A lead singer’s voice has the power to single-handedly make or break a listener’s experience of their band. For example; whenever I hear Scott Stapp’s voice I want to cram sharp objects into my ears until they bleed and no longer function properly, and conversely, whenever I hear Thom Yorke I want to climb through the speakers, fall at his feet and worship him.

It’s that same aesthetic that makes lead vocalist Petter Ericson of the New York rock outfit Alberta Cross? an influential and inevitable source of fandom. Or in other words; he’s great.

As are they. While it’s true Ericson’s vocals jumped out at me like a hockey-masked miscreant in a horror flick the band, too, performed admirably, and their new record “Broken Side of Time” is an unquestionable success.

Alberta Cross’s rock/blues stylings are reminiscent of bands like Kings of Leon and The Raconteurs, while Ericson sounds like a cross between Cinjun Tate of Remy Zero and Jim James, genetically constructed to strike a Zen-like balance between emotive whine (Song Three Blues) and impassioned wail (Leave Us and Forgive Us).

“Broken Side of Time” also demonstrates the band’s unique ability rock as comfortably as it rolls. Whether it’s the anthemic, turn it to 11 “Leave Us and Forgive Us” or the mopy and melodramatic “Ghost of City Life,” Alberta Cross is suited for and proficient at both.

Invariably, someone, somewhere will not like this record. Hopefully not to the degree that they’ll be looking for sharp objects. But you’d be hard pressed to find a better debut and if you can’t find something to like about this band you’re just not trying hard enough.