Customer Reviews

Crack Attic: The Best of

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's good to see the Crack fans from around the country putting their comments here. I thought i was alone. I am fortunate enough to still live in Maryland and have seen Crack the Sky in concert over 20 times going back to 1978. For those of you not in the Baltimore area the first 4 albums can still be obtained on CD---right now they are only available through Record and Tape traders outlets in the Balt area--each cd contacts 2 albums. One has the first album and White Music-the other has Safty in Numbers and Animal Notes. There is also a live Cd release that has excerpts from a live radio broadcast on Wbab radio in Ny mixed with cuts from Live Sky--if you want any of these CD's --write be and I can pick them up for ya and send them to you. Nothin to hard for a Crack fan. Cya-Billy

I saw these guys at the Tower Theater in Philly in '77 or '78. . .even got taped on their live album when the band announced it was recording live with a very audible, "alllllright!" Crack The Sky came along at the same time as Angel, The Cars, Meatloaf and Bowie was starting his dark trilogy of Low and soon to be released Hero's and later Scarry Monsters. Crack the Sky has withstood the test of time and its music is as relative to the 90's, as it was in the late 70's, early 80's. The only drawback on this cd is that "Safety in Numbers" is not on it. I agree with all of the other fans. . .this is the greatest band that never got past regional status. They also put on a terrific show and sound great live.

A nearly perfect, representative collection from the greatest unknown band ever. Beautifully showcases their songwriting, tightness, and musicianship. An excellent starting point to becoming a CTS fan, it's also a great cd to have if it's all you can find. If you like your music "balanced" this is for you - CTS writes listenable, catchy tunes that still features great technical musicianship. Their music is both intelligent and visceral. Their stuff is usually complicated with a lot of time skips and complex arrangements but still easy to listen to. They are also a tremendously powerful live band.

A good selection for anyone familiar with the band or just starting out. I was surprised and glad to see so many "Crack Heads" reviewing this and their other albums. I was fortunate to see them live twice in Atlanta at The Great Southeast Music Hall in '76 and '78. Their first self titled album is still my personal favorite and I agree that a greatest hits album from this group is incomplete without "Robots for Ronnie". Buy this one and then check out their first album.

Crack the Sky burst onto the music scene in the mid-seventies with two brilliant albums, the self-titled debut and the follow up Animal Notes. These recordings presented a creative, energetic and sophisticated prog-pop-rock band that skillfully complimented the quirky, yet brilliant, compositions of writer-singer John Palumbo. This compilation presents 5 cuts from the debut album and 4 cuts(not nearly enough) from Animal notes. All nine are brilliant. Strangely, there is nothing from their terrific live album. One would think that at least their cover of the Beatles' I Am the Walrus from the live disc would have made the compilation. Their third studio album, Safety in Numbers, was not of the same standard as the first two albums. Palumbo co-wrote most of the material but chose to abandon the band prior to recording them. It's still a strong effort and is represented on this compilation by 3 fine cuts. The following material from White Music and a Palumbo solo effort are rubbish and should have been left off entirely. In fact, this compilation would have been greatly improved had it focused entirely on the first three solo albums and the live disc as they ran out of steam after those four recordings. Still, the first 12 cuts make for extremely enjoyable listening. Highly recommended...Simon

The best of the best. This band was so far ahead of its time it's scary. Anyone hearing these songs for the first time would think they were written and recorded in the last year, not 15 to 20 years ago. I wish Amazon handled the rest of the collection as the early albums have been available on CD for several years now. Fortunately I have the entire collection except for "Dog City" on either vinyl or CD (usually both). If you ever see any of their albums in a used record store, buy it, you won't be disapointed.

These boys really rock the house. In Baltimore and up and down the east coast they put on the best small hall show for the buck I have ever seen. Their New Year's Eve party with WIYY were the best I have ever seen. Palumbo was outstanding and the band made me proud to be a member of the "Crack Pack".

Crack the Sky is one of the best bands you've never heard of. They put out some "classic" songs (Ice, She's a Dancer, From the Greenhouse, Hold On/Surf City) but never made it beyond a regional act. There are some great songs on this album, and even tho you can't see the band any more (unless you live in around here) you can atleast enjoy the music.

although im glad to see a retrospective, the fact that "safety in numbers" has been left out seems to point to inner conflict within the band. palumbo? might consider a little more input from witkowsky? how did attic sell? i bet you would sell more units of "safety in numbers", just a guess.....the live record is great!!!

I have several Crack albums on vinyl, and had been looking for them on CD for years. Was led to believe that the early stuff on CD was limited to, and quickly snapped up by, fan club members. Imagine my complete astonishment when I found this disk in the store. This is truly a "best of" compilation with the notable absence of "Robots For Ronnie". As other reviewers have mentioned, it is difficult to categorize Crack The Sky. "Complicated hard rock with jazz influences" doesn't quite cover it, although it's generally the best I can come up with. I am happy that Amazon now seems to have at least some of their music available. If you're a fan of intricate music and/or good rock and roll, check this out. You won't be disappointed.