Stephen Holden of Rolling Stone magazine called the debut album by prog-rock pioneers Crack The Sky “…one of year’s most impressive debuts.” Today, some 45+ years later, the band celebrates their milestone June 9 release of their 20th studio album From The Wood (Listen on Spotify HERE or HERE) with a special acoustic performance video for the song “Don’t Close Your Eyes” – Watch HERE. The song tells a somber tale about teenage suicide and the toll it can take on loved ones set to melodic guitars, gently strumming along to Palumbo’s temperate vocals.
From The Wood sees Crack The Sky breaking new ground, surprising fans with a mostly acoustic album. Acoustic guitars, piano, dobro, ukulele, banjo, accordion, mandolin, bass, toy piano, djembe, and drums, the result is a ten-track opus (plus two bonus tracks) that inspires, enflames, and reassures the listener with twists and turns along the way. From The Wood is introspective but still unique and progressive. John Palumbo continues to shape his vision of a world with his unique writing style. The guitar interplay from Rick Witkowski and Bobby Hird continues to propel the band in both new and familiar directions.
Songs cover an array of poignant topics including isolation (as experienced from the pandemic), teenage suicide, and social and political commentary on songs such as “Don’t Feed The Tigers” about how we, as a society, put our blind faith in the government and those who run things. “Fun In Isolation” is a rocking track about the desperation of wanting to be left alone during pandemic to get away from the circus that went on politically surrounding it. “Heart Of The Lion” with its classic rock sound and smooth vocal harmonies, pays homage to Ukraine. “My New World” is a lament on how much things have changed told from the perspective of a skeptical man. The album’s hopeful closing track, “Circle Of Life” is about the feeling of being in a state of Zen and being one with the universe.
Some bands have the innate ability to put their collective finger on the pulse of the zeitgeist, and then be able to channel that level of awareness into poignant, affecting music that transcends the bounds of the here and now. Crack The Sky is just such a band.
Though the Weirton, West Virginia-bred rock outfit respectfully celebrated the 45th anniversary of their critically acclaimed self-titled 1975 debut album in 2020, an album that Rolling Stone magazine called “…one of year’s most impressive debuts,” Crack The Sky have no intention of gliding by on the past accomplishments of a deep-rooted career, but rather have their respective sights set on conquering the road that lies ahead.
See Crack The Sky in select cities through 2024. All dates are listed below, more dates will be announced soon.
TOUR DATES:
October 7, 2023 at Sellersville Theater in Sellersville PA (8:00pm show)
November 3 + 4, 2023 at Rams Head Onstage in Annapolis, MD (8:00pm show)
November 5, 2023 at Rams Head Onstage in Annapolis, MD (1:00pm all-ages show) Matinee
November 24, 2023 at State Theater of Havre de Grace in Havre de Grace, MD (8:00pm show)
January 12, 2024 at The Paramount in Huntington, NY (8:00pm show)
January 13, 2024 at Club in Edgewood, MD (8:00pm show)
January 14, 2024 at Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, PA (7:00pm show)
Crack The Sky:
John Palumbo – Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keys
Rick Witkowski – Guitars & Vocals
Joey D’Amico – Drums & Vocals
Bobby Hird – Guitars & Vocals
Glenn Workman – Keyboards & Vocals
Dave DeMarco – Bass & Vocals
