the hooks in deep right from the opening track. With a penchant for knowing just the right effect for each track, as well as when to use the electric guitar, acoustic guitar or a mixture of both, Cross keeps listener’s guessing as to what’s coming next, while engaging their musical curiosity at the same time. Sirensis a strong debut for Cross, one that is sure to set the stage for a bright career to come.

The songs cover a wide range of pop-based genres. From ballads such as “Scared to Pieces” to the more dance-inspired “Tragedy,” Cross weaves his way through different grooves, harmonic progressions and lead lines as the album unfolds. Though there are faster tracks on the album, the real gems are slower songs such as “Lost.” Here, the acoustic guitar lays down a slow and patient rhythm track, while the electric guitar floats through the background before taking center stage during the chorus. Playing at slow tempos is never an easy task, but Cross makes it sound easy. His ability to create energy and intensity all while laying back on a slow tempo is a skill that makes him stand out among the crowd, all while adding a personalized layer of musicality to his ballads. The song also features a subdued solo that uses short, legato melody lines with a heavy distortion to weave in and out of the chords. Though it is short and simple in nature, it stands out and sticks in the listener’s ears long after the song has finished.

As a guitarist, Cross is always aware of the importance of textures and timbres in the sound of the instrument. Moving between acoustic and electric, blending effects in a tasteful way, and having the ability to create both memorable licks and chord phrases all combine to provide enough ear candy for any fan of modern pop-rock guitar. There is nothing over the top about Cross’ playing, but his technique and sense of control is evident in everything he plays. His acoustic work on songs such as “A Feeling” lays quietly in the background, relying on the percussive nature of the instrument to frame the melodic content, before setting up the electric guitar which enters in the chorus. It is always a nice surprise to hear an artist blend both acoustic and electric guitars in this way, and it really adds to the overall success of the album.

Sirens is a strong release for the up and coming Cross. The songs are well-written, creatively arranged and performed with a mature musicality, all signs of a bright career to come for the singer, guitarist and songwriter.