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Crossing
Casey Stratton
Crossing
 
After completing a successful US tour, Casey Stratton got right to work in his home studio on The Crossing, the second independent release after 2005's critically acclaimed DIVIDE, and Stratton's eighth studio album. With ...  more »

     
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All Artists: Casey Stratton
Title: Crossing
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: CD BABY.COM/INDYS
Original Release Date: 4/10/2007
Release Date: 4/10/2007
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 634479508004

Synopsis

Product Description
After completing a successful US tour, Casey Stratton got right to work in his home studio on The Crossing, the second independent release after 2005's critically acclaimed DIVIDE, and Stratton's eighth studio album. With The Crossing Stratton takes a more organic and band-like approach with the production, creating an even more accessible sound than his previous efforts. Casey played all the instruments himself, even recording and mixing the project entirely on his own. "There is something about working alone in a room that gives me an immense sense of freedom. I know that if something really doesn't work no one but me will ever hear it. Because of that I'll try anything and I think I am more willing to access certain emotions that aren't always so easy to access in a room full of people," explains Stratton. Of the accessibility of the new effort, Casey remarks, "I really didn't expect the reaction this record has been getting. For months I was afraid it wasn't accessible enough, I never intended it to be anything but an expression and I wanted it to be different from my other records. I am sincerely overjoyed to hear that people are enjoying it so much."

Stratton stays true to his sound featuring his trademark soaring vocals and emotional lyrics, but there is more of a message of hope and strength in The Crossing. The realization that 'enough is enough' is evident in such songs as You Showed Me Again and Blind. Coming to terms with past mistakes and the idea that no one wants to walk the world alone becomes clear in Rising Sun and Static Into Sound. The gothic-tinged piano in Projector is a perfect match with the haunting vocals and confident lyrics.
1 Rising Sun
2 The Window Will Close
3 Projector
4 Sacrifice
5 There Lies the Answer
6 Cruel Hand of Fate
7 Lilacs
8 You Showed Me Again
9 Static Into Sound
10 Wither and Die
11 False Prophet
12 Blind
13 Final Stage
14 The Crossing
 

CD Reviews

Blindfold Lifted
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 05/06/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Casey Stratton's 2007 release on his independent Sleeping Pill label is a lovely recording with his trademark vocals soaring. As on the excellent "Divide," Stratton not only writes and sings all the material, he also plays all the instruments. The first track is a midtempo charmer with an uplifting lyric that ultimately leads to more questions, "Can passion survive a balancing act? Can two people truly forget the past? And will I do a better job this time? Will I know? Have I grown? Am I home?" "Projector" is a breakup song that starts with a string quartet and climaxes in a flowery crescendo, "Silly me, so used to having my way; I couldn't contain my surprise; Funny me, so used to knowing what to say, I couldn't remain." The deep churning electric guitar that starts "Sacrifice" sets it apart in another unhappy love affair, "Why must you wallow in all your delusions? Nail yourself to the cross at least once a week; Well, you've got some nerve to lay all your demons at my feet." "There Lies the Answer" is a lovely song where Stratton takes his time to raise the vocal levels to convey a sense of overcoming tribulation, "There's a day that dawns when you can see through the night, a blindfold lifted to bring back sight." "Blind" works another strong midtempo melody with the orchestral sound punctuated by the steady thump of the drum machine, "So blind then; I thought that you'd change; Shot me down at close range, left my optimism clearly stained." "Other tracks are also quite interesting such as "Lilacs," the piano concerto "Wither & Die," the title track & the elegy "Final Stage." The weakness of the CD is similar to "Divide" where a bit more variety in tempo with a few real upbeat selections would help to highlight his beautiful oeuvre. Stratton, however, vocally and musically remains ambitious, interesting and touching."