Crack the Sky
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1975-77) - Joey D’Amico -- drums, percussion, backing vocals - Jim Griffiths – lead guitar, backing vocals - Joe Macre -- bass, syntheziers, backing vocals - John Palumbo -- vocals, guitar, bass, drums - Rick Witkowski -- lead guitar, Mellotron, backing vocals
line up 2 (1977-78) - Joey D’Amico -- drums, percussion, backing vocals - Vince DePaul -- keyboards - Jim Griffiths – lead guitar, backing vocals - Joe Macre -- bass, syntheziers, backing vocals - John Palumbo -- vocals, guitar, bass, drums - Barry Siegfried -- guitar - Rick Witkowski -- lead guitar, Mellotron, backing vocals
line up 3 (1978) NEW - Gary Lee Chappell – vocals, acoustic guitar (replaced John Palumbo) - Joey D’Amico -- drums, percussion, backing vocals - Jim Griffiths – lead guitar, backing vocals - Joe Macre -- bass, syntheziers, backing vocals v - Rick Witkowski -- lead guitar, Mellotron, backing vocals
supporting musicians (1978) - Rob Stevens -- keyboards, synthesizer
line up 4 (1980) - Vince DePaul -- keyboards, synthesizers NEW - John Palumbo -- vocals, guitar, bass, drums - Rick Witkowski -- lead guitar, Mellotron, backing vocals
supporting musicians (1980) - Richard Hunt -- backing vocals - Robin Denning -- horn - Deborah Kucan -- backing vocals - Ellery Eskellin -- baritone sax - Tom McCormick -- tenor sax - Bill Warfield -- trumpet
line up 5 (1981-83) - Bobby Hird -- lead guitar - Vince DePaul -- keyboards. synthesizers - John Palumbo -- vocals, guitar, synthesizers - John Tracey -- drums, percussion - Carey Ziegler -- bass
line up x (1984-85) - Joey D’Amico -- drums, percussion, backing vocals - Jamie LaRitz -- guitar, effects NEW - John Palumbo -- vocals, guitar, bass, drums - Michael Taylor --guitar - John Tracey -- drums, percussion - Rick Witkowski -- lead guitar, Mellotron, backing vocals - Carey Ziegler -- bass
line up x (1986) - Jamie LaRitz -- guitar - John Palumbo -- vocals, guitar, bass, drums
line up x (1986-1987) - Joey D’Amico -- drums, percussion, backing vocals - Vince DePaul -- keyboards - Bobby Hird -- guitar - John Palumbo -- vocals, guitar, bass, drums - Rick Witkowski -- lead guitar, Mellotron, backing vocals - Carey Ziegler -- bass
line up x (1987-1990) - Joey D’Amico -- drums, percussion, backing vocals - Vince DePaul -- keyboards - John Palumbo -- vocals, guitar, bass, drums - Rick Witkowski -- lead guitar, Mellotron, backing vocals - Carey Ziegler -- bass
line up x (1990 -1996) - Joey D’Amico -- drums, percussion, backing vocals - Vince DePaul -- keyboards - John Palumbo -- vocals, guitar, bass, drums - Rick Witkowski -- lead guitar, Mellotron, backing vocals - Carey Ziegler -- bass
line up x (1996-1998) - Bobby Hird -- guitar - Nat Kerr -- keyboards - John Palumbo -- vocals, guitar, bass, drums - John Tracey -- drums, percussion - Rick Witkowski -- lead guitar, Mellotron, backing vocals
line up x (1998-1999) - Bobby Hird -- guitar - Nat Kerr -- keyboards - John Palumbo -- vocals, guitar, bass, drums - John Tracey -- drums, percussion - Rick Witkowski -- lead guitar, Mellotron, backing vocals
line up x (1999-2003) - Bobby Hird -- guitar - John Palumbo -- vocals, guitar, bass, drums - John Tracey -- drums, percussion - Rick Witkowski -- lead guitar, Mellotron, backing vocals - Glenn Workman -- keyboards, piano, vocals
line up x (2008-2012) NEW - Joey D’Amico -- drums, percussion, backing vocal - Bobby Hird -- guitar NEW -- Joe Macre -- bass, syntheziers, backing vocals - John Palumbo -- vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards - Rick Witkowski -- lead guitar, Mellotron, backing vocals - Glenn Workman -- keyboards, piano, vocals
line up x (2012 - present) - Joey D’Amico -- drums, percussion, backing vocal - Dave DeMarco -- bass, vocals - Bobby Hird -- guitar, mandolin - John Palumbo -- vocals, guitar, keyboards - Rick Witkowski -- lead guitar, ukulele, Mellotron, backing vocals - Glenn Workman -- keyboards, piano, vocals
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- The 00s (Bobby Hird) - Carry On (Cary Ziegler) - Climbadonkey (John Tracey) - Cruel Shoes (John Palumbo) - Glass House (Cary Ziegler) - Bobby HIrd (solo efforts) - Jaime LaRitz (solo efforts) - No Heroes - John Palumbo (solo efforts) - The Precious Brothers (John Palumbo) - Queen's Chapel (John Tracey) - Ravyns (Bobby Hird) - Shane (Cary Ziegler) - B.E. Taylor Group (Joey D’Amico,Joe Macre and Rick Witkowski) - Trigger Happy (John Tracey) - Carey Ziegler (solo efforts) - Carey Zigler's Expensive Hobby (Carey Ziegler) |
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Genre: progressive Rating: 4 stars **** Title: Animal Notes Company: Lifesong Catalog: LS
6005 Country/State: Weirtown, West Virginia Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: -- Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $20.00
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So Rolling Stone picks your debut album as it's 1975 "Album of the Year". What's a rock band supposed to do for a follow-up? Well, in the case of Crack the Sky you decide WTF and start to record a concept album. The concept - a rock opera built around The Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Perhaps not a big surprise, the band's label wasn't enthralled with the idea.
Co-produced
by William Kirkland and Marty Nelson, 1976's "Animal Notes"
found the band recording in New York City's The Record Plant. Like the
debut, singer/multi-instrumentalist John Palumbo served as the band's
creative mainstay. As on the debut, he was again responsible for all
eight selections. Musically the album found the band sticking with
their eclectic mixture of progres
"Animal
Notes" track listing: 1.) We Want Mine (John Palumbo) - 4:51 rating: **** stars By the time Crack the Sky went back into the studio, they'd spent two years on the road opening for every nationally known band from The Electric Light Orchestra to Frank Zappa. All their efforts had apparently done little for their pocketbooks and 'We Want Mine' was a non-too-subtle dig at label Lifesong. With a bouncy, old-timey feel, 'We Want Mine' has always reminded me of something an English act like Gilbert O'Sullivan, or mid-career Supertramp might have written. Listening to Palumbo's seething lyrics it was to see how this business partnership was going to end badly. Probably the album's most commercial tune, it was released as a single:
- 1976's '(We Don't Want Your Money) We Want Mine' b/w 'Invaders from Mars' (Lifesong catalog number LS 45016) 2.) Animal Skins (John Palumbo) - 3:34 rating: **** stars Totally
unexpected, the title track sported a cool raga flavor. Palumbo's
lyrics were mysterious - not sure if it was a dig at Western consumerism,
organized church, of just a laugh. An even bigger surprise to me,
Terence Minogue's orchestration added a Beatles-esque feel to the
performance. 'Wet Teenager' offered up a straight-ahead rocker showcasing Joey D’Amico's ear-shattering drums, a killer Rick Witkowski guitar solo and a nice example of the band's wonderful harmony vocals. 4.) Maybe I Can Fool Everybody (Tonight) (John Palumbo) - 5:55 rating: **** stars Opening up with a bit of Pink Floyd atmosphere 'Maybe I Can Fool Everybody' featured an ominous melody that underscored Palumbo's dark lyrics..Powered by Jim Griffiths and Rick Witkowski's fabulous guitar tradeoffs and a chorus that was worthy of Badfinger, this was one of their all-time highlights. YouTube has a great performance clip - recorded in a basement for a May 2008 benefit for the Catherine's Fund 4 Cystic Fibrosis, the results are pretty impressive: Crack The Sky LIVE ACOUSTIC: For Catherine - Maybe I Can Fool Everybody - YouTube
(side
2) Witness the chorus credited to "The Singing Mounties"), 'Rangers At Midnight' was the only survivor from the band's original "rock opera" concept. Opening up with the sounds of someone walking out of a blizzard into a building, the song was divided into three segments. The first segment has always made me think of Monty Python's Eric Idle. 'Night Patrol' actually found the band delving into more of a progressive sound while 'Let's Lift Our Hearts Up' marked a return to a Python-esque sing along. Shoot, now I'm thinking about 'The Lumberjack Song'. This was another tune the band played as part of their Catherine's Fund 4 Cystic Fibrosis charity concert. Powered by bassist Macre's elegant playing the sound's pretty impressive. For Catherine Rangers At Midnight - YouTube 2.) Virgin...No (John Palumbo) - 4:56 rating: *** stars With the emphasis on Griffiths and Witkowski guitars, 'Virgin ... No' featured a wide arrangement of shifting times, but largely ditched progressive influences in favor of a glam rock attack. The harmonies on ' Virgin...No' have always reminded me of prime Sweet. 3.) Invaders From Mars (John Palumbo) - 3:31 rating: **** stars Opening up with Palumbo's piano and colorful lyrics, musically 'Invaders From Mars' has always reminded me of something the Mael Brothers might have recorded with Sparks. Yeah, with a plotline that included Martians, it was that strange. The funny thing is when the twin guitars kicked in the tune built up more and more energy as it went along. It's the album's hidden treasure. 4.) Play On (John Palumbo) - 3:56 rating: *** stars 'Play On' sported the album's prettiest melody. The song opened up with Palumbo accompanying himself on piano. The sound grew with the addition of Macre's wonderful bass, D’Amico's thundering drums announcing the rest of the band had arrived and finally and extensive slice of orchestration. Cool way to end the album.
© Scott R. Blackerby May, 2024
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Genre: progressive Rating: 4 stars **** Title: Safety In Numbers Company: Lifesong Catalog: JZ
35041 Country/State: Weirtown, West Virginia Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: -- Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $20.00
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Now that I'm in my mid-'60s I've started keeping lists. Books I want to read; places I want to visit, records I want to hear, bands I want to see. I also have lists of regrets. Among those lists - bands I wish I'd seen. On that list is Crack the Sky. The funny thing is I've had a couple of opportunities to see Crack the Sky. While in college I had a friend who was really into the band and tried to get me to go see them at Georgetown's The Bayou. I listened to a couple of their songs and give my Doobie Brothers/Journey tastes, just couldn't make the connection. About twenty years later I had someone offer me a ticket to one of their concerts, but I had a previous engagement. I guess the good news is they are still performing, so I may still get a chance.
By the way, for anyone interested, the band has a nifty website at: Crack The Sky - "Tribes" out Jan 15, 2021 on Carry On Music
The
existence of a third Crack the Sky studio album is somewhat of a
miracle. Working with producer Rob Stevens in 1978 the band regrouped
in Qubec's Le Studio. Confronted with the deadly differences in
musical direction, early in the recording sessions front man John Palumbo
quit. In addition to being the lead vocalist, Palumbo was the band's
creative mainstay. He'd written every song on the first two studio
albums. Most bands would have simply thrown in the towel, but drumme
Considering the turmoil surrounding the recording sessions, the album proved surprisingly enjoyable. Supported by a brief American tour opening for Heart on their "Hearts and Butterflies" album, the LP proved their biggest seller peaking at # 126 on the US Billboard charts. Dates from the tour appeared on a pair of live albums: 1978's "Live Sky" (Lifesong catalog number JZ-35620) and 2006's "Alive and Kickin' Ass'" (Lifesong LSCD-7004-1)
And with things looking up the band's relationship with Lifesong tanked, the band abruptly deciding to call it quits.
"Safety In
Numbers" track listing: 1.) Nuclear Apathy (John Palumbo) - 8:32 rating: **** stars Yeah it's always struck me as odd Palumbo wrote this tune prior to quitting in the early stages of recording this album. New lead singer Gary Lee Chappell must have felt strange stepping into the spotlight - particularly on the Palumbo compositions, but kudos for his performance. His voice may have been better suited for this track than Palumbo. Showcasing Rick Witkowski's pretty acoustic guitar and spacey lyrics, the opening and closing sections of 'Nuclear Apathy' have always reminded me a bit of a Pink Floyd composition. In between the song picked up speed, morphing into more of a conventional rocker complete with some Styx-styled harmony vocals. Recorded at a March 2012 performance at Baltimore's Rams Head (with Palumbo back in the pack), YouTube has a great performance of the song at: "Nuclear Apathy" in HD - Crack the Sky 3/14/2012 Baltimore, MD - YouTube 2.) Long Nights (John Palumbo) - 3:59 rating: **** stars Long Nights' managed to wrap a deeply disturbing lyric (I've always thought it was about a parent suffering from dementia) with one of the most commercial melodies Palumbo ever wrote. Drummer D'Amico handled the lead vocals on this one. Lifesong released the tune as the album's second single:
- 1978's 'Long Nights' b/w 'Give Myself To You' (Lifesong catalog number ZS8 1764
Recorded from the audience, YouTube has a clip of the band performing the tune at a September 2017 Wounded Warriors III concert at Baltimore's Pier 6: Crack the Sky, Long Nights/Ice, Wounded Warriors III, Pier 6 Baltimore Md - YouTube
3.) Flashlight (John Palumbo - Joey D'Amico - Joe Macre - Jim Griffiths - Rick Witkowski) - 4:45 rating: **** stars 'Flashlight' was a great example of their progressive stylings. Imagine a mixture of Jon Anderson and Yes with CSN&Y on backing vocals and you'd get a feel for 'Flashlight'. A couple of cold beers and anyone could dance to this one !!! 4.) Prelude to Safety in Numbers (instrumental) (Joe Macre - Rick Witkowski) - 1:15 rating: **** stars The strumming acoustic guitar and martial drumming made a delight.
(side
2) If there's a song on the album that showcases the Joey D'Amico and Joe Macre rhythm section you found it with the blazing 'Light Up McGraw'. Yeah it took a minute for the mega riff to kick in, but when it did ... wow. One of my favorite CTS tunes. It also went a lon way to showing these guys were more than John Palumbo. Also taken from their Wounded Warriors performance, YouTube has a live take of the track: Crack the Sky, Lighten Up McGraw, She's a Dancer, Hold On & Surf City - Wounded Warriors III, Pier 6 - YouTube 2.) Give Myself to You (Rick Witkowski - Rob Stevens) - 3:23 rating: **** stars More rock than progressive, 'Give Myself to You' was built on a delicious guitar riff that also gave Macre plenty of room to show off his technique. Shame it was such a short track since it would have been a nice single in it's own right (rather than being wasted as a "B" side). 3.) A Night on the Town (with Snow White) (Rick Witkowski - Deborah Kucan) - 3:25 rating: ** stars Fans praise this one, but I find it to be the album's lone disappointment. To me the old-timey 'A Night On the Town (with Snow White)' sounded like the band had overdosed on 10CC, complete with a guitar solo that sounded like they'd bought one of the 10CC Gizmo effects units. The track was released as a single:
- 1978's 'A Night on the Town (with Snow White)' b/w 'Long Nights' (Lifesong catalog number ZS8-1763)
4.) Safety in Numbers (Rick Witkowski - Joe Macre) - 6:41 rating: **** stars The title track was probably the album's most successful mash-up of their earlier progressive orientation and their new found commercial leanings. Nice spotlight for vocalist Chappell, sweet melody, just enough twists and turns to keep your interest and the musicianship was exceptional.
© Scott R. Blackerby May, 2024
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Genre: rock Rating: 2 stars ** Title: White Music Company: Lifesong Catalog: LS
8028 Country/State: Weirtown, West Virginia Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: -- Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $20.00
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Frontman John Palumbo quit Crack the Sky at the start of recording sessions for what was to be their third studio set. The rest of the band recruited singer Gary Lee Chappell, releasing1978's "Safety In Numbers". Shortly after the album was released the group got fed up with Lifesong and called it quits.
In 1980 Palumbo reactivated Crack the Sky with keyboardist Vince DePaul (who'd joined the band when touring in support of their last album), and lead guitarist Rick Witkowski. Going into the studio with Terence Minogue and Witkowski co-producing, the album sounded quite a bit different than their earlier catalog. As on the first two albums, Palumbo returned to his spot as creative centerpiece, responsible for composing all eleven songs. I guess it shouldn't have come as a surprise, but on selections like 'Living With the Lights On', the title track, 'Skin Deep' and the single 'Techni Generation' it was pretty obvious Palumbo has been listening to a lot of new wave and power-pop music. Exemplified by tracks like 'Poptown', 'All American Boy' and 'The Radio Cries (It's Singles Time)' his material still retained a quirky sense of humor, but that dreaded '80s sound was clearly starting to creep into the mix. You also got the feeling these guys were starting to get concerned about attracting and retaining an audience. Needless to say, other than the closer 'Songs of Soviet Sons' there really wasn't a lot here for the band's progressive fans. As a fan it was nice to see a reunion, even if it was brief, but the project was missing the band's heart and soul - the original rhythm section of drummer Joey D’Amico and bassist extraordinaire Joe Macre. Yes there were a couple of interesting moments, but for the most part this one was simply a miss.
The "comeback" album didn't do very well commercially and the band subsequently split up again. Palumbo briefly went back to a solo career before recruiting another Crack the Sky lineup. Witkowski resumed his partnership with former Crack the Sky drummer Joey D’Amico and bassist Joe Macre, hooking up with Pittsburgh's Bill Taylor in the B.E. Taylor Group. Over the next six years they group managed to release a series of three albums, an EP and a couple of singles.
"White
Music" track listing: 1.) Poptown (John Palumbo) - 3:47 rating: ** stars The opener 'Poptown' makes it pretty obvious why the band's longstanding progressive fans were disappointed. While Palumbo's lyrics remained entertaining, the song was a rather bland slice of straight ahead guitar rock. Frankly you could have mistaken this for an early-'80s hair band, or maybe a bad Cheap Trick performance. 2.) Living With the Lights On (John Palumbo) - 2:56 rating: ** stars 'Living With the Lights On' opened up sounding like a slice of conventional blues-rock, before the cheesy synthesizers and weird structure revealed those new age influences and a touch of Palumbo's quirky worldview - guess he drove an econobox car. 3.) The Radio Cries (It's Singles Time) (John Palumbo) - 3:11 rating: **** stars The title was great and the song opened up with some promising jangle-rock moves. That said, Palumbo sounded a little uncomfortable singing in the higher range, but the song was cute and had a catchy power-pop refrain that would have sounded great on top-40 radio. 4.) Skin Deep (John Palumbo) - 4:08 rating: ** stars 'Skin Deep' sounded like Palumbo and company wanted to mimic Ric Ocasek and the Cars. For goodness sakes, where in the world did the "Crack Pack Horns' horn arrangement come from ... The video quality is poor, but YouTube has a performance of the song recorded during a 1980 performance at Maryland's Painters Mill: CRACK THE SKY "SKIN DEEP" 1980 - YouTube 5.) White Music (John Palumbo) - 4:12 rating: ** stars Another track that was heavily influenced by new wave (and maybe even Frank Zappa), Palumbo sounded like he was singing with head exploding cold. Wonder if he's ever explained what the song was about?
(side 2) 1.) All American Boy (John Palumbo) - 3:18 rating: *** stars New wave pays homage to the Fab Four with a nod to the Mael brothers ... Always admired Witkowski's solo on this one. 2.) Hot Razors in My Heart (John Palumbo) - 4:38 rating: **** stars Yeah the lyrrics were sophomoric, but perhaps because it avoided the '80s sound in favor of a back-to-basic rock attack it was one of my favorite songs on the album. Come to think about it, the tune sounded like a good Bon Jovi effort. The song remains a staple in their live set. It was filmed by an audience member and the video and sound quality aren't great, but YouTube has a July 2008 performance before an appreciative crowd at the Recher Theater in Townson, Maryland. You get to see Palumbo crowd surfing: CRACK THE SKY Hot Razors in My Heart 7/12/08 - YouTube 3.) Suspicion (John Palumbo) - 4:50 rating: *** stars Funny how Palumbo's vocals just drip paranoia on the slinky 'Suspicion'. Love the Witkowski riff that kicks this one along. 4.) Techni Generation (John Palumbo) - 4:05 Another slice of Ric Ocasek and the Cars wannabes ... 'Techni Generation' is where it all came apart for me. If you wanted to hear this genre why not just go listen to the originals. The track was tapped as the album's only single:
- 1980's 'Techni Generation' b/w 'Suspicion' (Lifesong catalog number LS 45081
5.) Flying (John Palumbo) - 1:21 rating: ** stars Opening up with fire truck sirens and acoustic guitars, the ballad 'Flying' showcased some sweet harmony vocals, but sounded totally out of place on the album 6.) Songs of Soviet Sons (John Palumbo) - 5:05 rating: **** stars Another track that sounded out of place on the album, 'Songs of Soviet Sons' ended the album with a progressive martial rhythm progressive arrangement and some of Palumbo's most interesting lyrics. The track has always reminded me of an outtake from one of their first two collections.
© Scott R. Blackerby May, 2024
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Genre: rock Rating: 2 stars ** Title: World In Motion 1 Company: Criminal Catalog: PRT-1696 Country/State: Weirtown, West Virginia Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: original lyric inner sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $20.00
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Crack the Sky mark III - 1983's "World In Motion" marked the second album featuring front man John Palumbo, guitarist Bobby Hird, keyboard player Vince DePaul, drummer John Tracey and bassist Carey Ziegler. For goodness sakes, the classic original line-up only lasted through two albums. Ending the band's long-standing partnership with Lifesong Records, the album was released by the small Maryland-based Criminal label. With Palumbo' again serving as producer., musically the collection found the band plodding along seemingly trying to find a path between changing popular tastes with stabs at power-pop, rock and jittery new wave. Longstanding fans were left to bemoan the group's total abandonment of their earlier progressive roots. I certainly won't argue that the set was a return to glory days. There were a bunch of forgettable performances here - a new-waved-up cover of The Searchers 'Needles and Pins', the ballads 'Too Cold To Be Cool', the hideous single 'Mr. DJ' and the country-tinged anti-gun statement 'When I Grow Up' all readily came to mind. That said, the album wasn't the complete turkey some reviews would have you believe. Palumbo remained a fascinating artist, more willing that to take chances exploring different musical niches rather than playing it safe time after time. The funky opener 'Breakdown', Palumbo's anti-Nuclear war piece 'All Fly Away' and the conventional rocker 'Telephone Lady' were all worth hearing. Sure, there were a lot of dead ends, but it was still worth checking out if you could find a cheap copy.
"World In
Motion 1" track listing: 1.) Breakdown (John Palumbo) - 3:17 rating: **** stars Funky isn't a descriptor I would normally associate with Crack the Sky, but it fits for the repetitive opener 'Breakdown'. The song was built on a cool little Bobby Hird guitar riff and while there wasn't a lot to the song, it snuck into my mental playlist and wouldn't leave. 2.) Skindiver (John Palumbo) - 3:41 rating: *** stars DePaul's opening synthesizers could have passed for a slice of Krautrock, but when Palumbo's angst-filled vocals kicked in 'Skindiver' placed the band firmly in The Knack power-pop territory. DePaul's closing synthesizer flourishes have always reminded of an '80s radio hit, but I've never been able to track it down. Perhaps Europe's 'The Final Countdown'? The band cut a promotional video for the song in hopes of gaining some MTV attention. In spite of the bevy of attractive young women, it didn't happen, though thanks to YouTube you can still see the clip: Crack The Sky-SKINDIVER - YouTube Always wondered how they got permission to record some of the video on the submarine USS Torsk sitting in Baltimore harbor. 3.) Needles and Pins (Jack Nitzsche - Sonny Bono) - 3:36 rating: *** stars The pop chestnut 'Needles and Pins' was an off choice as a cover tune. Dressing it up in icy '90s synthesizers was even odder. Kudos to Palumbo for having good taste in cover material, but I missed the point behind this remake. 4.) All Fly Away (John Palumbo) - 4:07 rating: **** stars The melody was sweet and the anti-nuclear annihilation lyrics were interesting, but the real star on 'Fall Fly Away' was guitarist Hird. One of the album's isolated highlights. 5.) Too Cold to Be Cool (John Palumbo) - 2:37 rating: ** stars Just Vince DePaul on piano and Palumbo on vocals, who would have expected a bluesy ballad from these guys? It's a fan favorite, but I find it kind of plodding and dull. 6.) Talking to Napoleon (John Palumbo) - 4:43 rating: *** stars The manic laughter wasn't a promising sign ... Luckily, in spite of the goody title and the flood of new wave synthesizers, the ballad 'Talking to Napoleon' was one of the album's more tuneful performances.
(side 2) 1.) Stealer (John Palumbo) - 3:37 rating: ** stars I liked Carey Ziegler's rumbling bass on the slinky 'Stealer'. Unfortunately Palumbo sounded uncomfortable singing in a higher range and the rest of the song suffered from flat '80s production. 2.) This Time (John Palumbo) - 3:47 rating: ** stars The stark ballad 'This Time' (initially Palumbo accompanied by piano) has always reminded me of a John Lennon solo piece. The uncredited sax solo underscored the comparison. Nah it wasn't particularly exciting, or engaging. Bassist Ziegler posted a promotional video for the song on YouTube: CRACK THE SKY "THIS TIME" - YouTube 3.) Mr. DJ (John Palumbo) - 3:19 rating: ** stars Clearly a sign of their increasing desperation to attract airplay, 'Mr. DJ' was completely forgettable. It could easily have been mistaken for anyone of a number of early-'80s power-pop/new wave entities. Who know why but this was the track the band tapped as a single:
- 1983's'Mr. DJ' b/w 'Needles and Pins' (Criminal catalog number CR 1712)
There's an equally uninspired promotional video for the song: CRACK THE SKY---MR. D.J.---FROM THE ALBUM "WORLD IN MOTION 1"---1983 - YouTube
4.) Telephone Lady (John Palumbo) - 4:26 rating: **** stars Thankfully 'Telephone Lady' found the band walking away from their infatuation with '80s new wave edges for a more conventional blues-rocker. Was it a great track? Nah, but the refrain was catchy and it was just nice to hear something that didn't sound like a Devo outtake. Hird used the song as an opportunity to turn in one of his best solos. This was the track they should have released as a single. 5.) Lose That Girl (John Palumbo) - 2:48 rating: **** stars Bouncy power-pop with a great chorus and another nice Hird solo ... I'm a big fan of the genre so this one struck a chord with me. 6.) Working Boys (John Palumbo) - 2:52 rating: *** stars Back to a Knack-styled slice of power-pop ... the blue collar, soccer crowd chorus is a blast. Bet a couple of cold beers and I bet this one would be hard to sit still through. No idea when or where it was recorded, but complete with narrow ties, there's a live performance of the song on YouTube: Crack The Sky: The Working Boys - YouTube 7.) When I Grow Up (John Palumbo - Mary Palumbo) -1:04 rating: * star This was a long album and to be honest, by the time I got to the hokey country-tinged gimmick number 'When I Grow Up' I really didn't care. About the nicest thing I could say about the track is I could sympathize with Palumbo's anti-gun stance and bringing in slew of local orphans to sing the chorus was a nice move, In 1983, in conjunction with Baltimore radio station 98 Rock, Baltimore television station WBAL aired the hour long "Crack the Sky Special." For a band with a deep catalog and so many good songs, you had to wonder why the thought it would be a good idea to include this track, but they did. Crack the Sky "When I Grow Up" (WBAL TV 1983 Special) - YouTube
© Scott R. Blackerby May, 2024
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sive,
pop and rock moves. For folks who've never heard these guys it's hard to
draw a comparison to a better known act. Perhaps a mash-up of 10CC
with Supertramp ... Regardless, the sophomore
album served as a good place for the uninitiated to start their explorations
of the band. Palumbo's
inspirations remained quirky and varied. Only one of the original rock opera
songs made the final cut, but it was a doozy. Clocking in at over
seven minutes and featuring The Singing Mounties on the chorus, 'Rangers
At Midnight' leaves you to wonder what the album would have sounded like had
Lifesong allowed the original concept to go forward.
In spite of the we-hate-our-record-label lyrics, the opener offered up a
slice of radio-ready pop. Elsewhere there were plenty of highlights
including the dark rocker 'Maybe
I Can Fool Everybody (Tonight)'
and the goofy 'Invaders
From Mars'.
The title track even found the band dabbling in lysergic-tinged raga. Was it
as groundbreaking as the debut? Maybe not, but I loved it. The
album actually sold better than the debut, but Lifesong seemingly lost
interest in the band, making little effort to flog the set. Part of
that may have been the difficultly in marketing a band that was too
progressive for pop fans, yet too pop for progressive fans. Personally
I liked them right in the middle of those genres.
r
Joey D’Amico, guitarist Jim Griffiths, bass player Joe Macre and lead
guitarist Rick Witkowski decided to soldier on. Singer Gary
Lee Chappell was quickly brought into the band with producer Stevens
generously picking up some of the keyboard duties. Under Palumbo's
leadership Crack the Sky had always been a quirky outfit. I use that
word in a complimentary sense. And while Palumbo was gone that
eclectic sense remained present on the three tracks he wrote, or co-wrote -
''Nuclear Apathy', the single 'Long Nights' and the dance ready
'Flashlight'. Luckily that quirkiness remained with
Joe Macre and Rick
Witkowski picking up songwriting chores. At the same time the pair
dropped some of Palumbo's odder musical tendencies with material like the
title track, 'Lighten Up McGraw' and 'Give Myself To You' showcasing a more
conventional rock framework that was better suited to Chappell's voice. The
fact that Palumbo's vocals graced a couple of the tracks certainly eased the
transition. Hardcore Crack the Sky fans will disagree, but I really
liked the album and the turn to a more conventional sound didn't offend me
in the least. 
