Alex Crossland - “Better That It Ends”
New York City-based singer-songwriter Alex Crossland returns to us with “Better That It Ends,” and he’s brought along some friends.
We first became fans of Crossland’s when he let us hear the sweet sounds of “Parade,” an instant, indie folk classic that left us wanting more. He’s slowed things down a bit with “Better That It Ends,” peeling back some layers in order to let us marinate in its gloriously poignant existence.
The song opens to the sounds of acoustic guitar, wonderfully strummed, exuding that folksy, melancholic vibe to which we so often find ourselves drawn. As you might recall, Crossland has been blessed with a voice that has been naturally crafted for hitting our Elliott Smith niche, and there is no way for any listener to resist his flavor of storytelling.
The arrival of the hook brings the support of two blog favorites, Sarah Gross and Dan Harris of Shadow Alcove, whose delightful harmonies let “Better That It Ends” stretch its somber arms to engulf anyone within earshot. Any lover of authentic folk music is bound to be completely swept up in the sheer magnitude of this three-part harmony.
And Crossland’s magnificent craft does not end there; the arrangement is suddenly flooded with various ethereal amenities, such as the soft swelling of strings and the illustrious pedal steel. Midpoint brings about a gentle rhythm section, providing just the right amount of forward momentum and a glimmer of hope that slightly contrasts the song’s subject matter.
After the final appearance of the refrain, Crossland brings the track back to its more stripped-back origins, further proof that that he knows exactly what the world wants to hear. You should really make it a point to fill your ears with Crossland’s sound before it’s all everyone else is talking about; this is folk music in its most honest form.