Search - Crack the Sky :: The Sale

Still crackin'

Jeffrey L. Giltenboth | Asheville, NC, USA | 12/21/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is 4 stars if you like Crack the Sky; probably 3 1/2 if you're not familiar with them. While it is good, it's not their best. I've been a fan since their first eponymous release in '75. I don't have their entire output but I do have 9 lps and used to have a handful of 45s. I also think John Palumbo's Victim of the Nightlife is a great, great lp. Still play it fairly often since it's release in '89. For those unfamiliar with Crack the Sky, they have been through a few phases, most noticably their Pink Floyd phase in the late 80s--early 90s. You can still hear the Floyd influence in The Sale but it's not in the forefront. This is simply good album rock. They have always been for listening only. That is no dancing allowed.

Interestingly, my wife and I bought a new car in 1990 from Vince DePaul who was no longer in the group by then. Even so, he invited me to bring a CD with me when I returned to test out the quality sound system. To his joyous surprise I brought From the Greenhouse. It sounded so great to us that we sat in that car for the entire disc. It was pulsating. Had I not already owned the disc, I'd have bought it on the way home.

Anyway, I'm so glad I accidently came upon this disc. It will be a good fit in anyone's collection."

Crack's Harder Edge

W. Mills | Twin Falls, ID | 12/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a Crack the Sky fan since I first heard Animal Notes (1976). I quickly rushed out and bought the debut album "Crack The Sky " (1975) after "digesting" Animal Notes. I own every album (either vinyl or cd) this band's ever released. Honestly, when these guy's are on, no one can touch them. But, lead singer and songwriter John Palumbo is either on or off. I believe he's trying so hard to actually sell a few records that he's experimented with pop songs when he should just stick with the progressive rock format that makes this band absolutely without a doubt one of the best. As a result, after the first three fantastic albums, the rest alternated between pop and "prog" and as such there was good and bad. So, where does this album stand? In the top five of their entire catalog. This disc has a driven hard edge while remaining progressive. The theme of the sale is intelligent and holds the disc together nicely as songs just flow from one to the next. If you enjoy Crack this album is a must have, and if you are new to Crack listen and enjoy! Every cut is well written, superbly produced and frankly this beast jams! As this band has matured so has the songwriting (both lyrically and musically) and JP has clearly allowed the band to do it's own thing with his compositions! Keep it up guy's, this is the real stuff!"

More Greatness

Miles Morris | Winthrop, Maine, USA | 01/30/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I Play this a lot! As usual they latch on to how sanity has nothing to do with reality! I sense a real feeling of sadness that things in general out there are not as good for everyone as they could be. Unique observations mixed with great playing abilities for sure."