““a town called normal” is the latest album by vincent cross as he journeys through jazz-influenced old-time ballads, downhome country blues, traditional bluegrass and indie-folk rock. he pulls back the curtain and reveals a lonely shell of a man. but if they made a drug that was this high, I’d never be sober. a stone cold winner.”

“(TRANSLATION) Vincent Cross is a songwriter from Ireland, who arrived in New York from Australia. He writes narrative songs he sings beautifully and wonderfully arranges, with traditional bluegrass instruments such as guitar, mandolin, bass and banjo. Still, the result does not sound like traditional bluegrass. This include the arrangements to be refined and varied to the songs of structure - Cross wants to exchange within a single song ever tempo or use more than two melodies. Sounds like he makes complex music, but that is certainly not the case, because the songs of Cross are accessible and enjoyable to listen to. All of which makes it even more fun is that he is what country, blues and jazz mixes with his arrangements.

The arrangements and the refined compositions, this album is what we call a growth plate. With every spin you’ll hear some more details, and the music is just another battle better and better. Just listen to the passionate My Love or the magnificent title track A Town Called Normal. It is on this album no weak song, though he may hesitate on the next album cover (this time Cuckoo) omit - I’d rather hear the songs of this phenomenal singer / songwriter.”

“(TRANSLATION) Born in Dublin, Ireland, grew up in Australia and now a resident of the city of New York. Vincent Cross is his name. Acoustic guitar, mandolin harmonica player and singer-songwriter acoustic country-folk songs. With two albums to his name is A Town Called Normal the first I’m hearing. The in-house recorded album was published in 2013. Some time was brought back by himself the album at Real Roots Café attention. Good idea, the album contains namely Americana in its purest form. Small, fragile, poetic songs, composed of a mix of ouderwetse- and modern country-folk / bluegrass. All twelve songs hit but - somewhere half the plate - came and I remained in the grip of the beautiful godforsaken Trouble Being There. It is a short love song with a beautiful, compelling melody to frame the painfully honest lyrics about regret and remorse, impressive austere but powerful completed by acoustic guitar, mandolin, upright bass, banjo, lightly brush drums and Cross’ magnificent, melancholy voice. Rare intrusive, a great expressiveness and quality of the superlative. Using such strong superlatives about one song, it would do the other eleven almost too short, which would not be in place. The point is that it’s just one song is better than the other. All due to Cross’ songwriter art, which revolves around the triangle: simplicity, imagination and melodic form.

On the album, which the Moon studios, Staten Island was recorded, musicians collaborated on bass, drums, banjo and mandolin. The end result: beautiful songs, beautiful coloring, mighty fine performance. (Independent)”

“Ireland-born, New York City-based singer/song- writer Vincent Cross turned heads with his 2008 debut “Home Away From Home,” a fantastic collection of blue- grass tunes, and he expands his musical palette into Americana and folk on “A Town Called Normal.

Though Cross is not a household name, he should be. He shows it on this tasty gathering of 12 tunes. Keepers include the title track, the timeless “Cursed,” “Trouble Being There,” “Childish Things,” “Walking on the Outside” and “Wrack & Ruin.”
Highly recommended.”

“Vincent Cross has put together an eclectic mix of original songs on his album, “Home Away From Home,” a fitting title for this outstanding guitar and mandolin player. Cross, who hails from Ireland but makes his home in the New York City area, manages to sound like he is straight out of the Appalachian mountains.

The album gets off to a strong start with “Guess I’m Doin’ Fine,” an upbeat number
despite a typically-sad story of lost love. Throughout the album, Vincent Cross displays an innate skill with his vocal interpretation of a song. On the title cut, his voice is somewhat reminiscent of Chris Thile, while on “Grandma’s Home Brew” I think Cross sounds a bit like Bob Dylan. It seems Cross has the uncanny ability to sound like anyone he chooses, but, truly, Cross’ style is all his own.

This album is reflective of the true versatility of Cross’ musical prowess. Joining him on the album is Andy Cartoun, a well-respected banjo player in the New York area who does not disappoint in giving listeners the drive one looks for on a bluegrass album. Bruno Bruzzese is a virtuoso on the violin, coming from a background of a wide range of musical styles, most notably Middle Eastern music. His fiddle playing accurately portrays the emotion behind the song and his deftness on the instrument is prominent throughout this fine album. If you like the sound of the mountains, this album is for you.”

“Home Away From Home” is the recording debut for Vincent Cross (guitar, mandolin, and vocals) and his band Good Company. The dozen selections were penned by Vincent and carried off in a hard-driving bluegrass style. Some of the more interesting titles include “Sensitize, “ “Minus Love,” and “Out Of My Head.” For the first time out, “Home Away From Home” is a successful endeavor, and hopefully there will be other projects to follow.”

““Solid bluegrass debut….He is blessed with a versatile voice which can ably evoke that high lonesome sound, whilst deepening its nuance for the more mellow numbers in which respect he is quite reminiscent of Tim O’Brien.””