The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads is the debut studio album from Denton, Texas-based indie rock trio Lift to Experience. The double album was released on June 26, 2001, and is thus far the only full-length recording from the band. A concept album about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ[6] that "casts Texas as the Promised Land,"[4] it was produced by guitarist/vocalist Josh T. Pearson, and mixing was handled by Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie, both of Cocteau Twins fame.[5][7] The album was released on Guthrie and Raymonde's record label Bella Union. Receiving very little attention upon release, the album gradually found an audience via the internet and has developed a minor cult following.
The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads | |
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Studio album by Lift to Experience | |
Released | June 26, 2001 |
Recorded | 1999 |
Studio | 70hrtz Studio, Argyle, Texas |
Genre | Indie rock, shoegaze, post-rock[1] |
Length | 93:22 |
Label | Bella Union |
Producer | Josh T. Pearson |
Singles from The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads | |
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Almost Cool | (8/10)[2] |
The Austin Chronicle | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Guardian Unlimited | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Pitchfork | (7.8/10)[5] |
The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads was described by AllMusic reviewer Tim DiGravina as "blend[ing] My Bloody Valentine's sonic feedback with Kitchens of Distinction's swirling atmosphere and the grace of Jeff Buckley", with DiGravina adding, "What could have been a tiresome exploration of awkward religious theories is instead a spellbinding journey into the heart of human emotion and guitar dynamics."[1] Although Lift to Experience never officially announced a disbandment, the band splintered shortly after the album's release, with Pearson re-emerging as a solo artist in the 2010s.
The album was remastered and reissued for its 15-year anniversary by Mute Records on February 3, 2017.[6] The album was reissued across three separate formats, all featuring revised artwork: a 2-CD set; a double vinyl LP set pressed on blue and red colored vinyl; and a deluxe 4-LP box set including the band's first demo EP and live recordings. The reissue coincides with the band's reunion and performance at Meltdown Festival 2016 curated by Elbow frontman Guy Garvey.[6]
All tracks are written by Josh T. Pearson (words) and Lift to Experience (music).
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Just as Was Told" | 6:43 |
2. | "Down Came the Angels" | 5:40 |
3. | "Falling from Cloud 9" | 4:33 |
4. | "With Crippled Wings" | 9:58 |
5. | "Waiting to Hit" | 5:20 |
6. | "The Ground So Soft" | 7:06 |
No. | Title | Length |
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7. | "These Are the Days" | 8:41 |
8. | "When We Shall Touch" | 4:20 |
9. | "Down with the Prophets" | 6:41 |
10. | "To Guard and to Guide You" | 5:24 |
11. | "Into the Storm" | 10:14 |
12. | "The Hidden Song" (Included as a hidden track following 14:06 of silence after "Into the Storm" on CD editions; "Into the Storm" lasts 28:56 in total) | 4:45 |
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