Sydney-based Alternative Dream Rock band Crystal Cities continue their winning streak with the release of their latest single, “Shadow of a Doubt”. The track is reminiscent of earlier Crystal Cities fan-favourites such as “Who’s Gonna Save Us Now” and “I Hear a Cold Wind Calling”.
Lead singer/guitarist and primary songwriter Geoff Rana has become an expert by this point at drawing the listener in by creating ominous ‘driving through foggy mountain tops’ atmosphere’s with his moody guitar tones and melodies.
"When I was on tour years ago I was stopped and questioned by U.S. Customs at Toronto airport. They wanted to know my intentions and why I was travelling to the US after spending a week in Toronto. 'Well, I’m a singer in a band and I’ve got shows booked across the country from New York to LA' I said. The rest of the band were completely unaware of the situation I was in and were way ahead of me, had cleared Customs, and were awaiting my arrival on the plane.
After an intense interrogation, the Customs officials decided to deny me entry based on my Visa not allowing me to sing in the U.S. - you actually need an Entertainment Visa to do this which requires a lot of money and filling out tonnes of paperwork... The Customs officer walked me to the front of the airport, turned me around and said 'Good luck'.
So, there I was, in a country I had never been before and I’m looking around thinking 'Where the hell do I go? What's my next move?'. Lucky I had met some really cool Canadians during the week at some of our shows, so I gave them a call. I spent the next two weeks soul searching and sleeping on floors.
'Shadow of a Doubt' is about those two weeks of having no real sense of commitment, time, place, or idea of how and when I was going to get back to Australia."
- Geoff Rana (vocals/guitar/keys)
“Shadow of a Doubt” is the third single to be released from the band’s upcoming sophomore album, Hold Me Close Hold Me Tight. Early indications of the album’s strength are good with lead single “Don’t Speak Too Soon” being added to Spotify’s Fresh Finds: Rock editorial playlist and follow up single “Got My Back to the Wind” garnering praise from international blogs such as EarToTheGround and The Girls at the Rock Show. This has been vindicating for Rana and his confidence as a DIY music engineer.
lyrics
I’ve got this dreamer’s disease
These hands are failing me
My eyes are planted on the road
But we got miles left to go
I've got this tiger in me
The preacher’s right hand is free
I've never been this far from home
My head is humming from the road
And when it all fades out
I'm just a shadow of a doubt
And when it all plays out
I'm just a shadow of a doubt
I've got this killer in me
I only hear what ya see
I'm only doing what I’m told
As the highest bidder takes it all
I've got the devil in me
A ghost that longs to be seen
These legs are cut off at the knees
It's just a temporary disease
And when it all fades out
I'm just a shadow of a doubt
And when it all plays out
I'm just a shadow of a doubt
Now watch these hands move
They only fool you
As you’re looking away
Up in the distance
These eyes of wisdom
The devil’s on her knees
Now watch these hands move
They only fool you
As you’re looking away
And in the distance
These eyes of wisdom
The devil looks away
When it all plays out
I'm just a shadow of a doubt
I'm just a shadow of a doubt
I'm just a shadow of a doubt
I'm just a shadow of a doubt
I'm just a shadow of a doubt
credits
from Hold Me Close Hold Me Tight (album),
track released November 13, 2020
Engineered by Geoff Rana at his house in Sydney
Mixed and mastered by Paul Lani in LA
Produced by Crystal Cities
Vocals, guitar, keys, and synth by Geoff Rana
Bass and backing vocals by Jared King (JK)
Drums by Daniel Conte
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