CRACKTHE SKY

Originally fronted by John Palumbo, the group's initial lineup also included Jim Griffiths (guitar), Rick Witkowski (guitar), Joe Macre (bass) and Joey D'Amico (drums). Their first album Crack The Sky, released in 1975, was declared album of the year by Rolling Stone magazine, and contained such "cult" hits as Ice, Hold On/Surf City and She's A Dancer.

John Palumbo left the band in 1978 during the writing of their third album, Safety In Numbers, which resulted in songs on the first half of the album having words & lyrics by John, but the second half having words & lyrics by assorted (remaining) band members. John's leaving was "due clearly to a divergence in artistic direction." While many thought that losing John would damage the band, they were able to put together a good third album, followed by a tour which received rave reviews and produced their fourth, live album in 1978, Live Sky. The group was introduced with an all time classic phrase guaranteed to provoke and elicit an enthusiastic reaction from concertgoers......
("This band has come all the way down from an acid trip just to play for you...")

This is an excellent example of the band live, with replacement vocalist Gary Lee Chappell, and credits (for the first time) Vince DePaul on keyboards, although he had played keyboards for the band on previous live outings. (Many people who saw Crack The Sky open for some band or other said that Crack basically blew the other band off the stage - that the headliner was a let-down after Crack played!)

(thanks to Bobby Shred)

Heavier, more varied and sometimes intense with great pace and chord changes. Some of this sound still shows up even on their newest CD. Safety in Numbers is possibly one of CTS's finest albums, and one of the best albums most people have never heard. If there were any musical justice in the world, these guys would be one of the most popular bands of all time, but we all know musical justice is in short supply.

   krakatack (as posted on prog archives) 

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Video Clips from YouTube

Ice
Hot Razors
Nuclear Apathy
She's A Dancer
Flashlight
Hold On
Long Nights
Robots For Ronnie
Blowing Up Detroit
Lighten Up McGraw
Lost In America/A Day In The Life
I Am The Walrus
Skin DeepTechniGeneration
Surf City
Hold On/ Nuclear Apathy
Art Of Wondering
Wet Teenager
All American Boy
From The Greenhouse


Many more songs and different versions of these at YouTube
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Crack The Sky has released a new album. I will post some clips and reviews.
 
 
 
Listened to the new CD. Music is great, considering the parts were recorded separately then combined. Some vocals sound like singer was going hoarse.

As a concept album, is well done. Topic/s is/are not as good as some older CTS cd's. Without lyrics, it was hard to tell where the lyrics stand on the topics in the songs. Maybe a bit too political? But music still stands out.

I think that maybe the next CD should be recorded together with multiple inputs and not get stuck on negative political ideas. Play the instruments, sing and have fun. Make great music.